Guides

You've been handed a project that needs to launch in six months. The budget's approved, the timeline's set, and stakeholders are eager to see results. There's just one problem: you need resources that don't actually report to you. Welcome to project management in a matrix'd organization, where getting the right people at the right time…

There has always been a tension between following a structured approach and being adaptable when managing projects. As a senior program manager, I've seen firsthand how the right methodology can make or break a project, while the wrong one can leave teams frustrated and stakeholders disappointed. Project leaders are regularly told that one approach is…

There has always been a tension between planning your project budget and actually sticking to it. As a project manager, I've often found that budget management feels like it gets in the way of the exciting parts of delivery – the creativity, problem-solving, and team leadership. Project leaders are regularly told that 'delivery takes priority':…

You've been there before. A massive digital transformation initiative with fixed deadlines and budgets, but parts of the project needing the flexibility to adapt to changing requirements. Or perhaps it's an enterprise software implementation where some workstreams need careful planning and regulatory compliance, while others require rapid iteration and user feedback. It's the project management…

Have you ever worked with a project manager who prided themselves on being "above the fray" when it came to team disputes. "They're adults," they'd say. "They'll work it out." Six months later, the project was three months behind schedule, 40% over budget, and their best developer had quit. The smoldering conflict they'd ignored had…

There has always been tension between following established processes and embracing change. As a project manager comfortable with waterfall methodologies, I get it. The structured, sequential approach of waterfall has served us well for years. It's predictable and familiar. But the business world is changing. Organizations are increasingly adopting agile practices to stay competitive and…

Key Takeaways Understanding the RACI Matrix If you run projects, chances are you have been in a situation where two people thought they owned the same task, and because of that confusion, a critical deadline slipped through the cracks. May I introduce you to the RACI Matrix - A management tool that keeps responsibilities crystal…

Issues inevitably come up in every project. Whether they stem from missed deadlines, resource shortages, or technical challenges, they can disrupt progress and impact final outcomes. An Issue Log provides a structured way to track, manage, and resolve these problems before they escalate. A well-maintained log ensures that every challenge is documented, assigned to the…

Quick Takeaways Could Kanban boards be what’s missing in your team? Let’s learn more… What Is a Kanban Board? A Kanban board is a visual tool used by project managers, agile practitioners, or a software development team to manage tasks and workflows. It helps everyone see what needs to be done, what’s in progress, and…

Key Takeaways What is a RAID Log? In project management, one fact is universal: deadlines shift, priorities change, and problems pop up out of nowhere. Trying to keep track of everything in your head (or scattered across emails and sticky notes) just makes things harder. A RAID acronym is a simple way to keep tabs…