More teams are finding it advantageous to incorporate Agile concepts into their traditional waterfall project management structure. This strategy can deliver some big benefits, but a hybrid approach has the potential to present challenges if PMs don’t address a few key issues early in the process. Whether this is your first time implementing a hybrid…
Using a Methodology
A Proven Project Management Methodology that Fixes the Pleaser Problem
April 17, 2019 by
We’ve looked at some of the problems pleasers can sometimes create within the project team as they try to execute initiatives without upsetting customers. Fortunately, a strong project management methodology gives PMs the tools they need to eliminate many of the issues pleasers commonly trigger. This not only keeps customers and the executive group happier, it…
6 Ways to Make Your Project Better
April 17, 2019 by
When your team handles projects on a routine basis, it’s tempting to just plug the information on the latest effort into your software, add in a bunch of time and budget estimates based on previous projects, and start working on the first set of tasks. Stop! This approach sets you up to repeat mistakes you’ve…
Mastering Time in Agile
March 13, 2019 by
Project teams that adopt an Agile framework as a project management methodology sometimes begin to operate under a “time is flexible” mantra. In many cases, this mindset manifests as a project team that isn’t too worried about when they deliver the product, as long as they deliver the right features. It’s an approach that may…
Project Management: Agile, Traditional, or Both?
March 6, 2019 by
When launching a new initiative, companies often feel they need to choose one project management approach for the entire effort, whether it’s Agile, waterfall, or something else. But within a single project, there may be some disciplines that lend themselves to an approach like Agile while others fit better into a strategy with a different…
Drive Every Project in Your Portfolio with a Single Methodology
June 28, 2018 by
Companies don’t always have the necessary tools or the level of project management proficiency in-house to create and maintain accurate project plans. The situation creates plenty of challenges when trying to plan and execute a single project, but if the organization has an entire portfolio—where multiple initiatives are underway at varying stages of completion—the difficulties…
Portfolio Management: Bridging Company Strategy and Project Execution
June 13, 2018 by
Unless your company is running only one or perhaps two projects at a time, you’re missing out on some important benefits if you aren’t using a bona fide portfolio management strategy to plan and execute your project activities. An overarching approach that encompasses all of your initiatives not only pays big dividends, it will also…
Benefits of Using a Formal Project Process
April 23, 2018 by
Organizations frequently carry out projects without using any sort of formal project process. This approach may be suitable to get them through small or routine initiatives, where the task list is straightforward and time pressures are minimal. However, trying to make do with an ad hoc strategy when a project is strategically important or when…
Project Software and You
April 20, 2018 by
Project Software and other technology tools drive many business functions—from the routine to the critical—and project management is no different. There are a number of platforms out there to help teams keep track of their project activities. Some systems help with scheduling labor, others with resource allocations, and still others focus on budget adherence. A…
Break Down Your Project Silos
April 17, 2018 by
The silo mentality can be a serious threat to a project. It closes team members off from each other and stifles the flow of information. The ability to make good business decisions, develop resolutions to problems, and even properly identify issues are all diminished if cooperation among cross-functional groups is hampered by organizational project silos….
