Green Project Management and the BP Deepwater Horizon Spill(2/3)

A joint post from EarthPM and TenStep: Last time we introduced this series and outlined the focus for the topic of green project management using the Deepwater Horizon disaster as motivation. In this post, we’ll cover how we’d work ‘green’ project considerations into the Project Charter, Project Scope Management, Project Integration Management, Project Management Plan, [...]

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Green Project Management and the BP Deepwater Horizon Spill(1/3)

Green Project Management and the BP Deepwater Horizon Spill(1/3)

A joint post from EarthPM and TenStep: There are many examples of projects undertaken to produce some deliverable with environmental implications. In fact, one may assert that in fact, any project, since it uses resources, has environmental implications. This varies tremendously, based on scale and the direct impact on the environment. One project that clearly [...]

The Project Manager as Superhero: Part 5

Read  how Project Man-ager uses his skills to defeat Scope Creep and The Bug and succeed in Project…. The Bug’s latest has thrown them. But Project Man-ager was an old warrior and he been through a lot over the years in Project, and had learned a lot of tricks. He had been managing scope and expectations [...]

The Project Manager as Superhero: Part 4

By changing scope, is Project in danger? The Bug listened carefully to Scope Creep’s story of and saw opportunity. By changing Signed Scope, Scope Creep had probably created a few more weaknesses in Project that Bug could turn into major trouble for Project Man-ager. He was looking forward to it. He needed all the advantages [...]

The Project Manager as Superhero: Part 3

 Does Scope Creep get in the way? Find out below…. Queen Spon-soor didn’t know what to do. She had listened to Harry and just didn’t know what to do. Bud Geted was already upset and Harry’s new requests would cost him.   It was so hard to please everyone in Project and International Project she thought. But [...]

The Project Manager as Superhero: Part 2

When last we  left Project Man-ager in Part 1,  he was doubting his ability to prevail in the fight against Scope Creep and The Bug…. Project Man-ager’s  phone rang. He recognized the extension and sighed as he picked up. Harry Needes was upset. Why was it taking so long he asked? Shouldn’t things in Project run more [...]

The Project Manager as Superhero

The following story is true and happens all the time…. Long, long ago and not so far away, in the kingdom of “Project” and its sister city “International Project”, there lived a man with wisdom and years of experience toiling in the fields of his endeavors. This mild mannered man, (a Project Man-ager) worked daily [...]

The extra mile...

The extra mile…

Project managers are adept at managing a project – track status, escalate issues and manage   risks.  Then why do some projects seem to go well all along while some are always at risk and filled with issues?   In addition to good communication, it is the focus and the ability of the project manager (and the [...]

Cost vs. Benefit - Sometimes the right thing may not be the BEST thing to do!

Cost vs. Benefit – Sometimes the right thing may not be the BEST thing to do!

So your project team member – working on a critical path task – comes up to you and says, “I don’t think the original design is the right way to do this. This is not scalable. I will have to redo a part of my work and will need more time.” What do you do!? [...]

Communication – What matters and when!

It is a clichéd topic – communication. However, in spite of countless books and training sessions people often miss the mark when it comes to communication FOR a project.  I have seen many projects that were derailed because of how status and risks were (or were not) communicated.  Over the years I have established a [...]

Stand Up and Stand Out, Part III

When you’re presenting, do audience members fall asleep, walk out, multi-task, or show impatience? //

Stand Up and Stand Out, Part II

You either love ‘em or you hate ‘em.  Every project manager must make presentations during the life of a project.  Do you get giddy at the prospect of being in front of the audience, or do you shrivel at the thought? //

Stand Up and Stand Out

According to a recent USA Today survey, the most stressful event for people is public speaking.  Are you a project manager who experiences a rapid heartbeat and sweaty palms when it’s your turn to present, or do you stand up and stand out with a confident, calm, and capable presence? //

The Next, Big Social Network

The Next, Big Social Network

Facebook’s meteoric growth finally slowed in June 2010. We give you 2 reasons for this and predictions for the next, big social network.

Social Media Maturity Model - Where is your company?

Social Media Maturity Model – Where is your company?

Social Media is no longer just a fad with companies. There seems to be 4 major stages that companies go through before they get to “Social Advantage.”

How Project Managers Can Use Social Media

How Project Managers Can Use Social Media

Since Project Managers play the role of planning, organizing, and managing resources – all social tasks – they should be embracing, using, and benefiting from using Social Tools to manage their projects.

Social Media Coming to a Job Near You

Social Media Coming to a Job Near You

Facebook has become the most popular internet site, but Social Networking hasn’t become mainstream at work. Will it?

90%?

90%?

“Project management?  That’s just a lot of useless overhead!”   I remember hearing variations of this a lot years ago.  I don’t hear this much anymore (due at least in some part to the good work at PMI), but I have been seeing something of a variation. Working with some engineering teams at some big [...]

Traditional versus Agile -- false war?

Traditional versus Agile — false war?

On this theme of Conventional Wisdom…. Not too long ago I was hearing lots of things about Agile.  Most of it was coming from my software development colleagues, but also from project managers in other disciplines.  There seemed to be a significant amount of intellectual intensity (which I interpret as emotion, but would not get [...]

Conventional Wisdom?

Conventional Wisdom?

I have been lucky enough to witness (and in some cases be a part of) several overturns of conventional wisdom.  I remember hearing how quality “costs money” and “we can’t afford higher quality.”  Now, it’s common to think about quality and value perception strategically. I remember working with factory schedulers where they were driven by [...]

Don't just manage the plan, engage your team members!

Don’t just manage the plan, engage your team members!

As project managers, it’s tempting to focus entirely on our project plan.  But successful execution of your project plan is entirely dependent on your project team.  And your project team is dependent on each team member!  For example, if your team is all working well together except one person, who is lacking motivation and missing [...]