How to manage complex projects while keeping stakeholders happy
Anyone who works in project management knows that a lot of planning goes into preparing a project team to do its work, before the project itself even begins. Deliverables are spelled out; estimates are made regarding how long the project …
learning from each gig and client should be part of your process
Becoming a better consultant isn’t something that has to be a major effort. Instead, it’s all about small, subtle changes in focus. It means highlighting areas where incremental improvement can lead to big payoffs, and using what you’re already doing …
Emphasize your past successes while ensuring the project matches your skills
One of the interesting aspects of searching for project management positions in today’s employment market is that sometimes you’re not really being interviewed for a project manager position. Project management might be the title proposed, but the role might diverge …
These 13 questions will help you navigate difficulties and disagreements
Clients and consultants sometimes encounter difficulties when they don’t share a common understanding of how to improve a situation. They may not have a clear handle on the goals. The client might have a better understanding of their business than …
the definition of Project Management is not clear to everyone
The term “project management” has become a buzzword. And like any buzzword, it’s thrown around freely without much common understanding of what it really is. As a result, people who aren’t actually doing project management are given that label, and …
It’s all about communication
Consultants work with their clients to provide advice and support. Whether it’s just a short-term project or a consulting engagement lasting over many years, the best consultants know how to add value to the client relationship. They understand that the …
September 22, 2020 |
Knowledge |
Helen S. Cooke
Questions to ask when starting a project
Because projects address situations not faced before, or strive to deliver results under circumstances not experienced before, there will always be unknowns. Planning can occur in the face of unknowns, but the more you know, the better your plan can …
Change can be difficult. Here are ways to make it happen.
One of the challenges of being a consultant is helping your client make needed or desired changes. Consultants can identify the required change, but they don’t have direct control over its implementation. They need to work with their clients as …
You’re never too small to be at risk
Many people think that risk management is only relevant to major organizations with big budgets who run mega-projects or who work in a regulated or safety-critical industry sector. Those of us who own or manage a small-to-medium-sized enterprise (SME) might …
Ideas for making your next online meeting more effective
The topic of “meetings” is one that usually elicits groans, that then lead to lots of bad, cringe-worthy meeting stories, with rarely good outcomes. As we know, meetings don’t always require physical attendance. The COVID-19 pandemic social distancing has found …
February 19, 2020 |
Knowledge |
Amanda Finn
Smart strategies to find opportunities, outside of gig sites
The toughest part of freelancing is, arguably, finding new work. When it comes to paying the bills, freelancers know the hustle life better than most, but gig sites aren’t always the answer. Especially now that places like Upwork cost freelancers money without …
February 13, 2020 |
Knowledge |
Denise Gifford
these 14 questions will help you assess the strength of the relationship
Developing a partnership with your client—one built on mutual trust and understanding—is essential for establishing a long-term working relationship. If you aren’t trusted, your advice won’t be trusted. If you don’t understand the client as a person, you won’t know …