Step Away from the Computer & Get Out Your Post-It Notes!

Posted by on Apr 25, 2022 in PMChat Bloggers | Comments Off

A while back I was teaching an introductory PM class for some high-achieving tech folks.  My overall goal was to begin to convert these perfectionists into project managers.  Mid-way through the first morning, I divided the class into several small groups of 4 or 5 people and assigned a series of planning exercises.  They had brought their own real world project ideas to class and the object of the game was to take a few of these from rough concept to full-blown, high-resolution project plans.  Each team had been given large Post-It notes, blank flip charts, and markers. There were also a couple of white boards available.

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6 Reasons Why the New Book “Strategies for Project Sponsorship” Will Be an Instant PM Classic

Posted by on Mar 30, 2022 in PMChat Bloggers | Comments Off

A Review of Strategies for Project Sponsorship , by Vicki James, Ron Rosenhead, and Peter Taylor (Management Concepts Press, 2013) Strategies for Project Sponsorship  is a unique blend of practical, step-by-step tools; hard-won wisdom from the PM trenches; and solid, research-based recommendations . As a PM author reading this book, I found myself in awe of how nimbly the authors weaved together seemingly disparate elements: here citing research findings, there providing war stories or case study examples, and finally pivoting to morph these into powerful, ready-to-use tools. As someone who’s both managed projects and trained project managers for more than three decades, I know this for certain: This book should be in every project manager’s tool kit and in every project sponsor’s briefcase. Here are six reasons I believe this book will become an instant PM classic:   1. It shares powerful PM wisdom, based on real-world experience, regarding the subtle and nuanced process of sponsoring a project. A few s ample topics: What is Project Sponsorship? The Sponsor’s Role What Do the Professionals Say

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5 Actions That Will Help You Sell That Complicated Project

Posted by on Jan 30, 2022 in PMChat Bloggers | Comments Off

Let’s face it. You wouldn’t be a project manager if you fancied yourself a sales person. Indeed most project managers — particularly those who came up through the ranks of top project contributors and technical experts — hate all the “dog and pony show” stuff that’s involved in selling their projects. But the truth is there is simply no one who is in a better position to draw clear connecting lines between your team’s amazing technical abilities and the value these bring to your organization through your project. What’s more, as your project unfolds, you are going to need the enthusiastic support of senior management to help you get the money, people, facilities, equipment, and engaged participation of SMEs that will bring success. So it’s up to you and the specific actions you take to build the sale and generate that much-needed senior management enthusiasm.

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#PMTVQs with Bernardo Tirado PMP

Posted by on Jun 12, 2022 in PMChat Bloggers | Comments Off

Miss the live show?  Check out the recording on Youtube.

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#PMTV pilot show with Bernardo Tirado PMP

Posted by on Jun 12, 2022 in PMChat Bloggers | Comments Off

Project management TV (#PMTV) is a 30 minute show devoted to project management.  In this pilot show for the series I talk to Bernardo Tirado ( @thePMObox ) about industrial psychology and its relevance to project management.  Among other things, we also discuss how to deal with under-performing colleagues, and when it is appropriate to escalate issues to line managers. Bernardo is a Six Sigma Blackbelt, certified PMP, and Industrial Psychologist.  He’s the Founder and CEO of The Project Box where they provide the latest information on Project Management Leadership. If you’d like to appear on the show or have any feedback or suggestions, please drop me a line

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