#productivity Archives | Project Management Nerd

What are some effective strategies for remote team collaboration?

As working in a remote team becomes more popular, it can be hard for companies to keep track of their workers. In other words, it means ensuring that all employees share the company’s ideals and goals, even if they work from home or elsewhere.

The journal “Organisational Control in the Context of Remote Working: A synthesis of empirical findings and a research agenda” did a systematic review of 131 studies to find out more about how organisational control works when people work from home.

This review didn’t just look at direct forms of control, like keeping an eye on work, but also at how managers act and how workers act, which can have an indirect effect on control. The results were put into five control areas, which are management styles, trust-based relationships, corporate identity, and work identity in settings where people work from home. You should read it for sure!

Here are some more tips to help you and your online team work together better:

Clear Communication

Talking to each other is what makes remote work possible. Spread the word and stay in touch with everyone by using email, chat apps (Slack, Microsoft Teams), videoconferencing (Zoom, Google Meet), and project management software (Trello, Asana).

Further Reading: | Case Study – Improving Team Communication Skills |

Make your goals and expectations clear

Make sure everyone on the team knows what their duties are and what the project’s goals are. Outline tasks, due dates, and goals with project management tools.

Further Reading: | Leading from Afar: Tips for Managing a Successful Virtual Team |

Check in often

To keep everyone on the same page, set up regular team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, and progress reports. The feeling of connection that comes from video calls is stronger than the feeling of connection that comes from texting alone.

Use tools for working together

Spend money on tools that make working together easier. Cloud-based platforms like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 let you update documents in real time, and platforms like GitHub let you code together with other people.
Encourage everyone on the team to write down everything, including decisions, methods, and important information. For easy access to information, set up a central knowledge base or document store.

Further Reading: | How to Promote Team Collaboration in Your Organisation |

Set clear boundaries

Working from home can make it hard to tell the difference between job and personal life. Encourage everyone on the team to set limits, like setting work hours and a designated area to work.

Further Reading: | 8 Simple and Popular Project Management Methodologies |

Build trust

For online teams to work, trust is very important. It’s better to talk to people in an open and honest way than to micromanage them. Have faith in your team to get things done.

Encourage social interaction

Working from home can make you feel alone. Set up virtual happy hours, coffee chats, or team-building events so that team members can get to know each other and build relationships.

Being flexible and caring

Be aware of the daily situations and time zones of your team members. Be flexible when you can, and understand the problems they’re having.
Security and Data Privacy: To keep private data safe, make sure that everyone on your team knows and follows the security rules. Use safe tools for working together and communicating.

Further Reading: | PMBOK Principle 3 – EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE WITH STAKEHOLDERS |

Training and Skill Development

Give team members chances to learn and improve skills that will help them do their jobs from home, like how to handle their time, use technology well, and give presentations from afar.

Metrics for Performance

Set up key performance indicators (KPIs) to keep track of work and measure productivity. Review these measures often and make changes as needed.

Resolution of Conflicts

Deal with disagreements in a timely and professional manner. Encourage people to talk to each other and use mediation when needed to settle disagreements.

Comments Culture

Encourage people to give and receive helpful comments. Encourage everyone on the team to give and receive comments so that processes and teamwork are always getting better.

Further Reading: | What Does a Project Manager Do? |

Always Get Better

Look at how you work with people remotely on a regular basis and make changes based on feedback and new needs.

Working together as a remote team takes work and flexibility. Implementing these tips can help you make your online workplace productive and cohesive. This should help!

Glen McNeill is the Founder of the Project Management Nerd, an organization that provides training and certification for aspiring project managers. With a diverse background in both finance and sport, Glen has achieved success in a variety of fields. He is highly regarded in the industry for his expertise and innovative approach to project management.

How to Promote Team Collaboration in Your Organisation

Finding a careful balance—a dynamic interaction similar to the idea of yin and yang—is essential to encouraging team collaboration. Managers who are skillful at balancing attention to detail with a more comprehensive, holistic viewpoint are essential for effective team leadership.

The path to cultivating a positive work environment may be challenging, but it can be achieved through unwavering commitment to certain principles. Maintaining open and constant communication makes sure that everyone in the team is informed and involved. Clear expectations and clear goal-setting help focus individual efforts on a group objective, improving team performance. Together, these tactics foster a positive, collaborative, and productive work environment.

Here are some additional tactics managers can use to promote cooperation and teamwork:

Lead by Example

By modelling these characteristics themselves, managers can provide a powerful example of cooperation and teamwork. Members of a team are more inclined to follow suit when they witness their leaders valuing and actively working together.

Clear Communication

Promote candid and open dialogue among team members. Make sure team members are kept updated on objectives, milestones, and developments on a regular basis. To keep everyone informed, use a variety of communication methods, including meetings, emails, and messaging apps.

Further Reading: | Case Study – Improving Team Communication Skills |

Clarify your objectives and goals

Make sure everyone is aware of their part in accomplishing the team’s goals and objectives by clearly defining them. Team members are more likely to work well together when they are working towards a common goal.

Assign Duties and Positions

Assign team members specific tasks and responsibilities according to their areas of experience and skill. In addition to guaranteeing that every team member contributes to the project’s success, this lessens confusion and effort duplication.

Further Reading: |PMBOK Principle 6 – LEADERSHIP |

Encourage Trust

Cooperation is built on trust. Leaders should foster an atmosphere where employees can freely express their thoughts, collaborate on projects, and own up to errors without worrying about consequences. Allowing team members the freedom to decide within their area of expertise is an additional component of trust.

Provide Tools and Resources

Make sure your staff has access to the equipment, resources, and training they need to carry out their jobs well. It’s critical to remove obstacles that impede collaboration, such as a lack of resources.

Further Reading: | PMBOK Principle 9 – NAVIGATING PROJECT COMPLEXITY |

Promote Inclusion and Diversity

Welcome differences on your team. Diverse teams can provide more original solutions because they bring a variety of perspectives to the table. Make sure that each team member has a sense of inclusion and worth.

Promote a Culture of Collaboration

Establish a culture where cooperation and teamwork are valued. Acknowledge and honour cooperative efforts, and recognise group accomplishments. Promote knowledge sharing and cooperation amongst departments.

Utilise Technology

Make use of technologies and collaborative tools that make project management and communication easier. Collaborative document editing, video conferencing, and project management software are examples of tools that can improve teamwork, particularly in distributed or remote teams.

Further Reading: | 10 Post Pandemic Project Management Skills |

Frequent Team-Building Exercises

Plan events and team-building exercises to improve relationships within the team. These might be social (like team lunches and trips) or work-related (like brainstorming sessions and workshops).

Comments and Ongoing Development

Promote an environment that is always improving. To improve collaboration, routinely ask team members for feedback and utilise that information to make the required changes to workflows and processes.

Resolution of Conflicts

Resolve disputes and conflicts in a timely and productive manner. Instruct your group on how to settle disputes amicably by reaching a settlement and not allowing them to fester.

Further Reading: | How to manage a saboteur in your team |

Recognition

This can be accomplished through official recognition programmes, bonuses, or even just by expressing gratitude for a job well done.

Measure and Track

To evaluate the success of team collaboration, use measurements and key performance indicators (KPIs). Review progress frequently and make necessary strategy adjustments.

Managers may foster a culture of cooperation and teamwork by putting these tactics into practise. This will eventually improve organisational outcomes, employee satisfaction, and productivity.

Screen Recording Tips for Mac and Windows

Discover how to easily capture and record your screen on both Mac and Windows systems. Learn helpful tips and tools

Unlocking Your Screen Recording Potential: A Comprehensive Guide for Mac and Windows Users

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, visual content has become the king of communication. From creating captivating tutorials and engaging presentations to showcasing your gaming prowess or preserving precious online moments, screen recording has transformed the way we share information and connect with others.

As technology advances, screen recording software has evolved into a powerful tool, catering to Mac and Windows users and enabling them to unleash their creativity and productivity like never before.

Whether you’re a seasoned content creator, a business professional, an educator, or simply someone who loves sharing experiences, this guide will give you a snapshot (sorry about that 😂) that looks at screen recording for Mac and Windows.

5 Reasons Why You May Want to Record All or Part of Your Screen

Creating Tutorials or How-to Videos: Recording the computer screen allows individuals to create step-by-step tutorials or instructional videos, demonstrating software usage, troubleshooting processes, or guiding viewers through specific tasks.
Content Creation for Online Platforms: Screen recording is essential for content creators who produce online courses, webinars, or educational content. It enables them to capture presentations, lectures, or software demonstrations to share with their audience.
Software Testing and Bug Reporting: Developers and quality assurance teams can record their screen while testing software applications, which helps identify bugs, glitches, or unexpected behavior. They can share these recordings with the development team to facilitate debugging and improve the software’s performance.
Collaboration and Communication: Screen recording is useful in remote work settings or when collaborating with team members from different locations. It allows individuals to create visual explanations, share ideas, and provide feedback more effectively.
Gaming and Entertainment: Gamers often use screen recording to capture their gameplay and create content for streaming, sharing with online communities, or producing gaming-related videos for platforms like YouTube or Twitch. Additionally, screen recording can be used to capture online streaming videos or memorable moments from movies and TV shows for personal entertainment purposes.

Screen Recording for Mac

Take pictures or screen recordings using Screenshot

On your Mac, press Shift-Command-5 (or use Launchpad) to open Screenshot and display the tools.

Click a tool to use to select what you want to capture or record

For a portion of the screen, drag the frame to reposition it or drag its edges to adjust the size of the area you want to capture or record.

Click Options if you want. The options will vary based on whether you’re taking a screenshot or a screen recording.

The Floating Thumbnail option helps you work more easily with a completed shot or recording—it floats in the bottom-right corner of the screen for a few seconds, so you have time to drag it into a document, mark it up, or share it before it’s saved to the location you specified.

Screen Recording for Windows

The built-in Snipping Tool, now available in Windows 11 and downloadable from the Microsoft Store, offers a convenient way to capture images from your screen, and it has been enhanced to include video recording capabilities. To initiate screen recording using the Snipping Tool:

Launch the Snipping Tool by searching for it in the Start menu search box.
In the top toolbar, click on the Record button, then select “New.”
Drag and drop a rectangle to specify the area of your screen that you wish to record.
Click on “Start,” and a 3-second countdown will initiate before your recording begins.
After completing your recording, click on “Stop.” You can then copy the recording to your clipboard, share it via the Share dialog, or save it (by default, it will be stored in the Videos folder).

Although the Snipping Tool provides a straightforward way to record your screen, it does have some current limitations to be aware of:

Audio recording is not supported at the moment, and there is no “Spot Light” feature. Nevertheless, you can edit the recorded video using applications like Microsoft’s Clipchamp app.
The only supported format for recordings is currently MP4.
Unlike the Snipping function, there is no direct keyboard shortcut for initiating recordings (such as CTRL+Shift+S).

PMBOK Principle 10 – NAVIGATING RISKS

Discover the art of navigating risks in project management, maximizing opportunities, and minimizing threats.

Introduction

In project management, risks are uncertain events or conditions that can impact project objectives positively or negatively. While identified risks may or may not occur, project teams strive to identify and evaluate both known and emergent risks throughout the project life cycle.

Maximizing Opportunities and Decreasing Threats

Project teams aim to maximize positive risks, known as opportunities, while minimizing exposure to negative risks, referred to as threats. Threats can lead to issues like delays, cost overruns, technical failures, performance shortfalls, or reputational damage.

On the other hand, opportunities can bring benefits such as reduced time and cost, improved performance, increased market share, or an enhanced reputation.

Additionally, project teams continuously monitor the overall project risk, which represents the effect of uncertainty on the project as a whole.

Managing Overall Project Risk

Overall project risk arises from all sources of uncertainty, including individual risks, and reflects the exposure of stakeholders to the implications of variations in project outcomes, both positive and negative. The management of overall project risk aims to keep the project risk exposure within an acceptable range.

Strategies for managing overall project risk include reducing drivers of threats, promoting drivers of opportunities, and maximizing the probability of achieving project objectives.

Michael M. Bissonette

In today’s fast-paced, constantly changing, and extremely competitive environment, risk management is more important than ever for businesses hoping to find their footing in the global market.

Understanding Risk Appetite and Risk Threshold

Project team members engage with relevant stakeholders to understand their risk appetite and risk thresholds. Risk appetite describes the level of uncertainty an organization or individual is willing to accept in anticipation of a reward.

Risk threshold, on the other hand, measures the acceptable variation around an objective and reflects the risk appetite of the organization and stakeholders.

For instance, a risk threshold of ±5% around a cost objective indicates a lower risk appetite compared to a risk threshold of ±10%. The risk appetite and risk threshold guide the project team in navigating risks throughout the project.

Project Management Institute

This is an update and expansion upon PMI’s popular reference, The Practice Standard for Project Risk Management.

Effective Risk Responses

Implementing effective and appropriate risk responses can mitigate individual and overall project threats while enhancing individual and overall opportunities.

When identifying potential risk responses, project teams should consider several characteristics, including:

Appropriateness and timeliness in relation to the significance of the risk.
Cost-effectiveness to ensure efficient resource allocation.
Realism within the project context to ensure feasibility.
Agreement by relevant stakeholders for a comprehensive approach.
Ownership by a responsible person to ensure accountability.

David Hillson, Peter Simon

The book includes: • An entirely new chapter on managing risk in programs, which is an important dimension in today’s world of ever more complex initiatives

Risks Across Organizational Levels

Risks can exist within different levels of an organization, including the enterprise, portfolio, program, project, and product.

In the case of projects that are part of a program or portfolio, risks can influence the realization of benefits and overall value.

Therefore, consistent risk evaluation, planning, and proactive risk implementation are vital for organizations and project teams to minimize costs associated with reactive issue management.

Conclusion

Effectively navigating risks is crucial in project management. By understanding risk appetite, setting risk thresholds, and implementing appropriate risk responses, project teams can maximize opportunities and minimize threats.

Consistent evaluation, planning, and proactive risk management can save organizations and project teams valuable resources in the long run.

Project Quality Management

Explore the principles of quality management in project delivery, covering planning, assurance, control, and continuous improvement for success.

Achieving Excellence through Quality Management in Project Delivery

Introduction

Quality management plays a pivotal role in project success. It encompasses a range of principles and techniques, including quality planning, assurance, control, and continuous improvement.

By embracing these aspects, project managers can ensure the delivery of high-quality projects that meet or exceed stakeholder expectations.

Quality planning serves as the cornerstone for achieving effective quality management. It involves defining the quality objectives, identifying the quality standards and metrics, and determining the processes required to achieve those objectives.

A comprehensive quality plan serves as a roadmap, outlining the actions, resources, and responsibilities needed to deliver a quality project.

Quality Planning

Quality planning serves as the foundation for effective quality management.

It involves defining clear quality objectives, identifying the appropriate quality standards, and determining the necessary processes to achieve those objectives.

By developing a comprehensive quality plan, project managers establish a roadmap that outlines the actions, resources, and responsibilities needed to deliver a project of high quality.

By defining quality objectives, such as reducing defects by 20%, identifying relevant quality standards, such as ISO 9001, and developing processes that focus on thorough testing and inspection, you can create a roadmap for achieving project excellence.”

Quality Assurance

Quality assurance ensures project execution aligns with defined quality standards.

It involves conducting regular audits, inspections, and reviews to identify any deviations from the quality plan and taking prompt corrective actions.

By implementing effective quality assurance measures, project teams can instill confidence in stakeholders and maintain the integrity of the project’s deliverables.

Kenneth Rose

This edition presents case examples that illuminate the theory of quality planning, assurance, and control with real-world narratives, including situation, analysis, and lessons learned.

Regular audits, inspections, and reviews can enable you to identify any deviations from the quality plan and take corrective actions.

This ensures that our project is on track and meets the defined quality standards.

Quality Control:

Quality control refers to the activities performed to monitor and verify that the project’s deliverables meet the specified quality requirements.

It involves inspections, tests, measurements, and data analysis to identify any defects, errors, or deviations from the quality standards.

By implementing robust quality control mechanisms, project teams can identify issues early on and take corrective actions to prevent them from impacting the final product or service.

Through rigorous inspections, tests, and data analysis, we can identify and rectify any defects or deviations from the quality standards. This ensures that the final deliverables meet the desired level of quality.

Further Reading: |Project Closure and Lessons Learned|10 Post Pandemic Project Management Skills|

Timothy J. Kloppenborg, Joseph A. Petrick

Make breakthroughs in project quality by combining project management with quality management – this books shows you how.

Quality Management With Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is a fundamental principle of quality management.

It involves adopting a mindset of consistently seeking ways to enhance processes, practices, and outcomes.

Project teams should foster a culture of learning and innovation, encouraging the identification of improvement opportunities and the implementation of corrective actions.

By embracing continuous improvement, projects can evolve and adapt to changing circumstances, delivering even better results over time.

Continuous improvement involves adopting a mindset of consistently seeking ways to enhance processes, practices, and outcomes.
PM Nerd

For example: “By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, we encourage our team members to suggest and implement process enhancements. This allows us to continuously raise the bar and deliver better outcomes with each project.”

Joakim Ahlstrom

Comprehensive, detailed, and easy to read and understand, How to Succeed with Continuous Improvement takes you through a real-life case study of one organization’s journey to a world-class continuous improvement process.

Quality Management Metrics and Measurement

Quality metrics and measurement play a crucial role in assessing the project’s quality performance.

These metrics can include defect rates, customer satisfaction scores, adherence to schedule, and other key performance indicators.

By collecting and analyzing relevant data, project managers can gain insights into the project’s overall quality, identify trends, and make informed decisions to drive quality improvements.

By measuring and tracking defect rates, customer satisfaction scores, and adherence to schedule, we gain valuable insights into our project’s quality performance. This enables us to make data-driven decisions and implement targeted improvements.

Further Reading: |PMBOK Principle 7 – THE ART OF TAILORING|

Stakeholder Engagement

Effective quality management requires active involvement and engagement of stakeholders.

By engaging stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle, project managers can gain a better understanding of their expectations and quality requirements.

Regular communication, feedback loops, and collaborative decision-making ensure that the project aligns with stakeholder needs and delivers the desired level of quality.

Through regular communication and engagement with stakeholders, you can ensure that their expectations and quality requirements are understood.

This collaborative approach allows us to meet their needs and deliver a project that satisfies their quality standards.

Further Reading: |PMBOK Principle 3 – EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE WITH STAKEHOLDERS|

Quality Culture

Developing a quality culture within the project team and the organization is vital for long-term success.

A quality culture fosters a shared commitment to excellence, where all team members are responsible for upholding quality standards and continuously seeking improvement.

This culture should be supported by leadership, embedded in processes, and reinforced through training and recognition of quality achievements.

By fostering a quality culture, you can empower your team members to take ownership of quality and continuously strive for excellence.

This commitment to quality is driven by leadership support, integrated processes, and recognition of quality achievements.”

Further Reading: |PMBOK Principle 8 -BUILDING QUALITY|

Conclusion

Quality management is a cornerstone of successful project delivery.

By embracing the principles and techniques of quality planning, assurance, control, and continuous improvement, project managers can create a framework for delivering high-quality results that meet or exceed stakeholder expectations.

Adopting a quality culture, engaging stakeholders, utilizing relevant metrics and measurements, and ensuring a smooth flow in writing are essential components of effective quality management.

Let us prioritize quality in our projects, for it is through quality that we achieve excellence.

Further Reading: |Top 10 Project Management Trends Developing in 2023|

PMBOK Principle 9 – NAVIGATING PROJECT COMPLEXITY

Explore the sources and characteristics of project complexity, from human behavior to technological innovation, and learn how to navigate it successfully.

Introduction

In the world of project management, projects are more than just a collection of tasks. They are intricate systems comprising various elements that interact with each other.

However, these interactions can give rise to complexity, which poses significant challenges to project teams.

Complexity can be attributed to factors such as human behavior, system behavior, ambiguity, and technological innovation.

In this article, we will delve deeper into the sources of complexity and explore strategies to effectively navigate and manage it in project environments.

Understanding Complexity in Projects

Complexity, in the context of projects, refers to the intricate and interdependent nature of the project elements and their interactions.

It emerges from the relationships among project components and their connections with external systems and the project environment. The degree of complexity in a project is determined by the nature and number of these interactions.

A project’s complexity is determined by the nature and number of interactions.

While complexity cannot be entirely controlled, project teams can adapt their approaches and modify their activities to address the impacts that arise from complexity.

However, foreseeing the emergence of complexity can be challenging due to the multitude of factors involved. Various interactions, such as risks, dependencies, events, and relationships, can give rise to complexity, making it difficult to isolate a specific cause. Complexity in projects can emerge unexpectedly, necessitating a proactive and adaptable approach to project management.

Factors Contributing to Complexity

To understand complexity in projects, it is essential to recognize the key factors that contribute to its emergence.

Human Behaviour

One such factor is human behavior, which encompasses the conduct, demeanors, attitudes, and experiences of individuals involved in the project. Human behavior can introduce subjectivity and personal agendas that may conflict with the project’s goals and objectives.

Additionally, stakeholders located in remote locations may have different time zones, speak different languages, and adhere to distinct cultural norms, further increasing the complexity of project interactions.

System Behavior

System behavior is another significant contributor to complexity. It refers to the dynamic interdependencies within and among project elements. For example, when integrating different technology systems, threats may arise that could impact project outcomes and success. The interactions among components of the project system can lead to interconnected risks, create emerging or unforeseeable issues, and generate unclear and disproportional cause-and-effect relationships.

Uncertainty and Ambiguity

Ambiguity arises when a situation is unclear or when it is challenging to anticipate or comprehend what to expect. It can stem from having multiple options or a lack of clarity regarding the optimal choice.

Unclear or misleading events, emerging issues, and subjective situations can also contribute to ambiguity in projects.

On the other hand, uncertainty refers to the lack of understanding and awareness of issues, events, paths to follow, or solutions to pursue.

It encompasses the probabilities associated with alternative actions, reactions, and outcomes. Uncertainty includes both “known unknowns” and “unknown unknowns,” the latter referring to emerging factors that are completely outside of existing knowledge or experience.

Kathleen Hass

Discover a new model for managing today’s complex projects

Technological Innovation

Technological innovation, a pervasive force in modern project management, can also introduce complexity.

Innovations, such as the introduction of desktop computing and social media, have fundamentally transformed the way project work is performed.

However, the uncertainty surrounding new technologies and their application contributes to complexity. Technological innovations can either help propel projects toward a solution or disrupt the project when associated uncertainties are not adequately addressed.

Kieran Duck

The essential guide for project managers and leaders.

Navigating Complexity

Successfully navigating complexity requires a proactive and adaptive approach by project teams.

Complexity can manifest in any area of the project and at any point in its life cycle. Therefore, project teams must remain vigilant and continuously monitor the project components as well as the project as a whole for signs of complexity.

Developing a holistic understanding of complex adaptive systems and embracing systems thinking is crucial for effective project management in complex environments.

Complexity requires a proactive and adaptive approach

Additionally, drawing from past project experiences, fostering experimentation, and promoting continuous learning related to system interactions significantly enhance a project team’s ability to navigate complexity when it emerges.

By identifying complexity indicators early on, project teams can proactively adapt their approaches and plans to navigate potential disruptions to effective project delivery.

Addressing complexity requires a multidimensional perspective, considering the interplay between human behavior, system behavior, ambiguity, and technological innovation.

Dr. Wesley E. Donahue

Diverse competencies are required of effective project managers and leaders.

Conclusion

Project complexity poses significant challenges to project teams, requiring them to navigate intricate interactions among project elements, human behavior, system behavior, ambiguity, and technological innovation.

By understanding the sources and characteristics of complexity and adopting proactive strategies, project teams can mitigate its impacts and enhance the likelihood of delivering successful projects.

Embracing adaptability and continuous learning is key to effectively managing complexity in today’s project environments.

|PMBOK Principle 1 – Be a Diligent, Respectful, and Caring Steward|

|PMBOK Principle 2 – Create a Collaborative Project Team Environment|

|PMBOK Principle 3 – EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE WITH STAKEHOLDERS|

|PMBOK Principle 4 – VALUE FOCUS|

|PMBOK Principle 5 – System Thinking|

|PMBOK Principle 6 – LEADERSHIP|

|PMBOK Principle 7 – THE ART OF TAILORING|

|PMBOK Principle 8 -BUILDING QUALITY|

Project Closure and Lessons Learned

Discover the importance of formal project closure, including handover, evaluations, and lessons learned, for continuous improvement and future success.

Introduction

Completing a project is a significant milestone, but it’s not the end of the road for project managers. The final phase, project closure, is often overlooked or rushed, yet it holds immense value in ensuring project success and continuous improvement.

In this article, we will delve into the importance of formal project closur. This includes essential activities such as project handover, finalizing documentation, post-project evaluations, and capturing lessons.

Project Handover

During project closure, one crucial activity is the smooth transition of deliverables to the stakeholders or end users.

Project handover involves transferring ownership and responsibility for the project’s outcomes.

This step ensures that the benefits of the project are realized and that the stakeholders are equipped to maintain and operate the deliverables effectively.

Jason Westland

The Project Management Life Cycle reveals the unique Method 123 Project Management Methodology by defining the phases, activities and tasks required to complete a project.

Finalizing Documentation

Documentation is the backbone of any project.

As part of the closure process, it is vital to ensure that all project documentation, including project plans, requirements, design specifications, and test results, are properly organized, updated, and archived.

This documentation serves as a valuable reference for future projects, audits, or compliance purposes.

Conducting Post-Project Evaluations

Post-project evaluations play a crucial role in assessing the project’s overall performance, identifying successes, and pinpointing areas for improvement.

By conducting a comprehensive evaluation, project managers can gain valuable insights into what worked well and what could have been done differently.

This information is vital for enhancing future project planning and execution.

Capturing Lessons Learned

One of the most valuable aspects of project closure is the opportunity to capture lessons learned.

Lessons learned refer to the knowledge and experiences gained throughout the project’s lifecycle. By documenting these insights, project managers and teams can identify best practices, avoid potential pitfalls, and promote continuous improvement in future projects. Lessons learned can range from technical aspects to team dynamics, communication, risk management, and more.

Ginger Levin

This handbook presents a cohesive compilation of program management knowledge from more than 20 certified PgMPs.

Future Improvements

The lessons learned from one project can be applied to benefit future projects.

By incorporating the knowledge gained, organizations can enhance their project management processes, methodologies, and tools.

This enables more efficient project execution, improved stakeholder satisfaction, and increased chances of project success.

Lessons learned can also facilitate knowledge sharing among team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

Conclusion

Formal project closure is a critical phase that should not be underestimated or rushed. It provides the opportunity to tie up loose ends, transfer project deliverables, and ensure the project’s success in the long run.

By embracing project closure as an integral part of the project management lifecycle, organizations can enhance their project delivery capabilities and establish a strong foundation for future success.

So, let’s not overlook the power of project closure and the valuable lessons it offers. Embrace the closure phase, learn from it, and watch your future projects thrive.

Further Project Management Reading

PMBOK Principle 8 -BUILDING QUALITY

Discover the importance of quality in project deliverables, the dimensions of quality, and the positive outcomes it can bring.

Introduction

Quality is essential for ensuring that a product, service, or result meets the required standards. It encompasses meeting both the stated and implied needs of the customer. When evaluating deliverables, quality is measured based on their adherence to acceptance criteria and fitness for use.

Dimensions of Quality

Performance: Does the deliverable function as intended by the project team and stakeholders? For example, a software application should perform its intended tasks flawlessly.
Conformity: Is the deliverable suitable for use and does it meet the specified requirements? It should align with the established specifications.
Reliability: Does the deliverable consistently produce accurate results? It should demonstrate stability and deliver consistent metrics.
Resilience: Can the deliverable withstand unforeseen failures and recover quickly? It should exhibit the ability to bounce back from setbacks.
Satisfaction: Does the deliverable elicit positive feedback from end users in terms of usability and user experience? It should leave users satisfied with its functionality.
Uniformity: Does the deliverable demonstrate parity with other deliverables produced in a similar manner? It should maintain consistency throughout the project.
Efficiency: Does the deliverable yield maximum output with minimal inputs and effort? It should optimize resource utilization.
Sustainability: Does the deliverable have a positive impact on economic, social, and environmental factors? It should contribute positively to these aspects.

W. Edwards Deming , Joyce Orsini, Diana Deming

“…quality and operations are all about systems, not individual performance; the system has to be designed so that the worker can perform well.”

Requirements

To ensure quality, project teams employ metrics and acceptance criteria based on requirements.

Requirements, which may originate from stakeholders, contracts, policies, standards, or regulations, act as conditions or capabilities necessary for satisfying a need.

Quality is closely tied to acceptance criteria specified in the statement of work or other design documents.

These criteria should be continuously updated and validated during the acceptance process to reflect experimentation and prioritization.

David Hoyle

From the best-selling quality management author, David Hoyle, Quality Management Essentials is the perfect brief, yet authoritative, introduction to the fundamentals of quality management.

Assessing Deliverable Quality

In addition to evaluating deliverables, quality is also relevant to the project approaches and activities used to create them. While inspection and testing assess deliverables, reviews and audits evaluate project activities and processes.

Quality activities focus on error detection and prevention, aiming to meet customer objectives and minimize resource waste. They involve:

Swift delivery of deliverables to the point of completion.
Early identification or prevention of defects to avoid or reduce rework and scrap.

Getting the Processes Right

Quality management processes and practices play a crucial role in producing deliverables that align with project objectives and stakeholder expectations.

By emphasizing quality in both processes and deliverables, positive outcomes can be achieved, such as:

Deliverables that meet acceptance criteria and are fit for their intended purpose.
Deliverables that meet stakeholder expectations and business objectives.
Deliverables with minimal or no defects.
Timely or expedited delivery.
Enhanced cost control.
Improved quality of product delivery.
Reduced rework and scrap.
Decreased customer complaints.
Effective supply chain integration.
Improved productivity.
Increased project team morale and satisfaction.
Robust service delivery.
Improved decision-making processes.
Continual process improvement.

Conclusion

In conclusion, prioritizing quality throughout project activities and deliverables is essential for achieving successful outcomes and satisfying the needs of stakeholders and customers alike.

|PMBOK Principle 1 – Be a Diligent, Respectful, and Caring Steward|

|PMBOK Principle 2 – Create a Collaborative Project Team Environment|

|PMBOK Principle 3 – EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE WITH STAKEHOLDERS|

|PMBOK Principle 4 – VALUE FOCUS|

|PMBOK Principle 5 – System Thinking|

|PMBOK Principle 6 – LEADERSHIP|

|PMBOK Principle 7 – THE ART OF TAILORING|

10 Post Pandemic Project Management Skills

Explore 10 vital project management competencies that have evolved post-pandemic. Adaptability, remote collaboration, crisis management, and more.

Introduction

During a recent webinar I hosted, a thought-provoking question emerged: “What are the main competencies or skills needed by project managers, especially in the wake of the pandemic?”

This query sparked my curiosity, prompting me to delve into the evolving landscape of project management.

As a result, I have identified ten essential competencies that have gained newfound importance in the post-pandemic era.

In this article, we will explore these competencies, shedding light on the skills that project managers must embrace to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Join me as we unravel the project management competencies that have been reshaped by the pandemic, guiding professionals towards success in this new reality.

Adaptability

Project managers need to be flexible and able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.

For example, during the pandemic, a project manager leading a marketing campaign had to pivot from in-person events to virtual webinars due to lockdown restrictions.

They adjusted the project plan, leveraging online platforms and collaborating with the team remotely to ensure the campaign’s success.

Remote Collaboration

With the rise of remote work, project managers must excel in virtual collaboration. Proficiency in communication and collaboration tools, such as video conferencing, project management software, and cloud-based platforms, is crucial.

Further Reading: |Case Study – Improving Team Communication Skills| Leading from Afar: Tips for Managing a Successful Virtual Team |

Crisis Management

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of crisis management skills.

Project managers should be adept at identifying and mitigating risks, developing contingency plans, and making timely decisions during unforeseen circumstances.

As an example, when supply chain disruption a construction project, the project manager may reassess the procurement strategy, source alternative suppliers, and modify the construction timeline to minimize the project’s overall delay.

Emotional Intelligence

Strong emotional intelligence helps project managers understand and manage their own emotions and those of their team members.

It enables them to provide support, motivation, and empathy, fostering a positive team dynamic even in remote settings.

For instance, a project manager leading a remote team during the pandemic consistently checked in with team members, acknowledged their challenges, and provided emotional support to boost morale and maintain team cohesion.

Brandon Goleman

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Digital Literacy

The increased reliance on digital tools and technologies requires project managers to be digitally literate. They should have a good understanding of project management software, data analytics, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies relevant to their industry.

For example, a project manager overseeing a digital transformation initiative acquired knowledge of cloud computing, AI, and automation tools, enabling them to effectively guide the team through the project’s technological advancements.

Further Reading: |Project Management in the Digital Age|

Strategic Thinking

Project managers should possess strategic thinking abilities to align projects with organizational goals. They need to assess the broader impact of projects, anticipate future challenges, and make informed decisions that contribute to the long-term success of the organization.

As an illustration, a project manager leading a product launch might conduct market research, analyze competitors, and identify strategic partnerships to ensure the product’s positioning and competitive advantage in the post-pandemic market.

Avinash K. Dixit, Barry J. Nalebuff

A major bestseller in Japan, Financial Times Top Ten book of the year, Book-of-the-Month Club bestseller, and required reading at the best business schools, Thinking Strategically is a crash course in outmaneuvering any rival.

Stakeholder Management

Effective stakeholder management becomes more critical in the post-pandemic era. Project managers should be skilled at identifying stakeholders, understanding their needs and expectations, and maintaining open lines of communication to ensure project success.

For instance, a project manager may organize a virtual conference engaging stakeholders early on, actively seeking their input, and provide regular updates, ensuring their involvement and satisfaction throughout the process.

Further Reading |PMBOK Principle 3 – EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE WITH STAKEHOLDERS|

Resilience and Well-being

The pandemic has increased awareness of the importance of well-being and mental health. Project managers should prioritize their own well-being and that of their team members, promoting work-life balance and fostering a supportive and healthy work environment.

For example, a project manager may implement flexible work schedules, encourage regular breaks, and organize virtual team-building activities to support the team’s well-being during challenging project timelines.

Agile Methodologies

Agile project management approaches have gained popularity during the pandemic due to their flexibility and adaptability. Project managers should be well-versed in agile methodologies and be able to implement them effectively to achieve project objectives.

Glen McNeill

21 Agile Pain Points” provides you with invaluable insights and practical strategies to overcome the most common obstacles encountered on the Agile journey.

Further Reading: |Book Review – “Doing Agile Right: transformation without chaos”|

Continuous Learning

The project management landscape is constantly evolving, and staying updated with the latest industry trends and best practices is crucial. Project managers should have a mindset of continuous professional development.

Conclusion

While these skills have always been important, the pandemic has highlighted their significance in project management. Adapting to remote work, managing crises, and prioritizing well-being are now more crucial than ever for successful project management in a post-pandemic world.

PMBOK Principle 7 – THE ART OF TAILORING

In the world of project management, many beginners mistakenly believe that selecting a single methodology is necessary for efficient project execution. However, this is far from the truth. The reality is that projects often require a blend of different methodology elements to address the specific constraints they face. This is where the concept of tailoring, introduced in Principle 7 of PMBOK, becomes crucial in enabling adaptability to various situations.

Introduction

Adapting to the unique objectives, stakeholders, and complexity of the environment is crucial for project success.

Tailoring, the deliberate adaptation of approach, governance, and processes, plays a pivotal role in achieving favorable outcomes.

By tailoring project systems and considering interrelated complexities, teams maximize value, manage constraints, and improve performance.

This article explores the significance of tailoring and its impact on project success, highlighting the benefits and iterative nature of this process.

The Importance of Tailoring

Tailoring entails customizing the project approach, governance, and processes to suit the specific project context.

Every project exists within a distinct environment, influenced by factors such as the business environment, team size, uncertainty, and complexity.

Project teams meticulously select the appropriate framework, ensuring flexibility to consistently achieve positive outcomes throughout the project life cycle.

Tailoring decisions may involve accepting established methodologies or explicitly selecting elements that align with project characteristics. Regardless, tailoring is indispensable in optimizing project value and adapting to evolving circumstances.

Determining the Most Appropriate Methods

While projects may share common elements, their contexts are often unique due to dynamic organizational factors. The project team’s responsibility lies in carefully examining the project’s conditions to determine the most suitable methods for achieving desired outcomes.

Leveraging existing methodologies or common ways of working can guide tailoring efforts. While adopting the parent organization’s methodology provides consistency, tailoring is still necessary to align with individual project requirements.

Organizational policies and procedures establish the authorized boundaries within which tailoring can occur, ensuring a balance between standardization and adaptability.

Cost, Value, and Process Efficiency

Tailoring the project management approach involves considering the time and cost implications of various processes.

Untailored processes may offer minimal value while increasing costs and extending the schedule.

Tailoring involves selecting and utilizing processes, methods, and artifacts that align with the project’s unique characteristics and deliver maximum value.
PMBOK 2021

By making informed decisions regarding process-related costs and their contribution to project outcomes, project teams can optimize resource utilization. This approach enhances project efficiency, reduces waste, and supports the achievement of desired results.

Communicating Tailoring Decisions

In addition to tailoring the approach, effective communication of tailoring decisions to stakeholders is crucial.

Transparency ensures that project team members understand the chosen methods and processes that relate to their roles and responsibilities.

Stakeholder involvement in defining the tailored approach fosters deeper commitment and a customer-oriented focus.

Clear communication facilitates alignment, minimizing misunderstandings and promoting project success.

The Benefits of Tailoring

Tailoring a project approach to the unique characteristics of the project and its environment yields numerous benefits.

These include deeper commitment from team members, reduced waste of actions and resources, customer-oriented focus, and more efficient utilization of project resources.

Additionally, tailored projects foster increased innovation, efficiency, and productivity.

They enable lessons learned to be shared and applied to future projects, facilitate continuous improvement of the organization’s methodology, promote experimentation for discovering better outcomes, and integrate methods and practices effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Tailoring enhances the organization’s adaptability in the long run.

The Iterative Nature of Tailoring

Tailoring is an iterative process throughout the project life cycle.

Project teams collect feedback from stakeholders to evaluate the effectiveness of the tailored methods and processes, continuously adding value to the organization.

This iterative approach ensures ongoing adaptation and refinement to align with evolving project dynamics.

By embracing feedback and making necessary adjustments, project teams can enhance their performance and increase the likelihood of project success.

Conclusion

Tailoring is the key to unlocking project success. By adapting the approach, governance, and processes to suit the project’s unique objectives and environment, project teams maximize value, improve efficiency, and foster innovation, ultimately driving project success and organizational growth.

|PMBOK Principle 1 – Be a Diligent, Respectful, and Caring Steward|

|PMBOK Principle 2 – Create a Collaborative Project Team Environment|

|PMBOK Principle 3 – EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE WITH STAKEHOLDERS|

|PMBOK Principle 4 – VALUE FOCUS|

|PMBOK Principle 5 – System Thinking|

|PMBOK Principle 6 – LEADERSHIP|

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Clear Communication

Make your goals and expectations clear

Check in often

Use tools for working together

Set clear boundaries

Build trust

Encourage social interaction

Being flexible and caring

Training and Skill Development

Metrics for Performance

Resolution of Conflicts

Comments Culture

Always Get Better

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Lead by Example

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Clear Communication

Clarify your objectives and goals

Assign Duties and Positions

Encourage Trust

Provide Tools and Resources

Promote Inclusion and Diversity

Promote a Culture of Collaboration

Utilise Technology

Frequent Team-Building Exercises

Comments and Ongoing Development

Resolution of Conflicts

Recognition

Measure and Track

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Introduction

Maximizing Opportunities and Decreasing Threats

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Managing Overall Project Risk

Michael M. Bissonette

Understanding Risk Appetite and Risk Threshold

Project Management Institute

Effective Risk Responses

David Hillson, Peter Simon

Risks Across Organizational Levels

Conclusion

Further Reading

Achieving Excellence through Quality Management in Project Delivery

Introduction

Quality Planning

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Quality Assurance

Kenneth Rose

Quality Control:

Timothy J. Kloppenborg, Joseph A. Petrick

Quality Management With Continuous Improvement

Joakim Ahlstrom

Quality Management Metrics and Measurement

Stakeholder Engagement

Quality Culture

Conclusion

Introduction

Understanding Complexity in Projects

Factors Contributing to Complexity

Human Behaviour

System Behavior

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Uncertainty and Ambiguity

Kathleen Hass

Technological Innovation

Kieran Duck

Navigating Complexity

Dr. Wesley E. Donahue

Conclusion

Contents

Introduction

Project Handover

Jason Westland

Finalizing Documentation

Get Your free eBook: ​“21 Agile Pain Points”

Get Your free eBook:

“21 Agile Pain Points”

Get Your free eBook:

“21 Agile Pain Points”

Get Your free eBook:

“21 Agile Pain Points”

Get Your free eBook:

“21 Agile Pain Points”

Get Your free eBook:

“21 Agile Pain Points”