Stealthy Agile Project Management
Even if your organization isn’t ready to be 100% agile, it doesn’t mean that you can’t (stealthily) introduce your clients to agile project management. Here are some ways to introduce agile concepts to your stakeholders without them knowing it.
Spring Cleaning for Project Managers
I previously wrote about how to maintain momentum on your projects to ensure that you continue to make progress against your goals. If you are not where you want to be, the warming weather may offer the inspiration you need for a bout of project spring cleaning. How can project managers spruce up their projects for spring?
The Project Manager Formerly Known as the Subject Matter Expert
In a previous post, I published my failure resume showcasing professional setbacks. One of the items listed was sticking too long with a gig I knew too well. When I made the decision to try something different, a colleague asked me to write a post about what project managers should consider when undertaking a new role.
The Art and Science of Meeting Facilitation
Meeting facilitation is an integral part of a project manager’s job. What does it mean to facilitate a meeting? How do you facilitate a meeting well? And, how can you improve your facilitation skills?
Failure Resume
In the next several months, I’m scheduled to speak on ways that project managers can improve efficiency and boost productivity. Past reactions to this talk are usually something like, “Wow, that’s great! But I’ll never be that organized.” My presentation was not resonating with my audience because I had failed to explain why I have adopted these productivity-boosting techniques. Developing a failure resume could be a great tool to demonstrate this point.
Back to the Future: Goal Setting by Personality Type
I’ve gotten a few requests for a post on how to set goals based on your personality type. It’s all well and good to read about how I set goals as a Type A extrovert—but what strategies can introverted and/or more laidback people pursue to help them accomplish their objectives?
How to Innovate in a Bureaucracy
When you’re operating in any environment larger than a startup, the company will inevitably have some processes in place that ensure things don’t run amok. The question becomes: how do you successfully navigate such an environment to get results? How do you innovate in a bureaucracy?
Project Management Reading Roundup
Starting the new year and realizing that you are woefully behind on your PDUs? Here is a list of project management blogs that I read regularly and recommend you check out.
Analysis Paralysis
I used to work with a colleague who was constantly on the lookout for the best project management and productivity tools. While I admired their dedication to continuous improvement, their tendency to start and then abruptly stop use of a given PM method left a trail of unfinished mini-projects in their wake.
5 Tips to Stem the E-mail Tide
Facing an inbox so congested that you can’t bear to look at it? Spending your days responding to other people’s demands instead of focusing on your priorities? Feeling like you have no hope of making any dent in the pile? If this sounds familiar, read on for 5 tips on how to stem the e-mail tide.