Project Hero Blog - Weekly Best Practices and Tips

Project management plays a crucial role in the successful execution of any initiative, be it small or large. However, project managers often need help with the overall outcome. Today let’s explore common project management challenges and provide strategies and techniques to overcome them, ensuring project success. In addition, each challenge includes a link to additional tips and...

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and face a unique set of challenges that larger companies can handle. One of the biggest challenges is managing projects effectively. Projects are critical because they deliver the strategy. That's where project management comes in. Today, let’s discuss the benefits of project management for small business owners and how it can help them...

In today's rapidly changing business landscape, more companies rely on virtual teams to get things done. Technological advancements and globalization make it easier to work remotely and collaborate with colleagues worldwide. However, while virtual teams offer many benefits, they also present unique challenges that make managing projects difficult. This is where the role of a project manager on...

Projects fail for a lot of reasons, so it's a good idea for the project manager to be aware of what is happening on the project.   Things may even be perfect - no variance and all goals met - but management may decide to kill the project or there may be other hidden problems.  Here are four signs that your project may be failing or left to fail.

The project sponsor(s) are nowhere...

With the move to more remote work, this is a good time to think about improving virtual team communication.  Fortunately, I've been working with remote teams since the 1970s, so have learned a few important lessons along the way.  Communication, for some, is difficult face-to-face and even harder when working remotely.

Here's a perfect example of how not to act with remote...

To be successful, project managers need many different and diverse skills, ranging from expertise in their industry to business, and of course, project management technical skills.  Someone recently asked my what major skills project managers need.

To respond to this question, I grouped the most important into three major categories.  Without developing these skills, it is unlikely a...

According to the PMBOK® Guide, communications is 75-90% of the work of a project manager.  However, it's important to note that it is not just about talking. The work of a project manager includes writing reports, giving presentations, engaging with stakeholders, conducting meetings, training, mentoring, and of course, a large dose of active listening. In addition, other core or...

Studies have shown that roughly 56% of projects failing projects have poor communications as a factor. Whether you are presenting or just having a meeting, having strong communication skills is critical for project managers. Here are 5 essential practices to work on:

1. Develop and rehearse an elevator pitch. Be able to provide a quick 30-second message about the primary goals and benefits of...

There are four important tools a project manager can use to improve communications. These four critical tools are the elevator pitch, status report, project deck, and communication plan.  Let's take a detailed look at each of these one at a time.

Elevator Pitch: Your elevator pitch is a concise and compelling message about your project. It should start with an attention-grabbing opener or...

It's been said that project managers spend 90% of their time communicating.  This isn't just talking.  It's about communicating in many different forms, such as reports, presentations, meetings with groups and individuals, emails, social media posts, and more.

So to start, let's look at what communication is through a relatively simple model. Communications involve a sender and a...