Part of your job as Project Manager is to keep concerned stakeholders up to date on the progress of your project. This is where Earned Value Analysis comes in. Become familiar with...

What do you know about the different theories of total quality management? Learn more about TQM, a customer based management methodology.

Before getting your PMP certification, you must complete 35 hours of training. But where to go to get that training? Is the traditional classroom better than learning online?...

This article illuminates the necessity of an effective scope statement and how to write one that will help guide a project to successful completion. The various sections of a scope...

Success in project management requires a continuous stream of successfully managed projects. But even the best companies, with the most mature project management processes can stumble...

Although Excel 2007 doesn't have a built-in Gantt chart wizard like the ones found in other software products, it's still possible to create this useful project management tool...

How does goal-oriented decomposition differ from standard composition in project management? We'll explain what this term means and discuss when it should be used.

Projects change and with those changes you need some controls. Along with those controls you also need to be able to recognize the depth and complexity of the change. Too often leaders...

ProTasker is a web-based project management product that promises to streamline your tasks and facilitate communication between staff, even if they work in different geographic locations...

Have you ever written what you thought was a clear, concise email only to have others interpret it quite differently? Just as traditional body language is crucial for getting your...

Test Driven Development (TDD) is a phenomenon that is changing the way software development teams approach their build processes. To the traditionalist it seems a back-to-front...

How do you write a fixed-price contract for a embryonic Agile proposal? It's not as difficult as some make out but it does involve a change of mindset and a learning exercise...

Do you think you know all things Agile? Maybe you are about to take your Agile exam and want a quick reality check. This quiz will test how well you know basic Agile and Scrum concepts...

Are you into Scrum? We are going to take an in-depth look at the burndown chart and explore how it can be used to monitor not only the team velocity but also the impact of changes...

Ever needed a quick reference to Agile? About to embark on your first Agile project? Whatever your needs you’ll find this guide to Agile project management perfect for...

It may be blasphemy to some, but Agile does have a requirements gathering process. In this article we look at different ways to trawl for requirements in the form of user stories using...

Waterfall and Agile are two different approaches to software development that also find use in project management. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, and the selection...

If you had to deliver functionality to the client every 30-days, would you and your team, walk or run towards the deadline? Thirty days isn’t much to deliver functionality...

Is your organization going the Agile way? Do you know what to consider while project planning? Do you know the impact of the length of an Agile Iteration or SCRUM Sprint?...

Are you addicted to the whiteboard and sticky? Want to know if there's something better that you could use? Read this overview of available scrum software tools and the...

Projects change and with those changes you need some controls. Along with those controls you also need to be able to recognize the depth and complexity of the change. Too often leaders...

Scrum Edge is an on-demand project management utility. When you're trying to determine how useful a program is, it's important first to determine what your needs are. Scrum...

Chronemics within the confines of team communication is an art and a science that falls under the umbrella of nonverbal communication. Difficult to grasp for the novice project manager...

As with anything in life there will be changes. Sometimes you know about the change and sometimes you don't. As a project manager you have to be prepared for changes, seen and unseen...

Are you frustrated because a key player on the team won't adapt to change? Don't worry. There are ways to make things work. When someone opposes your leadership, extra communication...

As the adage goes, "the only thing constant is change." Change management is now a regular feature in most companies and seamless execution of this process becomes critical...

Creativity can be a great thing, but in the world of project management, change can mean a lot of time getting everyone on board. If you allow creativity to flourish within your team...

ADKAR is the acronym for Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement. It depicts the five stages for an individual to make a successful change. The steps are sequential...

Failure to communicate during an important project can be fatal to success. Find out how to stay on track with a change control checklist. You'll find included a link to a free...

Leavitt offered a new approach to looking at organizations, in which every organization consists of four interactive components. This approach is now widely used for making organizational...

What do you know about the different theories of total quality management? Learn more about TQM, a customer based management methodology.

Your objective: Ace the PRINCE2 exam. My objective: To help you ace the exam. Through this quiz and other articles, we'll meet both objectives.

While this collection of tools and tips is geared toward the novice project manager, it also includes a wealth of information and resources for even the most seasoned project manager...

Don’t believe the “all or nothing” mantra that others are pushing. You don’t always have to throw everything you’ve got into every project you undertake...

Have you been thinking about employing a different, softer, and more inclusive approach to project management? Here you can find the latest information and advice to help you explore...

Anyone can have a character flaw or two, but these leaders have a definite lack of soft skills. Instead of finding solutions, their "my way or the highway attitude" has often...

Is your project suffering because of communication problems? Do you want to improve your projects' performance by ensuring better communication? Project communication can...

The Project Management Triangle (aka "triple constraints") has been a tool relied upon by project managers for decades. It has taken many shapes to help communicate...

Project team personnel problems range from tardiness to insubordination, incompetence and instances of job abandonment. Since the internal project manager is rarely in a direct supervisory...

The internal project manager has a serious image problem. Not completely accepted into the management culture of the business, and not given complete supervisory powers over personnel...

Part of your job as Project Manager is to keep concerned stakeholders up to date on the progress of your project. This is where Earned Value Analysis comes in. Become familiar with...

Success in project management requires a continuous stream of successfully managed projects. But even the best companies, with the most mature project management processes can stumble...

Learn how to match your body language with your words to send the right message every single time. If you know how to read others' body language correctly, you'll know how to...

A project manager relies on periodic feedback sessions to keep a team on track, within budget and cohesive. There are three techniques that promise success -- if you know how to properly...

This guide to the project monitor and control process provides a collection of insightful articles on these important project management stages. They encompass a detailed overview of...

The Project Management Body of Knowledge published by the Project Management Institute defines cost monitoring and controlling techniques used in the Project Cost Management knowledge...

Status reports, change orders, and even subcontractor status reports are a must on any construction project. An important element here is uniformity and clear communication. Here, Jean...

You are required to terminate your project. What are the different criteria for project termination that you will consider before taking this step? Read on to find out more about...

Organizations use various key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the success of its projects, processes and operations. Find out which is the right KPI for your company...

The key performance indicators are the tools used in organizations for measuring the performance of various functions. There are different types of key performance indicators (KPIs)...

Do you blame project failures on company initiatives that were in place before your time? Do you point the finger at external stakeholders for project dilemmas? If you’re...

Part of being a project leader means understanding how to manage a project. If you are the type where every phase, element and task is deemed urgent, how well are you really managing...

Occupy Wall Street and all its Occupy offshoots need nothing so much as a good project management plan. The crusade perches at a precarious juncture. Will it gather support from the...

If your team members are commenting snidely, "Sorry, your God complex is talking so loudly I can't hear a word you say," it may be time for serious self-assessment. If you...

With your project management degree in hand you burst out into the world! And, while earning that degree you dreamed about the American Dream! Is the dream still there?...

It's amazing how much - or how little - can be accomplished within a twenty-four hour time span. If you constantly think you are behind or you feel pretty good about being ahead...

Are you indispensable as a project leader? If you think you are, it’s time to think again. The path to staying on top of your game may not be what you think it is anymore...

Loose lips might sink ships, and fumbling fingers could sink your career. Most people are careful to watch what they say out loud at work as they realize inappropriate conversations...

As project managers, we all started at the bottom, worked our way up and throughout tried to remain true to our leadership styles and management methods. Once we got some years under...

Does it ever seem like your project teams are arguing constantly, nothing is getting done and stakeholders keep changing project goals in the middle? If so, you are not alone because...

Before getting your PMP certification, you must complete 35 hours of training. But where to go to get that training? Is the traditional classroom better than learning online?...

If you want to become certified as a project manager or you need re-certification, you'll find this guide to be an invaluable resource. Here is information on the different types...

Want a career as a project manager? Its future outlook is one of the most important things to consider. After all, you want to work in a field that grows steadily and can weather...

Maintaining your project management credentials involves earning Professional Development Units. You can report one PDU for every hour spent in a planned, structured activity using...

Adequately preparing to pass your Project Management Professional exam involves studying the Project Management Body of Knowledge published by the Project Management Institute. The...

Are you looking to take your project management career to the next level, or trying to decide whether or not professional certification is the right choice? A certified project...

As the representatives of their projects, project managers receive a lot of exposure. Therefore, they need to present themselves professionally. What are the attributes of professionalism...

Building a portfolio for your career as a project manager involves cataloging and tracking your efforts as a successful team leader. Learn how to create your own to ensure a great track...

This article introduces the series: The Importance of Project Management. Learn about why project management is important and how you can use project management to streamline your...

There are a variety of certification courses that teaches entire methodologies for managing projects. They familiarizes the aspirant through every phase and activity required to complete...

How does goal-oriented decomposition differ from standard composition in project management? We'll explain what this term means and discuss when it should be used.

When you're running a project, it is vital that you are able to break down your tasks and create a project budget and a project schedule. How do you determine how long tasks will...

A handy guide to performing a gap analysis highlights the steps needed to compare a project’s actual performance metrics against projected data. Are you putting your resources...

Your project proposal creates your project's "first impression" for those involved. You need something that will capture your stakeholders' enthusiasm and get their...

Want to step out of the PM role and become a program manager? Their roles can be similar but there are differences. Read on to find out what extra responsibilities program managers...

Are you struggling with getting your project on track within the required quality specifications? Are you finding it difficult to keep up with what is expected of you as a project...

Although you might sigh at the seeming frequency of business meetings, they are a necessary part of being a good project manager. When effective, they get over information you want...

Contrary to popular belief, dressing for success is not a cliche from the past. The fastest way to zoom to the top of the corporate ladder is to dress for the job you want, not the...

Branding yourself as a project manager typically involves promoting your competency and skills in project management. It also includes showcasing your personality including goals, values...

Reflecting is taking stock of the situation, or pausing in the middle of doing something to review what has taken place and what needs doing to fulfill the desired objectives. Scheduling...

Have you ever written what you thought was a clear, concise email only to have others interpret it quite differently? Just as traditional body language is crucial for getting your...

No matter how necessary it is to press on with the schedule of any given project, you’re going to have a hard time of it if your project team members start to burn out. How can...

An effective communication stream is an absolute must when it comes to project stakeholders. You will experience tough challenges with some, however; and when you do, how do you...

Do you work with team members you dislike more than those veggies your Mom pushed on you as a kid? If so, your days working on the project probably aren’t full of fun or creativity—you...

Trickle-down communication will ruin your project team’s cohesion faster than an autocratic management style. While it is good and well to make this value judgment, do you know...

Do you know what to do when team members have meltdowns or stakeholders overstep boundaries? If you want to become a better communicator and avoid misunderstandings and conflicts...

At both the beginning and the end, as a project manager, it’s up to you to seal the deal so to speak or sell that project! Throughout your PM training you may never have thought...

Ask anyone you know and they’ll most likely tell you they hate office politics and steer clear of them as best they can. Instead of fearing these two words (because every...

The project is lost! The methodology stinks! These vendors never deliver on time! The company is going under! Do you hear these negative statements all day long?...

Are you suffering from dealing with dishonest stakeholders whether they are clients, vendors or team members? If so, you need to learn where the dishonesty is coming from and stop...

Risk management should be a top priority when working on complex or untried projects. Why, you ask? Necessity is the mother of invention and in risk management, often inventions...

One of the biggest challenges of the project manager is learning how to identify and then prioritize potential project risks. Here, we discuss the assessment process and how to communicate...

Be sure and bookmark this handy guide to risk management. Whether you need help with risk analysis, other components of the risk management cycle, or you just want to download a template...

Effective risk management enables project managers to plan ahead to prevent project failure. Successful project managers predict the level of risk associated with probable events, both...

Find a free crisis management plan template available at Bright Hub's PM Media Gallery. The pointers below serve as basic guidelines on the content necessary under each component...

The root cause analysis method is a widely used business problem-solving model. Organizations use this method to find the root causes of various problems. Right here you will find the...

Mapping for root cause analysis takes into account three essential aspects: the problem, the causes and the solution. After gathering information about the possible reasons, the...

Are you asking the right root cause questions to get to the bottom of things? Scientific methods have proven that deciding on human errors as the root cause doesn’t solve...

I’m sure it wouldn’t make you happy to get incorrectly diagnosed at your next trip to the hospital. Would the doctor conduct a Root Cause Analysis (RCA)? Apart...

The root cause analysis (RCA) has increased in relevance over the years for proper quality management. Its implementation has grown throughout the industrial zone, including...

Six Sigma is a widely used project management methodology but how strong is your Six Sigma knowledge? Here, we challenge you to test that knowledge with this quick quiz. You'll...

If control tools are indeed the skeleton of a successful project, proper applications of their data are the tendons that hold everything together. Learn now how to measure risks, fluctuation...

Vilfredo Pareto would not have dreamed that his observations related to the distribution of wealth in 19th century Italy were slated to become a project management and quality control...

This comprehensive guide to histograms aims to help those who are still struggling with the logic and purpose of data presented as graphical charts. Find a compilation of resource materials...

Do you use Six Sigma or is it your ultimate desire to learn more about this methodology? If so, here Bright Hub offers up the very best collection of posts, guides and how-tos on...

What makes a successful Six Sigma program? Much of the success depends on the organization, paying due diligence to certain critical factors that lie outside the standard Six Sigma...

A Kaizen event requires much planning and deliberation. A block diagram that provides a graphic illustration of the process allows for a more complete analysis and infuses quality and...

Kaizen or “continuous improvement” is a management philosophy that aims at improving processes by eliminating waste and making work simple, and undertaking such an effort...

How do you sustain Kaizen results? Identifying opportunities for improvement and finding ways to improve processes and reduce waste is hard work; and without tracking the results...

The quality of the product or the process determines the business success. Applying Six Sigma metrics to the processes helps a great deal to ensure the quality of the overall business...

ProTasker is a web-based project management product that promises to streamline your tasks and facilitate communication between staff, even if they work in different geographic locations...

It doesn’t matter whether you’re new to Microsoft Project 2010 or if you’ve just upgraded to the latest version of this capable project planning software. Either way...

The idea behind Microsoft Project is to make it easier for people who manage projects, but too many PMs are unfamiliar with it. Many people are timid about exploring the many features...

Successful project managers take advantage of comprehensive scheduling tools and techniques to use resources optimally. By delaying or rescheduling tasks, allocating alternate resources...

Even if you take great notes during meetings, what do you do with them after the meeting is over? MeetingKing is a new online app that helps you manage and organize those notes...

Are you looking for a way to connect with other project managers through social media, but aren't quite sure where to start? Head on over to PMChat on Twitter and join the discussion...

Just because you have so many responsibilities to manage on a project doesn't mean keeping an eye on time and resource allocations has to be a chore. Use our handy guide to the...

In the field of project management, problem solving is an key concept and understanding the root cause of a problem is a crucial part of finding solutions. There are many different...

Whether you're a new project manager or a seasoned pro, managing time and resources can be one of your biggest challenges. There are plenty of great tools and timers you can download...

Few people realize the depth of detail required in order to manage a project. We understand this at Bright Hub, and from our best PM writers comes this titanic assortment of tutorials...

This article illuminates the necessity of an effective scope statement and how to write one that will help guide a project to successful completion. The various sections of a scope...

Although Excel 2007 doesn't have a built-in Gantt chart wizard like the ones found in other software products, it's still possible to create this useful project management tool...

Even if you have other PM software at your disposal, you probably use a spreadsheet application like Excel to create various forms and exhibits. To make your job easier, we've put...

Is it time to provide your team, department manager or client with a project status report? Unsure how to create or format the report to meet company standards? Whether you...

Are you trying to get more organized? Do you want to impress your bosses and peers with scheduling skills equal to that of a certified project manager? Do you want more information...

SIPOC diagrams, PERT, Gantt and Pareto charts - these are the tools project leaders must master! Here, our expert Bright Hub writers have put together a collection on these tools...

If you are looking for a way to make project management easier and less of a hassle, check out this comprehensive collection of templates and forms. You'll find useful hands-on...

Using a template for budgeting business travel can tell you quickly if you are over or under budget and where are the potential areas to scale back on spending. This template created...

If you want to make a Pareto chart to use in your project presentation but don’t have access to high-powered project management software, don’t panic. With these step-by...

With this template, you can quickly and easily track the progress of all tasks and projects assigned to your team. The Excel format also makes it easy to cut and paste information from...