Project Hero Blog - Weekly Best Practices and Tips

Conflict resolution is a skill that transcends roles. So regardless of the type of team I am managing, my response would be the same.

Tip #1: Set the rules and boundaries.  As a leader, you define the standards for conduct and enforce them. Part of your resource plan should also include time for team building.

First, it is important to establish the team as a safe space where open and transparen...

A question I sometimes need to field is “what are the top 5 critical communication skills a Project Manager must possess to be successful?”.  There are more than 5 skills that revolve around communications, so the choice is a difficult one.

Then the proverbial light bulb went off! I decided my answer to this challenge involves looking for the “lowest common denominators” — the most general and en...

With the widespread recognition of project management as a valuable organizational core competency, the current economic climate, and the continued challenges of doing more with less, I continue to observe more and more project managers that have been bestowed the title (either by themselves, by the work they do, or by their managers) without the proper support and training to truly fulfill the ro...

Project management can be a demanding role.  Use these time management tips to manage time more effectively, from day-to-day and month-to-month.

1. Know When You are Most Productive. The first step in effectively managing time is to know when you are the most productive.  This time is when you feel more energized and creative.  Are you a morning or afternoon person? This time is when you want to p
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One of the most challenging tasks for project managers is creating a schedule. Any number of dependencies need consideration – logical progressions of work, resource availability, client or sponsor delivery demands, team preferences, and more.  Here are five tips for getting the best possible schedule:

1. Have enough milestones. What gets measured is what gets done. Be sure to include sufficient m
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Stress, burnout, and physical exhaustion impact project managers at one time or another. You need to believe that you can get a handle on what stresses you, and diffuse this stress in ways that maintain your physical and emotional health.  Pressure may be a part of life, but it is essential to find ways to de-stress and not let it get the best of you.

Stress comes from our habits or our thoughts ...

Julia couldn't be more frustrated! There were less than three months to finish the project, and yet everything was going wrong. And to top it all, the budget to complete the work was nearly exhausted.

Julia's problem boils down to ineffective project management. She may have failed to complete the steps necessary to prepare for project success.  She may have also failed to create a proper plan fo...

Picking the right toolset, and then using these tools correctly for your work as a project manager is very important.  The tools you select and how you use them will either make your practices be more productive or bog you down.

Before there were many online software tools, I used a book called a DayTimer (it is now an online app) to manage my time as a project manager.  I made up to-do lists, re...

If you are an aspiring, new, or accidental project manager, a small investment in your career and certification can have a significant impact going forward.  While the PMP® certification can take a minimum of three years to earn, CAPM certification requirements include a high school diploma (or better) and 23 hours of project management training. Many are unaware that they meet these requirements....

Always foster good relationships with the client and the team, and remember that the client has the final acceptance of deliverables. If you are practicing Agile, the client will also be a part of the team. Here are four ways you can use to demonstrate respect for your client.

1. Respect the client's time. Conduct efficient meetings, starting with agendas, and ending with action items and decision
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