Some projects are like boats without a paddle, drifting aimlessly at sea with little knowledge of what their final destination will be. Most of these projects do not end up at the destination that was planned. Project scheduling is the key to ensuring the original project plan and final project outcome are at least close... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Projects are like a ship cutting through stormy seas. Without a good map and a sharp captain’s eye, you’re bound to drift off course, plunder your resources, and sink under the weight of missed deadlines. A weak schedule is like a tattered sail, flapping in the wind of chaos. Without a steady hand and a... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
A few years ago I was part of a project which involved replacing a bridge over an irrigation canal. Because the canal authority shut off the water when winter set in and turned it back on in the spring, winter was a perfect time to build this bridge. We wrote penalties into the construction contract... [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 way project managers define success is not always the same as the way the project sponsor does. In fact, it is a surprisingly common scenario that project managers think the project is going great because the variables they are concerned with are on track while being oblivious to an unhappy project sponsor that is... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Most projects have a million things that can go wrong. Because a project is by definition temporary, it is inevitable that the budget and schedule factor prominently in project success. But it is a surprisingly common scenario that project managers think the project is going great because the variables they are concerned with are on... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer