Time Management Mythology

I recently heard a story told that recounted the experience of a teacher who was demonstrating the concept of volume. The teacher filled a glass jar with rocks and asked her class if it was full. The class responded enthusiastically and with certainty—yes! She then took sand and poured it into the jar and it filled the space between the rocks. She then asked, “How about now, is the container full?” Once again, with a little less certainty this time, the class responded, yes! She then poured water into the jar which filled the space between the sand, thereby occupying... Read More»

What's Your Role - Umbrella or Funnel?

Hi, my name is Brian and I deliver no value! There, I said it. I'm glad I got that off my chest. Read that first sentence again and replace it with your own name. Now, go back and read it again. Take it in, contemplate it, and ponder it deeply. Read it carefully and think very hard about what you do each and every day as a project manager. Note that I did not say that I wasn't valuable or that I provide no value. I purposely stated that I deliver no value. Most project managers I know do not... Read More»

Do you want to be a Project Ninja?

I have been reviewing many Job Descriptions that are out there for Project Managers, and I realized the other day that if I was really graded solely on what was written in mine, I would really be failing in the eyes of the company. We are so much more than tasks, dates and Project Plans aren’t we? In many ways I am very lucky, the VP that I report to and I, see many things the same way and are more flexible in terms of allowing team members to bend the rules and do what makes sense, than to follow... Read More»

What Really Is A Project Manager?

The longer I work in some form of a Project related role within any organization, the more I realize that the skills required to manage a Project to a successful outcome requires so much more than is encompassed in the PMBOK. I have also found that there are many Project Managers that don’t share that philosophy, insisting to stay “inside the lines” of what is outlined in the PMBOK – a “that’s not part of a PM’s job” mentality. I have seen again and again that ideal increasing risk, reducing the quality of deliverables, and costing money. The big one... Read More»

Does Your Agile Organization Have Cancer?

Every (yes—EVERY!) organization that I’ve ever worked for or with has had cancer. Indeed, several of the projects I’m aware of have also had cancer. This has largely been true regardless of the methodology used. The specific stage of cancer has varied, as has each prognosis; however, all organizations I’ve encountered have been diseased with one type of particularly aggressive form of cancer. The specific type of organizational cancer I’m talking about is having an excessive amount of work in progress (WIP) at any given point in time. For organizations in general and agile organizations, in particular, the result can... Read More»

Book Review: Essential Scrum by Kenny Rubin

I usually do not do book reviews. Perhaps it’s because they make me feel like I’m back in school writing a book report; or, maybe it’s because I feel that the amount of useful information found in today’s business books would be better served if its salient points were presented in a pamphlet rather than in book length. However, on occasion I do find a book that is so useful that I feel I must evangelize its existence to the rest of the world. This is the case with Kenny Rubin’s book Essential Scrum: A Practical Guide to the Most... Read More»

Invisible Agile Leadership

"A leader is best When people barely know he exists Of a good leader, who talks little, When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, They will say, "We did this ourselves." - Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching Like many parents, my wife and I provide a weekly allowance to our sons for completing their family responsibilities (I think "responsibilities" sounds better than "chores"). Occasionally, their money collects to the point where it begins to burn sizeable holes in their banks. Yesterday my youngest son brought his money with him on a family shopping trip. He chose to buy a... Read More»

Project Management, Methodologies, and Organizational Maturity

In my last few positions, I have spent time setting up the Project Management discipline in the organization, and ultimately creating a "PMO" in each . Now, whether you would agree with me or not, I believe that PMO's are created and customized to meet the organization needs at the time that the department and processes are set up, in other words, there are no "cookie cutter" implementations. Looking at each Project Management Office, or function (or even the Methodology that was implemented) was directly linked to what that organization's culture could handle, and what could be implemented successfully. In... Read More»

Postcards from Sydney: Project decision making, part 2

How do you define project success? It seems like a question with a simple answer. A project is a success if it meets its objectives within the project constraints of scope, schedule, cost, risk, quality and resources. But, reflecting on part 1 of this mini series, remember that people make decisions based on emotion. The individuals associated with and affected by your project will determine success based on how they feel about your project. It is important to know this truth when making decisions as the project progresses. While we in the project management profession obsess about schedule and budget,... Read More»

Certification Alphabet Soup

Just a few decades ago, a college degree pretty much guaranteed you’d have a job. That’s no longer the case; a statement I’m sure many reading this would agree with. Now, it’s a standard to entrance into the professional world and only puts you on the same playing field with others. Much like money, the more in circulation, the more it takes to purchase something. Likewise, you might say a Master’s degree is worth what a Bachelor’s degree used to be worth; although, that no longer guarantees you’ll gain career admission. How about certifications? Several years ago I received my... Read More»