New Blog Coming!

I just set up a new WordPress blog on my site. I am in the process of transferring content and taking care of the details. But if you want to see it in the works- http://blog.the315.com. I am very excited!

Project Management Advice for Start-Ups or Small Businesses (aka the basics for getting started)

Here is a quick outline of the advice I would give to start-ups intimidated by all out project management but know they need something.

1. Define your projects- Start with a simple list that includes what you are delivering, when you want to deliver it by and who is responsible for it.

2. Understand tasks- Once you have a solid list of projects start thinking about what high level tasks are required to complete the projects. Identify who is responsible for each task. Also note which tasks have to happen before another or tasks that can occur simultaneously.

3. Analyze your staff- Look for names that show up a lot on your lists or areas where you don't have a name assigned.

4. Analyze your dates- Look for periods of time where there is a lot going on for everyone or just one person.

5. Check your budget- Make sure the above analysis matches your budget or what you are charging for the project.

The steps above should really give you a good idea of where you stand with your projects and how you balance them. It should also help you discover where and what your risks are. Being aware of your risks is very important and the first step in preventing them from becoming problems.

To improve your application of project management, there are two additional things I recommend doing.

6. Analyze how your team works- Observe how your team gets stuff done. You have a current process, no matter how informal it is. Watch for how things go wrong and right. Listen to what people directly and indirectly say about the process.

7. Learn about project management software and practice- At least read a bit about it and think about how it could help you. And start using it when you find that you need it and are ready to adopt it in your process.

There is a ton of information out there about project management as a discipline. However, I find that bringing it down to these simple steps not only helps someone unfamiliar to it, but also helps to prevent practitioners like me from turning it into a mindless bureaucracy.

Personal Branding and My Brand

With all the talk about PR and personal brands, I have recently wondered how it is that one approaches creating their own brand. Do most people develop a personal brand strategy? Do they just analyze in passing on the Metro or do they actually write a strategic plan for themselves? And what drives them to desire a personal brand? Driving business, getting recognition or something else? Or maybe most people create their personal brand as an unintentional byproduct of their real goals.

This makes me reflect on my own personal brand. Not because I need one, but because I am someone with an online personality. But I don't like to think of it as a brand. I just want to think of it as an accurate representation of me. Nothing strategic, just me.

Maybe I am off base. I would love to talk more about this with people.

So, in my reflection on personal brand I did a bit of soul digging. Here are a few core things about me:
* I love technology. I am particularly interested in how new advancements change our culture, use and approaches to developing technology. Getting an opportunity to explain this stuff to people is great.
* I like adventures. Through travel or outdoor activities, adventures provide the perfect balance and perspective in my life.
* I like to be organized. I like to see how I can be more effective and efficient.
* I like art. Anything aesthetically pleasing with meaning.
* I like to help and inspire people, especially in regard to technology.
* I love to learn anything about and related to any of the above.

Does that make a brand? I guess it is more of a list of interests that drive my actions that represent me. Hopefully, this comes through all of my other posts. But would anyone argue that a representation of one's interests is still lacking the extra strategy that is fundamental to a personal brand?

Requirements Writing

After numerous meetings between the customer and the creator, I have to wonder how many people really know how to write a requirement, how to read a requirement and why we use requirements. The thing is, I like formally written requirements for large formal projects (like when there is lots of money on the line). They work.

However, for smaller projects it is still a good idea to apply the fundamentals of requirements.

Things to think about:
* requirements are What not How
* stepping through use scenarios helps
* assumed functionality requirements are the most dangerous
* coming back to ultimate goals is key to having a full set
* use previously made scope decisions as hard limits
* again, what not how

A Rant On Requirements

I spend a lot of time reading requirements for various programs and projects. Have you ever read a requirements document? If so, you know how tedious they can, and need, to be. I like detail in light of the big picture, so, I think I do pretty well at creating comprehensive requirements and analyzing for comprehensiveness. However, it bothers me a little that my project teams don't really read them. Everyone says they reviewed them and I believe most give it a good scan (at least their parts). But especially when you are working with contractors and/or budgets, a scan by everyone isn't good enough. Yet, in their defense, I do sympathize that they have other job responsibilities and probably find the RD somewhat intimidating (or boring).

Well, this is where I feel the pressure as the program/project manager. The responsibility to make sure we have a comprehensive set falls on me. I am comfortable with this - yet this is where it is crucial that I know my scope and stakeholders before beginning the requirements gathering process. So, if you ever participate on a program or project team, please be patient through the initial steps. You may know your stuff, but the PM needs to get that information from you as well as possible.

Let me know if you want a 3,000+ requirements document to chill with and I will send you a link ;)

You Need Project Manangement

Yeah, you may think you get stuff done without project management. But that isn't the point - anyone can get stuff done. The key to sustainsblity and growth is to get stuff done efficiently and effectively. That is the purpose of project management to me. More effectively means a better product or service and happier customers. And more efficiently means quicker and with less resources.

I have been around the DC tech community for almost 2 years and I want to get some discussions going about how to get stuff done more efficiently and effectively. I don't mean anything too formal or process heavy. I mean some simple application of the project management theories that work.

Email me, liz[at]the315[dot]com, if you want to talk about project management with me. This is what I do for a day job and I actually enjoy it.

Direct from the Philippines

At the time I am riding a bus towards Manila, on my way to the fourth largest mall in the world- the Mall of Asia. I am coming from Pagsanjan where I saw the most amazing waterfalls- as seen in Apocalypse Now. I also have gotten to experience Manila, the best part being Intramuros, the historical district and some cute restaurant in Malate. After which I travelled to Baguio in the mountainous Cordillera region to see some rainforests, in the pouring rain. And that was followed by crossing Lake Taal for a climb up Taal Volcano for beautiful views.

Its been an amazing trip so far. But that's not all that I wanted to write about.

I love technology. I have had access to all of my regular addictions and conveniences. If it wasn't for the change in content and strange times, no one would know I was really halfway across the world. The only thing I couldn't do was attend the Twin Tech event. I hope it was as much fun as it sounded!

Photos to come.