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Eight resolutions for better project team collaboration
Setting resolutions specific to project team collaboration is one way to jump-start your team’s efforts in the new year.
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Project management trends to watch in 2014
Read Andy Makar's predictions about what will be the hottest project management trends in the coming year, and then let us know if you'd make changes to his list.
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Interview red flags for the IT consultant
Sometimes the new IT consulting gig you're walking into is a mess. These early warning signs might set off your inner Geiger counter.
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Move from collaborations to conversations with Glip
Will Kelly reviews Glip, a new conversation platform targeting SMBs that want a better collaboration and communications solution.
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Create a Huddle project workspace in a snap
SharePoint competitor Huddle has at least thing in its favor: It's very easy to set up a workspace. Learn how to do so in this tutorial.
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Bloat is not 'good': Stick to the numbers when discussing scope/time/cost dynamic
Ken Hardin breaks down why the PM concept of scope/time/cost has been misinterpreted as "good, fast, cheap" by IT organizations.
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Create schedule quality checks in Microsoft Project 2010
Here's how to build custom filters in Microsoft Project 2010 to ensure you have a quality project schedule.
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Seven important Asana integrations for project teams
Asana supports integrations with an increasing number of SaaS productivity and PM applications. Read about seven of them.
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HealthCare.gov rollout lesson: Push back on unrealistic launch dates
Ken Hardin believes testing and a real sense of consequence might have helped dodge the Obamacare site launch fiasco. Read his tips for tackling forced release dates.
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14 quality checks for your IT project schedule
One way to evaluate whether your project schedule is good is to measure it against this list of quality checks from the Defense Contract Management Agency.
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How to make project management a learned skill and behavior
Your IT project team might be the most powerful PM tool of all. Read experts' advice about how to get the most out of those team members.
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20 questions every IT pro should answer before going out on their own
Before you resign from your full-time IT job to start a tech consulting firm, answer these questions to determine how well you've thought through this career change.
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WorkZone: project management simplicity with some rough edges
Will Kelly evaluates where the WorkZone project management platform shines and where it falls short.
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The business analyst: The project manager's best ally
Ken Hardin shares a tale from his days as a TechRepublic manager that illustrates why PMs need a direct channel to the business analyst.
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IT project management terms you should know
This glossary will help your IT project teams standardize on frequently used project management terms, from critical path to work breakdown structure to scrum.
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IT project management terms you should know
This glossary will help your IT project teams standardize on frequently used project management terms, from critical path to work breakdown structure to scrum.
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Telling clients 'I don't know' is acceptable
Consultants should market themselves to clients as providing the right answers rather than having all the answers. This is why it's beneficial to know how to conduct reasoned research.
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10 questions for aspiring independent consultants
Erik Eckel poses 10 questions that will help technology professionals determine if IT consulting is the right career path for them.
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How to know when you have too much business
What's the sweet spot for having enough consulting work and income? Chip Camden reveals the answer.
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Same conversation, different client
Don't be blase when dealing with clients' major system upgrades. It may be just another day on the job for you, but for the client it's personal.
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When to apply the shut up strategy
Before offering clients your unsolicited opinions, you should consider whether holding your tongue might be necessary in order to maintain a good client relationship.
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Tips for choosing your professional email address
Your professional email address is like a handshake to clients. Chip Camden advises what to do and what not to do when creating that email address.
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Cutbacks in tech investments leading to more client emergencies
If businesses don't invest in necessary technology upgrades, it will come back to haunt them. A "fire drill" meeting with such clients may be in order.
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The seven day work week
Independent consultant Chip Camden sometimes enjoys work more on the weekend, though he wonders if he should scale back his workload on Saturdays and Sundays.
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The importance of documenting clients' business objectives
From day one, IT consultants should ask about and document clients' business objectives before suggesting fixes for the current solution.
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Adopt this flowchart to simplify triage
This IT Consultant Client Triage Decision Tree will help you get through customers' panicky calls when emergencies arise.
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Weeding out potentially bad clients
Unless you want to get stuck in a relationship with a nightmare client, it's a good idea to do some sleuthing up front.
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Preventing code rot
Software developers call neglected code that stops working code rot. Chip Camden explains why this often occurs and how to avoid such trouble.
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Assess whether you gave your client a reason or an excuse
Before telling a client that you cannot accomplish a project task, consider whether you're giving them a reason or an excuse. Chip Camden encourages you to take another look to make sure the problems ...
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Why IT consultants should get baseline certifications
IT consultants don't need to get every new Microsoft certification. Erik Eckel recommends spending time gaining real-world experience and getting only the baseline certs.