The problem with process: Why your projects and PMOs are failing before they ever get off the ground
If I read one more PMO article or book that tells me to focus my energy on process first if I want my PMO to be successful, I’m going to be sick. Process is NOT the answer (well, at least it’s not the first answer)! I’ve seen many PMO leaders spend a year or more […]
It’s Time to Redefine Project Management, and its Value Proposition
Author: Mike Hannan, CEO Fortezza Consulting Perhaps no field as important to humankind as project management has experienced less innovation. In fact, I challenge you to name five PM breakthroughs in the last 100 years. Go ahead, take your time…
Dealing with difficult stakeholders
What does it mean when you call someone a difficult stakeholder? No, back up. What does it mean to be a stakeholder and how do you engage them effectively? My definition of a stakeholder is anyone that can positively or negatively influence, or is affected by, the outcomes of a project. It’s about cause and […]
Happiness: The Secret Sauce for Productivity
After nearly 50 years of being actively involved in the profession of project management in roles of individual contributor, project manager, functional manager and consultant it has consistently come to my attention that many of the people I encounter do not seem to enjoy what they do. In fact, The Conference Board Job Satisfaction Study […]
Lesson in stakeholder management from Mr. Rogers
I was listening to two of my friends on a podcast and there were so many stories and lessons in there that I just had to share with you.
5 Secrets to Effective Decision Making
Author: Karin Hurt, Founder and CEO of Let’s Grow Leaders, LLC “Jane,” a senior exec working to build leadership throughout her team, looked up from her salad and confided. “Karin, the truth is I have so many things going on in any given day, I may not remember the exact decision I made if it was […]
The Project Doesn’t Start At Charter
When asked, many project managers will say that the beginning of the project is when the charter is written. Historically, this is the case, from their perspective. But that’s why we have so many disconnects between our leadership that is devising these great strategies and the project delivery processes.
What your resume says about you
Resumes, I’ve seen a few… Over the last many years, I would often stand on stage at speaking engagements in the D.C. area and say, “If you’ve been in the job market in the last 15 years, I’ve seen your resume!” I was speaking to project and program managers and PMO leaders, but this applies […]
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR: Best Practices are a Destination, not a Start-Point
Author: Douglas Brown, Author, “Let It Simmer: Making Project, Portfolio and Program Management Practices Stick in a Skeptical Organization” www.simmer-system.com Why are so many organizations having such a hard time implementing practices that at bottom are not much more than simple common sense? The image accompanying this post is that of Sisyphus, who must endlessly carry […]
Stop playing with toys – where many PMO leaders are getting stuck
There are several building blocks necessary for a PMO to be successful. To keep things simple for this post, let’s focus on the general categories people, processes and tools. Everyone knows you need people in your PMO or playing the PMO roles to make it a PMO (even if there is only one of you […]