Project/Program Management Best Practices for Success in ANY Industry!Written by Eddie R. Williams
Where is our success? Although there have been improvements, over 60% of projects/programs failed and many were canceled in 2003 (ref:The Standish Report CHAOS)! Our goal for 2004 and beyond is to contribute to a 60% and better, project/program success rate! STOP THE MADNESS-MANAGE AND CONTROL PROJECTS WITH THE FOLLOWING:Best Practice Processes for Project/Program Success(Outline): 1. Program/Project Management (and Business Management) (Integration) - Use of Experience and Knowledge (Integration) - Planning and Scheduling/WBS (Scope/Time/Cost) - Communication Planning (Communication) - Status & Earned Value Reporting (Communication) - Performance (metrics) Reporting (Communication) - Risks Identification and Management (Risks) - Project Repository/DB (Communication/Lessons Learned/Knowledge Transfer) - Change Management (Integration) - Subcontractor/Vendor Control (Procurement) - Team Building (Human Resource) 2. Development Process (Integration/Solution/Scope) - Selection of appropriate model/technique (e.g., Interactive, Waterfall, Spiral, Evolutionary Object Oriented, Structured) - Selection of appropriate implementation methodology (e.g., MSF, RUP, GXP, DOD-STD 2167 and other standards) - Selection, if required, to use Rapid Development - Rapid Application Development/Joint Application Development (RAD/JAD) - Prototypes and Mockups - Interviews and Facilitated Sessions - Collaboration - Selection of technical and project reviews - Selection of development and support tools and applications
| | Five Tips to Calm Cranky CustomersWritten by Dina Beach Lynch, Esq.
Top 5 Tips to Calm Cranky Customers1.Tis Season Recognize that everyone is frazzled during holidays- you and your customers. Give everyone, including you, benefit of doubt when it comes to ‘bad behaviors’ like being abrupt or rude. Breathe deep and smile. It can work wonders. 2.Let ‘em Rant, Let ‘em Rant, Let ‘em Rant Listen briefly to what your customer has to say, even if he is simply venting about things outside of your control. Your client will appreciate caring and you just might learn about another customer problem you can solve. Comments like ones below can help customer feel acknowledged and smooth way to resolution. That must be difficult for you. I can see how upset you are. This must be very important Let’s see what we both can do to fix this 3. Making a List and Checkin’ it Twice Ask your customer what is her most important or urgent concern. Then ask some more questions to find options to resolve it. Questions like ones below get you to heart of matter:
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