Project Management Best Practices Articles
Work Breakdown Structure Backbone of Your Project
The first mistake too many project managers make is to think the work breakdown is a big list of "to dos." Then they proceed to list every activity they can imagine. They wind up with unclear assignments that can't be estimated accurately, ambiguous check points and no ability to anticipate problems early. There is a better way. Look at our Work Breakdown Structure Center.
Status Reports That Stupefy The Best Practices
All too often project managers give status reports that undermine their credibility and give executives little information on which to base decisions. What’s even worse, bad status reports don’t give early warning on big problems. Let’s look at some common but useless ways to report status and then talk about the best practices techniques to use on your status reports. Read the article
The Project Plan Guidelines for the Process
Every successful project traces its success back to a planning process that makes clear to everyone what was expected in clear measurable terms. It allows the big picture objectives to be decomposed into clear performance expectations for every team member. See our Project Planning Center
Risk Analysis Even a Little Risk Management Can Pay Off
When you look through the wreckage of a failed project there is almost always an avoidable risk event that was ignored during planning that came back to haunt the team. Usually, the team's "fire-fighting" skills were not enough. Visit our Risk Management Center for a better way.
Project Charter Decisions Early, not Fire fighting
Using the charter to pin down the sponsor and what they want and what resources you will get to deliver it. Use the charter as a decision making document to anticipate problems early. There is a better way. Look at our Project Charter Center.
Project Software Picking the Right Tool for Your Projects
Look at the outputs we need for project software with projects of varying size and complexity. Match what you need to do on your projects to what project software is available. See our Project Software Center
Project Behavioral Techniques Analytical Techniques
Skill at assessing people's behavior and analyzing its causes it critical to consistent project success. Look at a few useful tools and a video on assessing personality so you can communicate properly. Visit our Project Behavior Center for a better way.
Project Tracking & Project Status Variances & Corrective Action
Look at the inventory of tracking variance and analysis techniques to use on project of various size. Look at our Tracking & Status Center.
Project Team Assignments Making Task Assignments Clear
A project manager's most effective technique for motivating a team is with the assignments the PMs makes to the team. The performance expectation must by clear, the estimated durations fair and developed with the team members input. See our Project Team Assignments Center
Leading Project Teams Motivation and Accountability for Results
Leading a project team goes way beyond being a technical expert or guru. In fact, that level of expertise can lead to very ineffective leadership styles. Instead, effective project managers need to pay attention to the climate of the team and the attitudes toward the project that develop over its lifetime. Visit our Project Team Leadership for a better way.
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