Movie producers are the unsung project management gurus you never knew you needed to emulate. Their world of high-stakes creativity, tight budgets, and relentless deadlines mirrors the chaos project managers face daily, yet they consistently deliver blockbusters that captivate millions. By dissecting their approach, we uncover project management techniques that can transform how you lead your... [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
If there's one most important skill for a project manager, it would be staying within budget and schedule. It is not an understatement to say that if you master this one thing, most other things will likely fall into place. And the magic ingredient to doing this well is called earned value management (EVM). EVM is... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Gantt charts are a powerful way to visualize project timelines and tasks. In fact, they are one of (if not the) the most important tool in the project manager's toolbox. But that being said, they don’t have to be complicated! In this post, we’ll explore three simple Gantt chart examples that anyone can create, whether... [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
Projects don't manage themselves. Professional project management requires the development of a plan that outlines how it will be managed. According to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (section 4.2), the project management plan fulfills this purpose. Although it includes any and all items that define the management of the project, there are certain standard items.... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Putting out fires is rarely a good project management strategy. Project controls are where the project manager earns their wages. Assigning work to someone is relatively easy, but how do you ensure the quality of the work is acceptable, or that the deadlines will be met? Fortunately, project management theory contains techniques which are used... [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
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
Almost every project requires an estimate. Since a project is, by definition, temporary, somebody must approve a budget for it. Which means they must know how much to approve. The available types of estimates can be categorized into the following groups: Accuracy Source of Data Estimating techniques Accuracy In many industries, project estimates start very... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Accurate project estimating is critical in project management, as stakeholders require clear insight into costs for temporary endeavors with defined timelines. Detailed estimates, initiated before a project begins and refined throughout its life cycle, ensure informed decision-making and effective budget planning. Where Does the Detailed Estimated Fit? The Detailed Estimate is generally considered the third... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Accurate project estimating is a cornerstone of effective project management, as stakeholders demand clarity on costs within fixed budgets. The Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimate is the initial cost projection in a project’s life cycle, used to screen potential projects or secure funding approval. Regularly refined at key milestones, the ROM estimate sets the... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
