Accelerating IT Success » Management Systems

7 Steps to Using Prioritization Matrices

Matthew Kabik — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 04:02:06 +0000

Prioritization matrices help make decisions after key actions, formulating a clear guide to the work that has more value and importance than others. However, creating and utilizing a prioritization matrix isn’t always a simple matter. This post by Steven Bonacorsi explains, in a step by step way, what is needed to start using (and benefiting from prioritization matrices, including the value and reason behind using this tool:

Any time a choice must be made, some form of prioritization occurs. Those responsible for making the choice may play a hunch, take a vote or analyze for some specific impact they think is important, but they will decide what they think is best, most important or should be done first. If the prioritization process is incomplete or arbitrary, chances of success are lessened.

The discipline of a prioritization matrix allows you to avoid setting arbitrary priorities that have less likelihood of helping you reach your desired objectives. The Full Analytical Method does take considerable time and effort, however, and should be used only if the risks or potential benefits make it worthwhile.

The tips, which each build on the tip previous to it, include:

Agree on the ultimate objective
List criteria needed to meet the goal
Compare the importance of criteria
Evaluate Options against the weighted criteria
Evaluate criteria against all other criteria
Compare possible choices for the remaining criteria
Bring it all together

Using visual examples as well as easy-to-understand explanations, this post is a great start to both understanding and implementing this time saving, business aligning tool. In particular, the prioritization matrix can help find decisions when the solution is known but the importance of taking action is yet to be clarified.

Genius PMO: Make Every Project Manager A Genius (Part I)

Matthew Kabik — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 04:06:36 +0000

What if you could build a genius team by asking just 40 questions?
This blog post from Nicholls and Dimes introduces a system of assessment developed by Genrikh Altshuller which allows for the creation of “genius” solutions. The post introduces how this system works and how it can be applied to a project team, going on to introduce the first series of questions. The first in an ongoing series, the author plans to share all 40 questions and then the final steps to genius solutions.

Are You the Right Leader for Project Success?

Richard Wood — Sun, 20 May 2012 04:06:12 +0000

The right leadership often leads to the “right” outcomes ““ at least that’s the working premise of this academic article by Mary Sumner, Douglas Bock, and Gary Giamartino. It’s an accepted fact that leadership, when applied well, can turn the tide in any large project. That being said, it’s also agreed that most large IT projects have significant time and cost overruns. So what factors allow for some leaders to succeed where others have failed? This article points to the importance of soft skills, action enablement, and open communication.

9 Keys to Effectively Manage Software Projects

Richard Wood — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:06:57 +0000

This PDF from ITMPI and written by Larry Putnam gives a list of nine key principles and practices to successfully
create a management system for software projects. By effectively tracking project history, understanding the impact of change after the project has begun and recognizing all actions that occur with a software project (not just coding) help orchestrate effective management.

Spreadsheets: The most expensive PPM tool you didnâ€™t pay for

Matthew Kabik — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:06:00 +0000

The creation of home-spun spreadsheets to manage projects is as common and typical as any other element in project management. Often cited as a cost negating, quick and personalized solution, spreadsheets can actually end up costing an organization far more than what a true project portfolio management system might ““ while also becoming so personalized that nobody but the creator can use it. This article from Steve Chamberlin explains how a simple spreadsheet solution can end up being a big headache.

Make Complexity Seem Simple With Enterprise PPM

Matthew Kabik — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:06:39 +0000

This post on Info-Tech discusses how enterprise project portfolio management is becoming the go-to solution for many organizations that need to monitor and manage projects from start to finish in multiple groups. While today’s PPM solutions are “stretching their capabilities out beyond the rigid parameters and timelines that defined traditional project management”, the article suggests that PPM will expand to fit the new needs of a more dynamic industry.

7 Marks of a Great Project Management Office

Matthew Kabik — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:06:55 +0000

So everyone knows what a PMO is, but does everyone know what makes a great PMO great? In this article by Alec Satin you’ll learn the 7 marks of a great project management office, including: project alignment, increased project success rates, competency increases, and a standardization of project templates. The article gives a strong base to evaluate any PMO you work with to determine if it’s right on track or coming up short.

Unlocking PMO Profitability

Matthew Kabik — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 04:06:22 +0000

Most CIOs know the benefits of utilizing a PMO ““ the positive outcomes are well documented and researched. In this article from Project Smart, Darrell Raynor, PMP and Curt Finch, the argument is made that the benefits aren’t being shown in positive financial results. Raynor and Finch explain why this is a problem in both a good economy and a bad economy: why keeps something that is meant to save money in good times, and why keep something that may otherwise be cut in bad? To help, the article explains what metrics to focus on in order to show PMO value and how to present them to executive level management.

Can IT PPM Be Business-Driven?

Matthew Kabik — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:06:48 +0000

Contents

A Business Driven PPM Creates Alignment

A Business Driven PPM Creates Alignment

PPM can be business driven, and according to Steve Sharp, it should be. If the primary goal of PPM is to increase the speed and quality of business performed, than the line between IT and business becomes blurred, and PPM becomes a matter for both IT and business. With this in mind, Sharp states, the focus shifts to alignment and assessing ongoing initiatives.

Portfolio Management From the Trenches

Matthew Kabik — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:06:01 +0000

In this PDF from the Project Management Institute and Wiley, the process, pitfalls, and benefits of PPM are discussed. Beginning with the common reasons that PPM is not implemented (or implemented poorly) in organizations, the paper goes on to answering the five most important questions that can occur in an IT organization including: Are we investing in the right things, are we optimizing our capacity, and how well are we executing?