Comments on: Put Off Procrastination http://svprojectmanagement.com/put-off-procrastination Project management wisdom from practictioners and the UCSC Extension in Silicon Valley Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:14:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: englundr http://svprojectmanagement.com/put-off-procrastination/comment-page-1#comment-1237 englundr Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:50:18 +0000 http://svprojectmanagement.com/2008/07/18/put-off-procrastination/#comment-1237 I want to extend Josh's comments to say focusing on what's important and adds value applies not only to projects but also programs and portfolios. Organizations are starting to do more coordinated prioritization and careful selection of projects but still suffer from allowing pet projects and exceptions to rule. These become "busy work" activities instead of contributing to strategic objectives. The same thing goes for many reports and metrics that need to be pruned to ensure they contribute value. I would also add that setting [realistic] deadlines is one means to get value-added work done. I know that I tend to procrastinate, especially on some of the harder projects as Josh points out, up until there's a real deadline. That provides the motivation to focus on a certain project or task. Setting and reminding people of deadlines is a key project manager responsibility. Be sure those deadlines are important, not just urgent. Randy Englund <a href="http://www.englundpmc.com" rel="nofollow">www.englundpmc.com</a> I want to extend Josh’s comments to say focusing on what’s important and adds value applies not only to projects but also programs and portfolios. Organizations are starting to do more coordinated prioritization and careful selection of projects but still suffer from allowing pet projects and exceptions to rule. These become “busy work” activities instead of contributing to strategic objectives. The same thing goes for many reports and metrics that need to be pruned to ensure they contribute value.

I would also add that setting [realistic] deadlines is one means to get value-added work done. I know that I tend to procrastinate, especially on some of the harder projects as Josh points out, up until there’s a real deadline. That provides the motivation to focus on a certain project or task. Setting and reminding people of deadlines is a key project manager responsibility. Be sure those deadlines are important, not just urgent.

Randy Englund
http://www.englundpmc.com

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