BPM made simpler
Posted in Change Management, Process Analysis, Process Improvement, Project Management on Mar 31st, 2011
I hate to use the words post mortem in the context of Project Management … it obviously assumes the patient died! Not a good outcome. Obviously, that’s not the case, but the procedure still has some value. As busy professionals we have a lot going on, and the most successful project managers often just move [...]
Posted in Change Management, Process Improvement, Project Management on Mar 30th, 2011
The stepping stones approach lets us use our alternatives of skills, tools and tasks according to the changing needs of the project. Still moving forward with the project, but crossing the boundaries with different skills, tools and tasks according the best approach at that time. Many project management methods already incorporate this method, understanding that [...]
Posted in Change Management, Process Improvement, Project Management on Mar 29th, 2011
There are a lot of tools out there to help us get our BPM project done on time and on budget. One question that comes up a lot is whether we should follow a step by step method when handling these projects or keep some flexibility in our process. In every case we have a [...]
Posted in Change Management on Mar 28th, 2011
Once the change or trouble has been identified, then a strict and agreed process needs to start immediately. Imagine how many projects are started, the project owner signs the contract and the project manager begins work. Everyone assumes that all is going to go perfectly through the process; the project owner or sponsor never changing [...]
Posted in Change Management, Process Improvement, Project Management on Mar 27th, 2011
Listen and access Listening is defined as “hearing with attention”. I like that definition, because some project managers hear but don’t listen to what is being communicated. In some cases the individual may also be nervous about bringing this news to you, and may therefore emphasize certain parts of the problem and not others. This [...]
Posted in Change Management, Process Improvement, Project Management on Mar 26th, 2011
Sooner or later some aspect of a project starts to come undone. Deadlines advancing too quickly, budgets getting out of control, team members concerned about quality, all factors that need attention. Even as a new project manager, the first reaction to trouble should not be blind panic. Every project will have stages when things are [...]
Posted in Change Management, Process Analysis, Process Improvement, Project Management on Mar 25th, 2011
Automated help with Quality Assurance Posted in Process Analysis on Mar 23rd, 2011 Many BPM projects need assistance with quality assurance. Often this occurs when we are analyzing maps for opportunities to enforce quality standards and ensure they are being supported. In addition to these more sophisticated requirements, there is also the need to keep [...]
Posted in Process Analysis on Mar 23rd, 2011
Many BPM projects need assistance with quality assurance. Often this occurs when we are analyzing maps for opportunities to enforce quality standards and ensure they are being supported. In addition to these more sophisticated requirements, there is also the need to keep the basics of a process in order. As most processes typically span several [...]
Posted in Change Management, Process Analysis, Process Improvement, Project Management on Mar 22nd, 2011
If have have elements of perfectionism in your personality that finds you doing the following: Completing others work who haven’t quite gotten it right Getting very frustrated about keeping others on track Wanting every meeting to run perfectly like clockwork Having little or no tolerance for something that doesn’t meet your standards Then perhaps you [...]
Posted in Process Analysis, Process Discovery, Process Improvement, Process Mapping on Mar 21st, 2011
Sometimes we just don’t have the time to put the effort into going to formal educational courses to get the data we need. As Meryl Streep once quipped in the movie Postcards from the Edge “I used to be into instant gratification, but now I don’t have the patience for it.” In BPM that’s a [...]
Posted in Change Management, Process Improvement, Process Mapping, Project Management on Mar 20th, 2011
Chose team members and partners carefully Posted in Project Management on Mar 16th, 2011 One big factor affecting any projects success or failure is the quality and motivation of those on the team. Choosing your team wisely will reduce risks in the project at a stroke. Why The team and how they work together makes [...]
Posted in Project Management on Mar 16th, 2011
One big factor affecting any projects success or failure is the quality and motivation of those on the team. Choosing your team wisely will reduce risks in the project at a stroke. Why The team and how they work together makes the difference between successful completion and utter failure. At the outset of any project [...]
Posted in Change Management, Process Improvement, Project Management on Mar 14th, 2011
May seem like an obvious issue, but having the budget in place to complete the project is often overlooked in the enthusiasm to get the project started. Budgets have a habit of getting trimmed, cut back and revisited. As a project manager you need to keep your eye on this ball. The converse also happens, [...]
Posted in Change Management, Process Improvement, Project Management on Mar 13th, 2011
Make a Plan and then follow through A good project plan should be the starting point in any project. Sometimes the simplest things are the ones we miss, and when we look at some of the problems that arise during a complex project, it is easy to waver from the initial plan and framework in [...]
Posted in Process Improvement, Project Management on Mar 12th, 2011
Weekly summary March, 2011 What to do about Luddites and other disbelievers Posted in Change Management, Process Improvement, Project Management on Mar 11th, 2011 Ever feel like you are in the project from hell? Sometimes you may feel that you have been placed in a movie, or that God is testing you because of the [...]
Posted in Change Management, Process Improvement, Project Management on Mar 11th, 2011
Ever feel like you are in the project from hell? Sometimes you may feel that you have been placed in a movie, or that God is testing you because of the hostility you are encountering in your project. In the most virulent form this may take on the form of Luddites (see definition below) who [...]
Posted in Change Management, Process Analysis, Process Discovery, Process Improvement, Process Mapping, Project Management on Mar 10th, 2011
What an overused word transparency is today. In recent years it’s banded about like some great revelation to management and self help gurus alike. What monumental balderdash! Suddenly we awake one morning and decide that we will be honest, open, clear with everyone we deal with on a project. We won’t hide that key piece [...]
Posted in Change Management, Process Improvement, Project Management on Mar 9th, 2011
It may seem obvious, but better people usually produce better results. Great thinking Einstein! However, we are often not dealt the cards we want when a project team is assembled. The dream team are the best communicators, popular folks for every department affected, you get your pick of course. Reality sets in and assignments are [...]
Posted in Change Management, Process Improvement, Project Management on Mar 8th, 2011
Organization buy-in is listed as #4 on my top ten list, however maybe it should be Number 1. There are so many negatives associated with change an organization doesn’t believe or sign up to we could write a book on the topic. How many times do you hear these problems about “so and so’s project” [...]
Posted in Change Management, Process Improvement, Project Management on Mar 7th, 2011
How many times does a project fail because the members don’t believe it’s doable. Unrealistic goals and objectives are often to blame. Sometimes timelines because the project started too late, others because of lack of resources. It doesn’t really matter, the project is likely to fail because the team don’t believe in it. Here is [...]
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