Project Hero Blog - Weekly Best Practices and Tips

Time is a constraint that separates successful project managers from those who struggle. A well-constructed schedule improves predictability, reduces stress, and gives stakeholders confidence that the project manager is in control. On the other hand,  poorly constructed schedules lead to rework, idle resources, and escalating costs.

In recent years, many industry experts have expressed concern th...

The PMP is a Milestone, Not a Destination

For many project managers, earning the Project Management Professional (PMP)® credential is a significant career goal. It’s a highly respected and sought-after professional certification, signifying a thorough understanding of project management principles and practices. But here’s the truth: the PMP is not the finish line. It’s the starting block.

Too o...

“Work smarter, not harder” is easier said than done, especially for project managers. With shifting priorities, competing demands, and unplanned issues, it can feel like there’s never enough time in the day. Working smarter doesn’t mean cutting corners or rushing through tasks. It's about optimizing processes and leveraging resources effectively to get the best possible results through focus, stru...

Starting a project with an accurate budget is a significant step towards project success. But many project managers view budgeting as a one-time planning exercise, rather than a continuous management process. A well-constructed budget shapes expectations, guides decision-making, and provides the structure that enables the project team to perform effectively.

The crux of managing a budget effectiv...

Organizations understand the need to identify and analyze risks. But few give equal attention to developing a consistent process for risk response planning that turns awareness into action. A well-designed process guides decision-making, reduces cognitive bias, and manages secondary or residual risks arising from those responses.

Without a process, risk management becomes reactive. Decisions are ...

Not long ago, someone questioned the wisdom of holding a weekly project status meeting where the whole team participates to discuss issues and potential requirement changes.

“Wouldn’t that be an expensive meeting?” they asked.

“Sure,” I replied, “but imagine the expense without it.”

That brief exchange encapsulates one of the most persistent misconceptions in project management. Meetings have a...

In recent years, project management certifications have become almost a currency of their own. Job postings demand them, hiring managers screen résumés by them, and LinkedIn headlines proudly parade them. From PMP and PRINCE2 to CSM, SAFe, and PMI-ACP, the number of options continues to grow. For many professionals, earning these certifications feels like the obvious path to career advancement. Af...

At some point in every project manager’s career, there comes a day when the work stops feeling strategic and starts feeling chaotic. Their calendar fills with emergency meetings, problems multiply faster than they can be solved, and they spend more time reacting than leading. It’s what we like to call “firefighting.” Some call it “herding cats.” Whatever the phrase, it means the same thing: you’ve...

Project management fundamentals are easy to understand, but mastery takes years of practice. Even the most seasoned project managers can fall into bad habits, leading to poor outcomes. Sometimes, mistakes are subtle, such as overreacting to minor changes or communicating in ways that fail to engage stakeholders. At other times, the errors are more obvious, such as insufficient planning or failing ...

Every project manager has heard a tale of failure so perfectly avoidable that it reads like fiction. The story I’m about to share is one of those tales: a fable drawn from real-world experience. Although it focuses on payroll, its lessons apply to every industry and type of project. The story revolves around missing macro, or organizational, change management, ensuring an organization is ready to ...