Talked with the client yesterday. He asked me to look into a new technology on iOS called "layers". He wanted to see if we can leverage it. I had no idea what was that. For sure, I could open a developer’s documentation and try to read it. But that is not what a project manager … [Read more...]
Articles on Project Execution (Project Management in the real world)
This is a collection of the best articles on project execution that comes from my practical experience as a software development project manager. In 11 years, I've collected the best practices that work in the real world with real people.5 Effective Communication Methods In Project Management (Video)
Imagine you found a defect. One of your team members made it. And you know it. What communication methods can you use? The main five communication types in project management are verbal, non-verbal, writing, visual, and listening. These types transform into five efficient project … [Read more...]
Earned Value Management Explained on an Example (+template)
Earned Value Management rises an alarm and dread in you? I get it. It is a common problem. Plotting project plan, tracking costs and progress of a project on one chart. It looks overcomplicated. Why would anyone needs EVM if there are Scrum’s burndown chart? They are so much … [Read more...]
What Does it Take Monitoring Project Progress?
Monitoring Project Progress sounds simple. But many experienced project managers fail to do it correctly. Why? They focus on budget and schedule most of the time. While problems appear and accumulate in other aspects of a project. Though I believe, it is not a rocket science. With a correct … [Read more...]
Project Integration Management Beyond PMBOK Guide Processes
The interior of the room where the meeting is to take place had seen better days. The furniture is tattered, and the inspirational posters on the walls are faded. No doubt, thousands of interviews had taken place here. It was obvious from his expression that Paul, the HR guy, is as tired as the … [Read more...]
How to Ensure Project Quality
Project quality management is described so vaguely. As projects are unique, the approaches to quality management are also different. There are best practices, but they do not give any practical advice. Moreover, there are numerous quality standards which are even more confusing and … [Read more...]
The Four Laws of Communication for Effective Project Management
Let’s start from scratch. In the beginning, there was communication. It’s what separated us from the other animals and it still does. Although today’s animal may be in the cube next to yours. Nothing to do with the process is worth noting if communication is ineffective. As project managers, much … [Read more...]
Weekly Project Status Report that Works (+ Template)
Do you feel like no one reads your weekly status reports? Does it take you the whole day to create it? Stakeholders ignore valuable information and wonder why you did not ping them. But you did. In the weekly status report. Writing useless reports is a common thing in project … [Read more...]
How to Write Project Management Emails that Solve Problems (8 Rules)
How many project management emails do you write a day? Ten? Fifteen? Twenty? But do you always get the desired response? I am certain you don’t. Some emails are ignored, some replies are irrelevant, many transformed into an endless thread. That is OK. Most of us are or were in such … [Read more...]
How to Survive Project Management Crisis
Your customers escalated a problem to the top management for no clear reason. They are going to cancel the project and withdraw a contract. Your boss is calling up an emergency meeting. What should a project manager do? Once I faced a project management crisis that developed due to continuous … [Read more...]
