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.
Technical and business priorities in an agile backlog require constant negotiation between delivering immediate value and maintaining long-term application stability. Stakeholders need to see and understand the trade-offs between the outcomes that they want and the work to maintain technical integrity. This Project Pointer describes approaches to achieve this balance.
A procurement plan is one part of every project plan. However, these procurement plans are often beefier than they need to be, particularly when your organization has existing procurement processes and staff. Bob McGannon and I discuss what a project procurement plan truly needs to have in a lot of cases, as well as when you might need to add more detail to your plan.
A new role is much like a project, whether it is a job, a consulting gig, or a volunteer position. Treat it like one and you’ll do your job well and prepare for a smooth handoff at the end. This Project Pointer describes how managing a role delivers success and gains admirers at the same time.
Padding estimates is a common occurrence because people like to give themselves wiggle room on their assignments. But padded estimates cause all sorts of issues for both the current and all future projects. And yet, this padding continues even though everyone knows that it’s happening. In this video, Bob McGannon and I talk about the damage padding does and how to prevent padding from happening.
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