We look at the benefits of Agile in the Engineering sector
The challenges for engineering are considerable. There is ever increasing complexity, competition and shrinking life cycles. Engineers also have to contend with an increasingly complex regulatory environement, rapid improvements in technology and ever tighter program deadlines.
Continue reading “Agile in Engineering”We explore 5 common myths surrounding the Agile methodology
To understand Agile better, it may be helpful to dispel some of the myths that surround the methodology. In an age of misinformation many of the Agile concepts and approaches are incorrectly communicated and shared with new and old practitioners alike. By addressing some of these myths we may be able to understand what works and what situations are the most appropriate for adopting an Agile approach. The following myths and explanations may help with understanding the Agile framework and assist practitioners with levelling the expectations from project stakeholders and their own project teams.
Continue reading “5 Common Agile Myths”Preventing Groupthink in an organisation can provide extraordinary benefits for organisations.
Groupthink is defined as a phenomenon that occurs when a group of individiuals reaches a consensus wothout critical reasoning or evaluation of the consequences or alternatives. It is based on the common desire to not ‘rock the boat’ or upset the balance of a group of people.
Continue reading “Groupthink – what it is and how to avoid it.”We look at why there has been a change in the way we plan and run our projects.
Projects have been a feature of human development for thousands of years. Think of the pyramids, the Great Wall of China and more recently the Panama Canal. It is only over the last fifty years that the knowledge and learnings from projects have been brought together into a discernable methodology. The project frameworks that have first surfaced were designed for high certainty projects. These definable projects include car production, electrical appliances and the building of a house as examples. These projects usually involve processes that are well understood and usually have low levels of uncertainty and risk.
Continue reading “The Rise of the Agile Methodology”We explore the rise of Agile methodologies in traditional industries.
Industries that have used more traditional frameworks for managing their projects are Increasingly looking to Agile to improve their project delivery. Management and project practitioners have embraced the fundamental advantages that Agile brings which include:
Continue reading “Agile Project Management in Traditional Industries”The rise of the Agile philosophy began with a weekend meeting between seventeen IT experts in Snowbird, Utah. From this values and principles were developed that changed the world.
The agile methodology continues to be the key framework for software development projects. The implementation of agile has been a key factor in the technological revolution that has occurred over the last two decades.
The defining document termed the Agile Manifesto has been the guide for this innovation and has helped bring us to the modern age that we now live in.
Continue reading “The Agile Story”This article explores the importance of project management and why it might mean the difference between success and failure.
Project management is the application of the skills, resources, techniques and knowledge into a project that is designed to exceed the needs and expectations of the stakeholders. In order to achieve this success, the project practitioner needs to balance the competing demands of stakeholder needs and expectations which include:
Continue reading “Project management – why do we need it?”There are three unique characteristics that projects have. They are disruptive, temporary and unique.
Organisations perform work and this comprises operations or projects and sometimes both will overlap. Operations and projects share many similar characteristics which include:
Continue reading “Project Management Basics Part 2 – Project Characteristics”This is the start of a series of posts that will give us a foundation on projects and where they sit in our society.
History of Projects
History has shown us that projects have been with us for centuries. Examples of famous projects include:
Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg when considering projects through history.
Continue reading “Project Management Basics Part 1- What is a Project?”In this blog I look at 10 key elements that every Project Manager should be aware of. Irrespective of size or complexity.
The following ten elements should be considered by a project manager irrespective of the size of the project. It is the level of detail that goes into each element that will correlate with the size and complexity of the project.
Element 1 – Planning and Scoping
A key component of any project is the completion of a project scope. Having a clear project scope assists with the effective management and expectations of stakeholders. It ensures that the deliverables are aligned with the project objectives and improves the chances of project success.
Included in the project scope statement should be detail on the project outcomes, customers, outputs, work and resources.
