In the early stages of a project, when wild enthusiasm often abounds, we may hear motivational speeches and, rather than a focus on planning and requirements we here about expectations and aspirations. There may also be statements by the Project Owner to its contractors and consultants that “if you succeed…we all succeed” and “we are one team” and “we will work collaboratively”. Continue reading
Project Busyness! An “X” Factor? Once upon a time there was a project… and everybody, well almost everybody, was kept busy even though the project was in delay!
Back-to-back meetings, relentless barrages of emails, notifications of every incoming and outgoing document, pop-ups advising that somebody or other was diving out of one meeting only to deep dive into the next. The project was characterised by a constant stream of communication punctuated by daily, weekly, and monthly reports on progress accompanied by trackers, and an ever-expanding array of various dashboards. Continue reading
73.6% of statistics are made up on the spot and if conveyed with sufficient confidence are believed by 90% of the population. Some sources advise that 70% of all projects fail, 42% of companies don’t understand the importance of project management, 55% of managers cite budget overrun as a reason for failure, and 62% of ‘successful’ projects had supportive sponsors. Continue reading
Engineers…they are the people who design, build, or maintain engines, machines, or structures. They fix things that are broken and typically look for solutions rather than creating problems. Some engineers proclaim themselves as being “solutions driven”…but are they? Continue reading
It was once explained to me that in some countries it’s imperative for drivers to be in front or push to the front on the highway, at junctions and every turning at every opportunity…no matter what! Continue reading