Opportunities and threats are both uncertainties that matter
The ability to manage risk effectively is recognized as an important contributor to business success, which is why it has become an essential part of the manager’s toolkit. Risk-based thinking is permeating the boardroom and discussions within executive committees as …
Project success for change initiatives can depend on the ability of the organization to adopt change
We all need to know how to use our influence and powers of persuasion to support needed changes, whether with family, work life, or life in general. For project managers who are focused on delivering and leading change initiatives, persuasion …
It’s all about establishing value
One of the top challenges for freelancers, consultants and entrepreneurs is finding and keeping good customers. Growing a strong customer base can help you improve profitability and achieve your business goals. To build successful client relationships that will last, you’ll …
Problem-solving is about embracing complexity and understanding the problem
In business, as in life in general, problems crop up everywhere. Those who know how to think about problems proactively have an advantage, and problem-solving is arguably one of the most important skills a businessperson can learn. That’s true no …
risk shouldn't be feared if it's managed properly
The novice project manager might be worried to learn that her project contains risk. Surely risk is “A Bad Thing,” and it would be better if her project had none? But her more experienced colleague would explain that there are …
Asking your stakeholders the right questions is central to successful project management
Understanding the expectations of project stakeholders is absolutely critical to successful stakeholder management. Do you know what your stakeholders expect? If not, your project may already be heading down the wrong path. In order to pinpoint stakeholder expectations, it’s important …
Identifying real risks is critical for effective risk management
The purpose of risk management is obviously to manage risks. But one of the most common failings in the risk management process is for the risk identification step to identify things that are not risks. If this early stage of …
Successful consultants are client-focused
The word “consultant” encompasses more professions than many people realize. If you work toward changing or improving a business situation—without having direct decision power over that situation—you’re consulting. “Consultant” might be in your job description, or it might not. Business …
The benefits of lessons learned
Welcome to 2018! In many languages the month January is named after Janus the two-faced Roman god of doorways, and the start of a new year is traditionally a time for review, looking back at the past 12 months and …
Are your stakeholders advocates, hindrances, or something in-between?
Most project managers understand that stakeholders possess and exercise various forms of power in the context of a project. The position adopted by stakeholders is likely to have a significant effect on whether or not a project succeeds, and stakeholders …
Risk and uncertainty are a part of business. Here’s how to face them head-on.
Everyone knows that “business hates uncertainty.” Uncertainty poses clear threats to business, but it also contains significant opportunities. Sources of uncertainty must be understood so that these threats and opportunities can be effectively managed, allowing us to avoid and minimize …
Project managers should not only have them, but update them continually
Assessing risk is an important part of a well-managed project, and project managers and team members should have a risk management plan in place from the project’s outset. Projects, in and of themselves, are risky endeavors because the project often addresses a critical need, resolves an existing …