PMcrunch

Fresh perspectives on the world of project management

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Search Results for project+time

The 85% Solution

March 10th, 2011 · 1,762 Comments

A few weeks ago, I was having a conversation with a colleague, and I told him that “we were getting pretty close to ready” with our upgraded and substantially overahauled web site. He replied that it’s common wisdom and good practice among some of the most successful entrepreneurs to go when you’re 85% of the way there. I know exactly what he meant…and I agree. But, as usual, in practice it depends on a number of details…leading to my project Lessons Learned.

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Tags: Project Management Process

My old coach asked, “Why did we win so many games?”

January 13th, 2011 · 1,232 Comments

I’ll get to coach in just a sec… First, have you read the recent article “The Path to PM Mastery” on Gantthead? It acknowledges that there are differences – major ones – among all of us folks that are PMs in one way or another. I hate to rate myself according to the PM mastery hierarchy specified – I’m afraid I might embarrass myself – but I will say that I see elements in myself up and down the scale…but not all clearly at one point. My guess is that you might, also. But I think there is an element missing in there. ..and that’s where my coach comes in.

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Tags: Soft Skills

Life Is Not Easy; Don’t Get Too Comfortable…says Ted Fatteross

September 22nd, 2010 · 1,343 Comments

I had the pleasure of listening to Ted Fatteross at the PMINJ meeting last night. Although there were many messages throughout Ted’s presentation, one stood out: “Don’t let yourself get too comfortable.”

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Tags: Soft Skills

What do Project Management, Six Sigma, Business Analysis, and ITIL have in common?

September 9th, 2010 · 902 Comments

Project Management, Six Sigma, Business Analysis, and ITIL all provide domain frameworks, all have associated business certifications, all live largely in the ‘business’ versus technical realm, and all have a strong process orientation. But what does that mean to business professionals and organizations? Here are some thoughts on implications based upon the ITIL framework.

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Tags: Project Management Process

Prioritize Using Theory of Constraints

June 23rd, 2010 · 1,614 Comments

Often it is hard to decide to what to do first, or what to do next. In fact, in my experience, it is often easier to make such decisions on large projects than smaller projects. The Theory of Constraints is a neat concept that can help.

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Tags: Main

Performance Metrics – We Can Only Manage What We Measure Well

June 9th, 2010 · 673 Comments

“Performance metrics” is an especially popular topic in management today. The idea is to try to measure everything by some sort of metric that gives a true picture of our degree of success or effectiveness. But like many management techniques, it is subject to misuse. Here are my suggestions for identifying relevant metrics and using them effectively.

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Tags: Project Management Process

Performance Metrics – We Can Only Manage What We Measure Well

June 9th, 2010 · No Comments

“Performance metrics” is an especially popular topic in management today. The idea is to try to measure everything by some sort of metric that gives a true picture of our degree of success or effectiveness. But like many management techniques, it is subject to misuse. Here are my suggestions for identifying relevant metrics and using them effectively.

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Tags: Project Management Process

If you want to ‘lead the charge’ – become more valuable

May 1st, 2010 · 2,223 Comments

Earning your PMP certification can help you to better ‘lead the charge’. And, conversely, learning to ‘lead the charge’ will definitely help you to become a more effective project manager – whether you are a PMP, CAPM, or neither. But what comes first, the chicken or the egg?

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Tags: Main

Is change the answer…or is it focus?

April 12th, 2010 · 859 Comments

I typically find change to be refreshing, but also find that it is not always possible. I also find that I have great admiration for those who can maintain a fresh and consistent outlook all of the time. They can be at the top of their games all of the time – and not necessarily incorporate that same type of change component that I do.

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Tags: Soft Skills

What’s In It For Your Team Members?

March 31st, 2010 · 75 Comments

In the hassle and buzzle of day to day work life, of course mixed with a busy personal life, we need to remember that our team members also have their own personal goals, aspirations and challenges. There are many things we can do related to this but the first step is always awareness. Here are [...]

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Tags: Soft Skills