One of the most important jobs of the project manager is that of project resource management. Like a carpenter using a saw, like a pilot landing an airplane, like a programmer writing code, ask any project manager and they will tell you that managing the project resources is the day to day work they spend most of their time on. Project resources include everything … [Read more...]
How to Give a Stunning Project Presentation
Many projects require a presentation, whether at the beginning, end, or somewhere in the middle. Sometimes it is given to the managers or executives, sometimes to the project team, and sometimes to stakeholders who have a specific interest in the project. Project presentations can be very nerve racking and difficult for many people, but that doesn't mean they have … [Read more...]
How to Produce a Detailed Estimate
Estimating a project is one of the most important aspects of project management. Projects are by definition temporary endeavors with a defined beginning and end, hence stakeholders need to know how much expenditure they are committing to. Thus, project estimates tend to start before the project even begins and are usually updated throughout the project life … [Read more...]
Guide to Project Communications Management
Many, if not most, project issues can be traced back to poor communication. Like an airplane with many parts, projects are an interconnected network of stakeholders attempting to accomplish a goal. If even the smallest part malfunctions, disaster can strike. Project communications management are the tasks that are performed to ensure that the information … [Read more...]
Guide to Stakeholder Engagement
All projects have stakeholders. Like any area of life, no projects exist inside of a bubble. Although some come close, every project must have a project sponsor (as a minimum) who created the project and expects some sort of deliverables. But most projects have so many stakeholders that they must maintain a list in order to manage them all properly. In … [Read more...]
What is a Stakeholder in Project Management?
In project management, a stakeholder is anyone who is affected by the project. This can be a real or perceived effect. Some are supportive and some are opposed to the project. Some have alot of influence and some have a little. Some are easy to persuade and some are not. But they all have a "stake" therefore project success and stakeholder … [Read more...]
What is Resource Leveling?
Resource leveling is the smoothening of resource usage to increase project efficiency. It is performed to realize a trade off between project duration and project cost. Traditional project scheduling techniques do not take resource usage into account, and often produce erratic resource usage that drives up the project budget. For example, let's say you have a … [Read more...]
The IPMA Project Excellence Model
The International Project Management Association (IPMA) provides an excellent standard for measuring project success. It's called the Project Excellence Model (PEM), and it establishes an analytical system of points for various categories. It is used in the selection of the IPMA Project Excellence Awards every year. It is documented within the Project … [Read more...]
16 Project Manager Certifications
Project management certification is one of the best ways to get ahead in your career. Certification gets you started on ladder to success, and the next rungs are promotions and salary increases. Although the first step is the most important, wise builders must make sure the ladder is positioned in the right place so that the destination is the right … [Read more...]
IPMA vs. PRINCE2: How to Decide Between Them
Project management certification can boost your job prospects, increase your salary, and get you a promotion. But it is important to choose the right certification, or you could end up spending alot of time and money only to be disappointed with the result. The International Project Management Association (IPMA) and PRINCE2 are two of the prominent certifications … [Read more...]