Persuasion for project managers

Image via Wikipedia  This blog is intended to give a simple no nonsense overview of persuasion based on a single universally accepted theory that can be adapted to any set of circumstances, but I have presented it in a way that is focused more closely on the needs of the project manager. Six laws of … Read more

Communication for project managers-teaching skills

Image via Wikipedia Part two -Get your point accross Read Part one Basic teaching skills I use the word teaching because there is really no difference between teaching/learning and communication of any other sort.  Your role is to help people understand the concepts you are communicating and to see the world in the same way … Read more

Why so many organisations are so bad at change and what it takes to get in control.

The blame for failed change projects
51% put the failures down to “winning hearts and minds” followed by 31% citing “Lack of clearly defined achievable milestones” and then “lack of management buy-in “ and “poor communication”.

These responses don’t describe a failed change management programme, they describe non existence of a change programme, i.e little more than a wish.

Four foundations of change management.

1. The organisation and the individuals that comprise it are different issues 2. Changing attitudes is achieved one by one, changed behaviour is a group activity 3. The change agent is not leading or driving but acting as a catalyst and facilitator 4. The change agent and his peers must be united in rationale and in mutual support Silos, … Read more

Negotiation skills for project managers

An absolutely key skill that no project manager can go out without is basic negotiation skills. From achieving consensus among stakeholders to getting the right procurement contract and managing exceptions, the one thing you absolutely MUST HAVE is the ability to negotiate effectively. Here are a few golden rules to help you negotiate more effectively … Read more

Motivating people for project managers

Image via Wikipedia Outside of the area of direct sales and many would argue to include that too, there has been a momentous movement away from good old fashioned man management techniques. (please read Man to mean both genders, this is an old term well worth revisiting). Some blame Matrix management, others blame the growing … Read more

Two elections that few expected and a majority didn’t want – the information perspective.

Two groups of people mastered the truth about data, its interpretation and it’s presentation and two groups didn’t. The former of course are Republicans in US and Brexit’s in UK. The theories are not new, nor are they difficult to understand but executing on them might only seem an option to somebody with no other … Read more

Requirements engineering strategy can make or break your project .

Part one – What would you like sir Part two – Requirements,tests, training, help files Part three – Why no project exists in isolation-what should be done Part four – Business rules, Process rules, Process, Data, different viewpoints Part five – Testing requirements is not optional Part six  -Requirements strategy can make or break your project If … Read more

Testing requirements is not optional

Part one – What would you like sir Part two – Requirements,tests, training, help files Part three – Why no project exists onin isolation-whwat should be done Part four – Business rules, Process rules, Process, Data, different viewpoints Part five – Testing requirements is not optional Part six  -Requirements strategy can make or break your project Yes … Read more

Communication for project managers

Before you even consider communication with any audience from one person to 100 million people, you need to first gain their respect and trust. If you don’t, why should they listen to you.
Just like you they are bombarded with messages all day every day and they only have time to listen to a choice few that come from trusted sources , that gain their attention and arouse their interest.