Tag Archives: project management

Kanban with kids

Posted on June 29, 2014 by Big_GH

I recently had a day at home with my kids and we decided (well I decided) that we’d try a new game.  I explained the rules: “Today we are going to get lots of jobs done, but before we do … Continue reading →

Posted in agile, estimates, kanban, planning, Project Management, software development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Who Said the Software’s Late?

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Big_GH

We are always hearing about software projects being late.  My current experience tells me that my own software team will deliver their software later than planned. So why is that?  Let’s firstly get the assumption that the team is somehow … Continue reading →

Posted in agile, costs, estimates, information, planning, process, Project Management, software development | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Building Roads

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Big_GH

We are often told when managing software projects that things should be more predictable, more repeatable and that our projects are less in control than others.  As we saw previously, I’m not convinced. I’ve been watching with interest over the … Continue reading →

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Speed vs Predictability

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Big_GH

Understanding which trait is most important to a project can be a big factor in whether that project is seen as successful. It can also help determine the best way to “manage” a project (in a “project management” sort of … Continue reading →

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Progress – Part 3 (What still needs improving?)

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Big_GH

In the previous parts, we looked at how things used to be in the development team, and then looked at how things are now.  This time, lets look at the areas that still need improving. As a small company trying … Continue reading →

Posted in estimates, peopleware, planning, process, Project Management, software development | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Planning Genius or Stupidity?

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Big_GH

Here’s a little story of a project I was recently involved in. I always enjoy the chance to watch and learn from other people’s work, so with an external Project Manager I was looking forward to this one. Things started … Continue reading →

Posted in estimates, information, listening, planning, process, Project Management | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

What Makes a Good Manager?

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Big_GH

I have worked with many managers over the years.  Some of them I have found inspirational, others absolutely unbearable, but I’ve tried to learn from them all. So, what is it that makes a good manager? Well, here’s my 5 … Continue reading →

Posted in motivation, peopleware, planning, process, Project Management, time management | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Risks

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Big_GH

I remember being a technical lead on a project and working with our project manager and his newly introduced risk register.  Something bothered me about that risk register and the way it was being used and I’ve recently managed to … Continue reading →

Posted in planning, process, Project Management, software development | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The State of Project Management

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Big_GH

As software project managers we have a reputation for delivering poor quality products, finishing late or over running our budget. Is this because as project managers we are deficient in some way, or is it the nature of our projects … Continue reading →

Posted in planning, process, Project Management, software development | Tagged | 1 Comment