tom mochal

Articles

Download this quality management plan to ensure project approval

April 2, 2003 8:00am PST

Poor quality management is a major cause of project failure. Download this template to help ensure that your major deliverables are completed with an acceptable level of quality.

3 Latest comment by QualityTestingsolutions

Articles

Plan and prioritize work within the context of an entire work portfolio

March 28, 2003 8:00am PST

To practice portfolio management successfully, you must first identify the type of work that will be included. Once you know the scope of work, you can begin the prioritization process.

2 Latest comment by PMPsicle

Articles

Web dev: Pick up speed through standardization

March 26, 2003 8:00am PST

Tom Mochal explains why Web development standards are important and shows how to build them. This article covers standard component libraries, common tools, common Web page look and feel, and more.

7 Latest comment by turnhig@...

Articles

Standardize on as few database technologies as possible

March 24, 2003 8:00am PST

A mature development environment might utilize a number of different database technologies, such as Oracle, SQL Server, and DB2. Learn why you should standardize on as few database technologies as...

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Articles

Use portfolio management to maximize IT spending

March 19, 2003 8:00am PST

Portfolio management is not just for your finances. It can also help with the processes that drive decisions within your organization. Find out what you need to know before implementing a...

1 Latest comment by Oldefar

Articles

How to test Web apps from a user perspective

March 18, 2003 8:00am PST

Columnist Tom Mochal suggests you take a second look at how your developers test Web applications. Here's how to go beyond the code and conduct a series of tests based on how users behave.

4 Latest comment by Devans00

Articles

Structured and unstructured approaches to starting a metrics program

March 17, 2003 8:00am PST

Starting a metrics-collecting program can be daunting if you've never done it before. Here are a couple of suggestions, one formal and one informal, for doing it right.

8 Latest comment by crittermn@...

Articles

Poor planning is project management mistake number one

March 14, 2003 8:00am PST

Among the five most common project management mistakes, inadequate definition and planning tops the list. Tom Mochal tells you how to avoid this pitfall.

Articles

Risk management drives development tool upgrades

March 12, 2003 8:00am PST

Many development environment upgrade decisions are made from more than just a cost/benefit perspective. Tom Mochal examines the real reason many upgrades are performed: the risk of being left behind.

Articles

Weighting a project scorecard's criteria

March 10, 2003 8:00am PST

If your client values completing your project on time more than keeping to a budget, you can overspend and still consider your effort a success, if you weight the criteria in your project scorecard.

8 Latest comment by putchavn@...

Articles

When is it time to upgrade your development environment?

March 5, 2003 8:00am PST

Upgrading to a new development environment, particularly to .NET, involves a number of considerations, including the cost/benefit and business value of the move. Issues include license and...

3 Latest comment by CTCarroll

Articles

Assess project success with a project scorecard

March 3, 2003 8:00am PST

Consultants often gauge the success of a project by whether the client is satisfied. But to give a more honest picture of what went well and what can be improved for the next project, a project...

2 Latest comment by mlazo@...

Articles

Effective status reports keep everyone informed about value of IT

March 3, 2003 8:00am PST

Poorly constructed project status reports can do a disservice to IT. Here's how to create one that will capture the spirit of IT's contribution to a project.

8 Latest comment by mdabney

Articles

XML meets the challenge of application integration

February 26, 2003 8:00am PST

One of most difficult aspects of development involves the need to integrate diverse applications so all produce consistent results. Here's how XML works to meet that need.

3 Latest comment by Charlie630

Articles

Project implementation: Eight steps to success

February 25, 2003 8:00am PST

Part 2 of this series covers eight key strategies to use when planning for a project implementation. Use these tips to help identify problems during development that could threaten your...

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Articles

Sell your project team on critical change-request solutions

February 24, 2003 8:00am PST

When project changes occur during a difficult and long project, team members often meet these changes with frustration and low morale. Project managers need to be prepared to win over a tired...

2 Latest comment by PM Grrrrl

Articles

Correct your off-schedule project with these techniques

February 24, 2003 8:00am PST

An off-schedule project may not always be your fault, but your client will almost always see it as a reflection on you. Here are five techniques that can correct the direction of a project that is...

8 Latest comment by PMPsicle

Articles

Inadequate quality management will result in project problems

February 18, 2003 8:00am PST

Poor quality management can place a permanent stain on any project. To avoid this, the project manager must first determine how the client or the project sponsor defines quality--and then follow suit.

3 Latest comment by carollong@...

Articles

You built it, now implement it

February 17, 2003 8:00am PST

Even the simplest implementations can be fouled up by poor planning and poor communication. Here are tips on avoiding common problems in your next project deployment.

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Articles

Apply these techniques to get your project back on schedule

February 17, 2003 8:00am PST

Plenty of things can derail a project plan: underestimated tasks, departing staff, misallocated resources. No matter how you got off course, these methods can put your project back on track.

3 Latest comment by Michelle at Certus