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Problem 2, which manager? With the modern way organisations are set up I have an assignment manager and a career manager, the cost center is central and so who makes the decision? No one knows. My assignment manager is now getting HR and Resource Manager involved, I have a funny feeling that Project Management Practice Manager will also get involved. I know that my assignment manager would do anything to help but the rest, only God knows.

Watch this space, I’ll give you an update when possible. I’m not going to sit quietly as I believe the company should help as it was for work and not pleasure that I had to leave my car behind. 24hour security, what security? the main infa-red camera does not work, is there a third party liability/negligence case to answer?

Feel free to comment…

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If you follow the ’science’ of Project Management i.e. what you’re told you should do then it would really be very tedious and delivery on time to budget questionable. However, mastering the art of project management i.e. what you actually need to do can make life much simpler and ensure that you are really managing a project rather than paper pushing.

The following are simple tasks that are required for manage a project using the art of Project management.

• Initiation - Initiation Document
• Planning - Project Plan, Risk Management, Issue List, Change Request Management
• Executing – Let the experts get on with the job in hand i.e. let the developers do the development
• Controlling - Stakeholder Reviews, Progress UpdatesClosure - Close-out Meeting, Service Level Agreements, Training Plans

Hopefully, this will be covered in more detail in the future.

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How do we know what a project will cost? We really don’t, until the project is complete. I sound more like a billing company than a project manager, we will tell you the cost after you have used the service but the truth is we can’t know the final project cost until the project is complete because we can’t accurately predict the future. An old Muslim proverb describes this perfectly

Tie your camel (first), and then put your trust in Allah

What we can do is create an estimate. An estimate is more than pulling a random number out of the air, adding 20% for good measure (contingency), and then saying, “that’s the budget.” A real estimate changes, as the requirements become clearer. Project estimates start out broad, and as the project deliverables come into focus we’re able to more accurately define the estimates.

Each estimate should provide an acceptable range of variance, the conditions of the estimates, and any assumptions made by the estimator.

There are three major estimate types that project managers should rely on

• The ballpark estimate is also known as the rough order of magnitude (ROM). Range/confidence factor –20% to +75%
• The budget estimate (or top-down estimate) is a bit more accurate. Range –20% to +20%
• The definitive estimate (or bottom-up estimate) is the most accurate of the estimate types, but takes the most time to create. Range –10% to +10%

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He who can see both sides of an argument is missing something.

Idries Shah (writer)

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• scope/objectives are unclear;
• lack of buy-in from key players - or no clear understanding of what the Project is trying to achieve; 
• Inappropriate optimism when drawing up plans. Beware, it is human nature to be over-optimistic; 
• Under-resourcing the Project; 
• Too much reliance on one individual

These are only a few reasons, the list could go on and on and on…

Just remember; ensure everything agreed is documented. Any changes in requirements/scope comes via a change request and do not get over-optimistic especially if you are the Project Manager as if it all goes wrong, you will be the one feeling the strain.

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Anonymous

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I hope he does succeed in whatever topic he covers on Islam. I also hope he still writes in his blog for a long, long time. I would give this site a higher score, but I don’t want him to stop trying to better himself.

Islam plays a central role in my Life and the hidayablog is a good source for information on what is important and a great reminder for how Islam can influence ones life. I espcially like the blog on United We Stand and The Importance of being Earnes.

Keep up the good work. Allah willing you will soon have a large following for your blog.

Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.

Booker T. Washington

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Consider if you really want to become a Project Manaeger.
- Technical people do not have to move to Project Management to progress their career. There are other career paths that people can take. Research and ensure that this is the right move for you…

Key Skills for a Project Manager:
90% of Project Management is Communication. This can be reports, status and getting the information from technical teams and essentially reporting to the project board. Also, being a Motivator is essential to get the best out of your team. And finally, be Thick Skin’d as you will have to deal with people from all backgrounds and all environments. You will get the praise for success, but also the blame for failure (and yes customer failures too)

I love deadlines, I especially like the SWOOSHING sound they make as they fly past

(more…)

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