A common problem we used to have on many of our projects was with a certain regulatory body. They were very slow, and you never knew how long the project would be delayed before they even began their review. The frustrating thing wasn't even so much when they came back with required changes or additional... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Like many things in life, project management is an art form as well as a science. It's a delicate dance, a blend where intuition meets precision. While some may possess a natural flair for orchestrating chaos into order, the true mastery of this craft lies in understanding its scientific backbone. Fortunately, you don’t need to... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
A Project Management Office (PMO) is a dynamic hub within an organization that empowers project success by supporting project managers and teams. Far from a one-size-fits-all solution, PMO's vary widely in their roles, responsibilities, and structure, shaped by the unique needs of the organization they serve. Whether providing hands-on project management, offering strategic advice, or... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
PRINCE2 is one of the main project management methodologies in use in the world today. PRINCE2 is built on the foundation of project roles. There are 9 roles outlined in the method, which all must be filled even if the same person fills multiple roles. These roles are: Executive Project Board Senior User Senior Supplier... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Effective project management is crucial for organizational success, but without dedicated oversight, these practices often fade into obscurity and often become just another fad. Enter the project office—a vital structure designed to sustain and enhance project management excellence. Project offices vary widely in their roles and authority, each tailored to meet specific organizational needs. They... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Every successful project—whether it’s launching a product, building a bridge, or organizing an event—starts with a solid foundation. That’s where project management fundamentals come in. These core principles guide teams through planning, execution, and delivery, turning big ideas into tangible results. In this article, we’ll explore the essential building blocks of project management, from defining... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Earned Value is a method used by project managers to calculate the current project status and predict future project performance. In this post we will outline each earned value formula. Planned Value (PV) Earned Value (EV) Actual Cost (AC) Schedule Variance (SV) Schedule Performance Index (SPI) Cost Variance (CV) Cost Performance Index (CPI) Budget at... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
I was once part of a project which went behind schedule and over budget. In response the project manager asked the project team to come up with reasons why the project was late. Naturally the team produced several reasons, and a change in schedule and budget was approved. Everything sounded like it was back on... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Many project managers have executed the technical work to perfection only to find out that stakeholders were not satisfied because communication was poor. Thus, project communication is sometimes more important than the technical work. Of course, the project manager needs to communicate when unexpected events occur. That's the domain of project risk management. But the... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Every project has distinct roles that must be fulfilled in order to function properly and provide the products or services it was intended to provide. As a minimum, it needs a project manager and a project team who does the work, although those roles could be fulfilled by the same person. It also needs a... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
There is no universal definition of project success. Since the very definition of a project is temporary (Project Management Body of Knowledge, 6th Edition), virtually all projects must meet a deadline and budget. But some projects must satisfy certain stakeholders. Others must meet regulatory criteria. Still others must achieve a certain return on investment. For these reasons,... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
The project manager is the ultimate authority responsible for the successful completion of a project. They establish the critical success factors and take responsibility for achieving them. The buck stops here. Usually the project manager inherits requirements that the project must work with, such as budget, stakeholder concerns, and so forth. These are codified within... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
It's amazing how many projects do not know their true status until near the end, when there is little that can be done to ensure they finish on time or budget. The proper time to rigorously track project status is at the beginning, not at the end. This is when project risk can be managed and... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
The largest projects in the world, from the summer olympics to big petrochemical projects, have one major thing in common at the project management level: A relentless focus on risk. What happens if there is a riot? Or a catastrophic explosion? What if protestors disrupt the project, or regulatory agencies reject it? These large megaprojects must allocate... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
In 1986, the NASA Space Shuttle Challenger exploded spectacularly upon take-off in front of one of the largest live TV audiences in history (to that time). The investigation concluded that several tiny O-rings that sealed the rocket booster to the fuel supply failed. These O-rings were about 1 foot in diameter. Just like the tiny... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
