Category Archives for Project Management Tools and Techniques
What is Release Management? | Video
Projects – especially IT projects – need to release new software into a live environment.
So, what is Release Management?
Dr Mike Clayton is founder of OnlinePMCourses.com.
Here, he answers this question, in under 5 minutes.
Project Estimation: Master the Tools and Techniques
There are two reasons why Project Estimation is a big deal for project managers. First, it’s extremely hard to do well. And second, poor estimates are often a primary reason for a project cost or schedule over-run.
So, in this article, we’ll take a careful look at project estimation, to help you learn how to master the art and craft of doing it well.
What is CPM (Critical Path Method)? | Video
The Critical Path Method (CPM) is one of the core planning and control methodologies that project managers use. So, what is the Critical Path Method?
So, what is the Critical Path Method?
And what is Critical Path Analysis (CPA)?
Dr Mike Clayton is founder of OnlinePMCourses.com.
Here, he answers this question, in under 5 minutes.
What is Kanban? | Video
Kanban originated in the manufacturing sector. But, recently, it has become a popular approach to managing projects. This is especially as it has been developed into an Agile Project Management methodology. So, what is Kanban?
So, what is Kanban?
Dr Mike Clayton is founder of OnlinePMCourses.com.
Here, he answers this question, in under 5 minutes.
Why the Stage Gate Process will Make You a Better Project Manager
The Stage Gate Process gets too little love from Project Managers. Yet it has the potential to transform your project management, deliver more successful projects, and make you a better project manager.
A Stage Gate is also known by many other names:
- Phase Gate (PMBOK 6th Edition)
- Gateway (PRINCE2)
- Boundary Gate (most pleasing expression of the metaphor)
- Gate, or Toll-gate
- Go / No-go Review (literal name)
- Kill Point (severely deprecated by OnlinePMCourses)
In a Stage Gate process, you break your project into stages, or phases. Each stage ends with a gate. And the metaphor is simple: you don’t complete the stage and cross to the next one, until you pass through the gate. So, at each stage gate, the project’s decision-makers review your project against a set of criteria.
Using the information you make available, they decide whether to:
- Continue the project to its next stage
- Repeat work (stay in the stage), for resubmission for Stage Gate Review
- Stop the project
- Require changes before it proceeds
- Place the project on hold (very rarely)
In this article, we look at why a stage gate process will enhance your project management, and how to make it work.
What is Change Control? | Video
When shift happens, you need to deal with the changes. And, if there’s one thing a project manager craves, above all else, it’s control.
So, What is Change Control?
Dr Mike Clayton is founder of OnlinePMCourses.com.
Here, he answers this question, in under 5 minutes.
What is a RAG Report? | Video
RAG Report, or Traffic Light Report. It is widely used by project managers and it stands for Red Amber Green.
So, What is a RAG Report?
Dr Mike Clayton is founder of OnlinePMCourses.com.
Here, he answers this question, in under 5 minutes.
What is a PERT Chart? | Video
When it comes to project planning and estimation, there are a few ‘go-to’ tools that every project manager should know, and one of them is the PERT Method.
So, what is a PERT Chart?
Dr Mike Clayton is founder of OnlinePMCourses.com.
Here, he answers this question, in under 5 minutes.
What is MOSCOW Analysis? | Video
Scoping is the hardest part of Project Management. Luckily we have a great tool to use called MOSCOW Analysis.
So what is MOSCOW Analysis?
Dr Mike Clayton is founder of OnlinePMCourses.com.
Here, he answers this question, in under 5 minutes.
How Project Risk Management will Make You a Better PM
Risk is inherent in the nature of a project. So, that makes project risk management a central part of the project management toolset.
Don’t think of it as an add-on. Nor even as a discipline in its own right. Instead, it’s best to regard risk management as a thread that runs through the heart of project management.
I tend to agree with Tim Lister’s often re-quoted statement that:
‘Risk Management is Project Management for Grown-Ups’
What I take from this is that, when you understand how projects work, and can manage a basic project effectively, you will increasingly use project risk management as your primary framework for controlling your project.
