What is Your Leadership Style?

PMI Silicon Valley (www.pmisv.org) and Insights Learning and Development (www.insights.com) have partnered on a study to identify the current strengths and gaps in leadership and teaming effectiveness in Northern California companies.  Insights^® is a global learning and development company working in partnership with leading organizations across the world.  Insights transformational learning solutions, delivered by a worldwide team of exceptional and inspirational people, help people improve their effectiveness in five key areas:  individuals, teams, organizations, sales and leadership. (more…)

Dealing with Complexity

As the content and program director for the PMI NorCal Symposium 2008, I am biased but nevertheless excited as all get out about the lineup of speakers and activities for this event, happening September 3-4 at the Stanford Faculty Club in Palo  Alto, California (get more information at www.pmisv.org/symposium08).  Let me share with you some of what is on the program that is creating that excitement.

Our opening speakers are co-authors of Weaving Complexity and Business: Engaging the Soul at Work.   (more…)

Project Management is a Myth

Project management is a myth….period…end of story…can’t be done…so don’t even bother trying….unless of course, you do it right from the very first meeting on the very first day. And on that first day, you had better do it right by PROJECT COLLABORATION and not by management. If you insist on management, then I hope that you enjoy your heat attack and / or your stroke. See you in your wheelchair and / or your hospital or hospice bed. Have a nice day!…and “best wishes”.
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An unrepeatable success?

Back in the very old days (early 80’s), I was on a team (of 24, I think) that delivered a successful software system on time, on budget, and with every feature the customer had requested.  The schedule had been tight, 18 months from inception to use, as I recall. 

This happened right in the middle of the “software crisis”, when failure after failure plagued the industry, especially on government projects.

After the balloons and toasts to our success, our management wanted us to tell them why we had succeeded so that they could try to apply these lessons to future projects (and bids). (more…)

PM vs Matrix Organization

I have worked in a true Project Organization, a Strong Matrix and a Weak Matrix.  From a corporate perspective, there are pros and cons to each and the company must select the format that works best for them.  However, from a Program Management perspective, the role changes significantly and what makes you successful in one structure can be a fatal flaw in another.  The following table highlights some of the key differences that I have experienced, there are others but these have had the most impact for my team and me. (more…)

Our week with Herman the Wonder PM is over

If you are just tuning in, this week of blogs was about creating harmonious multi-generational communication, and better training. Rather then stereotyping people, it has been my experience that understanding needs and expectations of different age groups only enhances team efforts, especially in difficult times. This series was based on a true story of successful generational integration. (more…)