Six Sigma was a powerful quality improvement system developed by Motorola that took the world by storm in the early 2000's with high profile adoptions by General Electric, Honeywell, and others. Lean was a manufacturing methodology originated by Toyota, which turned manufacturing on its head by focusing on minimizing idling products (inventory) rather than minimizing … [Read more...]
Like a surgeon has his eyes fixed on the patient's vital signs, attentively fixed on every beep of the monitor as a signal to adjust or proceed, project managers need to monitor their projects obsessively to make sure they do not veer off the plan. If the data ever shows that the project's heartbeat is dropping, swift action is usually the best medicine. Without this … [Read more...]
Project closure is one of the most visible aspects of project management to CEOs and executives. It’s the moment when the deliverables are handed over, the dust settles, and the value of all that hard work is judged. But a successful close isn’t just about tying up loose ends—it’s a strategic process that solidifies your reputation, captures lessons learned, and sets … [Read more...]
Project risk management is what separates good project managers from great ones. It’s not enough to spot potential pitfalls—you need a battle-tested plan to dodge them or fight back when they hit. Even when everything has been planned and executed to perfection, an unexpected event can cause considerable duress on the project stakeholders and even cause the project to … [Read more...]
Every day projects kick off with big dreams and bold promises, only to crash and burn because no one mapped out the how, when, or who. Project planning is the unsung hero that turns chaos into clarity, setting the stage for success before a single task begins. It’s not just about schedules and budgets—it’s about building a roadmap that keeps everyone on track and every … [Read more...]
Managing projects is like steering a ship—success depends on a steady hand, a clear course, and the ability to navigate unpredictable waters. Whether you’re launching a product, building a team deliverable, or tackling a complex initiative, effective project management keeps everything on track and moving toward the destination. In this "Guide to Project Management," … [Read more...]
Quality isn't free. The American Society for Quality (ASQ) suggests that the Cost of Quality is usually around 15 - 20% of sales, often as high as 40% in some organizations. From the resources spent preventing mistakes to the fallout of fixing them, the cost of quality shapes how businesses operate and compete. Far from being just a buzzword, quality is a real, … [Read more...]
Missing deadlines reflects poorly on a project manager. With few exceptions, deadlines are a major component of project success. Because projects are by definition temporary, someone has authorized the project and expects its deliverables in a timely fashion. A schedule management plan is a subset of the project management plan whose purpose is to put into place the … [Read more...]
In the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) the process groups are the chronological phases that the project goes through, and the knowledge areas occur throughout any time during the process groups. The process groups are horizontal, and the knowledge areas are vertical. They are the core technical subject matter of the project management profession, and they … [Read more...]
Every successful project—whether it’s launching a product, building a bridge, or organizing an event—starts with a solid foundation. That’s where project management fundamentals come in. These core principles guide teams through planning, execution, and delivery, turning big ideas into tangible results. In this article, we’ll explore the essential building blocks of … [Read more...]
