October, 2024

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How to Balance Work and Festive Season: Productivity Hacks for Project Managers

Rebel’s Guide to PM

While some projects might have an end of year deadline, in my experience, most projects finish when they finish. So there’s every chance that your projects, like mine, will run through the holiday period. We do need to recharge, rest and reset, and so do the people on the team. So how do you balance the pressures of work and leadership’s desire to keep hitting those milestones, over the festive season?

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How to overcome your unconscious biases (12 examples)

Planio

While we’re not here to debate the existence of free will, we’ve all looked back on situations where it seemed like our brains went into autopilot. These unconscious biases can influence who we hire (and listen to), the decisions we make, and what we prioritize in our daily lives — and not always for the better. One survey found that nearly 40% of people frequently experience bias that leads to unfair treatment based on factors such as their age, gender, or race.

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Top 25 Project Management Influencers of 2025

NimbleWork

Project Management has come a long way from its traditional roots. What was once dominated by Gantt charts and rigid planning techniques has evolved into a vibrant, adaptive discipline driving business success. With the rise of digital transformation , remote work , and the growing complexity of projects, the role of project managers has become more crucial than ever.

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Is All This Documentation Really Necessary?

The IIL Blog

By Ed Lively October 23, 2024 In 40 years of practicing project management (and teaching) the question that I’ve heard most often is “Why do we have to do all this documentation?” Many say that we do it because it’s in the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge ( PMBOK ) and considered best (or good practice depending on what version of the PMBOK you reference.

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15 Modern Use Cases for Enterprise Business Intelligence

Large enterprises face unique challenges in optimizing their Business Intelligence (BI) output due to the sheer scale and complexity of their operations. Unlike smaller organizations, where basic BI features and simple dashboards might suffice, enterprises must manage vast amounts of data from diverse sources. What are the top modern BI use cases for enterprise businesses to help you get a leg up on the competition?

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17 Questions for Project Kick-Off Meetings + Checklist

Rebel’s Guide to PM

As I've got older and more experienced, I've also got lazier when it comes to preparing for project meetings. Recently I was completely caught out when I checked my diary in the morning. That afternoon I had four external people coming in for a meeting that I had forgotten about! Visit the free template library. It was an informal pre-kick off meeting for something that might turn into a project.

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Business Process Improvement: Steps & Methodologies

ProjectManager.com

Technology, labor, distribution and consumer demographics have all massively changed just in the last few years. As such, business processes need to be constantly evolving to adapt and bring satisfaction to the customer as efficiently as possible. Organizations are continually looking for leadership team that’s experienced in business process management (BPM).

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The Power of Product Thinking

Scrum.org

Many organizations approach development with a project mindset: define a scope, complete the work, and move on. It sounds efficient, but it causes a lot of painful side effects. Teams often find themselves juggling conflicting priorities from different stakeholders. Technical debt mounts as they succumb to pressure to split their focus. Patching and maintaining features created in past projects slows new projects.

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What are wicked problems? How to tackle complex problems and projects

Planio

With factors including new stakeholders, technology systems, organizational politics, turbulent economics, and changing sponsor priorities, it’s easy to see why 41% of projects are classed as being highly complex. But even the most complex projects pale in comparison to so-called ‘wicked problems’ — problems and projects with their own unique characteristics, interdependencies, and no definitive right or wrong answer.

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Key Considerations for Project Delivery Teams in 2025 Strategic Planning

The IIL Blog

By The PMO Squad October 30, 2024 Strategic planning is a pivotal moment for organizations, providing an opportunity to review, assess market conditions, and set a course for the coming year. It’s a time when leadership aligns on vision, goals, and key priorities. As strategic planning kicks off, it’s crucial for project delivery teams to come prepared with insights that will help shape the organization’s project delivery roadmap.

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Prepare Now: 2025s Must-Know Trends For Product And Data Leaders

Speaker: Jay Allardyce, Deepak Vittal, and Terrence Sheflin

As we look ahead to 2025, business intelligence and data analytics are set to play pivotal roles in shaping success. Organizations are already starting to face a host of transformative trends as the year comes to a close, including the integration of AI in data analytics, an increased emphasis on real-time data insights, and the growing importance of user experience in BI solutions.

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How to Track Percent Complete

Rebel’s Guide to PM

When you are trying to calculate percentage complete in a Gantt chart, you need to take into account various different figures, and get lots of information from other people. Or do you? There are simple ways to track percent complete on your project, so you know what to input into your software. In this article we'll look at 3 methods to track percent complete.

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Project Controls: Rediscovering the Fundamentals in the Age of Agile and AI

MPUG

Register here for the live panel discussion on Zoom – Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 12:00pm – 1:00pm EDT! Over the past decade, the landscape of project management has been significantly influenced by the rise of Agile methodologies and the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI). While these innovations have brought about remarkable advancements, they have also, at times, diverted attention from the core principles of project controls: Schedule Management, Cost Management, Risk Mana

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What Is GanttProject? Pros, Cons & Alternatives

ProjectManager.com

GanttProject is an open-source project management software that offers a free version of the popular Gantt chart tool for scheduling and managing projects. Visit the GanttProject website and you might be skeptical; it looks like a fake site set up to trick visitors into giving up their personal information. But GanttProject isn’t a scam, though it might not be the best choice for project management software.

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The Product Professional's Pyramid: Shifting Focus to Strategic and Tactical Priorities

Scrum.org

As a product professional—whether you’re working on an external customer-facing solution, an internal tool, or a component of a larger system—the real question is always: where should you focus your attention? The inverted pyramid in the diagram below illustrates the need for a greater emphasis on strategic and tactical decision-making. Leaving operational details to the processes designed to handle them.

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Navigating Chaos in Project Management

This text offers practical guidance for project managers navigating diverse frameworks. It covers topics like centralized reporting, standardized metrics, communication, training, risk management, and alignment reviews. By implementing these strategies, project managers can improve efficiency and achieve their project goals.

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Typical Challenges in Manufacturing Projects and Ways to Address Them

Epicflow Blog

The manufacturing industry faces numerous challenges that can affect the success of manufacturing project s, from supply chain issues to risks related to digital technology integration. These challenges make it difficult to deliver these projects successfully, as they may disrupt the workflow causing delays and cost overruns. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common roadblocks for manufacturing project s as well as suggest actionable recommendations for addressing them.

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Transform the Way Your PMO Operates.

The IIL Blog

By Joe Pusz October 9, 2024 This is the time when many people make New Year’s resolutions. Optimism abounds as people write down their goals: “Lose 20 pounds by the summer”, “No more junk food”, or “Exercise at least 4 days a week”. Then February comes. Statistics show that nearly 80% abandon their resolutions by February. Eighty percent! People settle back into their routines and don’t think about changing again until the following December.

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RAID Log Practitioner Course Review

Rebel’s Guide to PM

As a project manager, we’re constantly tracking actions, risks, issues, and more – these are the bread-and-butter activities for project managers to keep the project on track. But have you ever learned how to use a RAID log properly? I hadn’t. It was something touched on in various training courses I’d done over the year, but I’d never had training on the ‘how’ of RAID logs.

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How To Become a Successful Business Person

Binfire

Becoming a successful business person requires a combination of the right mindset, strategic planning, and the ability to navigate through complex commercial landscapes. Moreover, it necessitates a commitment to continuous growth, innovation, and an understanding of financial management. Whether you’re aspiring to build a startup or aiming to scale an existing company, there are essential steps to consider on your path to success.

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The Ultimate Guide To Data-Driven Construction: Optimize Projects, Reduce Risks, & Boost Innovation

Speaker: Donna Laquidara-Carr, PhD, LEED AP, Industry Insights Research Director at Dodge Construction Network

In today’s construction market, owners, construction managers, and contractors must navigate increasing challenges, from cost management to project delays. Fortunately, digital tools now offer valuable insights to help mitigate these risks. However, the sheer volume of tools and the complexity of leveraging their data effectively can be daunting. That’s where data-driven construction comes in.

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7 Free Estimate Templates for Excel

ProjectManager.com

Better estimates lead to better projects. An accurate forecast of costs, time and more is essential to creating a realistic project plan and schedule. This is where an estimate template can help set a project up for success. Download these free estimate templates to deliver projects on time, within budget, and according to stakeholders’ expected quality standards.

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Embracing Positive Risk: A Path to Innovation

Scrum.org

We often think of risk as a negative force, something to be avoided or mitigated. If you ask most middle managers what their main job is, a majority will reflect that they manage the flow of work to their people and manage the risks of the work. Project managers will cite the PMBOK’s Risk Management process as a core part of their discipline. We spend countless hours developing strategies to prevent bad outcomes, such as project failures, missed deadlines, and unmet expectations.

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Empowering Teams to Thrive: Expert Insights on Health & Productivity

Proofhub

In today’s fast-paced work environment, it’s quite easy to place the health of your employees on the second plan. However, this may soon become the biggest hindrance to productivity in your company since only healthy and happy employees can give 100% at work. Furthermore, making your people feel welcome and cared for goes beyond providing fancy coffee machines, games, and open spaces.

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White Paper | The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Project Management – A Survey

The IIL Blog

Abstract The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into project management is revolutionizing traditional practices, bringing about profound changes in how projects are planned, executed, and monitored. AI’s impact on project management is multifaceted, influencing everything from decision-making processes to resource allocation and risk management.

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How To Align Product Management And Supply Chain Operations For Successful Product Launches

Speaker: Shalini Dinesh

Effective cross-functional collaboration and communication heavily influence product launch success. Research shows that as many as 70% of product launches fail due to inadequate coordination among stakeholders, including supply chain, product management, legal, marketing, and change control teams (Gartner, 2022). The 2023 Supply Chain Insights Report highlights that 60% of supply chain disruptions are caused by poor communication and misalignment among cross-functional teams.

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The fourth Scrum Wave (shows that the journey is far from over)

Gunther Verheyen

In August 2024, the 4th edition of my book “Scrum – A Pocket Guide” was published. I created it because I am continuously uncovering better ways of explaining Scrum and want to help people by sharing these ways. Luckily, my publisher, Van Haren Group , agreed that there was value in making my update available (again) for the many friends of Scrum around the globe.

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Portfolio Reporting: How To Create a Project Portfolio Report

WorkOtter

For project management offices (PMOs), project portfolio reports are a critical success factor. The right portfolio reporting keeps everyone informed, provides visibility into key success metrics, and creates alignment with business goals. This post will walk you through how to create project portfolio reporting that is effective, timely, and relevant.

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Best Project Cost Management Software

ProjectManager.com

Projects live and die on many hills, but the one stakeholders are usually most passionate about is cost. Project cost management software is an essential tool from construction to IT and professional services. Having the right project cost software could differentiate between financial control or chaos. We review the best project costing software and rank them by key features, pricing and more.

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Retrospektiven-Anleitung: So nutzt du Ecocycle-Planning, um Working-Agreements zu verbessern und den Zusammenhalt im Team zu stärken

Scrum.org

Jedes Scrum Team kennt sie. Aber nur wenige verbessern sie regelmäßig. Die Rede ist von Working-Agreements. Werden deine Wangen gerade wärmer und du klickst dich hastig durch Confluence? Dann ist dieser Artikel für dich. Natürlich bist du nicht allein. Ich könnte nicht darüber schreiben, wenn es mir nicht bereits genauso ergangen wäre wie dir. Du stimmst mir bestimmt zu, wenn ich sage, Working-Agreements helfen, den Arbeitsprozess im Team sichtbarer zu machen.

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Your Guide To Transitioning Into Product Management: Essentials For New PMs

Speaker: Leslie Grandy, Product Executive & Drew Weaver, Senior Program Manager

Are you considering a shift to product management or just starting your journey as a Product Manager? Join Leslie Grandy and Drew Weaver for an insightful webinar designed to help you seamlessly transition into this dynamic role. Whether you're looking to pivot your career or enhance your existing skills, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to succeed!