Do you work off a template or....?
What is your project management methodology or process?
Answers
I have used MS Project among other tools. The key is to have an ongoing refreshing of detailed goals against timelines report and to publish same within the project team meetings. I am a huge proponent of stand up meetings (trained in haz mat duty) and the enforcement of goal owner accountability.
HI Linda,
What do you think would be an advantage of using MS Project over, for instance, a Google Docs shared spreadsheet with responsibilities, goals, tasks, timeline etc? Thanks!
I noticed you tagged the question Strategic Planning as well as Project
1
Hi David,
Implementing projects already approved. Thanks!
Check out Basecamp from 37 Signals.
Much better than Google or shared spreadsheets!
I was exposed to Basecamp a couple of years ago, and have become a big fan. Have now implemented it in two companies.
Cloud-based, monthly charge based on number of projects - NOT number of users...which is unlimited. Two GUIs - classic with a few more features, or the newer graphic GUI with fewer features (more to come for sure) but works on all mobile platforms. Free 45-day trail. (I'm only a satisfied user - no relationships at all)
Anything to get away from email tumbleweed is a first step in the right direction!
I like FranklinCovey Co’s 4 Stage model: Initiate/Visualize, Plan, Execute/Control/Implement, and Closing/Evaluation. There are 2 Go/No Go checkpoints, one between Stage 1 and 2, and one between 2 and 3. These are aimed at mitigating false starts or pursuing project that do not have sufficient resources to achieve success. They also employ 2 Maps into the process: the Plan Map and the Vision Map.
If you’re looking for more of a textbook approach, try Harvard Business Essentials “Managing Projects Large and Small”. It’s not even 200 pages long, but packs a whallop!
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