Ten Tips for Managing a Project   Understand the project objectives and be sure that the project addresses the appropriate business needs Create and maintain a set of procedures and guidelines that support project management efforts Plan, plan and then plan some more Decide, before you begin, how problems which cannot be resolved promptly...
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By Ray Myers, Jr., PMP Schedule, Scope and Budget are the traditional competing project constraints.  Some project managers have added Quality as a fourth 4 constraint.  But PMBOK changed that by stating anything that limits the team’s option.  (PMBOK V4 paragraph 5.2.3.1) Here are a few examples of competing project constraints: Scope Quality Time...
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  Time = Money Wasted Time = Wasted Money Wasted Money = Loss of Profit Poor Planning A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part. You’ve seen this proverb hanging on someone’s office wall or on a t-shirt.   Most people will say, isn’t that the truth, but...
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Right to Have A Project Plan All project team members have the right to ask, “Where is the plan,” and “What are my tasks.” Assignments Are Reasonable Project managers do a reality check assignment and time-line with each assignee before the plan is finalized. Overall Project Plan Is Reasonable All project team members (and...
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By Ray Myers, Jr., PMP Merriam-Webster.com defines freelance as a person who pursues a profession without a long-term commitment to any one employer, or a person who acts independently without being affiliated with or authorized by an organization. Freelancers can work in many professions such as writers, web design, copy-editing, computer programing, consulting, and...
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By Ray Myers, Jr., PMP Recently, a colleague was abruptly pulled from his project and reassigned to another project.  He was called into the division director’s office and told that he was being reassigned to a different project.  He was given a week to complete any outstanding tasks, make sure all the project documentation...
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By: Ray Myers, Jr., PMP The 4th edition of the PMBOK describes 42 project management processes in terms of ITTO.  ITTO stands for Inputs, Tools and Techniques, and Outputs.  An Input is any item that is required by a process Tools are anything used as a means of accomplishing a task or purpose and...
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By: Ray Myers, Jr., PMP Initiation Feasibility Study Business Case Financial Analysis Requirements Document Project Proposal Contract Project Charter End of Phase Checklist  Planning Scope Statement WBS (baseline) Statement of Work Project Management Plan Stakeholder Analysis Risk Management Plan Communications Plan Change Management Plan Issue Management Plan Quality Management Plan Procurement Management Plan Acceptance...
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By: Ray Myers, Jr., PMP AC      Actual Cost ACWP    Actual Cost of Work Performed AD      Activity Description ADM     Arrow Diagramming Method AF      Actual Finish date AOA     Activity-On-Arrow AON     Activity-On-Node AS      Actual Start date BAC     Budget at Completion BCWP    Budgeted Cost of Work Performed BCWS    Budgeted Cost of Work Scheduled CCB     Change Control Board CPFF    Cost Plus Fixed Fee CPIF    Cost Plus Incentive Fee CPI     Cost Performance...
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By: Ray Myers, Jr., PMP The PMBOK defines project stakeholders as a, “Person or organization (e.g. customer, sponsor, performing organization, or the public) that is actively involved in the project, or whose interests may be positively or negatively affected by execution or completion of the project.  A stakeholder may also exert influence over the...
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