All in Project Management

How I.T. Projects Are Selected Needs To Change, But How?

Dennis D. McDonald
Best Practices, Information Technology, Management, Management Tools, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Strategy
In “IT governance is killing innovation” Andrew Horne and Brian Foster argue that IT project selection needs to move beyond traditional capital investment based ROI measures. The authors think it is more appropriate to take into account project support for critical business capabilities and that such a focus will be much more supportive of innovation.
A Project Manager's Perspective on the GAO’s Federal Data Transparency Report

A Project Manager's Perspective on the GAO’s Federal Data Transparency Report

Dennis D. McDonald
Collaboration, Data Access, Governance, Project Management, Standards, Transparency
While improving data transparency for both financial and non-financial data is an important goal, any effort requiring an enterprise level shift in data formats or associated business processes can also require a substantial early peak in required resources. If in fact we need to delay implementing data transparency programs, perhaps we can use our time wisely by doing a more detailed job of research and planning.
Who Buys Strategy Consulting These Days?

Who Buys Strategy Consulting These Days?

Dennis D. McDonald
Best Practices, Business Models, Consulting, Innovation, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Strategy
“It seems there are two extreme situations where people buy high-end analytical strategy work. At one end of the spectrum you have a company that’s doing well, has money to spend, and is in the enviable position where management can afford to “sit back” and contemplate what to do next. At the other end of the spectrum you have the company that’s not doing well, has cash flow problems, is having a tough time making payroll, but management realizes it really needs to do something different and wants to have an outsider look rationally at the problem of what to do next.”
How Project Management Roles Impact Use of Mobile Technologies

How Project Management Roles Impact Use of Mobile Technologies

Dennis D. McDonald
Collaboration, Post-smartphone, Project Management, Smartphone, Tablet, Usability
A project manager has a certain set of responsibilities and authorities, a project task leader has another, and a temporary member of a specific task team will have yet another. How individuals performing these roles interact with the project plan, with other project team members, and with project stakeholders and clients will influence — and be influenced by — how mobile technologies can support project management, communication, and collaboration.

What I'd like to see in a mobile project management app

Dennis D. McDonald
Collaboration, Mobile, Mobile Tech, Project Management, Smartphone, Tablet
One assumption is that a core set of project planning and task assignment information exists that can serve as a baseline model for structuring how data are organized, displayed and updated. Regarding the last point: the app needs to have the ability not just to organize and display information, it also needs to make it easy for participants to update and report status on actions and deliverables.
Outline of a Sequestration & Project Management Research Program

Outline of a Sequestration & Project Management Research Program

Dennis D. McDonald
Metrics, Project Management, Sequestration
I’ve been researching how the federal budget sequester is impacting federal projects and project managers. In “Mitigation of Sequestration Impacts on Project Management” I suggested that not all Federal programs are able to quickly assess and reconfigure ongoing projects in the face of sequestration-related uncertainties, so I’ve given some thought to …
More Thoughts on the Budget Sequester's Impact on Project Budgets

More Thoughts on the Budget Sequester's Impact on Project Budgets

Dennis D. McDonald
Cost Analysis, Project Management, R&D Management, Sequestration
In A Project Manager’s Perspective on the Cost Impacts of the “Sequester” I suggested that an unintended consequence of the US government’s budget “Sequester” might be that some ongoing projects will end up costing more than originally planned because of the effect lengthening a project schedule can have on a project’s budget.
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