This link might be interesting for those who is preparing for PMP certification exam.
http://www.techfaq360.com/subjecttest.jsp?catId=45637&index=0
wish you success :)
I've been reading recently very interesting article regarding project management which highlighted main management principals. Here they come:
- Combination of scientific and creativity: manager's activity is based on professional knowledge and skills, but in some cases due to the inability to use them management decisions should be based on intuition and improvisation;
- Focus assumes that management activity should aim at achieving a certain goal and/or solving arised problems;
- Combination of expertise and the universality of the need of individual approach to solving the problem on the one hand, and on the other - problem solving is a component of the organization and builds on the general principles of its functioning;
- Sequence is based on the right sequence of actions in time and range. A violation of this sequence could lead to confusion in the work and, consequently, prolong the tasks (for example, you must first define the necessary staff, and then fill the vacancy, and not vice versa). Some activities have a recurring character - repeated periodically (eg, marketing research of customers needs should be done periodically or continuously);
- Continuity implies that each type of activity is the basis for the next type (eg, engineering project, which spent considerable resources must be realized in practice, because otherwise the work of the staff member will be unnecessary and wasted costs);
- Combination of centralized management and self-government is reflected in the decision-making locally in accordance with the orders and instructions of the manager;
- Focusing on the individual characteristics of workers/employees/team members, as well as the ability of their interaction in a team focused on creating a favorable psychological atmosphere, a certain organizational culture, which facilitates decision-making process and, consequently, increases the efficiency of work;
- Ensuring the integrity of the rights and responsibilities at each level is expressed in the non-exceedance of the rights of the responsibility, because such a situation fraught with arbitrariness managers, but the imbalance in the opposite direction suppresses initiative and activity of the working staff;
- Competition among managers increases a personal interest of employees on the basis of the material, moral and institutional promotion of an employee who has achieved the highest results;
- Involve employees in the process of making management decisions. If employees participate in this process than as the result these decisions will be performed more easily and with better attitude comparing to those decisions which are presented to employees as orders from management.
I found very interesting information on my linkedin from the "Top 10 Obstacles to Project Success" survey by Lou Gasco.
Here are the results which were gathered from different project managers and project leaders.
Rankings are listed by frequency:
#1: SCOPE CREEP
#2: Challenging Schedule
#3: Resource Challenge
#4: Minimal or Non-Existent Testing
#5: Tardy Delivery of Project Tasks
#6: Delegated Responsibility Unrelated to Authority
#7: Finance Challenge
#8: Invisible Requirements
#9: A Skill Set Challenged Team
#10: The Disappearing Sponsor
I have to admit that it is often situation that my projects suffer from first five issues.
Following conclusions come to my mind after reading survey results:
#1. Focus on defining project scope. The team should spend more time on project initiation and analysis. I also think that project manager must ensure that all project stakeholders have the same vision of the project (goal, main functions and etc.) otherwise scope creep is inevitable.
#2. Please don't forget testing in your project's schedule. What is more, testing team should be involved on early stages of the project to make sure that desired quality is reached.
#3. Track tasks delivery and react to delays at once. Delayed reaction might lead to serious problems.
The ideas don't get funded; companies do. So before you approach an investor you need at least two things, (1) a working prototype of your product/service and/or a well-documented concept test, and (2) a presentable founding team including at least one person from each of product development, sales/marketing, and operations.
I haven't post anything a long time ago, since it was quite busy period recently. I was working on several critical projects at one time and also was working on renovation of my flat. But i am back again.
By the way - we also updated our website - http://www.testuotojai.lt/
It is much better now !!!
