Although there are a few methodologies, such as Agile and Six Sigma, that have their own topic areas, this area is devoted to exploring the many different project management methodologies that are utilized by project managers all around the world. In addition, this is a place where PM experts can “talk shop” and express their opinions on why they believe some strategies work and others don’t. We’ll cover Waterall Methodology, PRINCE2 and much more.
You cannot plan projects perfectly; the plan will be out of date by the time the ink dries! At the same time, you would never think about moving ahead on a project without some planning. Add to this the reality that, in today’s economy, speed is the dominant winning factor. How much planning should we …
Organizational Agility: Balancing Planning and Adaptability Read More »
Adaptability is a very admirable quality – for both individuals and organizations. However, both individuals and organizations LOVE predictability. We tend not to like surprises! These two characteristics – adaptability and predictability – are opposites, both admirable and desirable, and yet there is certain friction between the two. How do we find a balance between …
Organizational Agility: Adaptability vs Predictability Read More »
Can you think of an athlete or performer who is extremely agile? It’s easy to think about an individual being agile. Now think about work teams – for example for a team of software developers – that function in an agile manner. How agile are the individuals on the team? What agile characteristics describe how …
Organizational Agility: Team vs Organization Perspective Read More »
Organizational agility is a hot topic and a hot approach today. However, in many ways, it is a matter of unlearning some past organizational habits and practices! Could it be that you and I were each created to be naturally agile, but we have merely been trained over time by organizations and society to be …
Organizational Agility: Agile Instincts and Mindset Read More »
Devising business strategies is complex – but much easier to do than implementing the strategy. Strategy implementation in businesses entails addressing broad cross-organization issues – like organizational framework, culture, communications flow, and lines of responsibility. This article explores a few of the key factors that can make or break the successful implementation of a business …
Projects necessarily implement strategy, even if only at the most tactical level. Thus it is important that the PM have an understanding of strategy in general – and of the organization’s strategy in particular, especially the aspects that are driving the project. Understanding the strategic drivers of the project shapes the timing, quality standards, and …
In my opinion, government organizations are among the most complex – because they are driven by very specific yet often open-ended missions…where success may not be easily measured, where efficiency is a secondary objective, and where matrix organizations result in lines of authority and accountability that may not be so clear and consistent. Responsible spending …
Programs provide a ‘first front line’ for implementation of strategic objectives, as programs are by nature strategically defined and implement a subset of the strategy. As such, programs can also provide a ‘laboratory’ for implementing strategic objectives – for getting strategy implementation right before implementing elsewhere. Programs also provide the bridge to strategy implementation on …
You know what you’re going to measure to determine quality…but you know that the product won’t be perfect the first time out. You’re going to need a way to execute the measurement process multiple times – or at least enough to achieve a level of confidence that you have achieved the required level of quality. The …
Quality Measurement on Your Project: Measuring Quality in Quantity Read More »
Let’s get practical here: you’re going to need to measure quality in order to achieve a desired level of quality. It’s the most basic management principle: you can’t manage what you can’t measure. So you need to find a way to measure the quality being produced on your project in a way that is reliable, …
You may have a concept for the product of your project, but you need to understand and articulate the level of quality required of that product to make the project a success. The trick is to find the intersection of a quality level that will be acceptable while delivering the project on time and within …
How to Determine the Required Quality on Your Project Read More »
When you begin to think about quality management on your project, the first thing that needs to be done is to define what quality means on the project. Quality is not an objective thing, but there is a commonality among things that represent quality and how to manage them. Defining quality in terms that are …
Quality Management Step 1: Defining Quality on Your Project Read More »
The appetite for innovation is big. It provides a lot of benefits. Companies really want more of it. But how can they get it? How can they be more innovative? This article looks at how companies, large and small, can be intentional about innovation. This is the fourth part of a series of four articles …
There are preconditions to innovation success. And there are important implementation considerations – how things are done. The key is that the overall team works intentionally on innovating in the areas that are most important.This is the third part of a series of four articles on innovation. This article, Part 3 in the series, “Keys …
Many people think that innovation is related to technology. I would argue, however, that while technological inventions may be innovative, innovation can take place in the realm of the non-technical, also. Does that mean that people and organizations can innovate almost anywhere? This is the second part of a series of four articles on innovation. …
Innovation is less technology, and more about mission. People with a clear mission are free to innovate, because they know what to work on. This article sorts through a number of definitions and perspectives on innovation and tries to uncover what innovation really is. One thing that we conclude up front is that the definition …
Philanthropy and program management are tightly linked for a number of reasons. First, philanthropy at its most advanced level is strategically driven, and programs are driven by a common thread of purpose and strategy. Second, both are long term in nature. There is no due date; it’s an effort in moving toward a goal on …
Philanthropy and Project Management: Program Management Read More »
There is a difference between charity and philanthropy. This article explores the difference – and how it has an impact on the project / program management approach taken. Charity begins with attitude or frame of mind…and continues with the act of giving time or money. It is laden with purposefulness – and is aimed at …
Giving time is an act of generosity – and one that can be done even by those that lack financial resources. This article explores the act of giving time, how it fits into philanthropy, and the importance of sound project management to the process. It is important to note that giving volunteer time, while critically important, is …
Philanthropy and Project Management: Giving Time Read More »
Giving money is an act of generosity. This article explores the act of giving money, how it fits into philanthropy, and the importance of sound project management to the process. It is important to note that giving money is only a part (albeit a critical one!) of the process of a philanthropic venture. By itself it requires careful …
Philanthropy and Project Management: Giving Money Read More »
