Project Management Archives

Projerra Academy repositioning as an Independent Training Provider

For two years, Projerra Academy offered courses as an International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) Endorsed Education Provider (EEP). Despite a concentrated effort, the Academy could not find the right mix, so Projerra Academy is returning to its roots. Projerra will continue to teach project management, business analysis, agile methodology, and other related topics, but the workshops will be offered as [...]

Projerra Academy repositioning as an Independent Training ProviderStephanie2022-08-08T21:12:45-04:00

Let’s make Lemonade

Like many of you, I have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. My contract was terminated at the end of June, due to government money being reallocated to support the emergency relief benefits; but rather than sit idle for the past 2 months and bemoan the lemons that have come my way, I have used this opportunity to make lemonade. [...]

Let’s make LemonadeStephanie2020-09-08T08:12:40-04:00

Requirements Management and Agile-like Program Management

This is post five of five that shares learning and insight gained during a recent consulting experience. Today’s lesson straddles the line between requirements management (generally considered the responsibility of a business analyst or solution architect) and solution delivery (generally consider the responsibility of a project or program manager). I have straddled these practices throughout my career. It was 2002 or [...]

Requirements Management and Agile-like Program ManagementStephanie2019-02-18T23:27:49-05:00

Experiences from the Trenches

Recently, I started work with a new team where I was the most experienced Business Analyst in a team of six. I coached and guided the new BAs so that they could feel more comfortable in their role and duties. When I find myself in a coaching role, I notice that I learn as much (or more) from the experience as [...]

Experiences from the TrenchesStephanie2019-02-18T23:13:47-05:00

How to Manage Issues Visually with an Impact/Control Matrix

As a project manager, mitigating risk and managing issues is one of your duties. As a business analyst, you need to manage and resolve issues too. So what do you do when there are so many issues that there is no clear path forward? You categorize them, prioritize them, rank them, and assess the degree of control that you have over [...]

How to Manage Issues Visually with an Impact/Control MatrixStephanie2016-02-28T06:21:37-05:00

Next time the boss asks you for a date, give a date for a date!

Have you ever been in meeting and your boss asks you to provide a date for a deliverable? Sometimes you have the answer to the question on the top of your mind, or you can perform a quick mental calculation and answer the question with a fair degree of confidence the date when the deliverable will be available. This is referred [...]

Next time the boss asks you for a date, give a date for a date!Stephanie2015-11-04T22:32:17-05:00

VisuAL PM® for PMBOK v5

In January of 2013, PMI released the fifth version of the PMBOK. Today, I'm happy to announce the release of the first product in VisuAL PM® Suite for PMBOK version 5. The VisuAL PM® Inputs, Outputs Tools and Techniques has been updated to reference the new processes, tools and techniques and artifacts. It includes all ten knowledge areas and several bonus [...]

VisuAL PM® for PMBOK v5Stephanie Lachman-Doucet President2015-10-06T21:15:04-04:00

VisuAL PM Mind Map Bundle now available

It is with great excitement that I announce a new set of products in the VisuAL product line. VisuAL Mind Map Explorer is a dynamic and interactive website that allows PMP students to explore through the processes, knowledge area, and key concepts defined in the PMBOK. Color and icons make it easy for you to remember and recognize input and output [...]

VisuAL PM Mind Map Bundle now availableStephanie Lachman-Doucet President2015-10-06T20:36:31-04:00

A new VisuAL PM Interactive Product Coming

Last year I was experimenting with web technologies to help be develop and idea I had to interactively explore the PM processes. I could not find a technology that would allow me to do what I wanted until recently. Thus, I've begun redevelopment of VisuAL PM Interactive. I'm predicting that it will be ready for use in the fall. Stay tuned.

A new VisuAL PM Interactive Product ComingStephanie Lachman-Doucet President2015-10-06T20:37:04-04:00

Storming, Norming, and Reforming with Existing Teams

Recently I was speaking with the leader of an organization. He was concerned about his team. The team had experienced significant growth over the past 6 months (from 2 to 6 employees) and he was concerned that some of the team members were not as independent as he was hoping they would be. My first question to him was how much [...]

Storming, Norming, and Reforming with Existing TeamsStephanie Lachman-Doucet President2015-10-21T21:01:50-04:00