PLC Implementation: A Case Study (Part 2)

Ok, we have performed a number of interviews and town hall meetings at all levels of the company, evaluated the company culture, and elected to develop a PLC.   Now we need to define our implementation and get the job done.

Implementation:  Based on the feedback (more…)

PLC Implementation: A Case Study (Part 1)

The last two companies I have worked at were both experiencing significant challenges with bring products to market in a timely and predictable fashion and something had to be done or the companies would not survive.  There are many similarities between the companies and in the end the corrective action selected was to Develop and implement a Product Life Cycle (PLC).

Why a PLC:  (more…)

Control costs or create value? - a case study

An internal service group had been operating as a project office in a self-funding mode—internal clients “purchased” services and products via transactions or location code transfers. Budgets were based on head count, and offerings continued as long as clients saw value and voluntarily provided enough revenue to recover costs. In this mode, the group sponsored periodic events that became quite popular, offering attendees exposure to external experts and best practices that colleagues were implementing.

Shortly before one big project was about to complete, (more…)

A PM’s Toolbox Tour: Treasure Chest or Pandora’s Box?

So.  It’s the end of the week and I’ve shown you mine, now let’s take a look at yours!   Is your toolbox a treasure chest full of bright, shiny, valuable tools or is it more like Pandora’s Box, full of unreliable, outdated, more-trouble-than-they’re-worth tools?   Lowe’s Home Improvement has some good advice on the question: “If you use a tool often, sharpen it often.”    It’s pretty easy to agree that maintaining your tools (vs. fixing broken ones) is necessary if you want to get the most from them; the trick is taking the time to do it.

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A PM’s Toolbox Tour: Tray 3 & Bottom of the Box

 I see no point in reinventing the wheel – I prefer to accessorize!  So to make the most of what I’ve learned already, I keep a basic set of templates and checklists in the toolbox, along with the inevitable expectation that they’re a starting point for adaptation and customization. 

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A PM’s Toolbox Tour: Tray 2

The second tray of my toolbox has two compartments, one for key components of various project management methodologies/ approaches, and one for facilitation exercises.  The number of variables per project ensures that every project will be unique – a standard methodology does nothing to change this, though most do their best to control them (control change? Good luck…). 

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A PM’s Toolbox Tour: Top Tray

 The top tray of my project management toolbox has three compartments which hold my Chimes, Linked Lists and Open Channel.  Tibetan chimes (tingshas) are prayer chimes traditionally used to focus and clear the mind before and after a teaching or meditation.  I use them a bit differently as a way to attract people’s attention without having to raise my voice or bang on the table. (more…)