PMcrunch

There is much discussion, and often confusion over the difference between Lean and Six Sigma. In general, here is the essence of the two approaches: Lean = Improved process flow and Six Sigma = Reduced process variation. This post provides discussion and links to various resources that take a look at this from different angles.

[Read more →]

Project organizations really are not unlike other organizations. Like a small, medium, or large sized corporation, projects have specific objectives that need to be supported by its own project culture. Projects inlcude collections of people and stakeholders, surrounding a concept or idea and particular action, take on a persona. Discovering, and even more important creating, and maintaining the character of that persona, is an important job of the project manager and supporting organization.

[Read more →]

Project reporting is very important because it enables us to keep our stake holders informed as to the project progress, decisions, achievements, and issues. However, often reporting is done around a certain specific format that you as a project manager, or your stakeholders, may find to fall short of the information needed – or worse, provide a lot of extraneous information that does not add value. It is important to capture the essence of project objectives and map them to the reporting routine.

[Read more →]

MBWA (Management by Walking Around) is a technique that has been around for quite awhile. I am not sure exactly where it originated, but I have practiced it myself and have observed others practicing it - both intentionally and unintentionally. It is very effective if used properly - and very ineffective if not used correctly!

[Read more →]

There is an interesting aspect to the relationship between processes and projects. Where processes are what keep a business flowing on a day to day basis, projects are what puts new processes in place, re-shapes existing processes, or replaces a process. Processes have lifecycle; most processes have a finite life. Thus projects have a very definite place in the lifecycle of processes.

[Read more →]

There is a great deal written about outsourcing today. However, outsourcing is hardly anything new, but it comes in a new package and a new application.

[Read more →]

Since 2000, we have seen a bit of a smoldering of the red hot ambers from pre-2000 IT, and only gradually are things coming to a new order. But there are some emerging themes. They revolve around the idea that Business Process Improvement is hotter than ever, and is alive WITHIN information technology in addition to applying info tech to other parts of the organization.

[Read more →]

Business process modeling is closely related to project management. While projects are one time events – with a well-defined beginning and end – processes are continuous. However, even with these definitions, the world is not so black and white. We have processes for projects, and repetitive processes often are projects. Through the use of examples, here are some ideas on thinking aobut projects and processes to drive efficiency.

[Read more →]

Agile Development, or Scrum, is a very popular topic these days, but many contend that it is really nothing new. Here are some examples from several industries where I think you can find elements of scrum.

[Read more →]

Outsourcing is an interesting challenge going forward as the world “becomes smaller”. As long as borders are relatively open - something that is likely given the opportunities, and given the downside of not doing it – outsourcing activity will continue to grow.

[Read more →]