PRINCE2 is one of the world's main project management methodologies. It was developed by the UK government and is administered by Axelos, a company partially owned by the UK government. Axelos administers the two PRINCE2 certifications: PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner. The latter is the main certification, and the former is the more basic, "associate"... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Poor schedule management is one of the leading causes of project failure; It often strains client relationships and derails outcomes, making it one of the most challenging aspects of project management. Every project, by definition, is a temporary endeavor with a clear endpoint (PMBOK 7th Edition, 1.1), making effective schedule management a cornerstone of project... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
In an ideal world, a project’s scope would remain a fixed star—unchanging, predictable, and perfectly aligned with the original plan. Yet, reality paints a messier picture: with countless moving parts, shifting priorities, and human variables at play, scope change is a near-inevitable force. Whether it’s the slow drip of unauthorized "scope creep" or the sanctioned... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
I was once part of a project which went behind schedule and over budget. The project manager asked the project team, which included me, to come up with reasons why the project was late. Naturally the team produced several reasons, and a scope change request, along with a new budget was sent to the client. ... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
As a project manager, your success hinges on wielding the right methodology for the job. Agile, with its nimble, iterative flair, and Waterfall, with its structured, process-based workflow, are the two titans clashing for supremacy. But which one reigns supreme? Choosing between Agile and Waterfall is not a minor decision. It's like picking your weapon... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
The Project Management Office (PMO) is a cornerstone of organizational success, yet its roles can seem elusive due to their broad and evolving nature. In recent years, PMO's have matured, with more defined and standardized responsibilities that drive project excellence. Whether you're launching a new PMO or refining an existing one, understanding its potential functions... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Scope issues are the #1 reason for project failure. Whether it’s scope creep sneaking in unnoticed or a poorly defined goal from the outset, projects derail fast when boundaries aren’t clear. Project managers are seemingly always dealing with budget and schedule issues, and they always seem to have an origin in the underlying project scope. ... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
The project charter and scope statement can seem like one and the same sometimes. They are both usually contained early in the project management plan, and they both itemize the scope of the project to some extent. So what's the difference? Well, they have a slight difference in purpose. The project charter should contain the rationale... [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
Project success is often distilled into simple metrics like meeting budget or schedule, a single pass/fail criteria measured at a single point in time. But these outcomes are rarely fixed targets. In fact, they are often in fail territory for long periods of time prior to entering pass territory for the critical moment. Indeed, there... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
I was once part of a project which went behind schedule and over budget. The project manager asked the project team, which included me, to come up with reasons why the project was late. Naturally the team produced several reasons, and a scope change request along with a new budget was sent to the client. ... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
A Project Deliverable is a product or service that a project produces for its customer, client, or project sponsor. It is what the project "delivers" to its stakeholders. A project deliverable is more than just a buzzword; it’s the concrete result—like a finished report, a working prototype, or a launched website—that signals progress or completion. ... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Most projects require some form of external purchasing (procurement) in order to meet their goals. Executing these procurements to fulfill the needs of the project falls under the knowledge area of Project Procurement Management. Contractors usually have better expertise or experience and can provide a higher quality product. But often they are not motivated by the same... [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
Project status reports are essential tools for keeping teams, stakeholders, and leaders aligned on progress, challenges, and next steps. A well-crafted report provides clarity, builds trust, and ensures everyone understands where things stand. Projects are by definition temporary, that is, they have a defined beginning and end. For this reason, the project schedule is almost... [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
Every project, from software launches to skyscraper construction, follows a lifecycle—a roadmap that guides it from vision to victory. The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) distills this journey into five distinct phases, offering a proven framework for navigating complexity and delivering results. Whether you’re a seasoned project manager or just starting out, understanding these... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
The project plan is like the flight plan filed by a pilot prior to embarking on a journey. It communicates how the project will attempt to reach its destination. The project plan is the strategy that will be used to produce the project's products, services, or results. It is written in sufficient detail to communicate... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Project scope issues are the number one reason for unhappy clients and customers. Human nature is such that unauthorized tasks will always want to slip into a project unannounced, thus project scope management is just as important as the more visible aspects of project management like scheduling and budgeting. For that reason, effective project scope... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Most projects require some form of external purchasing (procurement) in order to meet their goals. Executing these procurements to fulfill the needs of the project falls under the knowledge area of Project Procurement Management. Contractors usually have better expertise or experience and can provide a higher quality product. But often they are not motivated by the same... [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
