Is the Customer Prepared?
When I was a younger project manager – much younger and more naive – I foolishly thought that every customer that stepped into a project engagement was ready for the project. They knew what they wanted, had the budget in…
Category PM Topics
Successfully Managing a Remote Project Team
Having all members of a project team in one place is mostly a luxury any more. It’s happened to me once in the past seven years. It’s almost unheard of if you’re working for a company with more than one…
The Art of Project Management: Sun Tzu’s Rules
By Carl M. Manello PM Hut The art of project management is of vital importance to the Company. It is a matter of success or failure, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it…
Should Everyone Agree with the Project Manager?
It’s nice when everyone is thinking the same way – or at least it seems that way. It’s nice when you’re leading a team and everyone agrees with what you’re saying – with all of the decisions you’re making –…
If You Won’t Follow Me, How Can I Be Your Leader?
I caught this quote the other day on one of my kids’ favorite shows, “Peep and the Big Wide World.” Seriously, it’s one of the best shows on TV if you can find it. Quack, the big blue duck, says,…
What the Project Customer is Expecting
The customers on the projects we run come to us or our organization with project needs in hand and money to spend. They’re looking for a solution – yes – but they are also looking for effective leaders to run…
Key Steps to Proactive Issue Management
In the history of projects, has there ever been one that has been issue-free? All projects have risks and issues – all projects experience bumps in the road that need to be addressed. If a project manager tells you that…
Setting Expectations for the Project Customer
Communication is essential for a successful project. But not just communication – good and effective and accurate communication – because miscommunication happens all too often. Think about what happens in our homes every day. How many times has your wife…
Applying Zen Principles to Leadership
By Sally Stanleigh PM Hut We all know that successful leaders delegate effectively, communicate clearly, coach and mentor their staff and think strategically. But leadership is more than these commonly understood principles. It is about thinking creatively, innovatively and managing…
How are Key Organizational Roles Affected by Agile Adoption?
Is agile adoption the right move for your organization? That’s the big question in your mind if you’re an IT leader trying to decide who you should be shaping your development practices, your project management practices and your product and…
Avoid Project Failures with These Best Practices
Projects come and go and if we are experienced, diligent, and a bit lucky, we will experience many more project success stories than failures. But there will come a time when you fail on a project…it happens to all of…
Foundations of Agile Teams in the Organization
The goal of the agile infrastructure is that it be built on a foundation of respect, value, and system thinking. The agile organization must embrace a set of principles and practices that create a culture of fostering successful projects. Four…