PMcrunch

Fresh perspectives on the world of project management

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Gold Plating: Is It Ever Okay To Over Deliver?

December 16th, 2009 · 1 Comment

, or the idea of delivering more or better than requested is generally not accepted in project management doctrine. However, I think we need to take this with a grain of salt and consider how to discern when and how we might over deliver.

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→ 1 CommentTags: Soft Skills · Main

Getting Good At Task Estimating

December 12th, 2009 · 1 Comment

is a critical skill for project managers and project teams. We cannot manage what we cannot estimate. However, realistically, it is very difficult to be able to estimate every possible task accurately.

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→ 1 CommentTags: Project Management Process

Just In Time Learning for Project Human Resources

December 5th, 2009 · 1 Comment

Often on our projects there is none a perfect match between the talents of our team and the challenges of the project. We do the best we can to match capabilities and prior experience to the needs of our current projects but as reality has it each project is unique. We try to “are the best athletes” but invariably there are going to be some gaps in the skills required. can be the answer to these issues.

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→ 1 CommentTags: Project Management Process

Making “Bet Your Job” Decisions

November 29th, 2009 · No Comments

I recently read a foreign post where somebody asked if project management was good preparation for the job of CEO. There were a variety of comments most of which I find somewhat discouraging saying that, was inadequate preparation for a CEO position and that CEO positions involve a lot of different skills. While arguably these things are true, I think that we can take a positive take on that question and ask “What would differentiate a project manager who might on the CEO track from one who is not?”

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→ No CommentsTags: Project Management Process

Learning By Both Experience and Education

November 22nd, 2009 · No Comments

We all want to learn more and indeed is a requirement in today’s fast paced world. I recently heard an interesting quote from an entrepreneur who said that he looks it what he has learned as an entrepreneur and he realized that he already been taught that in business school but he wasn’t paying attention.

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→ No CommentsTags: Soft Skills

The Importance of Taxonomy

November 15th, 2009 · No Comments

The term  refers to the categorization or breakdown to more clearly defined entities that can make an overall grouping of knowledge more understandable while there are many precise definitions for taxonomy, this should suffice for this particular discussion. The question is what taxonomy means to the project manager. [Read more →]

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Is Your Project Bigger Than Yourself?

November 11th, 2009 · No Comments

I have worked on all kinds of projects.  I’m well aware that project requirements will pit you against limitations of all sorts.  Indeed, we all recognize that we operate in a world of constraints; however, sometimes WE are the biggest constraint of all.   This leads me to the question, “Is your project bigger than yourself?”

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Incremental Changes Versus “Betting The Farm”

November 3rd, 2009 · No Comments

On our projects, and in our programs and project portfolios, we often struggle with how to make changes.  From my own personal experience, the most challenging part of  has always been the area of making incremental changes versus making wholesale major changes.  Let’s take a look. 

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Nurture Unseen Relationships

October 30th, 2009 · 2 Comments

Most good managers in know the importance of maintaining relationships with team members and stakeholders.   Basic  can go a long way in improving overall program and .    However, I have learned that there is a community beyond our immediate team members and stakeholders that are worth considering in everything we do.

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→ 2 CommentsTags: Soft Skills

Here’s a Quick Checkup: Where Do You Stand on the Three Elements of Delegation

October 26th, 2009 · 3 Comments

Whether new or experienced managers, we need to always be mindful of our .  Most important to remember is that not only can our delegation style change, but the people, tasks, and circumstances can change also.  Thus, it is important to periodically ask ourselves "How are my delegation skills right now?" because the answer may have changed!

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→ 3 CommentsTags: Soft Skills