New 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!