Herding Cats

Quote of the Day

There are no points for predicting rain, only building lifeboats. - Warren Buffet Read more →

The Problem with the "Best Estimate"

The traditional approach for estimating cost or schedule starts with the "best estimates" for the Most Likely durations and costs for tasks. This is the standard approach for PERT based projects, for approaches suggested by the PMBOK or PMI style... Read more →

Quote of the Day

The difference between failure and success is the difference between doing something almost right and doing something right. — Benjamin Franklin Read more →

Independent Program Assessment Office

I'm assembling a training briefing for an upcoming Integrated Baseline Review for a client. This will be a 200 to 300 page Power Point briefing with narrated slides in the standard style of our defense practice. During the research phase,... Read more →

If you have a Talking Dog, you don't need a control group ...

Lynda Bourne has a post at the PMI Voices of Project Management around Unrealistic Detail. I'm always puzzled when the conversation starts with "doing unrealistic things, and then expecting anything other than disappointing results." This is the classic "doctor, doctor,... Read more →

The 4+1 Questions That Must Be Answered for Project Success

There are 5 (4+1) questions that must be answered for any project to have a credible chance of success. In the previous post and in all the discussions around project failure in IT and other domains, I wonder if these... Read more →

CEO/COO/CIO's not confident in IT Project Managers, really?

CXO' not happy with project management? Really, what a surprise. PMForum reports a study - not sure in the statistical confidence of the study - that CXO's see PM as critical, but have little confidence in PM's. Why? Here's why... Read more →

What Good is an Observation Without a Suggested Solution?

In the continuing conversation with vocal critic of government contracts, I've come to the conclusion there is a personality type that loves to point out the obvious problems in the world - in this case management of government programs. While... Read more →

Improving the Probability of Program Success (PoPS)

Pat Weaver has a nice post about project failure and the people side of project success. People are necessary of course, but far from sufficient. Success on non-trivial projects starts and ends with process. This has been shown time and... Read more →

The Complete Failure of Our Public Education System ?!?

Sorry, couldn't resist. Read more →

Can Projects Really Be Successful?

A well known and very vocal Project Management instructor made a statement about Government Projects always being late and over budget. Then making a not so subtle suggestion that his competency based assessment approach, versus the PMI approach to certification,... Read more →

Good Advice for Project Management

Project Management means different things to different people. From the social and humanistic aspects of managing the people working on and around projects, to the gritty details of a Performance Measurement Baseline, with in integrated cost, schedule, risk, and technical... Read more →