Your project team is the single biggest factor in the successful completion of your project. At its core, a project is nothing more than a bunch of people collaborating to deliver a result, and the quality of their work defines the outcome. Building a high-performing team starts with choosing the right individuals and inspiring them... [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
Whether you're a seasoned project manager, a business leader, or just starting out, understanding how to effectively engage with stakeholders can make or break your endeavors. In this post, we’ll explore practical strategies, key principles, and actionable tips to identify, prioritize, and collaborate with stakeholders—ensuring their needs are met while keeping your goals on track.... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
In this day and age, project success is no longer a matter of luck. So long as the project schedule and budget are realistic and achievable, project management fundamentals provide more than enough tools for the project manager to implement project controls that provide sufficient early warning of variances that require action. Projects, by their... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Stakeholders are to a project like players are to a team. Having the best players is one of the easiest ways to win the game, but strategy and tactics led by the coach (project manager) can go a long ways. Thus, successful projects know who their stakeholders are and what motivates them. That's where stakeholder... [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
The project sponsor is a very important part of the project management organizational chart. In fact, every project has a sponsor. The project sponsor is one, and only one, level above the project manager. They do not manage the day to day operations of the project but they ensure the resources are in place, promote... [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
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
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
