A project charter details the project manager’s responsibilities, but typically not the sponsor’s. Here’s why you should document sponsor responsibilities, too. Identify who manages senior stakeholder relationships. Sometimes, senior project stakeholders don’t know the sponsor. For project success, key stakeholders need to understand and trust the sponsor and his or her motives. The charter should […]
Project managers often ask for a project deadline. That might be a bad idea. Here are reasons to propose a project deadline rather than request one: You need to analyze before agreeing to a deadline. Until your project team analyzes the work required to achieve business outcomes, you can’t be sure the deadline provided is […]
A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) breaks down your project into the activities needed to meet project objectives. Here are tips for breaking down project activities: Break tasks down into 8 – 40 hours of effort. To help track progress, break down work so tasks can be completed within a week. If a process takes longer […]
Standardized project communication is part of effective stakeholder management, and yet at times customized reports may be best. Here are tips for when to invest the additional effort to create customized reports: A key stakeholder has unique priorities. Stakeholders have unique priorities. Often, customized reports are needed to address those priorities. For example, your finance […]
I knew nothing about Project, QuickBooks, Visio, Basecamp and other tools when I started. Here are the techniques I use to master software quickly:
Delayed decisions by key project stakeholders can cripple a project schedule. Here are tips for managing your project approval processes to help you stay on track: Determine the final arbiter: Although it’s best to get multiple opinions before project decisions are made, it’s crucial to clearly appoint the final arbiter for decisions. Collaboration is effective, […]
Good change and stakeholder management help make change meetings easy-going approval exercises. Here are steps to avoid contentious change meetings: Ensure technical team members understand change impacts and risks. Technical teams often focus on how to accomplish a change without considering the potential effects on your business. Involve business team leaders so they can confirm […]
With home-based team members, it’s helpful to understand some of their habits. Here are a few that help you with them effectively: Identify each team member’s preferred work hours: Home-based team members face challenges like childcare and home schooling. Find out when they’re the most productive. Don’t make assumptions. A colleague of mine used to […]
Capturing lessons learned thoughtfully in a closeout report is important and often overlooked. Here are lessons learned to include in your closeout report: Project successes and issues: Highlight what went well and any issues experienced to inform future project managers. Keep to the facts. Don’t share personal opinions. Avoid names. The individuals involved won’t necessarily […]
