Project in Trouble?

Despite all of our best efforts, some projects end up in trouble and they need to be ‘saved’ or ‘shut down’! Making the ‘shut down’ decision is very difficult but must be considered once a project that is in trouble is identified.  Some of the questions I have used in the past to determine whetherContinue reading “Project in Trouble?”

What do seven Y’s spell??

REQUIREMENTS! When someone tells you they have a need, you should be able to investigate that original statement with about seven (7) Why’s before they get bored or frustrated with your interest. I need a daily spending report! Why Daily? Why only spending? Why only ONE day? Why not a Rolling Daily Report of 5Continue reading “What do seven Y’s spell??”

What Users Say Translated to Software Engineering!

I need a report that shows me how much I spent yesterday! Not an atypical ‘requirement’ from a business users’ point of view, huh?  What do you as a Software Engineer DO with this and similar statements? Let’s start with a couple of questions that we can use to expand and clarify on a statementContinue reading “What Users Say Translated to Software Engineering!”

The First 90 Days

When I have been asked what I would do in the first 90 days of a new project as the Project Manager, my responses have typically included some or all of the following as a “Self-Orientation Start Up Plan”: 1) Gather the latest project documentation available from the following sources: a) Portfolio Management files forContinue reading “The First 90 Days”

Ever Present Project Management Risks

Every project has Risks associated with the delivery of the Business Solution. These need to be discovered as part of the Project Submission process and continue to be anticipated and discovered during the ultimate execution and delivery of the requested business solution. However, I also believe there are Project Management Risks that are inherent inContinue reading “Ever Present Project Management Risks”

Modeling for Money!

One of the basic principles of Software Engineering is the creation of visual models to demonstrate the project team’s understanding of the discoveries we are collecting from the users who are driving our discussions. The type of drawings were proscribed by several authors of the time but regardless of the style of the drawing, theyContinue reading “Modeling for Money!”