Tag: Project Management
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The Lesson Learned Habit – Part 2
The Lessons Learned Habit – Part 2. You know you’re supposed to capture lessons learned throughout your projects, but what’s the point if you and your peers never revisit them and learn from them? Make a new habit that whenever you start a new project, that you will always find at least three relevant lessons…
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The Lesson Learned Habit – Part 1
The Lessons Learned Habit – Part 1. Everyone knows they’re meant to capture lessons throughout the project. As as you’re busy with higher priority activities, you never really get a chance. Then the best you can do is have an end of project workshop where you hope someone will remember the lessons, the impacts, the…
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What is a Project? 3 Definitions from PMI, APM and PRINCE2
Find below the PMI, APM and PRINCE2 definitions of a project. They’re practically the same, but we’re being thorough. I’ve met too many project managers that can’t define what a project is and then wonder why things are going wrong. PMI defines a project as “a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service,…
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Project Estimations and Parkinson’s Law
“How many more could be done?” I wondered. The figures were dancing around in my head, and I didn’t need to start drawing a chart to see a massive improvement in productivity had been achieved. In fact, it had doubled. It didn’t take long though before another train of thought emerged, “Why didn’t I do…
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Getting in Shape – You and the PMO
It’s sad to think of the shape we can allow ourselves to get into. Slow moving, over laden and lacking confidence. We see aspirational goals of how we can get leaner, faster, more focused and respected, but rather than inspiring us these images can cause paralysis. Hang on…I’m talking about PMOs here, not physical fitness. …
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Sabotage the PMO…by Undermining Assurance
Assurance is your friend. I’ve heard it described by a mentor as the “conscience of Delivery.” It exists to ask two questions: “Are we doing the right things?” and “Are we doing them in the right way?” Whilst many senior managers in the change community claim to welcome the existence of Assurance, many will sabotage…
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Be Paranoid! Log Everything!
“Hey BA,” his name wasn’t BA…this isn’t A-Team fan-fiction, “Are the requirements ready?” The BA shrugged, “No, still working on them.” Hmmm. “What’s holding this up? You said they’d be ready today.” “No I didn’t.” I’d already had doubts about the BA’s competence, but now his honesty was coming into question. “You did. At last…
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Sabotage The PMO…by Backsliding
“People say a heart attack is a warning sign that you have to make changes,” my friend proclaimed. Strange, I thought, isn’t a heart attack a sign that you’re moments from death and it’s only thanks to modern science that we have a hope of surviving? He continued, “So I’ve ditched the drink, the bad…
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Goin’ Contractin’ (Part 4)
“We’re paid more than most permie Managing Directors in this country, you know?” the PM asked, “So we have to make sure we show we’re worth it. We have to demonstrate value.” He was right. The surprising thing was hearing this 8 months into the contract. A cost challenge had emerged in the business and…
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Sabotage the PMO…with Historical Record Changes
“I’m not saying for certain that they would pass the Sociopath Test. I’m just saying I don’t think they’d fail it.” “You’re going to get in trouble if they hear you talking about them like this,” my grinning boss told me. “What would they do about it?” I challenged. “Complain to HR?” he offered. “The…