Project Management Insights

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Project Management Insights provide Project Managers with tips and ideas on how to be better leaders. You will also find lots of useful guidance on strengthening your relationships within and around your whole project, not only with your team, also with your key stakeholders. Episodes will be publ…

Karen Munro of Project Management Insight

  • Mar 4, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
  • every other week NEW EPISODES
  • 11m AVG DURATION
  • 171 EPISODES


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Latest episodes from Project Management Insights

The Difference Between a Business Plan and a Business Case

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2021 10:23


People often confuse a Business Plan with a Business Case. Let me explain the difference in these two documents and remember that you need a business case as the foundation for ANY project that you want to undertake. If you don't know how to write a business case grab a copy of my book 'How To Write a Strong Business Case' it has a step by step process to follow to write one, including a bunch of tips.

Is a Change In BAU a Project?

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2021 14:32


Is a change in BAU a project was a question that I was asked via my website some time ago. It's a topic I have a strong opinion about, and in this episode, I am going to explain why my answer to that question is Yes!

More On Remote Team Management

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2021 16:11


Back on November 27, 2018, I recorded an episode on Remote Team Management. Go back and have a listen to that episode to gain some valuable tips. Little did we realize at that time how remote work was going to change. In this episode, I touch on how to motivate your remote time now, and the keys to getting the best from them whilst they are working from home at this time.

What To Do If a Critical Risk Materializes

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2021 14:01


Don't panic! :) The reason I want to talk to you about this topic is that it could happen on your project and what I want is for you to feel confident in your ability to manage it if it does. Here is my list of six things that you need to do when your critical risk materializes.

Ways To Manage Feeling Ignorant

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2021 11:08


You probably realize there are things you don't know. And, maybe you don't. It is not fun when you are in a situation where all of sudden what you don't know surfaces. Here are a couple of ways of handling those situations so you feel more confident and let like to be ignorant.

How Many Red Groups Do You Have On Your Project Team

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2021 11:00


I want you to draw yourself a map of the groups that you will need to engage with for your project. Then consider, in terms of delivery, is each group green, red or amber (orange). This will help you determine where to focus your time and energy in order to get the delivery you want. It's a different way of leading a project. #smallprojects #projectmanagement #business

How Are You Wasting Money on Your Projects ?

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2021 11:59


Here are four ways that money is being wasted on a project and most lead back to that problem of not having a clearly defined business case or requirements. Of course, I am going to say that, because as you know they are key to projects being successfully delivered.

Stop Managing and Start Leading Your Team - Shift Your Focus

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2021 9:34


Where you focus your attention is the difference between managing and leading. If you want to be a leader it is time to look up and trust, delegate and to work with your team to deliver your project. Take stock of how you operate and lead to succeed in 2021.

2021 Review Revive Succeed

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2021 12:24


Start 2021 with a project review to health check where you are at on your project journey. Then take the time to revive team spirit and get everyone excited and back on track with what you are wanting to achieve. This is an important step after this holiday period. Doing these things will only add to the likelihood of your project success.

2 Hours Of a Project Managers Time

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2020 9:43


Let's explore only two hours of a Project Managers time to see just how many assumptions and expectations they have, during that time period. This is the reason you feel so angry, frustrated and fed up with managing projects and something that I am hoping you will learn to notice and change in order to find an easier place to work and manage our projects. #Projects #ProjectManagementTips #Business

4 Reasons Why You Need a Meeting Agenda

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2020 9:46


We often see meeting agenda's as a waste of time. Here are four reasons why one is valuable and it's not for the reasons that you probably think. Let me know which reason you will find most valuable for you. #Meetings #Business #Project Management

Ways To Keep a Key Resource On Your Project

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2020 10:36


We don't acknowledge and appreciate our key resources enough, in my opinion. We only appreciate them when they are gone, or not they're working on our project any more. Let's explore ways to work so that we can mitigate what happens when/if our key resource moves on or leaves the project. #Projects #Business

4 Keys To a Successful Project Kickoff Meeting

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2020 10:29


Firstly I want to ask you if you currently run a Project Kickoff Meeting? If you don't then here are the reasons why it's valuable to do so. If you do, then fantastic, here are four ways to make sure that your kickoff meetings are as successful as you want your project to be. #Project Management #Projects #Business

A Project Is A Business Risk

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2020 8:09


Have you considered that undertaking ANY project is a big risk to the project and therefore what you do, as a Project Manager, is business risk mitigation? I'm guessing not. Yet it is very important that you think about your project that way and do what is necessary to mitigate the risk and deliver successful outcomes for the business.

Do You Have the Right Amount Of Conflict On Your Project?

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2020 9:04


Did you know there is a 'right' amount of conflict to have on a team to make it work effectively? Too much and it doesn't work. Too little and there's no team cohesion either. Let's talk about what is the right amount and the impact of that. #ProjectManagement #Projects #Business #Leadership

Are You Setting Your Project Up For Success?

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2020 11:13


I am guessing you are looking at what a project is from the wrong angle and therefore only setting it up for failure? Why am I saying this, because most people look at a project from the outcome or delivery end, the 'how' first. What is really needed to set a project up for success is to fully understand the 'What' and 'Why'.

How Would You Deal With a Very Difficult Sponsor?

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2020 30:15


Often we can have a Project Sponsor that wants everything or wants to control everything. Or maybe they are difficult by not being engaged AT ALL. In this episode, I am joined by Jennifer Jones as we talk about Jennifer's most difficult sponsor, one who wanted to know every detail of what was happening, and how she dealt with that. And ultimately, what she learned about herself and her team in the process. #Project Management #Projects #Stakeholder Relationships #Management

How Do You Best Manage Your Project Pipeline

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2020 9:08


You may, or may not, have a formal project pipeline. That's okay. Let's look at the best way to manage to have any new project just dropped on you, when you already have projects, or a project, that you are working on. Back to visibility and prioritization which I have spoken to you about before. #Project Management #Projects #Small Business #Workload

Are You Scared Your Project Will Fail?

Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2020 9:03


Do you fear failure, even before you have started your project? Perhaps you notice that your fear arises during your project work? Fear doesn't work on projects. It has the effect of shutting down project success. Let's talk about why. #Small Business #Project Management #Projects #Business

Do You Trust Your Teams Work Output?

Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2020 11:50


We've shifted from the space of seeing people in the office to having them work remotely. Do you trust that they are working and doing what they need to be doing? It's a big shift for a lot of companies or businesses. And yet, in my experience workers who have the flexibility to work within their own time frames are more productive than needing to fit in the standard 9-5 business day. #projects #business #workoutput #projectmanagement

3 Ways To Include Everyone In Virtual Meetings

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2020 10:58


Just as with normal face to face meetings you will find that people don't always interact and engage when you want them too. It is, of course, more difficult when you hold virtual meetings unless they are something that has happened regularly in the past. Here are three ways to engage people and include them more in your virtual meetings so they don't see them as a waste of their time. #Project Management #Projects #Virtual Meetings #Small Business

4 Tips For Better Team Management

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2020 13:28


There are four key things that will make a difference in how your TEAM performs and engages to get the work done for you on your project. In this episode, I talk about those four things and the difference they can make to team output. #Project Management #Projects #Leadership

How To Boost Morale During the COVID-19 Virus

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2020 8:51


Life might not be easy right now, either for you or your team. Let's talk about what's likely to be causing stress and how you can work with that. And if you are one of the PM's that may have lost their job, what can you do to move forward during this time. #Project Management #Projects

Tips For Managing Your Project Team During COVID-19

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2020 9:09


With the onset of COVID-19 the way we work has shifted. It's time to shift your thinking about connection and teamwork. Here are ideas for ramping up your communication and connection with team members so they stay productive and focused.

Learn To Uncover Unspoken Assumptions To Create Clarity

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2020 8:53


Unspoken assumptions are the things that make problems bigger, issues become risks and risks to materialize. So, learn how to ask the questions to uncover unspoken assumptions so you don't have any of these things happen. By uncovering the assumptions you create more clarity for the whole team, which makes your job a whole lot easier. #Project Management #Leadership #People Management

What To Do When You Think You Have No Authority

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2020 9:34


It's not a great space to be in as a Project Manager, feeling as though you have no authority. I would question whether it's really authority you need or control. Let me share my ideas on how to feel as though you have more authority or control over what's happening, or have the discussion about shutting the project down. #Project Management #Projects #Leadership #Business

Connection Is the Key To Great Teamwork

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2020 43:21


You might not have realized that when people feel connected and appreciated they produce more work than when they don't. On today's episode, I talk to Dr Dave Schramm who is as Assistant Professor and Family Life Specialist at the University of Utah. He spoke to me about the importance of treating team members like family in order to get the best from them. Dave recently gave a TedX Talk on The Secret Sauce for Business which elaborates further on this topic.

Do You Have All These Leadership Skills?

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2020 12:29


Often times we step into the role of being a Project Manager with little to no other experience in managing people. We might think that being a project manager is sexy and not consider that people management skills are really at the core of the role. Let's dive into the list I spoke about in the very first episode of Project Management Insights back in 2015 of the core skills you'll need to be a great PM.

Important Pieces for Project Setup and Success

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2020 39:52


Let's talk about those things that make the real difference to your success and they aren't during project implementation necessarily. Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez talks about the keys to setting up your project and how to finish it. Once again we are not talking about the scope, schedule or budget.

Don't Let Vendors Sell You a Project Solution

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2020 10:49


Too often I see vendors selling the business a solution to their problem before a Business Case or Business Requirements have been developed. This spells disaster. Take the time to develop both your business case AND business requirements without your vendor involved. Then gather information from the marketplace. Don't waste time and money on letting a vendor sell you a solution before you truly understand what the marketplace has to offer.

Is Corporate Politics Endangering Your Project?

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2020 37:44


In this episode George Freeman III and I talk corporate politics. You'll learn how to work with the politics to make it work for your project. Don't be afraid of it. It makes sense once you understand the why behind it occurring.

Ways To Create A Better Project Team Culture

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2020 28:51


John Sheridan, author of 'The Perfect Business' discusses project culture with me in this episode. How it forms and the five ways to make the culture better. We talk simple tips that can easily be put in place on any team. 5 simple ideas that can make a big difference to team effectiveness. Ultimately the things that will shift a project to becoming easily successful and ultimately make your job easier.

Benefits Realization Is For Finance Only, Let's Talk Value

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2020 7:53


When you write a Business Case you are asked to show the 'Benefits' to be realized from undertaking the project. Why? Because that's what works for finance. What if we changed that and looked at the value to the business? Value as in, how will it change the people experience. How will the staff be positively impacted by the change? How will the customer? It's a totally different way of looking at a project, from the businesses point of view. Something that doesn't happen currently.

Why Rush Projects?

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2020 13:05


There is no legitimate reason to rush a project. There may be reasons for needing a specific timeframe, and this still needs to be clear. The more 'rushing' that occurs the more problems a project is likely to face. Don't put that added pressure on your team by specifying an unrealistic timeframe for delivery. It isn't worth it.

Using Technology To Manage Your Project Isn't Enough

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2019 8:08


Sure, it's great to have the technology available to support you in capturing ideas and providing information to your team, but don't forget the value of the personal factor. Connecting with your team members in a meeting, celebration, for coffee or lunch, as a group is ten times more valuable than any technology will be. Why? Because people like to be treated as individuals and recognized as a human with feelings and capabilities.

What Is A Project?

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2019 9:13


My belief is that we don't look at a project as something that is set up to manage change and this is what creates difficulties. If we ground ourselves in first understanding what the change is that the business wants, then the process for us making that change happen is our project. And if we keep this outcome, the desired change, in our minds during the life of our project, we can't help but deliver what the business wants.

How Committed Are You and Your Team To Your Project

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2019 11:19


I know it's a crazy question and yet I'm going to guess that at least some of your project team aren't fully committed to the project. How do I know that? They aren't performing, they aren't even really bought into what it is that you're doing on the project. If you or your team members aren't committed to the project, then how on earth can you expect to deliver on time, and on budget.

How Do You Solve Your Project Problems?

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2019 10:28


You may not think about the people around you, or that you know who could help you solve any major problem on your project that you haven't faced before. People like another Senior Project Manager, for example; or a Project Coach. Consider the people that you know who could support you at one of these times and connect with them, so if you need their help and support they will be ready and willing to help.

Don't Start a Project For the Wrong Reason

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2019 11:41


Do you notice that a number of projects in your business/organization are started because someone has a budget to spend and someone else comes up with a bright idea? The very worst reason to start a project. Let's talk about why that's the case.

Does Project Size Matter?

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2019 9:50


Does it matter how large or small your project is in relation to how you manage it, or what it means to manage it? My opinion is no, it doesn't. Argue with me if you like.

Does Culture Affect Project Team Performance?

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2019 11:12


The answer is ABSOLUTELY because the culture is the way that a TEAM engages and interacts with each other. Unless there are strong open, honest and trusting relationships built then it will definitely impact team output.

What Should the Relationship Between PM and Project Sponsor Be?

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2019 11:53


What should the relationship between the Project Manager and the Project Sponsor be like? It would say it needs to have trust, honesty, openness and clear communication at the core of it. Let's explore this relationship more.

Do You Need Clearly Defined Roles on a Project Team?

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2019 10:42


My answer is No! What is more important is making sure that expectations and assumptions are spelt out so everyone knows what is required of them to help the group or TEAM to deliver. Defined roles are a safety mechanism that doesn't always add to inclusion.

Why You Should Engage Your Stakeholders Early

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2019 11:18


Not engaging your stakeholders as you begin building your Business Case is going to cause your problems. Forget waiting until you are in full Project Planning mode. Get them involved as soon as you begin developing a Business Case.

Are You Politically Aware?

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2019 11:58


Do you understand what's happening when people are being political? Do you even notice when this is happening? Let's talk about why people are political, within a team or organization and how you can change your interaction with them.

7 Tips For Setting Up the Perfect Project Schedule

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2019 13:37


These seven tips will help you to put together a project schedule that is easy to work with and monitor. It's all about engaging the team and getting their help to pull together a schedule that is complete, realistic and with dependencies called out.

Do You Know How the Words You Use Impact Team Output?

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2019 9:31


Have you considered the impact of your words or the language that you use in your interaction with others? Your language not only says a lot about you, but it also impacts on the strength of the relationship you have with others around you. Maybe it's time to begin to mind your language.

Why Everyone Is Not On the Same Page As You and How To Get Them There

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2019 25:44


Do you notice people are just don't have the same level of understanding about the project as you do? There are reasons for that. Mark Steele talks to me about six reasons that he's found that make the difference, on a project. The difference between everyone being 'on purpose' and 'off purpose.'

5 Ways a Gantt Chart Can Help You Manage Your Project

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2019 12:09


I think we all underestimate the value of using a Gantt chart for our project. I know I've struggled when I've used Excel to set up a project schedule. Here are the 5 ways that a Gantt Chart can help you manage your project easier.

Stop Needing To Be Right All the Time

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2019 12:26


Needing to be right all the time gets you nowhere. People won't respond to you and give you what you want, no matter what you think. It's only when you're willing to meet people without any story of right or wrong that you really get what you want.

How To Get the Best From Each Team Member

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2019 23:40


Each and every team member you have has their own personality, their own way of working. Sometimes that might conflict with the way you work, other times it might match your style. Jill Valdez provides some insights and tips on how to work with these different personality types.

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