Introduction Wouldn’t you like to know whether your projects are “on-cost” and “on-time” anytime during the project?  Earned Value allows this determination to happen.  Earned value is an abstract concept, but it is more understandable to the business person when it’s compared to an income statement’s revenue recognition.   Some project scheduling software allows the computation…

Schedule Blog Series Part 4: Devil’s in the Duration Introduction A project schedule is constructed with activities.  Activities represent individual pieces of work, when organized properly, define how the project is to get completed.  Activities embody a name, duration, and optionally other data.  This article will discuss determining duration. Type of Project Influences Duration Determination…

Part 3 – Planning the Schedule Introduction This article discusses schedule preparation so that the project manager can proceed confidently into project scheduling.  The article discusses using a proven tool, the two-dimensional Work Breakdown Structure. A schedule needs to represent all analyses, engineering, materials, equipment, software, testing, demonstration, documentation, and other work needed to complete…

Even semi-powerful scheduling software can, when used properly, offer management critical insights to project health that is otherwise unattainable.  Good software can keep a company from going bankrupt or losing its reputation.  It can also help main a positive cash flow and demonstrate to clients and sponsors that commitments are being met. I have seen…

This is first in a series to help make you a scheduling professional. Not only does a schedule become more readable when organized appropriately, it becomes easier to link predecessors and successors because they become located near each other.  It also helps resources understand the planning better and thereby helping them buy-into the schedule.  Let’s…

Here’s a new invention – pencil and paper! Sketch your strategic goals and actions with them. When you’re ready to implement, input them into our Program Leader project management software. It’s KPIs of time and cost performance will give you info that pencil and paper can’t. We liked the attached related article and hope it…

Employees, these days, are spending more time at the office. They are exceeding the 40-hour workweek. This doesn’t mean they’re more efficient with the outcome of their job. Leaders and managers can hone in on improving their underlings’ productivity and still save time. The following article will help with this endeavor at the office. Top…

Most people desire an open, safe and welcoming environment to work in, for growth and learning. The motivator is for one to do challenging, stimulating and varied work. The key player for this is the leader or manager. The leader plays an important role in creating a positive environment. Everyone wants an encouraging, interactive and…

Music to your ears at the workplace unfortunately doesn’t always ring true. One needs to handle differences in the workplace by effective communication. We live in a time of unresolved conflicts. This is seen in the work place with conflicting emotions and divergent views. Most of us shy away from this “C” word. It could…

The engaged employee is crucial to an organization’s productivity, profitability and customer loyalty. This type of person is motivated, empowered, and likely to work at optimal levels. The following will tell about the components that comprise and influence employee engagement. There are eight factors for influencing this passion. Click on link:  http://www.kenblanchard.com/Events/Webinars >Leading Research and under…