Archives for October 2019

I’ve changed my mind about benefits realization. We (PMs) should do it.

I used to believe that PMs are responsible for the Triple Tradeoff, scope, cost and time. We didn’t, typically, get involved in choosing the projects. And we are, typically, not involved in what happens after we deliver the project (all scope, on budget on time, of course).

I first changed my mind about the Triple Tradeoff. I now deliver projects with the goal of maximizing value to the organization Maximizing value is more important than budget and schedule. Now I’ve changed my mind about benefits realization.

Most Organizations Don’t Measure Benefits. I assumed that someone else, somewhere else was measuring whether the project actually achieved the benefits detailed in the business case analysis. I now believe they don’t. Projects are delivered and some, many?, fail to deliver. Organizations don’t know. Without this data, they are likely to continue investing in low value-add projects.

Project Management Offices (PMOs) or PMs should lead the effort to determine if benefits are realized. Organizations need this data. PMOs are in a great position to get it. They have the tools to do it. They know about all the projects an organization is doing and has done. And PMOs are frequently less political – they don’t have biases towards treating finance projects better than HR projects for example. They can be neutral.

Liquid Planner has a good article on why a PMP certification is important to you project management career. Here’s what I tell people as President of the PMI Washington, D.C. Chapter:

• Be the best. I joined PMI and participate because I want to be the best project manager. I cringe when I think about the things I did as a young PM. I am so much better now. I am better because I dedicate myself to learning everything about project management. I go see PMI speakers so I learn from other people’s mistakes as well as my own.
• Advice. There are many situations where you can’t get advice from work colleagues. PMI is a great place to review issues that you are having on your project and to get unbiased advice. I use my network to test my ideas and plans so they get better before I implement them for my clients.

Interesting article from Marginal Revolution on active learning. Studies show that active learning (activity-based learning among other things) is more effective than passive learning (listening to lectures). Interestingly, students hate active learning and believe they are learning less. Odd.

The article also refers to the numerous issues with student evaluations. Studies show that male professors are rated higher than female professors and white professors higher than black professors. I read every student evaluation but I am aware of the bias that exists. I don’t think Georgetown uses them for important decisions and I’m glad about that.