Projects Pivot
With decades of experience managing all types of projects, we're ready to share our invaluable tips, tricks, and tidbits. Don't just tick boxes—master the art of managing people and projects. Sign up now!
Communicate Project Value
Hi Reader, How do you effectively convey your project's value to leadership? You know your project is essential. You’ve spent months in the weeds—gathering requirements, aligning stakeholders, prepping for approvals. But here’s the thing: just knowing it’s important isn’t enough. If leadership doesn’t see the value clearly, your project might never get the green light. Many project managers struggle to present their work in a way that resonates with leadership. We tend to focus on what we...
Creative Project Resourcing
Hi Reader, Everywhere we turn lately, companies everywhere are facing the challenge of doing more with less—be it budget, deliverables, or people. How do you manage your project portfolio under these constraints? By getting creative. Outsource: The fastest path to project success The fastest, easiest way to build out your project portfolio while experiencing a low internal head count is to outsource some quality project management talent. When resources are limited, it can be the best time to...
Getting By With Less
Hi Reader, These are lean times. Even with limited resources, such as reduced staff due to layoffs or other reasons, projects can still be managed effectively. Although it may require a different approach than usual, success is possible. Critical resource crunch I’ve participated in many projects where it’s been challenging to pull together the stakeholders. There was one project that stands out. In the beginning, we lost key stakeholders because of a conflict between the company and its...
Automations Gone Bad
Hi Reader, Have you ever stepped inside a massive food warehouse, way larger than Costco? I have, and it was truly eye-opening. Seamless warehousing I once took a tour of a Gordon Food Service warehouse in Milton, Ontario, Canada. As one of the largest food distribution companies in North America, they have a fully automated distribution centre. It was fascinating to see the staff efficiently zipping around in carts, automatically filling orders and delivering them to the trucks. The seafood...
People Onboarding Nightmares
Hi Reader, Last week, I wrote about how onboarding differs from implementation. Onboarding ensures seamless product integration, laying the foundation for long-term, positive client relationships. But what about onboarding our people? Where do they fit? When onboarding people goes wrong We've all been there: a new team member is set to join, and we've known about their arrival for weeks. We're happy for them to come on board because they possess the exact skillsets we need. Upon arrival, we...
Implementation Isn't Onboarding
Hi Reader, Imagine this: you've just handed over a complex product to your client, perhaps an app that took months to create, and you're all set to go straight into implementation. Everyone is super excited to dive in and start using the product. But wait! Your client needs a little guidance to get started. They may not be fully ready to jump into implementing just yet. They need to be onboarded first. But what’s the difference between onboarding and implementation? Onboarding is where you...
Prioritize Product Delivery
Hi Reader, Why do products perform flawlessly internally yet have challenges when deployed to clients? It's all about the delivery. Recently, I spoke with a colleague who owns a tech company specializing in digital solutions. They mentioned that when they deploy one of their AI solutions to a large long-standing client for a single department, the process goes smoothly. However, when the client requests the same AI solution is implemented across multiple departments, the deployment quickly...
When Product and Project Managers Clash
Hi Reader, Why don't product and project managers always see eye to eye? Sure, they might chat it up at the company BBQ or while waiting in line for coffee, but once the discussion shifts to the product pipeline or the project deliverables, things can get heated. Suddenly they're heading back to their desks, holding on tightly to their burgers or coffees with a side of frustration. But what if there can be a way for product and project managers to work together? What if we can align products...
Is Your Product a Project?
Hi Reader, I'm a fan of playing pinball. As a child growing up on a Northern Ontario island in Canada during the summer, there weren't many pinball machines around, and boredom often inspired creativity. On one rainy day, I decided to make my own pinball machine. I used an old box as the base, curled up wires for springs, cardboard pieces for the bumpers, and gumballs for the balls. To attach the springs to the toggles, I used partially chewed Bubblicious chewing gum. As the summer went on, I...
Are Happy Project Managers a Myth?
Hi Reader, Before entering the field of project management, I genuinely had no idea what the field was all about. Someone suggested I'd be a good fit for a project management position where I was working and encouraged me to apply. I promptly researched the Project Management Institute (PMI), found the contact information for a local chapter, and made a call. The person who answered was enthusiastic and shared insights about the role of project managers. When I asked if they were happy with...
With decades of experience managing all types of projects, we're ready to share our invaluable tips, tricks, and tidbits. Don't just tick boxes—master the art of managing people and projects. Sign up now!