opportunities are important and need to be captured where possible
Current risk management standards and guidelines use broad definitions of “risk” that encompass both threat and opportunity, but many people still find it difficult to understand why “opportunity” is included in the definition. And without understanding the reasons, there is …
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 …
September 12, 2018 |
Insights |
Helen S. Cooke
End products are important, but so is your team’s health and happiness
Business projects are seldom discussed from the point of view of the “happiness” of their team members. Projects are recognized for getting things done, and projects are resourced for overall effectiveness. Sponsors, customers, and society at large look for valued …
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 …
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 …
In the smartphone era, civility is a vital skill to model and learn
Trend-watching is a good way to spot issues that your organization may be facing in the future. A popular topic lately is the erosion of civility, and the accompanying uptick in rudeness, in our society today. New research about the …
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 …
January 31, 2018 |
Resources
Recent opinions, perspectives, and research
As anyone who has found themselves in a leadership role can tell you, there is no “one way” to become an effective leader. While there are truisms like “treat people with respect” or “listen and learn,” the formula that works …
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 …
December 6, 2017 |
Insights |
Denise Gifford
Mining the data is about strategy and curiosity
Businesses thrive on data. Data helps them create new strategies to increase revenue and improve efficiency. Companies use data to predict who will buy, how to get products delivered cost-effectively, how to anticipate and plan for risk, and which strategies …
November 9, 2017 |
Insights |
Helen S. Cooke
The skills that define leadership often arise organically, not by force
When it comes to projects, we are often comfortable with identifying ourselves as executives or managers, but few of us describe ourselves as “leaders.” Others may put us into that category, but why are we hesitant to place ourselves under …