Becoming a SCRUM Master

Back in July we covered Tools for Implmeneting SCRUM, a guide to managing complex projects.  This is a follow up to that on going to the next level, becoming a SCRUM Master.  Why is it important?  Because it will give you a better overall outlook on how to handle the idiosyncrasy of dealing with overly-complex [...]

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Top Methods for Gathering Requirements

In order to do any project properly a project manager must complete their due diligence, including gathering all the requirements for the job.  Without all the requirements it’s impossible to call any project completed.
To get started, this list of 10 techniques for gathering requirements is a must-read.  As a rebuttal to that article, here’s another [...]

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Simple Stress Management Techniques

No matter how well any plan is layed out, how well you get along with coworkers and team members, stress will invade the work place in one way or another.  How you manage your stress is as important as how you manage your projects.  Using some simple stress management techniques can be the difference in [...]

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Low Tech Project Management Tools

We live in a digital world, electronic everything, social media and networking as driving forces towards a common goal.  But what if implementing those into your project meant more time and no real gain?  Sometimes, low tech is the best way to go about project management.  Some tools that could be useful:
White Board. Extremely efficient [...]

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Tools to Help you Test That Potential New Hire

Bringing team members on is always stressful, and the number of new applicants is on a sharp rise, making your choice even harder.  Given that most interviews last less than an hour, what can you do to ensure you hire the right prospect?  Utilize some tools to discover what the potential new hire can and [...]

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Reward Ideas for a Job Well Done

Today’s economy is ruff, workers are asking to reduce the hours they put in and accomplish more, boost productivity but lower overhead costs.  This can bring moral of a department down.  Offering rewards or incentives for a job well done can often bring the moral right back up again and give team members goals to [...]

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Idea Brainstorming Tools

Brainstorming can be one of the best ways to develop new ideas on projects, this is a well known fact.  Most people spend the majority of their brainstorming time trying to figure out where to start though, which can often be the most frustrating.  Because you should never have to re-invet the wheel (since it [...]

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Benjamin Franklin on Industry

One of the founding Fathers of America is Benjamin Franklin, famous for many things, but often overlooked for some of the best words to live by.  An example can be found here:
1. Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise
2. Diligence is the mother of good luck
3. God helps [...]

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5 Great Books for the Busy Project Manager

Staying abreast to current trends is as important as learning the old standbys; this often means subscribing to several industry related content providers, like magazines, email newsletters and RSS feeds.  Some of the best, most comprehensive information is still found in books though.  Here are 5 great books on project management that everyone should have [...]

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Options for Cheap Communications

Staying in constant communication with team members ensures your role as project manager will go as smoothly as possible.  Staying in communication can be extremely costly though, so here are a few options for cheaper ways to communicate.
Instant messenger.  Built into Google’s Gmail email system, accessible by a multitude of third party clients like Pidgin, [...]

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