New project management articles published on the web during the week of October 17 – 23. And this week’s video: Adam Grant’s TED Talk on the surprising habits of original thinkers and how to recognize them. Just 15 minutes, safe for work.

Must read!

• Kailash Awati case studies two examples of sensemaking using data science from two hackathons.
• Alison DeNisco summarizes a report from Accenture and Girls Who Code that indicates the gender gap in tech is getting worse. But insights show how we can reverse the trend.
• Andy Jordan points out a trend: some PM’s are feeling slighted because they get the “maintenance” projects while their peers get the strategic projects.

Established Methods

• Suraj Chatrath notes that improving requirements gathering can reduce risk.
• Elizabeth Harrin tells how to properly take over a project from someone else.
• David Cotgreave asks, “What does the P in your PMO stand for?”
• Harry Hall shares a project plan checklist, because there’s more to planning than just creating a Gantt chart.
• Moira Alexander explains the basics of remote project management.
• Grace Windsor lists seven factors to include in your project health check.

Agile Methods

• Stefan Wolpers contributes his weekly round-up of Agile articles, job posts, and news items.
• Bart Gerardi explains various Agile approaches to dealing with delivery dates.
• Vrushali Umbarkar describes the transition from a waterfall-style requirements tracability matrix to an Agile test backlog.
• Derek Huether coins a new term: Karaoke Agile. Because some folks are just going through the motions.

Applied Leadership

• Art Petty notes that “traditional” management methods (think 1990’s) can stifle creativity.
• John Goodpasture contemplates the notion of leading with “microknowledge.”
• Maria Molfino presents interview excerpts from conversations with seven strong, creative women, with links to the complete interviews.
• John Carroll maps the Taoist teachings about four types of leaders to project managers.
• Coert Vissar refers to recent research that casts doubt on our understanding of willpower and ego depletion.

Technology and Techniques

• Kevin Marks explains why text on a mobile web browser is harder to read, and explores the physics that might hold the key to better design alternatives.
• Rahul Razdan campaigns for the use of Big Data in improving design.
• Brendan Toner reviews the Wacom Slate – a clipboard that digitizes whatever you write and can even convert your lousy handwriting to text.

Working and the Workplace

• Thomas Carney examines why it’s so hard for us to focus our attention when doing really hard tasks.
• Bruce Harpham review “Smartcuts: How Hackers, Innovators, and Icons Accelerate Success,” by Shane Snow.
• Suzanne Lucas explains why there are certain questions you shouldn’t ask in a job interview. And provides ten examples.
• Jessica Stillman recaps nine techniques to improve your ability to get to sleep and get the most out of the hours you spend sawing those logs (snoring, for you non-Americans).

Enjoy!