People and Projects

I recently came across a post from business owner Andrew Amann that hit home. He said hiring a big firm like Deloitte to develop your strategy is like “paying someone to teach you to swim by showing you pictures of water.” And, he’s right.  You don’t learn to swim by studying pictures. You learn by…

Have you ever heard of a deputy project manager? When I first heard of this role, it sounded like someone the sheriff of an old gold rush town would hire to tidy up Main Street. The person who told me about it does just that – keeping Main Street running smoothly at their company. An…

When I was 18, I dreamed of delivering sailboats for a living.  Raised on the northern Great Lakes of Canada, I was a sailing enthusiast who never wanted to be away from water. So, naturally, I decided to become a professional boat-deliverer.  Spoiler alert: it didn’t pan out. I didn’t even get to deliver one…

Many leaders wrestle with the timing and importance of bringing the right people onto a project. Which roles are truly necessary? When should they join? What title will they give them? It all comes down to the art of effective resourcing—or, as I like to call it, “rocking the role.” In other words, shaping the…

Are you a planner? If not, no worries—we’ve got your back. I’m always amazed by how many people struggle with planning. It’s not a bad thing—thinking ahead just isn’t everyone’s superpower. A Good Project Manager Friend I have a new-ish friend who can barely keep track of what she needs to do in the next…

Everywhere we turn lately, companies everywhere are facing the challenge of doing more with less—be it budget, deliverables, or people.  How do you manage your project portfolio under these constraints?  By getting creative. Outsource: The Fastest Path to Project Success The fastest, easiest way to build out your project portfolio while experiencing a low internal…

These are lean times. Even with limited resources, such as reduced staff due to layoffs or other reasons, projects can still be managed effectively. Although it may require a different approach than usual, success is possible. Critical Resource Crunch I’ve participated in many projects where it’s been challenging to pull together the stakeholders. There was…

Last week, I wrote about how onboarding differs from implementation. Onboarding ensures seamless product integration, laying the foundation for long-term, positive client relationships. But what about onboarding our people? Where do they fit? When Onboarding People Goes Wrong We’ve all been there: a new team member is set to join, and we’ve known about their…

Why don’t product and project managers always see eye to eye? Sure, they might chat it up at the company BBQ or while waiting in line for coffee, but once the discussion shifts to the product pipeline or the project deliverables, things can get heated. Suddenly they’re heading back to their desks, holding on tightly…

Before entering the field of project management, I genuinely had no idea what the field was all about. Someone suggested I’d be a good fit for a project management position where I was working and encouraged me to apply. I promptly researched the Project Management Institute (PMI), found the contact information for a local chapter,…