PMcrunch

Projects need to be aligned in some way with corporate strategy . The challenge for project managers is being on top of what that corporate strategy is, in an intimate way, and understanding clearly how their project aligns with that corporate strategy. In this post, I am thinking about the ideal that corporate strategy is not etched in stone. It changes overtime and we must be aware of just what is going on with the dynamics of our organizations strategy.

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Six Sigma projects are derived from organizational strategy, in the same way that organizational strategy drives the selection of all projects and programs in an organization’s Portfolio. So, how do the business drivers that are at work result in some projects being Six Sigma projects, and others not?

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In today’s fast-paced environment, human resources and talent management are of prime importance and concern in virtually all organizations.  The pace of change makes matching job skills with assignments very challenging.  Many organizations have responded with a "learning function" within the organization.  Let’s look at how this trend and how you can ensure the strong project [...]

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Project Portfolio Management, like Investment Portfolio Management, is a balancing act that requires constant monitoring and adjustment over time. Whereas an individual may have the right balance of risk, return, income, growth and others represented in an investment portfolio, a project portfolio is similar in many ways. Risks, returns, resources required, and alignment with overall strategy are just a few of the factors that must be kept in balance over time.

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You are new to a project. The project itself is new, or perhaps you have been handed an initial project. The project charter is a great place to start to get yourself oriented to where the project fits into the organization.

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Business or organizational strategy is intended to drive all decisions within an organization. It provides a direction, a rallying point, and a litmus test for decisions at all levels. Hence, it only stands to reason that strategy would drive the project portfolio management process.

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It can be very helpful for PMP candidates to have a PMP Mentor, or someone who is PMP certified and can assist on a moment’s notice when the student is stuck. A PMP mentor can provide a high level of comfort and assurance that a candidate is on the right path to passing the PMP certification exam.

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Project Management tends to come onto the scene after the strategic direction has been set. Projects arise out of organizational strategy and reside on the implementation side of things. Project Portfolio Management exists somewhere in between, at the connection between the strategy formulation and implementation of the actual projects. the challenge is that there can be disconnects at the transitions among these phases.

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Project Requirements Gathering is a complex and challenging activity. It is also one of the most important activities in project management, as it establishes the baseline against which the product of the project is measured. Here are some thoughts and ideas on effective requirements gathering for any project.

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Enterprise Architecture ( EA ), Organizational Strategy, and Project Portfolio Management (PPM) are closely related.  The question is, “How are they related on a very practical level?”  Let’s take a look.

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