INFOCUS FOR MANAGING PROJECTS

1.	Choosing your own project sponsor	If in position to choose, the goal is to achieve just the right balance between authority and accountability.  You need a sponsor who keeps up to date with progress. Aware of potential or actual issues Help overcome any opposition or obstacle with the need for extensive briefing Can be consulted quickly when things go wrong Feel comfortable that you are more than just one commitment among many.
2.	Pitching your own project	During presentation: Identify the size of opportunity Supported by hard evidence Prepare well Anticipate questions ask For unknown and risks Put a well-argued case
3.	The 5 whys	Simple but powerful technique.  The question to ask: Why the client want what the project delivers Take the answer and ask ‘why that is important’, insist on ‘in order to’ Repeat this process for as many times it takes to connect the project to the organization goal Rule of thumb If the sequence of questions does not lead to one of the organization’s strategic goals within 5 steps, the project may not be worth pursuing.
4.	Giving feedback	“People don’t do what you expect, they do what you inspect!” Have a formal review and follow-up sessions.
5.	Scope creep	A term used to describe uncontrolled changes to the scope of a project. It is described as ‘creep’ because the changes happened in small steps that they go unnoticed until their true impact becomes apparent.  It can also be caused by clients changing their minds or trying to get more than they have paid for.

Short notes from:

THE BOOK OF MANAGEMENT

The Ten Essential Skills For Achieving High Performance

Darling Kindersley Limited (DKL), Penguin Group (UK)