Also AND May 5, 2010
Posted by sdesomer in Management Concepts, People Management, Project Management.add a comment
This blog, and my website were originally named Management-Perspectives because much of what I do is help people view project and people management from different perspectives. While they still retain the name, I created an alias because it was difficult to convey the name “Management-Perspectives” when telling someone my URL or email address over the phone. So I decided to create an easier alias, but I wanted it to represent a concept, and at least be different enough to get people to ask me what it meant. I chose “alsoand”. This definitely fit the bill. It is based on an old Sufi saying. It took me a while to grasp its real significance, to say nothing about figuring out how the idea melded with the ideas I was already trying to put forward. The saying is shown in the graphic below:
A Scheduling Quick Reference Card. April 26, 2010
Posted by sdesomer in Management Concepts, Project Management.add a comment
In my earlier post I gave you a Primer. This has some of the same information, but in condensed form. You can always refer to the Primer. When I distribute this, I print on both sides of a sheet of paper and then laminate it. You will note the letters “PMIC” in the title. This is because many companies already use PMO for groups in their organization, so I usually call my group the PMIC – Project Management Information Center. The logo in the upper left is one I use to give the group a presence. As before, you are free to use this document in your organization, just leave the copyright data on the bottom. Thanks.
PMIC QR Card
A Scheduling Primer April 13, 2010
Posted by sdesomer in Management Concepts, Project Management.2 comments
When I work with a client, I work with them one on one, and try to spend as little time as possible with classroom instruction. There are some, however, that are very new to project management and do not understand the actual mechanics of the process. That is, how a schedule is built from a list of tasks, dependencies, and resources etc.. I wrote this brief paper to give those, that required it, a leg up, so when we worked together they were at least familiar with the terminology and basic concepts. I illustrated this with screens etc. from Microsoft Project® but the concepts are the same no matter what tool is used, or for that matter,even if you do it manually.
I hope this document is useful to you. You may copy it, and use it as needed; always insuring know from whence it came. This is a PDF. Just click the word Primer below to view/ save the document.
Primer
Ideas on ideas April 3, 2010
Posted by sdesomer in Management Concepts.2 comments
I recently had this thought. It will stimulate thinking differently in different people — I hope it is useful:
Every new idea is a starting point; it is a catalyst for discussion. It is like a block of marble ready to be shaped into something new and interesting.
An idea is not the solution. It is a brick to start building a solution. It often takes more than one idea to build a solution. A solution is often the converging of multiple ideas laid side by side and/or on top of each other. Ideas, like brickwork, sometime overlap strengthening the result; with ideas this is because, when free-flowing, one idea helps generate another idea which also increase the solution’s likelihood of success.
The more ideas, the stronger the foundation for a solution.
Getting seasick implementing Project Management March 26, 2010
Posted by sdesomer in Management Concepts, People Management, Project Management.add a comment
Last week I received a phone call from another fellow traveler on the turbid waters of project management. Most of the concerns he has expressed, we can empathize with, and it make us feel seasick sometimes, navigating these waters. I will address more on the things he and I discussed in future posts. This post addresses common situations we encounter when implementing project management in an organization. That includes organizations that have deployed it, but feel the need to improve. I list things to think about, things to do, and thoughts on getting started. Generally these entries are in no particular order, but I hope at least some of them strike a chord with you and help you calm some of those turbulent waters.
It is never ONE thing… March 12, 2010
Posted by sdesomer in Management Concepts, People Management, Project Management.4 comments
In my experience there is a tendency to try to distill any problem, or solution, to one thing that can do what is needed. The fact is that it is never quite that simple. In most cases problems are caused by the confluence of 2 or more items that sometimes by themselves seem innocuous. In combination they cause a problem. Now also consider that it is often more than 2 things (ideas, processes, decisions, activities) that combine to upset ye olde apple cart.
The essence of this is to apply a broader view to a problem and thus give yourself more possibilities for solutions. Occam’s Razor still holds true; but that simplest solution is more likely to works when the bigger picture is viewed. It is never one thing…
DATES, DATES and DATES March 3, 2010
Posted by sdesomer in Project Management.add a comment
Yes, I indicated there would be more esoteric entries; but since my goal is to help people and organizations improve project and people management in their organizations, I decided to describe the first thing I do when working with a client. Now many of you might realize this already, but most do not. The first thing to do to improve these processes in an organization is to start using dates everywhere you can.
The first place is in meetings. Everything that requires work to be done, or information to be gleaned must have a date for completion associated with it. That date should be very specific, not next week or next month, and not ASAP or soon. The exact day is the only date acceptable. “But what if I don’t know the date?”; then the date should represent the date when you can provide a date. These dates also provide a time for follow-up on the task.
Changing Perspectives February 5, 2010
Posted by sdesomer in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
Welcome to the Management Perspectives (aka AlsoAnd) blog. This blog is meant to provide new ways of looking at project and people management. The entries are meant to stimulate thinking and hopefully discussion. The ideas should help you use the traditional tools and concepts of management in more effective and efficient ways.
I am new to this blogging stuff, so bear with me. Any suggestions, comments or other ideas are welcome. So let’s go!
