Working with a client who has many changing priorities can make you feel like you are playing Whac-A-Mole. Changing priorities can be a huge challenge in managing a successful project. But, often clients don’t even realize they are doing it. So, how do you manage a project when priorities are changing without putting it and your relationship with the client in jeopardy?
At PauseOnError (May 7-8, 2018 in New Orleans), I lead a discussion called, “Stand Tall While Talking Money”. Pause is a different kind of conference – an unconference if you will. (Read more about the conference.) You aren’t a “speaker” and you don’t “present”. You lead a discussion with the attendees and this topic inspired some great participation.
Lisette Wilson (Informing Designs), Martha Zink (Soliant Consulting) and I set out, in January 2018, as representatives of Women of FileMaker, to host PauseOnError, a project by Ernest Koe (Proof Group) and John Sindelar (Seedcode). They offered WoF the opportunity to host this tech conference, giving us a platform to “say the thing”.
First of all, I once again had the privilege to speak to the Xojo community at the Xojo Developer Conference last week. (XDC2019 was announced to be May 1-3, 2019, in Miami. Registration is already open!) During this year’s conference (XDC2018), I led two sessions and you can download the slides here:
Communication is not a natural skill for most individuals. It isn’t something taught in school or in college. I’ve had my fair share of working with people who weren’t the best communicators and I’ll admit it’s quite the challenge. It’s even harder when you’re not in the same place and cannot go stake out at their desk (something I did quite frequently in my agency days). So how do you encourage responsive communication without always being available? Or how do you deal with a lack of response? Better yet, how can you keep the communication streamlined and succinct without things going off track? Continue reading
In this video, I give a 101 Project Management Overview to the Austin FMPUG. This presentation was also shared with the Dallas and Minneapolis FMPUGs in February and March, respectively. I talk about how to manage your projects to success including milestone setting, changes and setting expectations. Continue reading
A good project proposal is necessary to the success of your project. It defines the scope. It provides the budget. Lastly, it sets the timeline. In other words, your project proposal sets the tone and expectations for your project.
For a couple of years now, you’ve heard me talk about setting yourself up to repeat successes and how you need to create processes so you can stop reinventing the wheel. You might have also heard me mention that using templates to start projects is an effective way to start to manage like you mean it. But, where do you start? How do you get set up with a project management template?
Your custom-software project is nearing its end. But, the client is already submitting bugs, tweaks, and flat-out changes. You are out of time and out of resources, but the client wants MOAR. Saying no and setting clear expectations along the way could have helped you. But, now what?
I presented “Managing Your Projects to Success” to the Xojo Virtual User Group in February 2018. In this presentation, I cover some of the most common project problems that software developers run into and how you can use project management tips to manage your project to success.
Please find the full video transcript below: Continue reading