In project management, the project team is the heartbeat of any successful project, driving the technical work outlined in the project’s organizational chart. Reporting to the project manager, team members execute the tasks that turn plans into reality. While small projects may see the project manager and team roles overlap, these distinct responsibilities remain critical,... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Project resource management is at the heart of a project manager’s role, consuming much of their daily focus. Resources like people, materials, tools, expertise, facilities, and infrastructure are the building blocks of any project. In an ideal world, these resources would be readily available, perform flawlessly, and stay within budget. However, reality presents constraints, requiring... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Projects, like trains speeding down the tracks, gain momentum quickly and can be challenging to redirect once in motion. That's why effective stakeholder communication is a project manager’s mission-critical tool for keeping the journey on course. Since stakeholders hold the key to defining a project’s success, their engagement is vital to avoid derailing into project... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Effective communication is the lifeblood of any successful project. Much like an airplane relying on the seamless interaction of countless components, a project depends on a network of stakeholders working toward a shared goal. When communication falters, even minor missteps can lead to major setbacks. Project communications management ensures that the information needs of the... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Managing the project resources is how the project manager spends most of their time. From ordering supplies, to training team members, to paying bills, the project resources are a seemingly bottomless pit of active management. Meanwhile, the project team is one of the most important components of project success - Having confidence that your team... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
A project manager that fails to allocate project resources is like a carpenter without a hammer. That's why estimating task resources is an integral step in project planning. It also happens to be one of the most fundamental aspects of project management, one of the steps that the project manager utilizes on a day to... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Although it isn't in the dictionary, the project management industry uses the term deliverables almost daily. I must say, I am tired of MS Word underlining it as a spelling mistake. Deliverables are the products, services, and results that a project produces. Thus, they are the cornerstone to project success. Every project has to produce something.... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
From the awe-inspiring pyramids of ancient Egypt to modern-day initiatives, humans have long tackled complex projects. The more complex and technically challenging a project becomes, the more intricate dependencies, advanced technologies, and diverse teams can lead to increased risks, miscommunication, and scope creep if not carefully managed. Today, these efforts are streamlined and formalized through... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Carpenters have hammers, plumbers have wrenches, and programmers have computers. But does a project manager have any tools which help them perform their work better, quicker, or cheaper? Absolutely! In fact, if you don't use these tools you will be at a serious disadvantage to other project managers. And if you do, your career will... [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 definition of a Project is: A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. The two most important keywords within that definition are: Temporary: A project has a fixed beginning and end. Because of this, there are two factors that come into play in virtually every project: Time (deadlines) and money (budgets). ... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Managing projects is like steering a ship. When the wind or sea conditions are rough, experienced helmsman use their keen sense of how the ship will react to keep it moving in the right direction. Because the ship doesn't react right away, the helmsman must anticipate the delay between turning the ship's wheel and the... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Risk analysis is an often omitted area of project management, probably because you can't see its results in a direct way. On top of that, small projects just don't seem like they have the time and budget to justify the time spent. But I would argue that analyzing risk is one of the easiest ways... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
