Like termites slowly gnawing through a sturdy foundation, scope creep is a menace that invisibly eats projects from the inside out, a stealthy parasite that burrows into projects, expanding their boundaries with unauthorized tasks until the damage surfaces in a cascade of delays, budget overruns, and frustration. Left unchecked, it doesn’t just nibble at the... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
If your scope is pointed the wrong way, you're not going to hit the target! In fact, ineffective project control is one of the biggest sources of project distress. For this reason, one of the most important aspects of a project manager's job is controlling the boundaries of the project, that is, the tasks that... [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
A Requirements Traceability Matrix is a project management tool that provides a formal way to track project requirements. It links project (or product) requirements from their origins to the deliverables that satisfy them. At the outset of each project, prior to even the scope statement, the requirements should be identified and prioritized. Things like paint... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
I once had a project where an adjacent landowner almost came to blows with my site inspector before any ground was broken. Although we purchased a piece of his land and showed him the plans before the construction bagan, he decided once he saw construction folks arriving on site that the project was going to... [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 any project manager will tell you, in an ideal world the scope of a project will remain fixed, that […] The post Measuring and Controlling Project Scope Performance appeared first on Parallel Project Training.| Parallel Project Training
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
Like termites that build their invisible kingdoms secretly and slowly, projects have a similar parasite that grows under the surface until it suddenly exposes itself with disastrous consequences. It's called scope creep, and it has eaten many projects alive. Scope creep is the unauthorized addition of tasks into a project. If the project manager is... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
So you want to learn about project management, but have been putting it off into the "one day" basket? Or maybe you're already familiar with project management techniques and would like to brush up on your skills. In either case, you're not alone. You've come to the right place. A few months ago I was... [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
I was once part of a project which went behind schedule and over budget. In response the project manager asked the project team to come up with reasons why the project was late. Naturally the team produced several reasons, and a change in schedule and budget was approved. Everything sounded like it was back on... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Putting out fires is practically part of the job description for some project managers. Every project has changes throughout its life span, sure, but how do you control them, or better yet, how do you stop them from popping up? Project controls are where the project manager earns their wages. Assigning work is relatively easy,... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Breaking a project into manageable parts is one of the most foundational parts of project management. Whether you’re tackling a work assignment, a personal goal, or managing a megaproject, one truth stands out: breaking a project into smaller tasks is the cornerstone of effective project management. Without a clear task list, even the most exciting... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Scope management, or rather the lack of it, is one of the biggest reasons for project failure. Correctly defining what is and is not included in the project is absolutely foundational to good project management. I've seen many projects go south even though they had the right expertise, schedule, high quality deliverables, and even satisfied... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Project Management is like fixing a car—there are many interrelated, moving parts. When things go wrong, you won't find the problem if you can't isolate the defective part, and you can't fix the problem if you can't remove and replace it. Without a clear plan, you’re just guessing which parts need attention, and chaos ensues. ... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Scope issues are the #1 reason for project failure. Today more than ever, it's imperative that all projects need a scope management plan. In its absence, project stakeholders tend to assume the project boundaries in their favor, and the result is generally not good. If there's one thing a project manager can do to make... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
In project management, a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a planning tool whereby the project scope is divided into logical sub-components. It is a graphical representation of the project scope and forms the basis for further planning, such as the cost and schedule. It is not a scheduling or costing tool. A good WBS should be created... [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
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
In project management, a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a planning tool whereby the project scope is divided into logical sub-components. It is a graphical representation of the project scope and forms the basis for further planning, such as the cost and schedule. It is not a scheduling or costing tool. A good WBS should be created... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer