Small companies with only a few active projects may be able to successfully achieve good results without implementing a portfolio management strategy. Their pool of sponsors and executives is limited enough that everyone can likely get together for quick project status reviews, and budgets are monitored closely because funds are so lean that no one’s…
project management tips
6 Reasons to Involve Executives in Project Portfolio Management
June 25, 2020 by
Managing your organization’s portfolio of upcoming projects while also planning and executing the current batch of initiatives is a challenge. Hectic workloads sometimes lead PMs to avoid involving their executive team in portfolio management activities simply because it seems like yet another layer of complexity in an already packed schedule. But leaving your senior staff…
Remote Project Management: 4 Tips for Successful Virtual Events
May 28, 2020 by
In the virtual world, it can be difficult to maintain engagement around your project. Online events and other digitally accessible activities help keep remote stakeholders interested in what your team is doing and excited about your project’s expected results. Coordinating a presentation for your executive group Using video to show a walk-through of…
Is Your Project Too Big to Succeed?
January 13, 2020 by
We’ve all heard the phrase “too big to fail,” but PMs should also be mindful that some projects could be too big to succeed. That doesn’t mean these monster efforts can’t get to the finish line—they’re often strategically important, and failure is simply not an option. Instead, it means project teams need to take some…
Are Executives Derailing Your Project?
October 23, 2019 by
Your organization’s leadership team plays a vital role in project success. The executives are typically key sponsors of high-visibility initiatives and their participation in moving efforts from concept to reality is crucial. There are times, however, when you may discover that senior staff are standing in the way of progress rather than supporting it. If…
Improve Project Performance with Templates
October 18, 2019 by
Though they may seem like minor players when it comes to successfully completing a project, templates can be tremendously helpful in closing some significant gaps in the planning and execution process. Without templates, your team may have trouble communicating effectively with stakeholders. They might omit crucial details when handing off a multi-part task to a…
Project Management: Improve Individual Accountability
September 25, 2019 by
Successful project planning and execution requires commitment from every stakeholder. Everyone involved in orchestrating and carrying out tasks must be accountable for the activities under their area of responsibility, but developing this level of individual accountability and sustaining it across the entire project lifecycle is a task all by itself. Along with their normal project…
Project Management in Time of Uncertainty
September 9, 2019 by
A lack of clarity about what the future holds makes almost any endeavor more difficult. Risks can pop up that were unexpected or opportunities could pass you by because you didn’t have enough information to prepare for them. Any time a project team can’t confidently predict the major factors that will influence an initiative’s execution,…
Beware These Threats to Project Teamwork
August 19, 2019 by
Projects provide a window into many facets of teamwork. People with different backgrounds, skills, and areas of expertise must come together around a common mission. They need to communicate effectively as they share information, solve problems, work through conflicts, and reach consensus on difficult issues. Each of them brings important knowledge and competencies. Though some…
What Does it Take to Build a Great Project Team?
August 5, 2019 by
Assembling a high-performing project team requires more than a recruiter and a handful of job descriptions. To achieve consistent project success, your group must have the necessary skills and experience to execute the kinds of initiatives your company normally undertakes. They must also be committed to maintaining forward momentum in the face of obstacles and…
