Project scope issues are the number one reason for unhappy clients and customers. Human nature is such that unauthorized tasks will always tend to slip into a project unannounced, thus project scope management is just as important as the more visible aspects of project management like scheduling and budgeting. Hence, it is the project manager's job to actively manage … [Read more...]
Guide to Project Management Methodologies
In many areas of life there are multiple ways to accomplish a goal, and project management is no different. At its most basic level, project management is the organization of people to accomplish a task. Humans have been successfully performing complex projects, like the ancient pyramids of Egypt, for thousands of years however today the processes and methods are … [Read more...]
5 Project Management Certifications (And How to Attain Them)
So you want to be certified as a project manager? Certification has many benefits, such as: Promotion Higher pay Recognition Whatever your reasons for pursuing certification, there are several different types of certification you could choose to achieve your goals. These fall into the following two basic categories: Project Manager. For the "full" … [Read more...]
All You Need to Know About IPMA Level D Certification
The IPMA level D designation is an entry level project management certification issued by the International Project Management Association (IPMA) through member associations in each country. The nickname for level D certification is 'Certified Project Management Associate.' There are about 175,000 certifications worldwide in level D, the lowest of the four levels of … [Read more...]
How to Become a Project Manager
How would you feel if your boss gave you a 23% raise? The Project Management Institute reports that certified project managers earn 23% more than non-certified ones. Job security also increased substantially over the 33,000 professionals surveyed in 37 countries. How do you become part of this club? Well, I've been part of it for 11 years, and in this article I'm … [Read more...]
The 8 Critical Elements of Project Team Management
Project team management is the process of tracking team member performance, providing feedback, resolving issues, and managing project resources to optimize project performance. It is one of the central cogs in the wheel of project management, and also one of the most difficult. No wonder why many books have been written about it from many perspectives. But … [Read more...]
How to Perform a Stakeholder Analysis
Stakeholders are to a project like players are to a team. Having the best players is one of the easiest ways to win the game, but strategy and tactics led by the coach (project manager) can go a long ways. Thus, successful projects know who their stakeholders are and what motivates them. That's where stakeholder analysis comes in. Stakeholder … [Read more...]
PMP vs PRINCE2 vs IPMA: The Three Main Certifications
Project management certification is a great way to make your career take off. Promotions, salary increases, and prestige are just some of the rewards waiting at the end of the journey, but not all certifications are equivalent. Hence, it's important to have a flight plan prior to spending many hours obtaining a certification you might regret. A pilot that's … [Read more...]
The IPMA Project Excellence Model
The International Project Management Association (IPMA) provides an excellent standard for measuring project success. It's called the Project Excellence Model (PEM), and it establishes an analytical system of points for various categories. It is used in the selection of the IPMA Project Excellence Awards every year. It is documented within the Project … [Read more...]
IPMA Level C: Certified Project Manager
The IPMA Level C designation is a project manager certification issued by the International Project Management Association (IPMA). The nickname for level C certification is ‘Certified Project Manager.’ Level C is for project managers on smaller or non-complex projects where relationships often play a larger role than rigid adherence to project management … [Read more...]