In most projects, the primary stakeholder is the sponsor. For projects in regulated environments, the regulator becomes an equal, maybe even the primary, stakeholder. This Project Pointer offers several actions to consider when your project lives within the regulatory world.
I’m revisiting communication this week because someone made me realize that I wasn’t communicating clearly in an earlier article. Ironic, huh? In projects (as in the rest of life), effective communication can prevent a lot of problems and make things run more smoothly. Here is an assortment of tips on communicating clearly followed by links to courses when you want to dig deeper.
Keeping attendees engaged in a virtual meeting is a challenge. The potential for distractions is high. And once people tune out, it’s hard to get them back. This Project Pointer offers several techniques for keeping team members engaged from meeting start to finish.
The fate of most projects is determined long before the first task is assigned. It’s decided early on during conversations where scope is shaped. Getting scope right initially doesn’t just avoid problems later on; it builds the case for why the project deserves to exist. This article provides approaches to help you define scope in a way that maximizes success.
Spoiler alert! Email isn’t a communication tool. In this video, Bob McGannon and I explain why email isn’t good for communication and what it is good for. We also describe the best way to use email (as well as other text-based tools).
Playing favorites with stakeholders causes all sorts of problems and makes your job as project manager more difficult. This Project Pointer explains how taking an impartial stance with all stakeholders and their requirements is the way to go.
If your project sponsor doesn’t want to star in the project kickoff meeting for whatever reason, your project will be in trouble from the beginning. Bob McGannon and I explain what the sponsor’s role is in a kickoff meeting and we highlight all the ways their absence creates problems. Don’t worry. We provide some […]
“We’re too busy” kills many justifiable projects before they start. Some organizations overcome this resistance, not because they’re less busy, but because they view their business holistically and fit projects into their daily activities, without hiring expensive contractors. This Project Pointer describes how they manage to pull off this sleight of hand.
The concept of a 40-hour work week is thrown around constantly. And many project plans use this week to develop a schedule. Sadly, a 40-hour work week is a mythical beast. Bob McGannon and I rant a bit about this obstinately long-lived myth. Then we discuss more realistic work weeks and how to apply them in your project schedule.
A job search is a project, so what better way to make it a success than to use your project management skills on it? By approaching it this way, instead of passively waiting for opportunities, you’ll lead your own transition with intention. Anna Anderson and I explain how to apply your skills to your job search.
Below are some interesting links for you! Enjoy your stay...
O'Reilly 50% Ebook Deal of the Day
Microsoft Project blog
Scott Berkun's website
QuickBooks and Beyond
QuickBooks Online Blog
QuickBooks and Your Business