Dec 10, 2011

Gardening & Project Management




Since we are into the winter season, I would rather be outside playing in the yard, I thought I could at least put up a post and picture about it :o)

Keeping on top of a garden requires endless weeding, pruning and tidying. They are all small jobs individually but if left for any length of time at all the garden rapidly becomes overgrown and each one becomes a big job in its own right.


As a Project Manager, there is a similar range of tasks needing constant attention – reports, plans, issues list, defect queue, documents to review. As with a garden, these are all small jobs individually but if they are left for any length of time each one becomes a big job in its own right.


Both garden and project need to be kept under constant review; a repeated quick survey of both is needed to see if any single task is becoming urgent.


Both gardening and project management require constant vigilance, keeping a step ahead to provide some spare capacity to cope with the unexpected. Both assume a degree of planning to make sure everything gets done at the right time.  Finally both need flexibility to respond to changing events at no notice.


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16 comments:

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    1. Tag: PM203A57. Let me share all of you about #5 Tips for Project Management Success,, I hope you enjoy it

      1. Plan your day using time management techniques

      As a project manager, time management skills are essential because you are dealing with a wide range of tasks that demand a quick turnaround time. Planning your day will go a long way in keeping you organized and increasing your productivity. Assist your task planning by using project management software which helps you track the work of you and your team.

      If you are not very tech savvy, a simple to-do list can also be a great organizational tool. Prioritize your most important tasks by putting them at the top of the list and less important ones at the bottom. Having a visual plan of your daily tasks helps to keep you on track and aware of time.

      Related post: Free ebook 104 secrets to become a great project manager

      2. Include stakeholders in important project conversations

      While you will have plenty of responsibilities regarding the project, don’t neglect your clients.

      Good communication is essential is keeping both parties informed of project progression, curtailing scope creep, and apprised of changing requirements. Some clients may have different expectations when it comes to communication, so make sure to establish the frequency and type of communication (like emails, phone calls, and face-to-face conversations) at the beginning of your project.

      Establishing communication expectations early helps alleviate stakeholder uncertainty about communication frequency and delivery.

      3. Regularly communicate with your team

      Daily team communication helps keep misunderstandings and unclear requirements under control. Keeping your team informed in every step of the project is essential to project management success.

      For example, a study published by Procedia Technology found that good communication skills were the cornerstone of project management. The study examined over 300 “construction project managers, architects, construction managers, engineers and quantity surveyors” and their successes and failures on various construction projects.

      4. Anticipate project setbacks

      Even the best-laid plans often go awry.

      Remember that even with a high amount of planning and attention to detail, your project may still encounter some challenges. Pay attention to complaints from stakeholders or colleagues, and other warning signs, like a missed deadline or cost overrun, that there may be a problem.

      Preventing a crisis will keep your project running smoothly, save you a lot of time, and keep you, your team, and your stakeholders confident in progressing with the project.

      Unfortunately not every complication can be avoided. Crisis management skills are essential for dealing with the unexpected. Project managers need to be flexible and pragmatic. Improvise and make sharp decisions when needed.

      Related post: 92 free project management templates

      5. Stay focused on the details

      A common problem project managers encounter is having the project aims not aligned with the organization’s objectives. A great project manager will strategize a plan for the project to lead back to the overall success of the business.

      Know your project’s scope by heart and avoid wandering outside of the project’s requirements. It’s too easy to get lost in minor details and forget what your focus is, so a well-planned project scope is essential for success.

      And final, you should use KPI to measure effectiveness of the project, here are full list: 76 project management KPIs


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  2. Not many things in this world, started by man that doesn't need constant attention.
    I do miss a garden,....... a little!!

    (I need to watch my spelling more!)

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  3. Please, the gardening reference is enough to make my head spin, let alone mentioning projects that need constant reviews, monitoring, attention and vigilance. (As you can tell the season is wearing on me!)

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  4. All I know is what a lovely place, and I think I would hire a gardener.

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  5. Yes, I agree on BOTH accounts Ken! HOpe you all are having a great Saturday!

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  6. "Gardening and project management require constant vigilance." So true. Takes too much out of me. That's why our garden faded away back into the landscape. Good Luck with yours. It looks wonderful.

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  7. thanks for review for Gardening & Project Management.....I likes this
    Project Scheduling

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