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Project Management Articles, Whitepapers, Point of View Papers and Survey Reports

These resources also cover Business Analysis, Programme Management, Business Skills, Contract Management and the PMO

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Article     Industry report    ESI Viewpoint    Whitepaper

FULL SURVEY - The Global State of the PMO: Its Value, Effectiveness and Role as the Hub of Training ‑ May 2011

This study is based upon research conducted from a quantitative survey of senior level project and programme managers from a variety of industries around the world with a total of 3,740 respondents. Over 45 percent of those surveyed were PMO staff while nearly 37 percent were non-PMO staff. Only 18 percent reported not having a PMO at all.

If Your Business Cases Focus Solely on ROI Your Organisation Could Be Funding All the Wrong Projects ‑ Mar 2011

Crafting a business case that shows a strong return on investment can be powerful, but those numbers alone do not tell the whole story about a project’s potential impact.

An Inch or a Mile? Proven Practices in Measuring Learning Impact ‑ Jan 2011

In today’s learning environment, learning and development (L&D) professionals continue to be challenged with the impact learning has on an individual or a business initiative. This paper will explore the most riveting and emerging topics that L&D professionals face and how measurement is playing a role in aiding them in demonstrating the impact of learning. Eight initiatives are discussed where measuring can be a catalyst for positive change.

The Value of Contract Management Fundamentals for Every Project Manager ‑ Jan 2011

The manager of today must know about procurement and contracts. In short, there is a new tool in the managers’ tool kits – contract management! This article considers some of the components of procurement and contract management that must be mastered.

Top 10 Project Management Trends for 2011 from ESI International ‑ Jan 2011

ESI International revealed their Top 10 Global Project Management Trends for 2011. As project management gains momentum within organisations, any changes in the industry will have a massive impact upon the way businesses operate in 2011. Key themes include building the project manager’s (PM) influence, accelerating new leadership and communication skills, and increased use of informal learning approaches such as social media and experiential training. A global panel of consultants and senior executives assembled by ESI identified the trends.

Top 10 Business Analysis Trends for 2011 from ESI International ‑ Jan 2011

ESI International reveals their Top 10 Global Business Analysis Trends for 2011. To achieve organisational goals within the fast paced, highly demanding business environment of 2011, within requirements management and development (RMD) – also known as business analysis – a better balance between technical and soft skills will separate the leaders from the rest of the pack. Key themes include business analysis as a guide for cloud computing and business analysis as a central success component to change management. A global panel of consultants and senior executives from ESI International identified these trends.

Watch Glenn R. Brûlé present the “the Top 10 Business Analyis Tends for 2011” on YouTubeYou Tube.

 

Project Management
  • Agile Project Mangement Is Not Just a Change in Methods - It is a Shift in Metrics and Mindset ‑ Jan 2011
    As the Agile Project Management approach becomes more mainstream, organisations considering its implementation are deluged with questions.
  • Metrics for Agile Projects - Finding the Right Tools for the Job ‑ Jan 2011
    This informative paper will provide best practices project managers should use to expand the use of the metrics at their disposal to fine-tune the progress they are showing on their agile projects.
  • Top 10 Project Management Trends for 2011 from ESI International ‑ Jan 2011
    ESI International revealed their Top 10 Global Project Management Trends for 2011. As project management gains momentum within organisations, any changes in the industry will have a massive impact upon the way businesses operate in 2011. Key themes include building the project manager’s (PM) influence, accelerating new leadership and communication skills, and increased use of informal learning approaches such as social media and experiential training. A global panel of consultants and senior executives assembled by ESI identified the trends.
  • Successful Solutions Through Agile Project Management ‑ Nov 2010
    Today’s business climate is both dynamic and complex. Management faces changing requirements and increasing demands, as well as tight budgets and fast turnaround demands. Organisations are struggling to do more with less — fewer resources, including less money, and, in many cases a reduced workforce. Therefore, it is essential to optimise every aspect of business, particularly project management.
  • Is Project Management a Core Skill and No Longer a Niche Capability? ‑ Oct 2010
    Project management is fast becoming the preferred way for companies to get things done. In a global economy, project management makes a company more competitive than other traditional methods of managing work.
  • Think of Risk Management as Competitive Advantage ‑ Mar 2010
    Whether buying or selling outsourced products or services, organisations cannot afford not to have a risk management plan in place.
  • Comparing the Differences and Complementary features of PRINCE2 and the PMI PMBOK Guide ‑ Sep 2009
    PRINCE2 is the UK Government’s structured project management method. PMI stands for the Project Management Institute producing guidance on project management documented in the "Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge" - hence the PMI PMBOK Guide
  • Getting Energised About Risk ‑ Sep 2009
    The real issue is not how to get rid of risk, but rather how to manage it. And, although that takes a lot of time and energy, perhaps new perspectives can be gained if risk is looked at from a project life cycle perspective.
  • Recognising Project Warning Signs Part 2 ‑ Jun 2009
    Recognising and recovering troubled projects is currently one of the hottest subjects in project management circles. But wouldn’t it be great if you could predict the future by recognising project warning signs before...
  • Recognising Project Warning Signs ‑ Jun 2009
    We see warning signs every day, such as “Wet paint” or “Road Ends in Water.” Such signs are common reminders to be careful. The earlier we heed their advice, the better off we’ll be because time is a resource when ...
  • Enterprise Analysis - Building a Foundation from the Top Down ‑ Mar 2009
    Keep the pace and reap the benefits - examine the step-by-step process of identifying and analysing potential solutions to business needs.
  • The Change Management Life Cycle ‑ Oct 2008
    Every organisation is affected by change. Still, organisational change initiatives fail at an alarming rate. This is because most initiatives fail to consider how changes affect the people in an organisation.
Programme/Portfolio Management
  • The Project Manager Perspective on Project Portfolio Management Effectiveness ‑ Mar 2009
    Organizations rely on project portfolio management (PPM) to evaluate, prioritize, approve, implement and manage projects to meet their strategic and financial goals. This study provides an analysis of PPM maturity and challenges within organizations around the globe from the project and program manager level. Its unique, bottom-up perspective offers insight into the factors that lead to successful implementation of strategic direction.
  • Delivering Successful Programmes ‑ Mar 2008
    The rapid pace of innovation and the increasing level of management, stakeholder and customer expectations demand that organisations re-assess how they do business. Programme management, which PMI® defines as “a group of related projects managed in a coordinated way to obtain benefits and control not available from managing them individually,” is key to executing major strategic initiatives. Unfortunately, many organisations are ill-equipped to manage larger-scale programmes. This paper describes 10 vital steps of programme management that must be done right in order for organisations to successfully deliver the benefits of change initiatives. The steps, which may be performed by a programme manager or by others within the organisation, together address the three overarching responsibilities of the programme manager: effective governance, stakeholder management and benefits management.
PMO
  • FULL SURVEY - The Global State of the PMO in 2011: Its Value, Effectiveness and Role as the Hub of Training ‑ May 2011
    This study is based upon research conducted from a quantitative survey of senior level project and programme managers from a variety of industries around the world with a total of 3,740 respondents. Over 45 percent of those surveyed were PMO staff while nearly 37 percent were non-PMO staff. Only 18 percent reported not having a PMO at all.
  • SUMMARY - The Global State of the PMO: Its Value, Effectiveness and Role as the Hub of Training ‑ May 2011
    Across numerous industries and in every region of the world, businesses have endeavoured to boost their overall performance in project and programme management. A central element of their strategy has been to establish and continually expand their Project/Programme Management Office (PMO). A PMO is defined as an organisational body through which businesses deploy project management. As a means to an end, rather than an end itself, many PMOs take on a strategic, objectives-oriented role while other implementations tend to be more tactical in nature. Regardless of the approach, the same questions apply.
  • Taking Your PMO to the Next Level: Four Steps to Value Improvement ‑ Jun 2010
    In today’s economy, every company and organisation is struggling to do more with less, and performance is paramount. This is true for public and private sector entities, as well as for non-profits. Which is why, in order to prevail in lean times, it is essential to optimise every operation of your organisation, especially the project management office (PMO).
  • The Challenges to Success for Project and Programme Management Offices ‑ Mar 2009
    This study sought to assess the impact and significance of the PMO within organisations, to discover the challenges they have faced, and measures they have attempted to overcome them. The results provide insight into the issues that may benefit PMOs as they undertake their mission to improve organisational performance, particularly in the current economic environment.
Organisational Improvement
Leadership and Communications
  • Eight Times to Abandon E -mail ‑ Nov 2008
    As busy project managers manage their precious personal and project schedules, they look for any means to save time and money. The need to do this is amplified by the economic conditions present today.
Business Analysis
  • Top 10 Business Analysis Trends for 2011 from ESI International ‑ Jan 2011
    ESI International reveals their Top 10 Global Business Analysis Trends for 2011. To achieve organisational goals within the fast paced, highly demanding business environment of 2011, within requirements management and development (RMD) – also known as business analysis – a better balance between technical and soft skills will separate the leaders from the rest of the pack. Key themes include business analysis as a guide for cloud computing and business analysis as a central success component to change management. A global panel of consultants and senior executives from ESI International identified these trends.
  • A Surprising Change Leader - Your Business Analyst ‑ Dec 2010
    The most successful organisations are able to identify opportunities for self-improvement and conceive of changes that can make them more efficient, more successful and better equipped to achieve their goals.
Contract Management
  • The Key Components For Successful Contract Management ‑ Jan 2011
    This paper tries to help you identify some of the aspects you need to consider and some of the best practices to adopt to make contract management as normal a business activity as any of the more traditional business processes.

 

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