Project Management War Stories

PM War Stories #52 - Strategic Management Office (SMO) - Aligning Tactical Objectives with Strategic Goals

Download PMW_0052_SMO_Aligning_Goals.mp3 (12.4 MB)

Small and medium enterprises (SME) typically are lean, agile organizations. On one hand, functional managers of SMEs often wear multiple hats and are focused on executing the day-to-day operations to ensure their organization’s survival. On the other hand, the executives of SMEs are charged with creating a strategic vision and executing on that vision to ensure the long-term viability of the organization. And oh by the way depending on the size of the organization, the executives may also be working in the trenches as well to maximize the chances to achieve success. 

Like their larger brethren, success requires SMEs to be able to not only articulate the strategic goals of the organization, but also to capture and implement them at all levels of the enterprise to ensure that all projects, not matter how small or large, are aligned to the enterprise’s overall strategy. The lack of a middle management layer in SMEs, however, often means that there is no one in the organization to help translate the vision of the executives into operational terms so that the entire enterprise and all of its projects (i.e., tactical activities) are working in concert to achieve the same common set of goals.

Strategic management offices (SMO) represent one approach to help SMEs align their tactical operations with their strategic planning, bridging the gap between the operations management and the executive suite while optimizing resource management and minimizing waste.

In this episode, we will examine what makes strategy implementation so difficult in SMEs, what is an SMO, and how does an SMO differ from a project management office (PMO).

To do this, Wayne Thompson sits down with his friend and colleague, Michael Kamel, who will be sharing his insights and war stories on aligning operational activities with strategic planning in small and medium enterprises.

 

Music Notes

1.     The opening of the show – “Highlight Reel”

2.     The closing of the show – “Redondo Beach”

 

PM War Stories #51 - Salvaging Failed Projects

Download PMW_0051_Salvaging_Projects.mp3 (6.4 MB)

Succesful project managers recognize the importance of risk managment to deal with the 'known unknowns' and the 'unknown unknowns' that can impact the success of a project. Sometimes though, the best laid plans go to waste. When they do, the creative (and timely) thinking of the project manager may represent the difference between project failure and salvaging the outcome of the project in a way that may actually exceed its original goals.

In this episode, we will explore the mishaps of the US army transport Liberty ship torpedoed in Bali by the Japanese in WWII and how creative thinking salvaged the original purpose of the ship into something greater. This story also exemplifies the reality of uncertainty and risk when embarking on a project.

Music Notes

1.     The opening of the show – “Kickflip”

2.     The closing of the show – “Lazy Day”

 

PM War Stories #50 - Presentation Tips for Project Managers

Download PMW_0050_Presentation_Tips.mp3 (4.7 MB)

As project managers, we are continually making presentations – whether it's informally at internal team meetings or formally to steering committees, project sponsors, or to external stakeholders or clients. Yet many project managers don’t include presentation skills training in their annual sign-up letters or professional development plans.

Here’s 10 tips to help project managers make more effective presentations.

1. Know your audience.
2. Words matter. 
3. Provide a roadmap.
4. Time management.
5. Weave in examples whenever possible.
6. Make it interactive.
7. The slides are not the presentation.
8. Speak with conviction.
9. Socialize your presentation with key stakeholders in advance.
10. Be prepared for questions.

Well I hope you enjoyed these tips and would encourage you to share your own by posting comments on our website or emailing them to pmwarstories@gmail.com.

Music Notes

1.     The opening of the show – “Torn Jeans”

2.     The closing of the show – “Lazy Day”

 

 

PM War Stories #49 - PMO Performance and Behavior

Download PMW_0049_Perf_and_Behavior.mp3 (19.5 MB)

As PMOs have evolved and matured, they have augmented their competencies to include things like vendor management and risk management in their portfolio of processes.  Additionally, they have developed skills and capabilities to handle complex project situations and balance project portfolios in the face of ever changing organizational and business environments. Many PMOs have now reached a point where an increase in performance means “Just work harder”.

But given the implementation of process improvements, best practices, etc., PMOs are facing barriers to improvement. Organizational dynamics and organizational effectiveness may represent an untapped opportunity for PMOs to enhance performance.

In this episode, I’m sitting down with my friend and colleague, Mel Bost, to discuss the relationships among PMO structure, behavior, and performance.

We invite you to answer this question: Do you think PMO structure influences behavior which in turn drives performance? Let us know your thoughts at pmwarstories[at]gmail[dot]com.

Music Notes
1.     The opening of the show – “Perspectives”
2.     The closing of the show – “Lazy Day”

 

Technical difficulties resolved

Apologies to our loyal listeners. We were unable to publish our podcast in June due to technical difficulties. We are pleased to report that the problem has been resolved.

Originally we were going to publish a two part series on PMO performance and behavior with Mel Bost in June and July. To get things back on track, we are going to publish it as a single podcast in July. We thank you for your patience and support.

 

PM War Stories #48 - Three Guiding Principles for Project Managers

Download PMW_0048_Guiding_Principles.mp3 (5.8 MB)

In this episode, I share three principles that have helped me throughout my career.

Let’s face it, as project managers time, scope, and budget are often much easier to manage than the people associated with our projects. How effective your people skills are, can impact the fluidity and success of a project. So here’s 3 principles to keep in mind during your next project.

1. Never eat at a place called mom's;
2. Never play poker with a man named doc; and
3. Never get into a fight with someone who has more scars than you.

I hope you enjoyed these principles and encourage you to share your own principles by posting comments below or emailing them to pmwarstories(at)gmail(dot)com.

Music Notes
1.     The opening of the show – “Torn Jeans”
2.     The closing of the show – “Lazy Day”

 

PM War Stories #47 - Best Practices in Project Lessons Learned, Part 2

Download PMW_0047_Lessons_Learned_p2.mp3 (19.6 MB)

In this episode, I’m sitting down with my friend and colleague, Mel Bost in part two of a two part series on project lessons learned.

Mel has over 30 years of project management experience and authors the blog Mel Bost PMO Expert which summarizes successful behaviors of project managers working in a PMO setting as well as the structure and actions of a real PMO. Today Mel will be sharing his experiences and insights on the project lessons learned.

Music Notes
1.     The opening of the show – “Catwalk”
2.     Interview with the industry insider – “Wild Card”      
3.     The closing of the show – “Lazy Day”

PM War Stories #46 - Best Practices in Project Lessons Learned, Part 1

Download PMW_0046_Lessons_Learned_p1.mp3 (17.6 MB)

In this episode, I’m sitting down with my friend and colleague, Mel Bost in part one of a two part series on project lessons learned.

Mel has over 30 years of project management experience and authors the blog Mel Bost PMO Expert which summarizes successful behaviors of project managers working in a PMO setting as well as the structure and actions of a real PMO. Today Mel will be sharing his experiences and insights on the project lessons learned.

Music Notes
1.     The opening of the show – “Highlight Reel”
2.     Interview with the industry insider – “Sprightly”      
3.     The closing of the show – “Yearbook”

PM War Stories #45 - Innovative Approaches to Define Business Requirements, Part 2

Download PMW_0045_Design_Thinking.mp3 (16.3 MB)

In this episode, I’m sitting down with my friend and colleague, Mel Bost in part two of a two part series on innovative approaches to successfully define business requirements.

Mel has over 30 years of project management experience and authors the blog Mel Bost PMO Expert which summarizes successful behaviors of project managers working in a PMO setting as well as the structure and actions of a real PMO. Today Mel will be sharing his experiences and insights on the power of design thinking.

Music Notes
1.     The opening of the show – “Kickflip”
2.     Interview with the industry insider – “Sprightly”      
3.     The closing of the show – “Yearbook”

PM War Stories #44 - Innovative Approaches to Define Business Requirements, Part 1

Download PMW_0044_Biz_Reqs.mp3 (21.5 MB)

In this episode, I’m sitting down with my friend and colleague, Mel Bost in part one of a two part series on innovative approaches to successfully define business requirements.

Mel has over 30 years of project management experience and authors the blog Mel Bost PMO Expert  based on his own experiences in developing and maturing PMO organizations with several major Fortune 500 companies.  Mel’s blog summarizes successful behaviors of project managers working in a PMO setting as well as the structure and actions of a real PMO. Today Mel will be sharing his experiences and insights on taking innovative approaches to successfully defining business requirements, including the power of design thinking.

Music Notes
1.     The opening of the show – “Collins Avenue”
2.     Interview with the industry insider – “Offroad”      
3.     The closing of the show – “Yearbook”