Why Projects Fail? Part 1In April 2009 the National Audit Office published a report that declared the failure of the original C-NOMIS and described how the project had demonstrated seven out of the eight primary causes of project failure. C-NOMIS has now been re-scoped and is earmarked for delivery in 2011. However, important questions remain regarding the way in which the project was managed, the length of time for which mis-management of the project was tolerated, and the value-for-money that can be expected from vast government programmes of this kind.
Seven Principles of ISEB Software TestingISEB Software Testing Foundation training courses introduce students to the fundamentals of software testing, including the reasons for carrying out tests, basic test processes and the general principles that underpin testing good practice. Knowing these principles, and understanding how they affect the software tester, is crucial to passing the ISEB Software Testing Foundation exam.
The Principles of Risk ManagementEvery project manager and business leader needs to be aware of the practices and principles of effective risk management. Understanding how to identify and treat risks to an organisation, a programme or a project can save unnecessary difficulties later on, and will prepare managers and team members for any unavoidable incidences or issues.
Critical Path Software TrainingCreating a realistic schedule is a key responsibility of any project manager. This schedule must be updated regularly throughout the duration of the project to ensure that the project manager is aware of any issues or delays that might affect the product delivery date. Too many delays can lead to additional expense, customer dissatisfaction and project failure.
Time management skills: the keys to successThe blessed few seem to glide through their working day, ticking off their daily tasks and contentedly dealing with all the interruptions that come their way. These were the kids who always handed in their science homework a day ahead of schedule, and never forgot their calculator for maths.
5 ways to improve your body languageYour body language is an integral part of your interpersonal skills. Understanding and controlling how you use your body to communicate is essential to working in a team, managing your staff, contributing to meetings and confronting difficult colleagues.
The Fundamentals of Software Testing'The Fundamentals of Software Testing' is the first module of the ISEB Software Testing Foundation course and examination syllabus. ISEB recommend that Software Testing Foundation students spend 20% of their study time on the Software Testing Fundamentals course section. 'The Fundamentals of Software Testing' is also the title of the opening chapter in the official ISEB Software Testing manual.
IT Infrastructure Library: an IntroductionITIL stands for IT Infrastructure Library, the most comprehensive collection of documents intended to provide support and advice regarding IT Service Management. It began in the 1980s, when the CCTA (now the Office of Government Commerce) was charged with developing a more efficient method for managing IT Services. Today ITIL is the most widely-recognised sources of best practices, guidelines and qualifications within the IT Service Management industry.
ITIL v.2 or ITIL v.3?ITIL v.2 was released in 2001 and lasted until 30th May 2007, when it was officially replaced by ITIL v.3. This essentially meant the publication of five new 'core' guides and the introduction of new, credit-based ITIL qualifications. However, the ITIL v.2 books are still available in print and online format from TSO (the official ITIL publishers), and the ITIL v.2 qualifications are still offered and recognised as industry standards.
Programme Management ExplainedAlan Harpham, Chairman of the APM Group, defines Programme Management as:
'A set of related projects with a common strategic goal or aim.'
What are your Job Prospects with MSP?I have never yet encountered a student of Managing Successful Programmes who was on the course for fun. Everybody who trains in MSP wants a programme management career, and pretty much everybody who takes the MSP examinations is determined enough to get there.
Governance Themes in MSPOne key element of the Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) methodology is the concept of Governance Themes. These nine themes constitute a governance or control framework for programme management. The MSP manual presents guidance for handling each theme in the form of 'Best Practices', which have been developed through consultation with professional programme and project managers.
Critical Path Method - What is it and how can it help you?The CPM (Critical Path Method) is a way of organising the necessary steps to project completion. It enables you to assess task priority, resources required and possible shortcuts.
What are PRINCE2TM Best Practices?The experienced Project Managers who came up with (and are continuously developing and improving) the PRINCE2TM Project Management methodology came up with eight 'best practices,' or 'components', i.e.:
The 8 practices that maximise your chances of project success.
The Importance of Communication in Project Management'Since I didn't hear otherwise, I ASSUMED all was going well' - The Importance of Communication in Project Management
Second on Rick Klemm's list of things most commonly overheard on a failing software project, this remark is characteristic of Project Managers who are not in frequent and efficient communication with their staff.
Communication is key to successful Project Management.
All Change: Getting into Project ManagementNobody stays in one career all their life nowadays. Some go from teaching into law. Nurses enter the police force. Actors become politicians.
Project Management offers the greatest opportunity for a career change. Demanding and rewarding in equal measure, it draws on transferable skills rather than industry specialisation.
Who is Managing Your Career?Career management is, ironically, one of the biggest challenges facing today's Project Managers.
According to a survey conducted by Parity, 64% of organisations consider project management skills to be the most important for their employers to learn. 72% intend to invest in project management training for their employees.
Writing an Unbeatable Business CaseA Project Brief describes what needs to be done. The Project Plan explains how you are going to do it. The Business Case gives the reasons why.
Project Management - the Career for You?Project Management is an increasingly popular career choice for young graduates. According to statistics produced by the Middlesex University National Centre for Project Management, 1.5 - 2 million people earn their living as Project Managers in the UK alone.
Passing the PRINCE2 Practitioner ExamThe PRINCE2 Practitioner Exam tests understanding of the PRINCE2 terminology and principles, as well as the ability to apply, analyse and evaluate the PRINCE2 method within given project situations. It is aimed at those who aspire to, or already have, responsibility for project management.
Applied Software Project Management Book Reviewby Andrew Stellman and Jennifer Greene
O'Reilly, ISBN 0-596-00948-8.
If you're a software professional, you'll learn something practical from this great new book by Andrew Stellman and Jennifer Greene. Applied Software Project Management describes typical problems that software teams face, and importantly provide answers that can be applied painlessly on any project. This book is essential r
Project Management Success with the Top 7 Best PracticesWhether planning your wedding, developing a new website or building your dream house by the sea you need to employ project management techniques to help you succeed. This article summarises 7 key project management best practices to help you achieve project success.
Project management best practicesAs both an active project manager and a project management trainer, people often ask me what are the fundamental aspects to successful project management. Whilst there have been many great books written on the subject, I always summarise what I believe to be the best practices at the heart of good project management.
Managing small projectsAs both an active project manager and project management trainer, I often get asked whether the project management best practices that are applicable for large projects can be applied on smaller projects. This is a really important question and one which all project managers must face up to when managing small projects.
