In this episode's conclusion to "The 8 Biggest Problems" podcast, Cadence president John Patton brings you problem number eight in the series: Project Managers are Passive. "In some companies, this is problem number one. I've saved it until problem number one, however, because I want to underscore it's importance." There's a core confusion in organizations between coordination and leadership. A coordinator assists the project manager in the logistical needs and support of the project. "They're d...
Jul 30, 2017•10 min•Ep. 118
This time, in "The 8 Biggest Problems" podcast, Cadence founder John Patton brings you problem number seven in the series: Changes to cost, schedule, and performance are not controlled. Even project teams with the best intentions suffer the challenges of "Scope Creep," says Patton, and there are a number of contributing factors. For example, project team members often don't have a complete understanding of projects during the planning phase and make changes to the work they're doing past the hal...
Jul 23, 2017•10 min•Ep. 117
A common stumbling-block for companies appears well into the project planning and implementation stage, when roles have been decided but actual responsibility at the task level is lacking. We have detailed several causes and effects below, along with a best-practice solution to help you ensure that your project has the greatest possible chance of success. While the overall project aim, timeline, team, and roles may have been defined, often the tasks that are needed to move the entire project for...
Jul 16, 2017•7 min•Ep. 116
A common challenge many clients face in project management is simply being able to get enough people onto the project team. To build crucial momentum, a successful project requires sufficient team members to take care of all aspects of the planning and execution. What makes this problem especially insidious is that in some cases, it may initially appear that you have enough willing team members for your project. What becomes apparent as the project gets underway however is that a significant num...
Jul 09, 2017•9 min•Ep. 115
A common problem that we regularly see with clients in a broad spectrum of industries is that many people simply don’t have the ability to plan their section of the work required for the project to be successful. Planning isn’t a skill that comes naturally to most people. It requires determined, focused mental effort – as Henry Ford is reputed to have said: "Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it!" There are tools to assist with project planni...
Jul 02, 2017•11 min•Ep. 114
We see this all over the world and it is one of the most common problems clients talk about: our projects start slowly. Reasons for these slow starts vary, and some are highly contradictory. For example, some complain that there is too much time, while others complain that there isn't enough time. Other common reasons given are that there are unanswered questions, they don't know enough about the project, or there are not enough people on the project team. Sometimes, the reasons given pertain to...
Jun 25, 2017•7 min•Ep. 113
The planning phase is the stage that comes into play immediately after authorization and initiation, and it is critical to the success of your project. During planning, your focus is developing the roadmap your project team follows throughout the project's duration. In addition to developing a project management plan, this is the time to define scope. It is this piece, defining scope, which seems to cause the most trouble during planning. Inadequate scope definition leads to a host of issues. Re...
Jun 18, 2017•10 min•Ep. 112
The execution phase is the stage that comes into play immediately after authorization and planning. While previous phases have eliminated risks and problems, more will be discovered in this phase. While the project manager and team must be alert to finding these problems and solving them as early as possible, there is a class of problems caused by lack of process. In fact, some of these problems are caused by management who do not understand the processes needed for good project control, process...
Jun 12, 2017•8 min•Ep. 111
Cadence founder John Patton brings us this series based on his speech, "The 8 Biggest Problems with Project Planning and Execution ... and Solutions for Each." These eight problems come as a summary of the key issues Patton has witnessed in his experience as a seasoned project manager, and the wisdom he's helped his client organizations to apply in moving beyond them. Each week, we will offer a dissection of some of the near-universal implementation and management problems felt by project manage...
Jun 11, 2017•5 min•Ep. 110
As projects near completion, it can sometimes be difficult to finalize and deliver them due to issues that can drag on or situations that arise. Getting over that last hump, to deliver the finished project can be the most difficult phase.
Jan 14, 2013•18 min•Ep. 109
It happens. The team is working hard and they’re trying to keep up. Everyone’s putting in the extra effort. Yet you’re running into a number of problems. In the middle part of the project, you can start to lose momentum. The team can start to lose some of their enthusiasm. And, if you’re not careful, you can even start to doubt yourself and your abilities. Cadence founder, John Patton, discusses how projects—and project managers—can get bogged down in the middle stage of a project. He also addre...
Jan 07, 2013•11 min•Ep. 108
In the early stages of a project, a number of issues can crop up that can shift the project manager’s focus away from getting the project kicked off and on its way to eventual delivery. It’s an important time, as a successful start sets the stage for a successful delivery. This segment is the first in a three part series that focuses on keeping your projects moving. In it, Cadence founder John Patton lays out the causes for projects getting off to a slow start, and outlines strategies for dealin...
Jan 01, 2013•11 min•Ep. 107
This week’s problem card asks, “we’re dealing with so many external influences demanding quick successes — how do you avoid jumping to implement in a way that drives success but doesn’t forget that you’re working on a project?” This week on the show, Connie Plowman joins us to take on this issue with tips on planning, strategy, and nimble project management that allows you to be responsive to organizational demands without taking unnecessary risks.
Sep 19, 2011•8 min•Ep. 106
This week’s problem card focuses on the busy executive that, for whatever reason, is not making tough decisions quickly and is beginning to impact the smooth march forward of the project. This week, Connie Plowman joins us to walk through the roadblocks to executive decision making, and outlines key steps you can take to make sure your leadership team is equipped with the right data to make the right decisions for your project. In this episode, we make reference to the Cadence Problem Solving to...
Sep 12, 2011•12 min•Ep. 105
Former Cadence COO Connie Plowman returns to Ask Cadence to discuss portability of the project management skill set in her new role. John Patton and Pete Wright talk with Connie as she shares the value of the project management domain in organizational leadership.
Sep 07, 2011•15 min•Ep. 104
A Cadence graduate called for help — after relocating for a promotion, his company was acquired by a new firm. Management roles changed, and it was time to renegotiate. John Patton and Pete Wright tackle this issue, and share guidance on planning your career in the face of company acquisition.
Jul 18, 2011•11 min•Ep. 103
This week’s project challenge comes from a recent attendee dealing with the loss of a critical team resource — a team member recently suffering a stroke. This sort of shock affects teams on many levels, from the deeply personal, to the profoundly professional. John Patton joins Pete Wright to take on this sort of devastating loss and discuss the recovery process ahead.
Jul 07, 2011•13 min•Ep. 102
Each PMI Global Congress, we like to sit down with Cadence representatives and do a brief recap of lessons learned. The Global Congress in Dublin gave us an excellent opportunity to visit trends in complexity and program management, as captured by some of the top thinkers in our field. John Patton joins Pete Wright for a discussion of highlights.
Jun 27, 2011•16 min•Ep. 101
The Project Management Institute’s Education Foundation - PMIEF - is a foundation for spearheading the kinds of projects that support building best-in-class project managers for the future. John Patton and Pete Wright review the role of this important part of our project management ecosystem and cover how the foundation drives project management education around the world.
Apr 04, 2011•11 min•Ep. 100
Organizations that invest in developing their project management initiatives quickly recognize the complexity that comes with newfound sophistication. To tackle broader and more robust initiatives, portfolio and program management offer a new basket of tools and skills for medium and large organizations to apply. John Patton and Pete Wright discuss the organizational impact of a portfolio and program management initiative and offer ideas on how you can begin to drive toward these new tools in yo...
Mar 28, 2011•18 min•Ep. 99
There is a fear and misconception that project managers without technical or engineering skill will put the projects they manage at risk. Further, that organizations that adopt project management across the company, the only kind of project manager that surfaces will be the non-technical sort. John Patton and Pete Wright take on the fear, not to defend the non-technical project manager, but to give you ideas on how to best integrate the non-technical project manager into a smart, technically-foc...
Mar 21, 2011•11 min•Ep. 98
For 35 years, John Patton has been serving and supporting the Project Management Institute, both as CEO of Cadence Management Corporation, and as a professional project manager and researcher of the field. Join John Patton and Pete Wright as they reflect on the history of PMI and the role of the organization in the life and work of project managers around the world.
Mar 14, 2011•13 min•Ep. 97
During the execution phase of the project, the team is stretched by the customer to add to scope. It’s causing strain on the team and putting pressure on the schedule. Jay Christensen and John Patton discuss the critical importance of scope definition in planning, and how to manage the complex client relationship that evolves after profile development is complete.
Feb 14, 2011•10 min•Ep. 96
The transition from project mode into operations is often every bit as critical as planning the project itself. John Patton and Jay Christensen take on this issue, and provide options for bringing transition planning back into the planning process, and under control.
Feb 07, 2011•14 min•Ep. 95
Lack of timely decision-making can cause rework and re-scoping on projects. Jay Christensen and Pete Wright take on this challenge from a course attendee and offer suggestions for maintaining team focus and strong communication up and down the project hierarchy.
Jan 10, 2011•7 min•Ep. 93
You know the project is coming, but it hasn't been authorized. As the window to deliver closes, how do you push sponsors to move the project forward before the schedule slips? Jay Christensen and Pete Wright take on this issue from an attendee with solutions for getting action without sacrificing reputation!
Dec 28, 2010•10 min•Ep. 91
Jay Christensen and Pete Wright discuss a key project management hurdle as presented in class: there are unclear priorities and mixed messages coming from the steering committee and an unwillingness to move projects down in priority. We cover the role of the portfolio manager and offer solutions for streamlining communication to ensure your teams are working on the right projects at the right time.
Dec 20, 2010•16 min•Ep. 90
As a new team member in an organization, what do you do when those around don’t understand or believe in the power of project management? We respond to this common yet difficult challenge with strategies for building success, support, and understanding, while helping your new team shine. Join John Patton and Jay Christensen on Ask Cadence.
Dec 13, 2010•13 min•Ep. 89
Cadence Vice President and COO has served almost every capacity in her 22 years at Cadence. She has served as leader and mentor across the project management community and helped countless practitioners achieve success through project management themselves. We at Cadence will miss her greatly in our day-to-day activity, but we’re thrilled to see what Connie will bring to our field in the next chapter of her journey. This week on Ask Cadence, a brief conversation with Connie on her tenure at Cade...
Dec 06, 2010•7 min•Ep. 88
On projects, it’s all about the team. The same is true for training. John Patton and Pete Wright discuss the importance of attending training and consulting events in teams, leveraging the experience of training together to work on real projects, delivering real results fast.
Oct 18, 2010•11 min•Ep. 85
