On Product Development and More...

I recently attended an online conference sponsored by the IT Metrics & Productivity Institute that focused on improving software development by leveraging best practices and software process improvement theory.

One of the speakers, Bob Charette, a risk management consultant, gave an excellent presentation entitled "Why do Software Projects Fail?”

I recently came across an article in Information Management magazine, entitled "Coaching for Professional Development".

It describes a management philosophy whereby, "Managers should encourage, foster and support employee's continual development as a way of helping them master changing work and keeping morale high". The ultimate goal is to keep employees motivated and productive.

A client recently asked me to provide Microsoft Project training to their organization.

Great, I thought. This is an opportunity to not only present some best practices for using Microsoft Project, but also to introduce some project management best practices into the organization.

Vince Lombardi used to begin every new season with his "Gentlemen, this is a football" speech. He talked about its size and shape, how it can be kicked, carried, or passed.

I first heard the term Death March about 10 years ago. Our principal architect (Ross, one of the brightest engineers I have ever worked with) pulled me aside and said: "Just you watch, Doug. This project will become a Death March. And, it will be your job to guard the exits - preventing us from leaving until our daily toil is done".