Timely completion of any project—system implementations or upgrades, production line improvements, development of a new product, the addition of another facility—is critical in ensuring the organization gets the best return on its investment. Delays inevitably lead to costs in one form or another. Financial impacts often occur in the term. For example, if the schedule…
project management methodology
Are You a Project Bottleneck?
February 19, 2019 by
One of a PM’s most important roles is to facilitate the timely and efficient execution of every initiative in the organization’s portfolio. That means making sure the team has the resources, support, and information it needs to carry out tasks according to the approved schedule and budget. Questions require answers, problems need to be solved….
For Best Project Results, Listen to Your Team
December 21, 2018 by
Savvy project managers are always looking for ways to improve their project results and performance and make their processes more efficient. One strategy that’s simple and effective—but is sometimes overlooked in favor of flashier approaches—is to listen to the team. The people working on project activities, whether it’s planning and executing tasks or handling support…
Parachute Project? Do Not Panic!
September 21, 2018 by
A parachute project can rattle even the most efficient and experienced project teams. These initiatives—which often come out of nowhere and drop into the heart of a schedule that’s already busy—can throw everything off balance. They may be triggered by a variety of events, from the announcement of a new regulatory requirement to a competitor’s…
Gain Confidence with the Right Portfolio Management Methodology
August 24, 2018 by
The business world is fraught with uncertainty—about cash flows, tightening regulations, labor costs and availability, and fluctuating interest rates, not to mention market pressures as a result of constantly evolving competition. To remain successful in the face of so many unknowns, companies need to be sure they’re moving in the right direction and that their…
6 Things Executives Want to Know About the Project Portfolio
August 18, 2018 by
Think a project portfolio management methodology is only useful to your project team? Think again. Broad awareness into the company’s active projects, along with those initiatives that are still in the planning pipeline, offers tremendous benefits to executives and other senior decision makers. The amount of information that can be gathered and analyzed across the…
3 Benefits of an Accurate Project Portfolio View
July 25, 2018 by
If your company hasn’t yet implemented a solid project portfolio methodology, you may not be getting the most out of your project investments. You might be missing important data points, trends, risks, and opportunities simply because you don’t have the insight you need to spot them. You may also recognize your organization could be doing…
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…
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…
