This is it! The final step involved with managing a project – closing it out. We’ll discuss the steps for a smooth implementation and transition, documenting lessons learned, and celebrating! The 5 key steps to managing a project are: Idea Approval – What do you want to do? Why? Plan – How are you going to…
Project Management 101 – Check & Control
The Check and Control phase spans the entire project (with the majority of focus spent during the Execute phase). In this phase, we’ll discuss how to monitor project health and 10 ways to get a troubled project back on track. This is the fourth of the 5-post series describing how to manage a project. The 5 key steps to managing a project are: Idea Approval –…
Project Management 101 – Execute
In our last lesson, we determined our project plan. For today’s post we’ll focus on item #3, Execute, where the work gets done! This is the third of the 5-post series on how to manage a project. The 5 key steps to managing a project are: Idea Approval – What do you want to do? Why? Plan – How are…
Project Management 101 – Plan
We’ve already discussed the idea and agreement needed to proceed with a project. In step #2, we’ll come up with a plan to get the work done. This is the second of the 5-post series on how to manage a project. The 5 key steps to managing a project are: Idea Approval – What do you want to do?…
Project Management 101 – Idea Approval
How to Manage a Project This is the first of a series of posts sharing the basics of how to manage a project. The information is intended for anyone who wants to understand the core concepts, even if you have little project management knowledge. Regardless of if you’re managing a project yourself or hiring out the work, I…
The Secret to Motivating Others
Have you ever needed someone to do something for you, but struggled to get their help? I have. Years ago I was so excited to officially become a “Project Manager.” The new title came with a new position on a new team. I jumped right into a project and assumed that my title would give me…
Increase Your Brain Power – Stop Multitasking Today!
As a mom, multitasking is a way of life. Among the “mom community”, it is worn as a badge of honor – yes, I can tie my kid’s shoes while cooking dinner and talking on the phone. Similarly, most jobs require multitasking – checking emails throughout the day, texting, phone calls and the actual work…
How to Avoid the (Scope) Creep
We all know a creep or two that we do anything to avoid, but are you aware of the “Scope Creep” that’s lurking within your organization? A Personal Story… My husband and I undertook a kitchen remodel to bring the style out of the ’90s. We planned spending a week devoted to sand and paint our cabinets…
Make a Greater Impact with what you have – 8 Wastes
If you run a social enterprise or are just starting your venture, chances are you don’t have a lot of extra time or money. Using what you already have, you can make a greater impact. How? Finding and removing wastes. 8 Wastes Your adventure starts here. The #1 goal of the Lean philosophy is to identify…
Make it Personal – It’s Good for Everyone
A Personal Focus Produces Amazing Results When face-to-face with customers, it’s easy to remember the personal aspect of your job. You feel good about helping people and you do it well. However, for tasks that shift from personal to data driven, like reading a chart, it can be easy to forget about the person behind the…
