Here’s the second stage of a “methodology-agnostic” model to scope, structure, and execute process improvement plans.
This is the fun part – coming up with what the future will look like. SPOILER ALERT: It involves Arts & Crafts! Continue reading Scoping Improvement Projects, Phase II – The Future State
Just because someone is “good with tools”, you wouldn’t hand him a fancy new wrench and tell him to “build somethin'” without plans or prints.
Regardless of what improvement tool you use – Lean, Six Sigma, whatever – you still need a blueprint for your engagement. This three-phase model will help you scope, plan, and execute your initiative, no matter what color your Belt is. Continue reading Scoping Improvement Projects: An Agnostic Model
Whinging about projects slipping past deadlines is great sport, but good project managers know what actions prevent their initiatives from falling behind.
Throwing up their hands and saying, “It’s out of my control!” is not how a Man of Action does it. Continue reading Take Control of Project Schedules
A recent experience serving up barbecue reminded me of a few things that can make it easier for employees to perform well. I seem to recall that being called “leadership”.
A pulled-pork parable of clarity, command, and kudos.
Continue reading Leadership Is a Dish Best Served
‘Teaching to the test’ may be a crap way to run a school, but letting employees know what gets an ‘A’ is both efficient and effective.
Setting clear objectives – when launching a project or designing a business process – is a winning idea. Here are some quick questions to check your thinking.
(Part Two of Two) Continue reading What’s the Objective II: Of Projects and Process
Sticky post
When people get up in the morning to work on your projects, they expect to come home that evening.
A Man of Action knows not only to plan ahead, but where to focus, and how to rally the troops. Continue reading Four Ideas to Make Your Projects Safer
Think you have more projects than people? Take this handy quiz to check!
If you are overstretched, here is a two-step analysis to identify the bottlenecks in your organization’s project portfolio. Continue reading Balancing Project Portfolios
Before any Change Management can begin, organizations must feel the need for change.
Here is a cautionary tale of a client who did nearly everything wrong, and still felt no need to act. Continue reading How to Make Your Change Effort Fail
‘Scope Creep’ isn’t something that just happens to a project. It can be controlled, and good project managers know how to do that.
This post includes some causes and corrections of a common project malady.
Being able to check and track the quality of work before passing it on is a cornerstone of both continuous improvement efforts and ‘getting it right the first time’. Knowing the ‘leading indicators’ of success also saves a lot of time and heartache.
Here are some things to consider when creating a method to measure success – before the work is complete. Continue reading Designing Internal Measures
Whether volunteering to lead a high-profile initiative, or being press-ganged into managing a project, good project managers know how to clarify expectations before they begin.
Here are seven things to define about the who, what, why, and how a project should be managed.
Continue reading Seven Questions to Ask Before Starting a Project
Project managers face a host of obstacles between ‘Charter’ and ‘Closeout’.
Good project sponsors can anticipate and minimize those obstacles.
James Bond may be licensed to kill, but he sure isn’t certified to run a project.
You know who runs a good project? SPECTRE.
A ‘KT Classic’ from RJB. Continue reading James Bond and the High-Stakes World of Project Management
Preparing an organization for change – whether internally driven or mandated by external influences – combines the tools of project management, problem-solving, and good decision-making.
This appeared in ‘Industry Weekly’ following heated conversations as American companies prepared for the Food Safety Modernization Act in 2013. Continue reading Preparing for Stronger Regulations
