Pressure Reducers for Project Managers

While browsing on Executive Brief this morning, I discovered a good article:  Managing Large Projects with Ease - Nine Pressure Reducers that Work.  In honor of the Microsoft Project Users Group members who are  meeting here at Oakwood this morning, it seemed particularly relevant to share.  To the seasoned project manager who is accustomed to managing large IT projects, particularly software development projects, several of the items on the list will be quite obvious.  However, as is the case with many how-to articles, a refresher course is generally welcome.  Sometimes we can lose sight of the obvious in the face of the whirlwind of activity that we live in (how many times have we forgotten "measure twice, cut once" for example!  LOL)

Read the article (linked above) for the full text - it's worth it.  Here are the nine, some slightly re-worded to fit the context of a list.

1. Data load early in migrations
2. Document and manage requirements
3. Don't short-change the peer review process
4. Only work on authorized changes
5. Leverage knowledge
6. Don't sacrifice quality for completion
7. Keep a close eye on "resource bleeding"
8. Watch out for the lone wolves on the project
9. Get real - "pretty" is nice but "real" is required

To this we would add one more - Bad news does not get better with age.  When something goes awry, address it early, emphatically, and productively.  Sometimes bad news, when addressed promptly, can move a project forward in a totally unexpected way.

BTW, if you are a project manager interested in participating in the Microsoft Project Users Group, let us know!  Use this form and just put MPUG in the box.  We'll get you on the email list for meeting notifications for the St. Louis Regional Chapter, which meets here at Oakwood.  If you are not in the St. Louis region, please visit http://www.mpug.com/ for more information.  Great group, good people, good info shared.