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Articles from michelle symonds | Selfgrowth.com
- 7 key elements to balancing good project management with creative freedom - by Submitted on Aug 23, 2013 from michelle symondsIf you work in a creative industry, or have creative elements within your project team, you might find it hard to lead these highly creative professionals effectively without stifling their freedom. Striking a good balance between creative flair and robust management is critical if you are to ...
Views: 733 - How to make your project meetings more productive - by Submitted on Aug 21, 2013 from michelle symondsMeetings are a necessary part of any project success, but typically have the reputation as a bit of a waste of time. Employee’s groans and downcast eyes as they enter the meeting room are tell-tale signs that this is not a meeting that is going to go well. Research by Verizon has shown that ...
Views: 501 - Three project management tools you can’t live without - by Submitted on Aug 21, 2013 from michelle symondsProject management tools are many and varied, and with the wide variety of project management support blogs and websites on the internet, there are all sorts of weird and wonderful things popping up that claim to help deliver successful projects. But sometimes we need to ditch the frills and go ...
Views: 530 - Understanding the differences between agile and waterfall project management - by Submitted on Aug 21, 2013 from michelle symondsWhether you’re into product design, software engineering, construction or any other industry, there is usually more than one way to get things done. In terms of project management, the two most prolific methods for getting things done are the classic waterfall style of project management and the ...
Views: 602 - Using agile project management outside of the IT sector - by Submitted on Aug 21, 2013 from michelle symondsThe agile approach to project management techniques has proven itself to be a time and money saving strategy with the flexibility to keep up with rapid changes in the modern world. It has taken the IT industry by storm and is now the preferred method of managing projects in many of the biggest ...
Views: 696 - The importance of social skills in project management - by Submitted on Aug 21, 2013 from michelle symondsIs there anything that a project manager doesn’t have to be good at? From mathematics to human resources, negotiations to accounting, the life of a project manager is certainly one for the good all-rounder. But here’s one more to add to your list that you may not have thought of so far: social ...
Views: 1373 - How to cook up your dream project team - by Submitted on Aug 21, 2013 from michelle symondsWhen you are first presented with your new project, undoubtedly one of the first things on your mind is how to get the best people on the case as soon as possible. Building a dream project team can be very much like cooking a fine three course meal, because it needs the right ingredients, a good ...
Views: 594 - Project Meetings - Getting people to pay attention - by Submitted on Aug 21, 2013 from michelle symondsThere aren’t many people who enjoy public speaking, and it is said that some fear it more than death itself. Whether you love running meetings or hate them, unfortunately they are a key part of the project manager's timetable, and ideally you need your team to be alert, participative and (at the ...
Views: 530 - Now you can have successful projects and still leave at five - by Submitted on Jul 18, 2013 from michelle symondsYou may be familiar with the phrase “work smarter, not harder”, but what does that really mean in project management? Many project managers find themselves under a lot of pressure to deliver increasingly challenging outputs to very tight timescales, and as a result can end up putting in long ...
Views: 508 - Top 4 surprises that will blow your project budget - by Submitted on Jul 18, 2013 from michelle symondsNo matter how carefully you plan things, surprises always happen. As project managers we need to ensure we are effectively managing our budgets and spending the money in a responsible manner whilst stilldelivering high quality results. Despite all the strategies and tools at our disposal, ...
Views: 509 - Manage your project like a pro (even if you're a novice) - by Submitted on Jul 18, 2013 from michelle symondsGetting into project management can be tough, and if you’re new to this game chances are you’re already feeling a little nervous about your first projects. New project managers need to cope with the multiple demands of project management, as well as being able to walk the tightrope between ...
Views: 544 - Becoming a project manager by accident - by Submitted on Jul 18, 2013 from michelle symondsHow did you get to be a project manager? Chances are it wasn’t a straight step from education into project management unless you are one of the rare breed to have completed a degree in project management; and it may even have been that you never dreamed that this would be your chosen career. ...
Views: 569 - Five steps to quality management of your project - by Submitted on Jul 17, 2013 from michelle symondsProducing a high quality project depends on many factors, and maintaining control over quality whilst also sticking to timescales and budget is a challenge every project manager has to face. Knowing how to control the quality of your project from the outset is critical in achieving excellence, ...
Views: 543 - Are you a good communicator? - by Submitted on Jul 17, 2013 from michelle symondsAll project managers know that communication skills form the backbone of their ability to succeed in their roles. With communication channels spidering out from your project in all directions, to stakeholders, teammembers, managers and more, it makes sense to ensure you excel when it comes to ...
Views: 891 - Agile Vs. Traditional Project Management - by Submitted on Jul 17, 2013 from michelle symondsThe first steps towards what we now recognise as agile project management strategies were developed back in 1986, when two product development managers, Takeuchi and Nonaka, published an article in the Harvard business review called the “New New Product Development Game”. In the article, the two ...
Views: 767 - 5 ways to be a more persuasive project manager - by Submitted on Jun 16, 2013 from michelle symondsYou may feel like a juggler when the workload pressure’s on in project management. Having to keep several balls in the air at the same time as you beaver away on several projects can be a tricky business. The advice is - never panic. In fact, you can actually enjoy the experience if you plan it ...
Views: 860(2 votes) - Managing multiple projects: the keys to success - by Submitted on Jun 16, 2013 from michelle symondsYou may feel like a juggler when the workload pressure’s on in project management. Having to keep several balls in the air at the same time as you beaver away on several projects can be a tricky business. The advice is - never panic. In fact, you can actually enjoy the experience if you plan it ...
Views: 799(1 vote) - Honing your leadership skills for project management - by Submitted on Jun 16, 2013 from michelle symondsIf you’re an appointed leader it’s a full-time job - not one which you can opt out of when the going gets tough. Team workers and bosses look to you for support and results and, having mentioned the difficult times, it’s a fact that great leadership not only emerges but comes into its own within ...
Views: 888(1 vote) - How the Pareto Principle can help you manage projects more effectively - by Submitted on Jun 16, 2013 from michelle symondsWork less but do more is what the Pareto Principle is all about. Also known as the ‘law of the vital few’ it says that in most situations roughly 80 percent of effects come from only 20 percent of the causes. It’s been applied to almost every human endeavour, from software development to ...
Views: 879 - BYOD and the Future of IT - by Submitted on May 22, 2013 from michelle symondsThere can be no doubting the changes which are sweeping many workplaces in terms of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and what these changes mean for IT Departments. Whilst many employees in all kinds of fields have been happily bringing their own devices to work and accessing corporate systems, IT ...
Views: 774(1 vote) - Managing the manager - by Submitted on May 12, 2013 from michelle symondsProject management doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and probably wouldn’t be as interesting if it did. It’s all about establishing objectives, solving problems, and ultimately realising business benefits. None of these things are theoretical and all rely very much on engagement with all those ...
Views: 750(1 vote) - Managing a Tricky Project Team Member - by Submitted on May 12, 2013 from michelle symondsProject managementcan be a stressful and high pressure environment, and the last thing you need when you are already juggling deadlines, resources and client demands is someone on your own side who appears to be working against you. Sometimes people on your team are not as cooperative as they ...
Views: 648 - Leadership or management - by Submitted on May 12, 2013 from michelle symondsFor most people, leadership and management are seen as one and the same thing, and with many people in power exhibiting elements of both traits, it can be easy to confuse the two. However, being a leader and being a manager are two very different things, and although great leaders can manage and ...
Views: 578 - Mobile Device Management and Consumerization of IT - by Submitted on Apr 18, 2013 from michelle symondsIT departments are currently under a lot of strain as they shuffle through the best options for their businesses with regards to Mobile Device Management (MDM). IT departments are more aware than ever before of the risks which are being presented to their employees’ devices when it comes to ...
Views: 590 - Project Management - From the Perspective of Your Team - by Submitted on Mar 21, 2013 from michelle symondsRegular, honest assessment of your own project management style is a good way to develop and learn as a professional. Self-evaluation as well as the consideration of feedback from others and project lessons learned will help with this. Your leadership style, knowledge and skills are all ...
Views: 613 - Motivating Your Project Team - by Submitted on Mar 21, 2013 from michelle symondsAs a project manager, part of your success in delivering a high quality end product within time and budget constraints is down to the working environment you create. You will need to use your leadership skills to motivate your project team – meaning each individual within your team strives to ...
Views: 574 - Mind Mapping & Project Management - by Submitted on Mar 21, 2013 from michelle symondsAs a project management professional, you will encounter projects that vary in size, scope and scale throughout your career. Taking a fresh approach to each project allows you to understand the requirements and translate these into a successful plan of approach, and it is useful to have ...
Views: 813 - A Guide to Project Management Qualifications - by Submitted on Mar 21, 2013 from michelle symondsWhether you're a graduate considering a career in project management, a professional looking to progress up the career ladder or you simply wish to enhance your employability, it is useful to know what project management qualifications are out there, and how to choose between them. As well ...
Views: 591 - The Career Path of a Project Manager - by Submitted on Feb 08, 2013 from michelle symondsWhatever stage of your life and whatever your occupation, you will likely be mindful of how you wish to advance through your chosen career path. But what is the typical career path of a Project Manager? Like most careers, there is no definitive way to get from A to B in Project Management. As ...
Views: 2666 - Is Good Communication the Key to a Successful Project? - by Submitted on Feb 07, 2013 from michelle symondsProject Managers need a whole range of skills, knowledge and expertise to be successful; some learned through experience, and others through training and qualifications. Managing change, monitoring budgets and showing leadership are all daily requirements for a Project Manager, but perhaps one ...
Views: 620 - The Art of Managing Change Requests - by Submitted on Feb 07, 2013 from michelle symondsChange is a natural part of the working process and can occur across an organisation, a working structure, teams and projects. Change management is important in the role of a Project Manager, ensuring that as requirements for change occur within a project lifecycle, they are dealt with in an ...
Views: 555 - 10 Steps to an Effective Project Kick-off - by Submitted on Jan 31, 2013 from michelle symondsA kick-off meeting is a crucial start to any project, no matter what the scope, timescales or budget involved. This ten step guide outlines what you can do as Project Manager to ensure your kick-off meeting is as worthwhile and effective as possible. 1. Be prepared Circulate a project ...
Views: 1153 - A Beginner’s Guide to Agile Project Management - by Submitted on Jan 31, 2013 from michelle symondsAs the name suggests, Agile project management promotes an adaptable approach to projects. Dating back to 2001, it originated in the digital industry with software development projects but is now increasingly applied across a range of sectors, with organisations preferring its flexible and ...
Views: 864 - How Can Leadership Style Affect a Project? - by Submitted on Jan 31, 2013 from michelle symondsAs a Project Manager, you will no doubt have your own style of leadership which helps you to deliver your projects consistently successfully, on time, and within budget. Good project management involves being able to adapt favourably to any given situation and take advantage of opportunities ...
Views: 759 - How to Manage a Project from Anywhere - by Submitted on Jan 30, 2013 from michelle symondsWhilst many Project Managers work with an in-house team, allowing daily face-to-face contact and a close style of management, some people will need to manage a project remotely, either because they have chosen to outsource the work or because their employer has made a strategic outsourcing ...
Views: 598 - The Perfect Business Requirements Document - by Submitted on Jan 20, 2013 from michelle symondsSmaller organisations with limited project experience may still be finding their feet on the best way to document requirements for their particular business so whether you are trying to develop a template or trying to modify an existing one that is no longer up to the job, here are some tips to ...
Views: 3036 - Why Project Scope Is So Important - by Submitted on Jan 20, 2013 from michelle symondsEvery type of project, whether it is a global project for a multi-national corporation, a local government project or a personal project such as building a house, will have a project scope. It could be defined at length in a Business Requirements document or simply be written as a list of things ...
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