Pareto analysis can be used when you encounter multiple related problems or a common problem with multiple causes. The purpose of Pareto Analysis is to observe the problems and determine their frequency of occurrence. This, in turn, gives you the information you need to prioritize your effort to ensure you are spending your time where it will have the most positive impact. Continue reading Use Pareto Analysis to Solve the Most Important Problems First
Tag Archives: Project Management
Apply These Three Techniques for Managing Scope
Setting and managing project scope is one of the most important factors for project success. Here are three techniques that will help you be more successful. Continue reading Apply These Three Techniques for Managing Scope
Focus a Value-Add PMO on Two Main Areas
Although PMOs can get into many different activities and processes, the primary purpose is usually centered around projects and project management. This includes project management processes but much more. Many (but not all) PMOs get a negative perception. I think the reason for the negative perception of PMOs is twofold. Continue reading Focus a Value-Add PMO on Two Main Areas
Five Communication Techniques to Use on Your Projects
Many people think “managing communication” is the most important of the project management processes. If you think about it, over half of the time you spend managing projects involves some element of communication. Here are five techniques to help you be more effective. Continue reading Five Communication Techniques to Use on Your Projects
How to Promote Your Successes
Have you delivered something fantastic and want to shout it from the rooftops? Unfortunately it’s easy to be seen to be boasting if you talk about your own successes. So if you want to share your good news without coming across as showing off, follow these tips … Continue reading How to Promote Your Successes
Seven Elements to Define a PMO
Before you can start up a PMO, you must first define the purpose and what the PMO will look like. Without this foundation, all of the other work you do will be in jeopardy. This helps gain clarity and agreement on what you are doing and why. You can think of this as chartering the PMO. This information is communicated to clients, stakeholders and your own staff so that everyone starts off with a common set of expectations.
The following major components are used to define your PMO. Continue reading Seven Elements to Define a PMO
How To Get Home Earlier
Do you find yourself staying late at the office just to get all your project work done? Many people want a better work/life balance and you can have one too. You simply need to know… How To Get Home Earlier Continue reading How To Get Home Earlier
Four Tips to Deal with Uncertainty on Long Projects
Many long projects start off with a lot of uncertainty. You may not be 100% sure of the resource requirements, the final deliverables, the cost, schedule, etc. There may be many risks. The good news is that project managers deal with the uncertainty associated with large projects all the time, and it is very likely that you can be successful. Here are a couple of tips to consider, depending on what you think will work best in your situation. Continue reading Four Tips to Deal with Uncertainty on Long Projects
Handle Scope Change Requests with Appropriate Discipline
When a project begins, you must gain agreement with your sponsor on project scope. The scope is defined at a high-level in the Project Charter or Project Scope Statement. At a low-level, the scope is detailed through the approval of the business requirements. Once these two documents are approved, you have enough information to understand scope through the remainder of the project. Continue reading Handle Scope Change Requests with Appropriate Discipline
Easy Ways to Prioritize Project Tasks
Put these into practice and you’ll never wonder what to work on first again!
Tip #1: Be realistic
You’ll never get everything done, so you may as well accept that now. Those tasks that are at the bottom of your To Do list aren’t urgent or important enough to work on right now. It will be easier for you to focus on the important tasks once you realize that your time is limited and that you have to get realistic about what you can achieve in a day. Continue reading Easy Ways to Prioritize Project Tasks
Executive Salad 