ProjectConnections Print View
Content from real projects and PMs to:
- Kick-start project deliverables and problem solving
- Educate and support project managers
- Create practical project methodologies
Save time and solve problems with hundreds of templates and ideas
This week I'm at the Agile 2008 conference in Toronto along with Kent McDonald. I'm here to learn more about what the world is referring to as "Agile development" and "Agile project management" for my own edification, as well as to guide Agile content additions to the site for our members and subscribers. At the end of this post you can even post or email in questions you have about Agile, and I’ll see what I can do to get them answered.
Read More »
I am writing this particular post on my way to Toronto, intending to describe what I hope to get out of the conference. If for no other reason than to make sure I actually do accomplish some of the things I am setting out to do. You know how conferences can go, you attend with some vague idea of what you want to learn, but if you don’t actually clarify what those ideas are you get wrapped up in the great conversation, interesting people, and fun activities. It becomes very easy to fly home exhausted, having had a great time, but not really getting done what you wanted.
Read More »
- Project Management Templates
Over 200 deliverable examples, checklists, and guidelines - Template Bundles
Our most popular templates and guidelines bundled for immediate download - Project Management Articles
Ideas and advice from expert, practicing project managers - Resources for PMOs
Making it all work: your project managers, tools, and processes - Papers and Presentations
More quick-to-digest how-to from colleagues - Interviews and Case Studies
Learn how other project managers saved struggling projects and solved problems
Corporate Subscriptions and Licensing provide cost-effective access for everyone in your organization.
The Project Leader’s Guide to Steering Clear of Karmic Debt
 Kimberly Wiefling |
When a friend suggested that I might benefit from meditation, and generally taking a more "Zen" approach to project management, I had my doubts. How in the world was I going to get anything done while being tranquil?!! Too much serenity is bad for results. On a deadline-driven project the very words "tranquil" and "serene" have the stench of impending disaster. They are filed in my subconscious right alongside phrases like "no progress to report" and "we tried our best." Visions of status review meetings featuring updates like "everything is unfolding as the universe intended" and "it just wasn’t meant to be" popped into my adrenaline-soaked brain. No way was I going to let thousands of years of introspective tradition anywhere near my projects! Read More » |
ADVERTISEMENT
Disarming a Project Landmine, by Brian Irwin - GUEST
"Recently, I discovered a colleague of my sponsor was not a supporter of my project. It was made very evident when she spoke poorly of the project in a meeting with our steering committee to whom I was making a presentation. I'm running a business transformation project which has struggled from the beginning because of decreasing funding and short timelines. The dilemma I have is that my lead system engineer is the husband of my project's opponent. Do you have any ideas how I can neutralize the situation?"
The author of Managing Politics and Conflict in Projects shares advice for mopping up after missing deliverables and messy intra-project politics.
How About Some Plain Old Chunky Monkey? - Agile Overview and Core Methods - MEMBER
It can be confusing to sort out the different flavors of Agile. Aside from the differing approaches to project management standards like requirements, scheduling, testing, integration, there's all these labels like Scrum, XP, and FDD. It's enough to send a project manager in search of the nearest ice cream shop, where the choices are a lot less complicated. In this paper, Kent McDonald—who was loitering around when some of this started—provides a history of the Agile movement and outlines its basic principles, along with seven key actions you can take to begin stretching toward agility today. You'll still have to decide on your favorite flavor, but the calorie count is a lot lower.
You Mean My Signature Isn't Enough? - Project Sponsor Roles and Responsibilities - PREMIUM
An executive champion can be incredibly helpful, as long as everyone understands what's expected. This guideline outlines the traditional responsibilities of a project sponsor for the benefit of everyone's understanding. Establish the ground rules up front so both the sponsor and the project manager know what to expect and what it really means to be—and have—a project sponsor.
Bug: Any Feature Not Yet Described to Marketing - Software Requirements Specification - MEMBER
Avoid unpleasant surprises during your review and testing by ensuring everyone understands the project requirements when you start. Of course they'll change long before you finish, but if you start with a common understanding, you'll at least be close enough that no one is shocked by what they see during development. This detailed outline will help you streamline development of the requirements deliverable, making it a little easier to sit down and work through all the angles.
Let the Games Begin - Fast, Effective Ramp Up of New Team Members - MEMBER
Starting a new assignment can often feel like a giant game of catch-up, more breathtaking than a 400-meter relay. It's thrilling, but exhausting, and the traditional "throw them in the deep end of the pool" method may not be the best way to get fast productivity out of your team members. Steve Trautman, author of Teach What You Know, has a better idea: give your new team members food, air, and water right away, and fill them in on the big picture. This excerpt from his book explains his peer mentoring techniques and provides some basic tools to help you get started.
©Copyright 2000-2008 Emprend, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
About us Site Map View current sponsorship opportunities (PDF)
Contact us for more information or e-mail info@projectconnections.com
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
 | RSS Feeds |
MEDIA SPONSORS
San Francisco 13 - 16 Oct 2008
Boston 27 - 30 Oct 2008
Chicago 10 - 13 Nov 2008
Boston 27 - 30 Oct 2008
Chicago 10 - 13 Nov 2008
Vancouver 27 - 30 Oct 2008
| Content Levels | |
 | Register for free access to papers, case studies, and almost 50 templates. |
 | Subscribe for complete access: $14.95 monthly or $149/year |
| Risk-free 15-day trial!
Compare levels View sample templates Corporate subscriptions | |