Project Management

Project Alignment and Operational Risk Management

August 10, 2009

The premise of most projects is that there is clarity around scope, timelines and budget before the project begins. The summary of these is typically defined in the project charter. But what happens when the charter is only used to meet the PMO's policy requirements or to get the approval for a project? I'll trust this premise is not a surprise to you.

I always remind project managers to keep two things top of mind above all else.

1. Have absolute clarity on what is the objective.… Read more »

Taking OPM3 to the Next Level

July 25, 2009

Have you ever been riding on an elevator and overheard one executive say to another that his or her company is working on maturity level 3, 4, or 5? In any maturity model, whether the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) OPM3 or the Software Engineering Institute’s (SEI) CMMI or any number of other models, a maturity level is a set of performance requirements with rules regarding how those requirements are met in order to achieve higher distinctions of maturity or performance.… Read more »

Project Charters Bridge Cultures

July 08, 2007

Take great pride and care in your project charter because this is where you sow the good seed. It will eventually take care of you. Buy a high-quality leather-bound portfolio -- the kind graphic artists use to highlight their best work. In this portfolio, you keep an original example of a very important project document – the project charter. Why? The leather-bound portfolio demonstrates to everyone the value that you place in this document. The PMBOK Guide® describes a project… Read more »