Blog
How to create a change request log for your project
Within most projects, change requests are common. Here's everything you need to know about change request logs and why they are vital to project success. This should include a detailed description of the exact change is that is being proposed. View Moira Alexander’s article as it’s published on Source link
Changes to the Project Management Professional exam in 2018: Here's what you need to know
To keep pace with the evolving state of the project management profession, the Project Management Institute has made changes to all of their exams. Here's what's changed. SEE: Project failure: 10 excuses your boss doesn't want to hear (free PDF) (TechRepublic) View Moira Alexander’s article as it’s published on Source link
3 things every project manager must communicate with stakeholders
Clear and timely communication, as well as the type of information shared, is vital to a project's success. Once stakeholders recognize the bigger picture behind the project, project managers must identify, document, and communicate each stakeholders' precise role and tasks. View Moira Alexander’s article as it’s published on Source link
Why project managers should use brainstorming as a data gathering and idea generation technique
Brainstorming offers significant benefits for companies. Here are a few. Brainstorming can trigger long-passed experiences and ideas not previously contemplated. This can be of particular benefit during problem-solving sessions where critical thinking kicks into high-gear. When critical-thinking is present, participants are more likely to not only generate ideas, but generate ways to solve problems in a better and potentially faster manner. View Moira Alexander’s article as it’s published on Source link
5 signs you hired the right project manager
Every company struggles with whether they hired or placed the best project manager for a specific project. Here are five signs that signal a greenlight for your next hire. SEE: How to become a project manager: A cheat sheet (TechRepublic) View Moira Alexander’s article as it’s published on Source link
5 reasons why quality should be every employee’s top priority
Most companies and project managers recognize the significance of quality management. Here are five reasons why quality should be a top priority throughout your entire organization. Within some industries quality is not just about expectation and client requirements, but rather, is related to safety and regulatory standards. Regulations are typically put in place to protect the public and keep them from harm. Under these circumstances, there may be stringent regulatory requirements imposed on [...]
4 best practices for project scheduling
Project schedules are often impacted by unforeseen changes. Here's how you can help your project team become more effective at scheduling. Without the WBS, requirements may be missed, and deliverables--or possibly the entire project--will miss the mark. View Moira Alexander’s article as it’s published on Source link
4 reasons why you should hire remote workers
Finding, attracting, hiring, and retaining the best talent for your projects is difficult. Hiring remote workers increases loyalty and the bottom line. Attracting top talent for projects is essential for successful project execution. When evaluating jobs, candidates rank work-life balance equally as important as salary. Many people struggle with juggling the demands of work and family, as well as complicated and stressful life events. The need to balance work and daily life becomes [...]
5 reasons why successful businesses depend on agility
Customers expect companies to deliver quality products or services in an expeditious manner, making agility an important business strategy. The success of any business relies heavily on customer loyalty, which is a direct extension of how well a business delivers exceptional customer experience, quality products, and services. When companies are agile and responsive to customer needs, they provide a positive experience for customers thus improving customer loyalty. View Moira Alexander’s article as it’s published on [...]
4 in-demand project management skills for 2019
Technical project management skills are always in demand, but more specialized skills will not only help you stand out amongst other job applicants, but it improves your chances of being hired. A PM who understands and has skills in culture and organizational behavior brings immense value to organizations and can help achieve goals with greater internal harmony, less conflict, and higher degrees of productivity and innovation. View Moira Alexander’s article as it’s published on Source [...]
3 ways project leadership will evolve in 2019
Project leaders need to lead the charge as quality assurance ambassadors, strategic change agents, and team culture champions in 2019 and beyond. Project leaders can accomplish this through their ongoing efforts to motivate and mentor individuals and to create an environment of fairness, objectivity, and inclusiveness. Project leaders also need to help individuals tie their tasks into milestones and deliverables. They can do this by empowering team members to track their own work [...]
5 ways poor capacity planning can sabotage a project
Learn how poor capacity planning undermines efforts and can lead projects toward catastrophic failure. Further, if your resources are overscheduled and exhausted, you can practically guarantee that they also will suffer from low morale, lack trust in project managers and other leaders, and eventually will just stop working at a productive level. In fact, they are apt to put in barely more than a minimal effort just out of the need for job [...]
5 signs you hired the wrong project manager
A significant amount of time and energy goes into hiring a Project Management Professional. Here are five red flags that you hired the wrong person for the job. For a project to meet all of the company-wide needs and goals, it is vital that a PM understand which stakeholders should be involved in the project. It is also important to know where and how much involvement is needed, and the timing of each [...]
6 personality traits that can sabotage your projects
Don't let these six destructive personality traits turn a simple project into a nightmare. Recognize the signs of trouble before it makes an impact. We all have a bit of a rebel in us, but it becomes problematic when it consistently hinders progress, especially for no justifiable reason. This trait is shown by behavior that frequently displays defiance and a need to go against the grain or avoid rules or protocols. While individual thought is [...]
What to do when your Project Manager isn't performing
Trying to salvage a project and poor-performing Project Manager isn't hard if you know a few key tactics. Sometimes issues may arise from situations outside of their role. Even the best Project Managers will encounter roadblocks that are out of their control, and instead of bringing them to the attention of a project sponsor, they may try to handle things themselves without success. This is a lapse in judgment and can lead to additional problems [...]
Servant leadership: Why it matters
Servant leadership is not a new term, but it is an important one for project, program, and portfolio managers to understand and emulate. SEE: Digital transformation: A guide for CXOs (Tech Pro Research) View Moira Alexander’s article as it’s published on Source link
Why product managers need customer service training
Working a short-stint in customer service can reap long-term rewards for your business. Regardless of the reason, the outcome to the bottom line can be devastating if product managers don't understand the volume or exact nature of the complaints that are heard by customer service representatives. Customer service teams truly are the ears of the company and understand customers' needs and expectations. View Moira Alexander’s article as it’s published on Source link
5 steps employers can take to retain project managers
Project managers remain in high demand. Here are five things that employers can do now to retain their top project talent in the future. Many project managers recognize their impact on the overall morale of the company and understand the need to remain positive and put on a "good face" for their teams, sponsors, and other stakeholders. The trouble is, employers may make the assumption that what they see is what truly exists, and this [...]
Will AI lead project managers to the unemployment line?
Project managers may fear that AI will replace their jobs---when in fact it just might improve them. Gartner says that AI can positively impact data collection, analysis, and reporting by improving task outcomes through the ability to more rapidly analyze data than we can as humans. This new role of AI in project performance could spell out the need for additional team members who can "manage the demands of AI and smart machines," [...]
The pros and cons of becoming a product manager
If becoming a product manager is your career goal, these tips from experienced product managers about what you need to know can help to ensure that you're set up for success. View Moira Alexander’s article as it’s published on Source link