Project management

The Precedence diagram, especially when created through a project management software, can be the greatest asset for a Project Manager. CONTENT What is the precedence diagram method? How to create the precedence diagram What are the four dependencies in precedence diagrams? Pros and cons of the precedence diagram method Having many challenging responsibilities involved in … Continue reading "Precedence diagram method for establishing dependency relationships between activities"

Meeting project deadlines can be a source of heavy pressure and concern for many people. CONTENT Why is meeting project deadlines so difficult? Why are deadlines in projects important? Managing a deadline 1. Meeting project deadlines: Assessing what is needed 2. Meeting project deadlines: Getting the right resources 3. Meeting project deadlines: Considering possible problems … Continue reading "Meeting project deadlines: 5 life-saving tips"

Problem solving is a project manager skill that facilitates effective problem solving by combining creative thinking and strong analytical skills. CONTENT Problem-solving techniques: a 5-step approach Problem solving step 1: Problem definition Problem solving step 2: Cause determination Problem solving step 3: Ideas generation Problem solving step 4: Best solution selection Problem solving step 5: … Continue reading "Problem solving: a Project Manager skill"

In all organizations, projects are a key means of building value, and planning activities to help the team di progetto becomes a critical step. CONTENT Project activities definition Project activities list Milestones The sequencing process of project activities Creating a Gantt Chart Network chart creation Critical path to planning activities Allocating resources Managing an organization … Continue reading "Planning activities to help your project team"

Measuring your project’s performance  doesn’t just mean meeting project budget and timelines.  In fact, other types of performance are also expected to be monitored and measured. This is intended to measure the ROI nd to determine if goals are being met. CONTENT Setting and measuring project objectives The 5 performances to measure in a project … Continue reading "Measure your project’s performance"

The precedence diagramming method of project activities is a visual representation technique that shows the interdependencies of activities and is used in the development of project planning. CONTENT What is the Precedence Diagamming Method (PDM)? How to build a precedence diagramming method (PDM) Relationship types in precedence diagramming method Dependency types in precedence diagramming method … Continue reading "The Precedence Diagramming Method in Project Activities"

A product backlog is a list of work priorities for the development team that is derived from the roadmap and requirements. Included within this document are new features, changes to existing ones, bug fixes, infrastructure changes, or other activities to achieve a specific outcome. The product backlog is the only authoritative source for the things … Continue reading "Product backlog"

Distinguishing between data returned by Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) (two project selection methods), when analyzing a project, is important because these methods can yield contradictory results. The resulting difference could be due to a difference in cash flow between the two projects. Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate … Continue reading "Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR): Project selection methods"

Decision making and its impact in problem solving is simply undeniable and is an intrinsic part of effective project management. CONTENT The importance of decision making in problem solving The 6 stages of the decision-making process The Decision Making Process: Defining and Identifying the Problem Clearly The Decision Making Process: Collecting Information The Decision Making … Continue reading "Decision making and its impact on problem solving"

Top-down and bottom-up stand for different approaches to different problems in project management. CONTENT Top-down project management Pros and cons of the top-down approach Bottom-up project management Pros and cons of the bottom-up approach Il New York Times: an actual example Deciding between top-down and bottom-up approaches: the hybrid method Using technology as a tool … Continue reading "Top-down and bottom-up – Different approaches for different problems in project management"

Theory of Constraints in Project Management is an approach that helps you to pinpoint the crucial limiting factor, usually referred to as a constraint or bottleneck, that gets in the way of achieving a goal. CONTENT Theory of Constraints Goal The five implementation steps Theory of Constraints in Project Management – Critical Chain Project Management … Continue reading "Theory of Constraints in Project Management"

Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK ® Guide) is the ultimate guide to the business analysis art. Few analysts can really work without relying on it. The guide is described as “a globally recognized standard for the practice of business analysis,” written with the aim of defining the skills and knowledge that a seasoned professional … Continue reading "Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide)"

A bottleneck is basically a situation where work is delayed. It can be a one-off event due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a team member who gets sick, or it can be events that happen on a regular basis due to poor planning or a lack of resources. CONTENT What is a bottleneck and what … Continue reading "Bottlenecks and project delays"

Corrective and preventive actions are processes used to identify, record, and address defects, deficiencies, and nonconformities. CONTENT What is the CAPA? What does corrective action mean? Corrective Process Steps What is preventive action? Popular – yet wrong – ideas about CAPA These are also called “CAPA” (“Corrective Actions Preventive Actions”) and constitute an organization’s immune … Continue reading "Preventive and corrective actions in project quality"

Strategic thinking and its importance is what elevates a project manager to the next level. Project managers are definitely accountable for a project’s timely delivery, but it’s their skill in crafting a strategy that makes the difference. CONTENT Strategic thinking and how to strengthen it in the business scenario Shifting from tactical to strategic project … Continue reading "Strategic thinking and its relevance for a successful project manager"