Control Your Project

Monitoring Status The only constant in life is change, and change can do quite a number on your project plan. Here's how to modify your plan to take into account project changes and late-breaking developments.

gantthead articles Pages: 1 2 next> Listen Up - by Paul Harder (September 10, 2001) The majority of a project manager's time is not spent on writing status reports or updating milestone charts; it's spent listening. The success of a project manager depends upon the manager's skill at actively listening to clients, team members and management. Here are some tips to help you become a better listener. Project Bonding - by Jim Harris (May 30, 2001) Effectively applied, project communication is the glue that holds your project together. Stick to it! Death by Data Suffocation - by Jim Harris (April 27, 2001) Data and detail have long been elements that have tested the mettle of project managers. That same Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) that's supposed to help you can so easily kill you with stultifying detail if you can't get a handle on it. Before you suffocate under the sheer volume of project data thrown in your direction, read this article. The Project Manager Is the Keystone to Successful Delivery - by Jim Harris (April 5, 2001) Behind every successful project stands a competent project manager. Learn how to stand and deliver successfully. Softening the Blow - by Bradley S. Litt (February 7, 2001) A bad report on project status can be like a punch in the gut. No one wants to be the bearer of bad news, but you have to report it, either way. Explaining to your client that things aren't going according to schedule is not an easy task, but doesn't have to resemble a one-two punch. Four Steps to Managing Project Issues--and Your Sanity - by Joe Pena (September 25, 2000) Part of your job as a project manager is to be on constant lookout for possible issues. Sometimes you can assess certain ones before they appear; other times you might be blindsided. The key is knowing how to identify, deal with and ultimately learn from these issues.

downloads Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 next> Outcome Realization Plan Template and Guide An outcome realization plan is used to ensure the achievement of the project outcomes described in a project's business plan. Such a plan is fiendishly difficult to write, but why reinvent the wheel and do it all yourself? Use our template as a guide. It comes with both detailed instructions and a sample plan. Sample Project Status Report ( Template ) The project status report is a document used by project managers for formal regular reporting on the status of a project to the project steering committee, project sponsor, stakeholders, or senior management, depending on the size of the project. Having a good one is essential. Use our template to help you get started. Capturing and Controlling Project Costs How to make sure that all costs are reflected against the project. Applying Earned Value to Cost and Schedule Variances Controlling both project schedule and cost is critical to the success of your project. Learn how to apply the rule of earned value to both for total project control. Schedule Charting: Which Format Is Right for Your Project? Here's how to choose a schedule-charting format that best suits the needs of your project. Project Audit If you work on large government projects, it's a matter of when, not if, your project will get audited. Be prepared.