PMcrunch

Presumably as a Project Manager you see yourself, as a leader…or at least an aspiring, developing leader. But are you a “maven”?

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A few weeks ago, I was having a conversation with a colleague, and I told him that “we were getting pretty close to ready” with our upgraded and substantially overahauled web site. He replied that it’s common wisdom and good practice among some of the most successful entrepreneurs to go when you’re 85% of the way there. I know exactly what he meant…and I agree. But, as usual, in practice it depends on a number of details…leading to my project Lessons Learned.

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One of the most profound and ubiquitous management concepts over the past 30 years is “systems thinking”. Systems thinking is all around us. One example is that project management has in essence been “systematized” by the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide!

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Whenever you need to introduce a new service, which typically is intended to take the form of a process, you need to create a project. This is much like building a bridge, setting up a new bank brankch, or implementing an IT project. There is an idea for a project end state, and the project is getting to that end state. All of this is particularly applicable to IT projects.

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In the hassle and buzzle of day to day work life, of course mixed with a busy personal life, we need to remember that our team members also have their own personal goals, aspirations and challenges. There are many things we can do related to this but the first step is always awareness. Here are [...]

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Many professionals are either “knowledge seeking” or “problem solving” – but, to their detriment, not both. You can create a one-two punch for professional effectiveness by combining “knowledge seeking” and “problem solving”. Let me show you what I mean by looking at some details of some popular bodies of knowledge today.

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I have used this. If you don’t want to have to start every project from scratch, then it’s worthwhile creating your own Project Life Cycle. I have found it especially useful – and impressive – in environments where there are a lot of technical people who have little project management orientation, and it has really made a difference. The best part is that it has helped me leverage my strengths – and to think through the project in an organized way.

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In thinking about shareholder management or investor management, especially in today’s volatile environment, I see a big parallel with stakeholder management.  In essence stakeholders are the investors in our projects.  Stakeholders hold a “stake” in our projects.  Stakeholders, just like investors, have different levels of investment or interest in our projects.  We must think of [...]

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We have all heard at one time or another someone say that people are products of their environment.  Undoubtedly, the environment is a strong influence on how people turn out.  However, it is each person’s reaction to their environment that really determines who they are and what happens.

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Both technology and the environment have always fascinated me.  Together they make quite an interesting combination.  Add financial viability to this cocktail and you have a real winner!  That is what clean technology is all about!

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