28Nov 2019 by PM Workshops

Why do PMOs Fail?

More and more Project Management Offices (PMOs) are seen both as saviors as well as fiascos waiting to happen. Through empirical and statistical data, we now that companies all over the world get very excited about the idea of having some sort of internal entity that will help with managing resources, provide training, set overall standards and guidelines, and be the repository, as well as aggressive collector of lessons learned and other helpful internal data. However, most people also know or have heard of, PMOs that fail within a year of their implementation. Therefore, managing principals and project managers get excited about the thought of having a PMO, but are also wary of being the ones whose PMO fails on their watch. So what is the answer? Go ahead and…

28Nov 2019 by PM Workshops

Project Management Tips Right Resourcing Your Project

Project Management

Finding the right resources, whether human ones or equipment or tools, can be a challenging task all its own, but an essential one; especially the human type. However, there are ways to prepare for this task. If you have been working at your company for a few years, then you should have first-hand knowledge of the staff’s abilities, capabilities, and personalities. However, if you are new to your company and/or to the staff, then your ability to select the right personnel is not as easy; or if you are about to hire new team members. So how can we overcome this challenge? We all use CVs, check references, ask the usual questions regarding experience, challenges they have encountered, and the typical “where do you see yourself in 5 years.” Additionally,…

22Nov 2019 by PM Workshops

Project Management Change versus Risk

Project Management, Risk Management

Change and Risk are similar in the sense that they both deal with uncertainty. In other words, they are both unknowns, which may or may not occur, and they can both have negative and positive impacts on a project. So how do we distinguish them? In the simplest of terms, “risks” can and usually are identified at the beginning of a project, as well as throughout the project, as soon as any potential new risks are identified. However, “change” is unanticipated and, therefore, poses its own unique set of challenges. Whereas a risk, which you identified early in the project cycle, can be addressed through some sort of strategic response (mitigation, transfer, etc.) and monitored through pre-determined triggers, a “change” will occur spontaneously and needs to be addressed as…

19Nov 2019 by PM Workshops

Change vs Risk Project Management

Project Management

Change versus Risk: The quick and straightforward definitions for “Change” and “Risk” are as follows: changes are usually unexpected, and almost always unwelcome, though they need not be. More on that later. “Risks,” on the other hand, are usually identified, qualified, quantified and planned for, to some extent, within the “planned risk response” process. However, there still could be some unforeseen aspects (i.e. changes) in identified risks. Our qualification and quantification of the probability of a risk occurring, as well as their impacts, are, as we all know, estimates and not an exact science. We truly do not know how bad or good a risk will be until it appears and we address it. On the other hand, “changes,” when they occur, almost always automatically come with risks. These can…

17Nov 2019 by PM Workshops

The Importance of Project Management Certification

Project Management

Whether you are considering getting certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP,) or as Agile Certified Professional (PMI.ACP,) or as a PRINCE Practitioner, the benefits to you as well as your employer and/or client are numerous. In my 30+ years of professional experience, I have been surprised to find that there are so many staff members who carry the title of project manager but do not know the basics of project management, such as developing a project plan, defining the baselines for scope, time and cost, managing changes and risks, as well as other key factors for attaining success in their projects. Therefore, I am a firm believer that there has to be some sort of licensing process to ensure quality and professionalism in the people we entrust…

13Nov 2019 by PM Workshops

Scope of Services

Project Management

The importance of writing a “great” scope of services: How many times are we disappointed because we did not get what we felt we asked for? And how many times have clients and/or other stakeholders told you that their expectations were not met? If you answer “not many,” then you are one of the few people who write very detailed scopes and do not leave much to interpretation and/or to assumptions. More often than not, we look at work, life, ethics and so on throughout our own prism, which is normal and helpful because it is what helps us establish relationships with like-minded people, whether they are spouses, friends, or clients and associates. By expressing our opinions and how we see the world, we are sending a message to others…

11Nov 2019 by PM Workshops

Project Management Fundamentals

Project Management

A technique you may utilize to decrease a project's schedule and accelerate task completion with the addition of resources to critical path pursuits or by cutting down on project requirements. Before you begin a project, it's important to be aware of the overall aims of the undertaking, in addition to the scope, deliverables, risks, assumptions, project organization chart, etc.. Each Project has plenty of components. Complex projects are going to have a range of activities running in parallel. The project isn't over when the project targets and objectives are met. Instant access to the important information for architecture and engineering project managers to comprehend the status of their projects like budget control and where projects are regarding profitability. Second that you're seriously interested in the undertaking. Every thriving project is…

09Nov 2019 by PM Workshops

Help Your Team Manage Project Risks with a Risk Assessment Plan

Project Management

Project managers are faced with the daunting task of not only seeing a project from start to finish but also anticipating the risks that could come up along the way. Risks can reveal themselves in every stage of the project, including during initiation, planning, executing, controlling, and closing the project. When problems do arise in a project, it’s important that the response maintains company standards, reflects your brand and mission, all while getting the project back on track to meet strategic goals. A project management risk assessment plan is an essential component of the project planning phase. This plan will allow you to pivot when the unexpected occurs. Workshops for Professional Development How to Write a Risk Assessment Plan Your risk assessment plan should identify potential problems, predict the likelihood…

07Nov 2019 by PM Workshops

5 Project Management Basics for New SMB-Owners

Project Management

The beginning of every small business adventure can be tricky for new entrepreneurs. Most people have never run a business before and therefore need to approach this challenge with utmost commitment. This included a lot of thinking, planning, and calculating before accepting every new project. When you estimate what is needed to successfully manage the project, you need to consider the following tips. They’re meant to assist SMB-owners in establishing the internal project management structure. Also, they will help novice SMB-owner deal with their projects in an organized and productive way. Set the internal deadlines At the beginning of every new business project, the client and the service provider set certain deadlines. Some clients are open to flexible deadlines, especially if they have specific projects (think special design needs). However,…

05Nov 2019 by PM Workshops

Level up your score on the PMP Exam

Project Management

Project Management Professional – Guaranteed Tips and Tricks to score well. Managing projects worldwide sounds like an exciting career! But let me clear about the fact that project management is not as simple as it sounds. This article offers a sense of what you need to do to pass the PMP exam and how project management is expanding student’s interest while making this world a better place with unique projects. Project Management develops a full-fledged detailed plan before starting a project. A good project managing plan includes five must-follow steps for all the project managers. These steps are as mentioned below: Initiating upon the project essentials and noting all the significant points of it Next, is the planning phase for answering the five W’s (what, why, who, when, and where)…