New PM Articles for the Week of November 16 – 22

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New BalloonNew project management articles published on the web during the week of November 16 – 22. We give you a high-level view so you can read what interests you. Recommended:

Must read!

  • Michel Dion advocates for informal communication, as 75% or more of the communication on a project.
  • Sreenivas Kunapuli describes what might be the first new contract type in decades: the pre-paid staffing model.
  • Paul Ritchie points out the value of a PMO in mergers and divestitures. Having been through more than a few myself, I agree completely.

Established Methods

  • Elizabeth Harrin interviews Brett Harned on how his project teams use Slack as a communication platform.
  • Lindsey Patterson reviews the technology and techniques available for maintaining communications with team members working away from the office.
  • Gina Abudi tells how to handle that rare problem of an overly-engaged project sponsor.
  • Wanda Curlee briefs us on this year’s PMO symposium in Phoenix, from the perspective of a portfolio manager.
  • Adam Shostack finds new information security wisdom in a relatively old book: Henry Petroski’s “The Evolution of Useful Things.”
  • Dave Wakeman explains how to mix innovation in with a structured approach to project management.
  • Jeff Collins details the steps to close out a project.
  • Kerry Wills says that action items need a date, so he schedules a meeting to get an update from the person assigned to the action.

Agile Methods

  • Mike Cohn says there is value in the work not assigned. It gives people a chance to step up and lead.
  • Glen Alleman shares an incredibly long Agile-at-Scale reading list.
  • Johanna Rothman begins a series: how long are your Scrum iterations?
  • Bruce Harpham provides a quick introduction to user stories, as a mechanism for identifying requirements.
  • Derek Huether on choosing an Agile framework: “Look for a framework that looks like a potential organizational end-state.”

Applied Leadership

  • Cornelius Fichtner interviews Jack Ferraro on his paper, “Measure Twice, Change Once: Practical Strategies for Change Management.” Just 32 minutes, safe for work.
  • Mike Clayton summarizes recent research into resistance to change.
  • Colin Ellis says the best thing about project management is “Knowing that you brought a team of people together and collectively created something special.”
  • Coert Visser observes that letting go of our limiting beliefs is necessary in order to play a positive role in the world.
  • John Goodpasture has some advice for the introvert attending a conference.
  • Elise Stevens interviews John Hinwood on stress addiction: “Stress acts in the same brain regions as other addictive substances.” Just 22 minutes, safe for work.

 

Enjoy!