Work smarter, not harder. That’s the saying, right? Words to live by. Seriously…it’s painful when we watch people around us making life or work harder than it needs to be just because they’re not using the processes or tools or help that is there before them. We see this in life, we see this all around...

We start every project off in some sort of euphoric state, agreed? Every new engagement – once you’ve actually landed the client – is a clean slate. As I say, “You’re only as successful as your last customer thinks you are.” So, each new project is a chance to prove yourself, improve yourself, or fix...

The title sounds enticing, doesn’t it? The truth is, there’s no way to ensure without a doubt that every project customer will turn out to be a referenceable customer. Even if the engagement seems to be successful and you’ve hit on every requirement for the customer, that still doesn’t guarantee that...

Working on government contracts is great...seriously. I've done it in the roles of application developer, project manager, and IT consultant for more than 14 years of my 25-year professional career. It can be rewarding, very profitable, extremely structured, and fairly consistent. That said it, can...

In an open, honest, everything up front, good solid working relationship with your customer engagement it might seem like the obvious answer to this question is yes. But let's think about this a little more. Does our client need to be involved in everything? Do you involve your customer by telling...

Many studies have been conducted concerning failed projects and how many projects actually fail. Nearly all put the percent of failed projects in the majority – above 51%. Several recently conducted and well-regarded studies put the number somewhere between 62% and 75%. That’s saying that 62% - 75% of...

This is actually an interesting question. As PMs we are generally charged with carrying out the project according to the requirements that were agreed to at the beginning of the engagement. Rarely, if ever, do we have full rein on how a project will be developed and run and implemented. While we are...

As we go about our processes of managing all of the projects on our plate – and often that can mean organizing our activities across four, five or even six live projects at a time – maintaining control of those projects can sometimes be an issue. Keeping projects on track, organizing the team and keeping...

Your project customer is truly more than your project sponsor. Certainly, your customer approval begins and ends with the sponsor. However, as an experienced PM you know that a solution delivered to your sponsor’s satisfaction but that does not function as the end user requires is still a fail. Because...

Project success begins and ends with communication for the project manager, his team, and his customer. Without frequent, effective and efficient communication, a project is likely headed toward disaster. Project managers need to continually communicate issues, task assignments, expectations, status...