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The articles here will help you to manage your IT projects effectively. Please feel free to comment and come back regularly for more.
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5 Useful, Free Websites
Posted by Cathryn in : Technology , 1 comment so farThe web is the best thing that ever happened to the IT project manager. Amazingly, many of the best things are free. Here are some of the ones I use regularly. (more…)
What do project managers do?
Posted by Cathryn in : Project Management , add a commentYou’re a Project Manager. Its been years since you cut any code, your chances of configuring a router or installing a complex piece of software are pretty low and the last time you actually built something it was using an antediluvian version of Oracle and C. Not C#, just plain old C. What on earth use are you to the project? (more…)
Linked In Answers
Posted by Cathryn in : Miscellaneous , add a commentLinked In is probably the most useful business networking site I use, as it has a good mix of independents, small businesses and corporates, and its a great way to keep track of former colleagues. It does have a downside in that, although you can set up a profile, there’s very little on the site to encourage people to interact beyond their immediate contacts. (more…)
Finding out about PRINCE2
Posted by Cathryn in : Project Management , 1 comment so farI, like most freelance IT project managers in the UK, am a certified PRINCE2 Practitioner. That means that I passed two exams, and have a reasonable grasp on the methodology. Although I’ve never actually worked in a company that used PRINCE2 formally, I’ve found it helpful to use elements of the method, and it’s good for project managers, customers and teams to have a common language for many of the ideas and documents used around project management.
This morning, a friend who is a Business Analyst asked how she could find out about it as she’s looking at some work in a company that uses it. (more…)
Agile Project Management using Scrum, by Ken Schwaber
Posted by Cathryn in : Book Reviews, Project Management , add a commentOn Monday, I start a new contract on a project that’s run using the Scrum methodology. That’s new for me, although many elements of it are familiar, so I picked up this book to help me prepare.
The book itself is clear, well written, and full of anecdotes that explain what can go wrong as well as what happens when it goes well, so its a good learning tool. I’d happily recommend it to anyone contemplating Scrum, or taking on a project that’s using it.
In Scrum team members, along with a ‘product owner’, similar to a Key User or Sponsor, agree the requirements which will be delivered in a single iteration of work or ‘Sprint’. That is kept short, to 3-4 weeks, so that there is a chance for everyone to review plans regularly. At the end of each Sprint, a full unit of work is delivered, ready to go live. The team works out how it will deliver each Sprint, with input but not formal control from the ScrumMaster, or project manager / team leader. Every day, the ScrumMaster holds a Daily Scrum, a quick meeting where everyone says what they’ve done yesterday, what they’re doing today and what the problems are. This is intended to bind the team together, make sure that everyone knows what’s going on and help is given to those who need it.
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More on the Ecademy story
Posted by Cathryn in : Miscellaneous , 3 commentsWell, its not just me who’s a little unhappy with Ecademy, as posts in The Register, and the rather excellent the world’s leading show.
Having had no explanation from Ecademy after a week, I terminated my membership today. It’s sad, because its a great idea, but customer service does need a little bit of work, methinks.
Technorati Tags: ecademy, social networks
Perils of online business networking
Posted by Cathryn in : Miscellaneous , add a commentIts a wonderful new, connected world, and a great way to do business. Whether its as simple as a google group, or a complex site with profiles, clubs, meeting calendars, personal messaging and search facilities, online social networking is the way the world is moving.
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Effective Project Team Meetings
Posted by Cathryn in : Project Management , add a commentRun well, Project Team meetings are a powerful tool for making sure everyone, including the project manager, understands where the project is and where its heading. Run badly, and they waste everyone’s time.
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Building My Website
Posted by Cathryn in : Technology , 1 comment so farA few weeks ago, I decided to revamp my website. You can see the results here, and, as a small aside from project management, I’d like to explain how I did it.
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Can the Team Really Give 110%?
Posted by Cathryn in : Project Management , 2 commentsOne of the major reasons projects fail and teams become frustrated with their project manager is planning for staff to spend 100% (or more!) of their time on the project.
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