Presentation for the 2013 Mid-Atlantic Technical Communication Conference by David Zimmer

1. Seven Deadly Sins of
Project Management
Abolish Them From Your Organization
As Presented to
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2. Project Management
 Many are chosen, but few actually choose it.
 We are
 the chosen people,
 asked to do the impossible,
 within an unreasonable timeframe,
 provided limited resources,
 given full responsibility, and
 endowed with no authority.
 If all goes well, Boss gets the glory.
 Anything goes wrong, we get the blame.
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3. 7 Deadly Sins of Project Management
 Lack of Formal Training
 No Project Management Process
 Lingering Projects
 Uncontrolled Scope Creep
 Poor Communications
 Unreasonable Expectations
 Incomplete Definition
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4. 1. Lack of Formal Training
 66% Projects Fail – Standish Group CHAOS Report
 Successful Project = Meets or Exceeds
Stakeholder Expectations – PMI
 80% Project Managers Not Formally Trained –
American Eagle Group
 Trained Project Managers = 70% Success Rate – Standish
Group
 Solution: Training Pays Off
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5. 2. No Project Management Process
 Why The Need For Process?
 RTMI
 Repeatable
 Trackable
 Measureable
 Improvable
 Solution: Create and Follow A Process
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6. 3. Lingering Projects
 Poisonous To Organization
 Impacts More Than Local Project Team
 Indirect to Direct Cost Ratio: 5:1 to 10:1*
 Solution: Determine A Conclusion: Complete It or Kill It
* Sessions, Roger, CTO of ObjectWatch, The IT Complexity Crises:
Danger and Opportunity, 2009
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7. 4. Scope Creep
 Define Scope Creep
 Different Forms:
 Nibble Down The Lane
 Bold Assumptions
 Leadership Leans
 Hallway Tackles
 Unintentional Do-Gooders
 Solution: Defined and Enforced Change Control
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8. 5. Poor Communications
 Communications Are Not Planned –
They Simply Happen
 Results: Lots of Misses
 Miscommunications
 Misunderstandings
 Misinformation 28
 Missed People 21
15
 How’s It Work 10
3 6
1
 Solution: Plan Communications
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9. 6. Unreasonable Expectations
 Expectations: The act or state of looking forward or
anticipating*
 Unreasonable: Not governed by or acting according to
reason**
 Double-Edge Sword: Given A Challenge,
We Rise To The Occasion
 Appreciation of Effort Doesn’t Match
Effort Expended
 Solution: Mutually Agreed Upon Definition of “Reasonable”
Level of Gratitude Exceed Effort Expended
* Dictionary.com ** Merriam-Webster.com
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10. 7. Incomplete Definition
 Define “Complete”!
 Progressive Elaboration
 Definition Is Complete When Project
Is Finished
 Solution: Adaptive and Controlled Project Process
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11. Conclusion
 Seven Deadly Sins
1. Untrained Project Managers
2. No Process
3. Lingering Projects
4. Scope Creep
5. Poor Communications
6. Unreasonable Expectations
7. Incomplete Definition
 Solution: Proper Project Management Methodologies
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12. Questions?
Time
Project
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13. David A. Zimmer, PMP
David A. Zimmer, PMP is an evangelist for project management, helping others learn
proper techniques in managing their projects. He works with and trains clients in proper
project, program and project portfolio management methodologies. Having managed
several small to large projects (10 people to 500+ team members and stakeholders)
gives him practical insights into the do’s and don’ts of project management. His formal
education, research and consulting provides the value his clients need to increase
project portfolio performance and project success.
He regularly presents at conferences, group meetings and corporations on various
topics including project management, conflict, leadership, team building and other
important areas related to project, program and project portfolio management. His
online school (www.PersonalPMPTutor.com) aids individuals in preparing for the
Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification.
Clients include AT&T, Cisco, Avaya, Alcatel-Lucent, Sprint, Siemens, ENDO, Astra-
Zeneca, Pfizer, Hitachi USA, Janssen Pharmaceutica, and American Axle. He has
published several articles and books, and founded the American Eagle Group in 1992.
For further information or if you would like Mr. Zimmer to speak with your
organization, contact his company at 215-491-2544 or info@ameagle.com.
PMP is a Registered Trademark of the Project Management Institute
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