Problem Solving

I’ve been into superhero shows lately. Some shows feature great heroes, while others are not so great. When I was younger, I only watched what I remember as good superheroes. I grew up with icons like Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, and The Hulk (showing my age here). And for those Marvel fans out there, yes, I…

Recently I chatted with a project management colleague from a large corporation that manufactures children’s toys. It’s the kind of company where the job interview might include creating a digital puppet show on the spot. Despite having a large staff with various specific roles, they mentioned that in the past, the company struggled to accomplish…

I’m afraid of heights. In my early twenties, two longtime friends invited me to join them jumping out of a plane, and I politely declined.  More recently, my daredevil grandfather, while he was in his early 90s, skydived with my brother alongside him. I clearly didn’t inherit the gene that drove my relatives to jump…

My article from a few weeks ago, Get Out of Project Hell generated a lot of comments from my readers. So I decided to write a Get out of Project Hell – Part 2. How Do We Get a Project Back on Track? The questions my readers mostly asked were how to quickly and safely…

Years ago, I was invited to join a team meeting for a project my director thought was failing. They requested that I simply listen without commenting. Within 15 minutes on the call, I knew the project was struggling, and it needed urgent attention. They were spinning in project hell and it was really hot there.…

Are you a fan of the game known as soccer in North America, and football elsewhere? Whether you’re cheering for your local team or watching international tournaments, this sport connects fans around the world with exciting matches and a rich history. Before Embarking On a Large Project I’ve been spreading the word lately about conducting…

Many people do not fully understand the true nature of a project. Everyone uses the term project, but what does it mean, and what isn’t a project? A project has a start and end date, is temporary and creates something unique. What is not a project? Something that is ongoing, permanent and has the same…

A few months ago, we led a project feasibility study for a client to determine whether implementing a new ERP system or integrating their existing tools would be better to manage their daily business activities. We were happy to tackle this project, despite others possibly viewing this preliminary work as tedious and time-consuming. Many project…

I can’t recall my very first official project, as I’ve been handling projects for as long as I can remember, regardless of where I’ve worked. However, the earliest one that stands out was at my kid’s elementary school many years ago. The most significant fundraising event of the year was the Jogathon, anticipated by both…

I’m always happy when a client decides not to do a project. Why would I not want to do a project? I own a project management company, for Pete’s sake. Because if the project isn’t feasible due to timing, resources, or budget, then it’s a positive outcome! Recently, we were engaged to lead a large…