09/04/2013 by Brad Egeland Tags: detailed requirements document, detailed scope, good requirements, good requirements characteristics, project scope
I realize that sometimes requirements and scope are used interchangeably. In many discussions, the picture of the detailed requirements become the overall scope of the project that you then protect with oversight and change orders. But there is also some work that has to happen up front to create that scope – that overall vision […]
08/20/2013 by Brad Egeland Tags: common estimating mistakes, estimating project work, project estimating mistakes
Estimating project work for individual tasks or groups of tasks can be difficult – and it’s important to rely on the project team to either help with estimates or produce the initial estimates that you, as the project manager, then review and document. Is there a sure fire rule of thumb to project estimating? No […]
07/30/2013 by Brad Egeland Tags: pm expertise, pmp-certified project manager, project best practices, project customer types
Projects are important. If they weren’t they wouldn’t be ‘projects’ and you and I would not have jobs. But they are important, they are necessary, and someone experienced needs to lead them. But they are not and never will be an art form. Let me explain. We become aware, at some point in life – […]
07/23/2013 by Brad Egeland Tags: documenting project requirements, project requirements, project requirements document
Can you really start a project without requirements? I know I certainly don’t feel comfortable – even for a short project – starting a project and trying to manage scope without detailed requirements in place for the project. Requirements are key – they are the lifeblood of the project. If you try to build an […]
07/16/2013 by Brad Egeland Tags: project communication pitfalls, project communication problems, project communication tips
In Part 1 of this two part series on project communication problem areas, we looked at the first two of four critical communication touch points that can potentially become weak links within the project communications infrastructure: between the project manager and his team members and between the project manager and department managers within the delivery […]
07/10/2013 by Brad Egeland Tags: project communication pitfalls, project communication problems, project communication tips
I’ve always made it clear that communication is – in my opinion – the most important thing the project manager does on a daily basis. Everything they do is important, but without good communication skills the project has no real hope for success. Unfortunately, the project manager could be the best communicator in the world, […]
07/03/2013 by Brad Egeland Tags: managing project resources, micro managing resources, micromanaging the project, Resource Management
In Part 1 of this two part series on micromanaging on the project, I discussed what I felt are the definite negatives or downsides to micromanaging project your project resources. Most don’t like it, most don’t need it, and most will resent you for it. So be aware of how you’re treating your project resources, […]
06/27/2013 by PM Hut Tags: pm lessons learned, project management lessons, project management lessons learned, project management mistakes
By Chris Merryman PM Hut Being a Project Management practitioner is a choice many of us have willingly made (and enjoy!). Others may have joined the ranks due to necessity from their previous role being eliminated, outsourced or some other form of extinction. Regardless of our past experiences we’ve all made our share of mistakes […]
06/25/2013 by Brad Egeland Tags: managing project resources, micro managing resources, micro managing the project, Resource Management
I don’t think anyone out there likes to be micromanaged. Well, I’m sure there are some very insecure individuals who need to and may even want to be told the very next move they should make. But those individuals are in the minority and aren’t likely to be part of a skilled, cohesive and successful […]
06/20/2013 by Brad Egeland Tags: adjusting project schedule, adjusting project scope, managing project resources, phased approach
Sometimes you run into an impossible situation with the project schedule and it must be adjusted. It can be for a number of reasons, but the two main reasons usually come down to these: resource usage or conflicts and the need to meet a forced deadline. Adjusting the schedule for resource needs or loading If […]