Control or Results? How to Manage the Paradox and Achieve Greater Project Results

control or resultsOne critical choice project managers face is between control and results.  Managers say they want results but actions speak even louder to say they want control.  Do onerous controls inhibit achieving the very results they were intended to produce?  Is control an illusion?   Is it possible for managers to pursue both control and results—up to the point where the two actually conflict?

Managers want control AND results, but therein lays a paradox:  (more…)

How Good Are Virtual Team Relationships?

tape.jpgIn my many years working virtually, I’ve come to realize that business relationships with virtual colleagues can be every bit as strong as those with colleagues in a traditional office setting. I’ve had many people tell me that face-to-face is the only way to build teamwork. Until fairly recently, however, I had no concrete examples to prove these people wrong.  (more…)

Dealing with Change

Explosion of positive energyImage by Łukasz Strachanowski via FlickrOur theme of this week was “living life smarter”. We started with defining SMART goals and reflecting on where we are now. Then we looked at setting priorities so we use our limited time and finances wisely. Focusing on the highest priority items that give us the most value for our time and money will move us from where we are now to where we want to be. (more…)

Setting priorities

changed prioritiesImage by hockadilly via Flickr

We discussed how to set SMART goals and define where we are today. Now we can focus on how we get from where we are now to where we want to be. I don’t know about you, but I have way more interests than time available to pursue them. My biggest passion is scuba diving, however, I would also like to learn Aikido, learn how to sail, go climbing, ride my motor cycle, study Spanish and psychology, and on, and on. That made me think, like our projects our lives are also bound by the triple constraint: time, budget, and scope. (more…)

Gap Analysis - Where are you now?

Crepuscular Rays and their reflectionImage via Wikipedia

To take Wikipedia’s definition, a gap analysis is a business assessment tool enabling a company to compare its actual performance with its potential performance. At its core are two questions:

  1. Where are we?

  2. Where do we want to be?

As we know from our projects, the gap analysis process involves determining, documenting and approving the variance between business requirements (future) and current capabilities (today). (more…)

Knowing what you want - setting goals

Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal album coverImage via Wikipedia

Life is all about balance. Life and projects characteristics are not very different. Both life and projects deal with continuous change so the idea is to have a loose framework with enough structure that it provides a path to follow. If the structure is too tight or detailed you are doomed to fail which is only de-motivating. (more…)

Time to reflect and look forward

Statue of GB Shaw in Niagara-on-the-Lake where...Image via WikipediaThere are only three days left in 2008. December is a month of looking back as well as forward. Though we are just moving from one month, December, to the next, January (as we do the whole year), it always seems a giant stride. In these tough economic times, it seems we cannot wait for the New Year, hoping it is a better one. I know I cannot wait for 2009; 2008 has been one of my hardest years. However, it has also brought me some amazing experiences and some wonderful new friends. (more…)

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