Our Blog
Project Management Skill: Getting the Team to Communicate
One of the most important abilities a good project manager has is being able communicate effectively. Project managers need to know when to communicate, when not to communicate, and how to do it effectively. Having good communication skills means knowing the the...
In Defense of Checklists
A 2009 study from the New England Journal of Medicine showed that when surgeons used a basic checklist prior to a surgical operation, deaths were reduced by almost 50%, and complications due to surgery were reduced by more than a third. These basic checklists included...
How to Leave a Project
According to the Project Management Institute, a project is a temporary group activity designed to produce a unique product, service or result. Because of that, hopefully everyone who serves on a project, knows that they will eventually leave that project. Most...
Here’s to Shorter Meetings, Fewer Meetings
Every company that I’ve ever worked for, whether as an employee or a consultant, has had way too many meetings in my opinion. I’ve attended meetings designed to prepare for another meeting. I’ve also seen people lead meetings who use up every minute of time...
Decision Making by the Project Manager
I’ve written in the past about what makes a good project manager. One thing I’ve never addressed is a project manager’s decision making abilities – and limitations. Managers in general need to be decisive. It shows the ability get things done when others don’t know...
Completed Tasks Do Not Equal Accomplishments
I used to be a very scientific and data-centric project manager. I lived by the Microsoft Project plan. I thought a project was all about tasks. The project plans I managed in those days were full of activities, tasks and subtasks. Estimates were verified and...