As Theodore Rubin said, “The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem.” This quote serves as a reminder of the importance of risk management. In any project or endeavor, it is natural for issues to arise. However, instead of being surprised or […]
Suddenly, Sam had that feeling that he had forgotten something – the feeling that can make us feel a bit queasy or bring on a cold sweat. He then realized what it was: he had totally forgotten to tell his project steering committee about the change request from the branch office that he got when […]
You feel good about your ability to create project estimates. You are handy with a spreadsheet, understand the calculations, and enjoy the research. Your estimating challenges are not about all of that. Your challenges come from a condition known as ‘estimating while being human.’ There are some things we do or expectations that we encounter […]
Your project might already be in motion, but that does not mean you cannot change your processes and approaches. Continuous improvement is your responsibility. Don’t just watch what happens as your team works toward project completion, be strategic and when you see opportunities for positive changes, make them! These eight recommendations are a good place […]
WBS stands for work breakdown structure, but it is tempting to call it what breakdown structure. The reason? The WBS shows what needs to happen in order for you and the team to provide the agreed-upon project scope. And too often it is easy to get caught up in when or how or who? All […]
The project scope is finalized. You feel like throwing a celebration. It took more time than planned, but it seems like all of the stakeholders have agreed on what is really needed to meet project objectives. About five minutes after receiving final scope approval, your stakeholders began asking about more definitive estimates for schedule and […]
If it is not in the work breakdown structure (WBS), then it is not in the project! This may sound harsh but take these words to heart. Your WBS is where your scope lives. Yes, you have a team member(s) to work with your stakeholders to fully define your project scope. And that scope is […]
“How could changing a few words in one simple sentence lead to such an uproar?” June thought, incredulous at how upset some of her members were with her. All she had done was update a sentence or two in one of the high-level requirements. It had been a last-minute change that she included just before […]
In her previous article, You Need a Project Workflow, pmStudent contributor Sara Sparrow taught us how a project workflow helps manage risks, increases team efficiency, and brings clarity to project work. In this helpful follow-up, Sara gives us tips on how to create your project workflow. Start At The End Believe it or not, when […]
pmStudent Contributor Sara Sparrow shares the value of project workflow. How much time do you spend answering questions like these? Who does what in the project? What are the expectations of the project? What is the deadline for such a project? What can team members take away from the project? These are important questions. Your […]