You may be familiar with the phrase “work smarter, not harder”, but what does that really mean in project management? Many project managers find themselves under a lot of pressure to deliver increasingly challenging outputs to very tight timescales, and as a result can end up putting in long hour...

No matter how carefully you plan things, surprises always happen. As project managers we need to ensure we are effectively managing our budgets and spending the money in a responsible manner whilst stilldelivering high quality results. Despite all the strategies and tools at our disposal, there...

Getting into project management can be tough, and if you’re new to this game chances are you’re already feeling a little nervous about your first projects. New project managers need to cope with the multiple demands of project management, as well as being able to walk the tightrope between keepin...

How did you get to be a project manager? Chances are it wasn’t a straight step from education into project management unless you are one of the rare breed to have completed a degree in project management; and it may even have been that you never dreamed that this would be your chosen career. Many...

Producing a high quality project depends on many factors, and maintaining control over quality whilst also sticking to timescales and budget is a challenge every project manager has to face. Knowing how to control the quality of your project from the outset is critical in achieving excellence, so...

All project managers know that communication skills form the backbone of their ability to succeed in their roles. With communication channels spidering out from your project in all directions, to stakeholders, teammembers, managers and more, it makes sense to ensure you excel when it comes to com...

The first steps towards what we now recognise as agile project management strategies were developed back in 1986, when two product development managers, Takeuchi and Nonaka, published an article in the Harvard business review called the “New New Product Development Game”. In the article, the two ...

If you are already in project management, you’ll know how easy it is to get sucked into the tasks and stresses of day to day project activities and to leave self-development and improvement by the wayside because you are so busy. However, if you neglect your own personal development too much you ...

How often in your shy youth were you advised to be more assertive in your approach to people? Today, just how confident do you think you are in your persuasion techniques? And yet persuasiveness is just as important a skill for a project manager as good time management or organizational skills.

You may feel like a juggler when the workload pressure’s on in project management. Having to keep several balls in the air at the same time as you beaver away on several projects can be a tricky business. The advice is - never panic. In fact, you can actually enjoy the experience if you plan it r...