Status Updates

When you are involved managing a project or an entire project portfolio, you need a system for getting regular, validated status updates. One pet peeve I have is how many project management tools (CPM) often spot you 50% actual completion rates as the user default.

A huge caveat is to be wary of that on "your" project. It is one thing to have a +5 or -5 error coefficient in a regression analysis, but 50% actual completion that gets booked in a status report when less is actually done, magnifies potential risk as you move from the original project baseline to the target baseline.

The solution is to educate the entire team on how and when to update their status "as is" at a given time and day. And make sure you set up your PM software tools to default status updates at zero.

Project Charters that have teeth in them

Before you begin a new project you are going to need a meaningful Project Charter. You will need to ensure that all the elements and most importantly the goals, objectives, and stakeholders are aligned exactly with what you want to accomplish in undertaking the project.

I can think of several stakeholders and managers on a project who took visible roles on paper, but not with regard to performance. Within 6 months they awoke and were displeased not with their apathy but the PMO. hmmmm....

What you do not want is any element to be less than fully committed. Short and sweet.