Unspoken assumptions are the things that make problems bigger, issues become risks and risks to materialize. So, learn how to ask the questions to uncover unspoken assumptions so you don't have any of these things happen. By uncovering the assumptions you create more clarity for the whole team, which makes your job a whole lot easier. #Project Management #Leadership #People Management

It's not a great space to be in as a Project Manager, feeling as though you have no authority. I would question whether it's really authority you need or control. Let me share my ideas on how to feel as though you have more authority or control over what's happening, or have the discussion about shutting the project down. #Project Management #Projects #Leadership #Business

You might not have realized that when people feel connected and appreciated they produce more work than when they don't. On today's episode, I talk to Dr Dave Schramm who is as Assistant Professor and Family Life Specialist at the University of Utah. He spoke to me about the importance of treating team members like family in order to get the best from them. Dave recently gave a TedX Talk on The Secret Sauce for Business which elaborates further on this topic. --- This episode is...

Often times we step into the role of being a Project Manager with little to no other experience in managing people. We might think that being a project manager is sexy and not consider that people management skills are really at the core of the role. Let's dive into the list I spoke about in the very first episode of Project Management Insights back in 2015 of the core skills you'll need to be a great PM. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/project-management-insights/support

Let's talk about those things that make the real difference to your success and they aren't during project implementation necessarily. Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez talks about the keys to setting up your project and how to finish it.  Once again we are not talking about the scope, schedule or budget. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/project-management-insights/support

Too often I see vendors selling the business a solution to their problem before a Business Case or Business Requirements have been developed. This spells disaster. Take the time to develop both your business case AND business requirements without your vendor involved. Then gather information from the marketplace. Don't waste time and money on letting a vendor sell you a solution before you truly understand what the marketplace has to offer. --- Support this podcast:...

In this episode George Freeman III and I talk corporate politics. You'll learn how to work with the politics to make it work for your project. Don't be afraid of it. It makes sense once you understand the why behind it occurring. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/project-management-insights/support

John Sheridan, author of 'The Perfect Business' discusses project culture with me in this episode. How it forms and the five ways to make the culture better. We talk simple tips that can easily be put in place on any team. 5 simple ideas that can make a big difference to team effectiveness. Ultimately the things that will shift a project to becoming easily successful and ultimately make your job easier. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/project-management-insights/support

When you write a Business Case you are asked to show the 'Benefits' to be realized from undertaking the project. Why? Because that's what works for finance. What if we changed that and looked at the value to the business? Value as in, how will it change the people experience. How will the staff be positively impacted by the change?  How will the customer? It's a totally different way of looking at a project, from the businesses point of view. Something that doesn't happen currently. ---...

There is no legitimate reason to rush a project. There may be reasons for needing a specific timeframe, and this still needs to be clear. The more 'rushing' that occurs the more problems a project is likely to face. Don't put that added pressure on your team by specifying an unrealistic timeframe for delivery. It isn't worth it. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/project-management-insights/support

Sure, it's great to have the technology available to support you in capturing ideas and providing information to your team, but don't forget the value of the personal factor. Connecting with your team members in a meeting, celebration, for coffee or lunch, as a group is ten times more valuable than any technology will be. Why? Because people like to be treated as individuals and recognized as a human with feelings and capabilities. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest...

My belief is that we don't look at a project as something that is set up to manage change and this is what creates difficulties. If we ground ourselves in first understanding what the change is that the business wants, then the process for us making that change happen is our project. And if we keep this outcome, the desired change, in our minds during the life of our project, we can't help but deliver what the business wants. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to...

I know it's a crazy question and yet I'm going to guess that at least some of your project team aren't fully committed to the project. How do I know that?  They aren't performing, they aren't even really bought into what it is that you're doing on the project. If you or your team members aren't committed to the project, then how on earth can you expect to deliver on time, and on budget. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. ...

You may not think about the people around you, or that you know who could help you solve any major problem on your project that you haven't faced before. People like another Senior Project Manager, for example; or a Project Coach.  Consider the people that you know who could support you at one of these times and connect with them, so if you need their help and support they will be ready and willing to help. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. ...

Do you notice that a number of projects in your business/organization are started because someone has a budget to spend and someone else comes up with a bright idea?  The very worst reason to start a project. Let's talk about why that's the case. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/project-management-insights/support

Does it matter how large or small your project is in relation to how you manage it, or what it means to manage it? My opinion is no, it doesn't. Argue with me if you like.

The answer is ABSOLUTELY because the culture is the way that a TEAM engages and interacts with each other. Unless there are strong open, honest and trusting relationships built then it will definitely impact team output.

What should the relationship between the Project Manager and the Project Sponsor be like? It would say it needs to have trust, honesty, openness and clear communication at the core of it. Let's explore this relationship more.

My answer is No! What is more important is making sure that expectations and assumptions are spelt out so everyone knows what is required of them to help the group or TEAM to deliver. Defined roles are a safety mechanism that doesn't always add to inclusion.

Not engaging your stakeholders as you begin building your Business Case is going to cause your problems. Forget waiting until you are in full Project Planning mode. Get them involved as soon as you begin developing a Business Case.

Do you understand what's happening when people are being political? Do you even notice when this is happening? Let's talk about why people are political, within a team or organization and how you can change your interaction with them.

These seven tips will help you to put together a project schedule that is easy to work with and monitor. It's all about engaging the team and getting their help to pull together a schedule that is complete, realistic and with dependencies called out.

Have you considered the impact of your words or the language that you use in your interaction with others? Your language not only says a lot about you, but it also impacts on the strength of the relationship you have with others around you. Maybe it's time to begin to mind your language.

Do you notice people are just don't have the same level of understanding about the project as you do? There are reasons for that. Mark Steele talks to me about six reasons that he's found that make the difference, on a project. The difference between everyone being 'on purpose' and 'off purpose.'

I think we all underestimate the value of using a Gantt chart for our project. I know I've struggled when I've used Excel to set up a project schedule. Here are the 5 ways that a Gantt Chart can help you manage your project easier.