A quality kickoff meeting begins with a killer proposal with a clear scope and a solid agenda.
The purpose of a kickoff meeting is to get everyone on the same page, working toward a successfully completed project. If you are in a service industry and are executing projects, here are tips to lead a well-planned kickoff meeting.
By Susan Fennema
Your custom-software project is nearing its end. But, the client is already submitting bugs, tweaks, and flat-out changes. You are out of time and out of resources, but the client wants MOAR. Saying no and setting clear expectations along the way could have helped you. But, now what?
Saying no at the end seems disingenuous. It can create fear, uncertainty, and anger. But, at some point, avoiding the hard conversations will result in even more of those bad feelings. The key is not to necessarily out and out say no. It’s to set expectations, and then to use clear communication with consequences.
So, here are some steps to manage things at the crazy end:
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SwoopTalent is a global, automated, talent, data management software for Human Resource teams, trusted by brands like Symantec, GAP, and Teradata. Founder Stacy Chapman is a tech and data pro, specializing in HR tech for more than 25 years, including being a PeopleSoft alum. It is safe to say that Stacy is no stranger to tech platforms, so of course we were honored that she trusted us to consult on her business operations.
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By Susan Fennema
I’ve demonstrated project management talent my whole life. I remember things I did as early as 3 years old that were clear signs. And, I was in jobs where I was project managing without even realizing it. But, the first time my job title was “Project Manager” was in 2010… that was 22 years after my career path began.
There isn’t a college major for project management – at least not at my school. I was a journalism major, and that writing ability has served me well. You can become a certified project manager through the Project Management Institute if you believe that is necessary. (I do not.)
Many of us evolve to this career path as you learn in your various roles that you have, as Liam Neeson would say, “a very particular set of skills.”
Hopefully, by understanding some of your natural project management talent, you will be able to either move toward a project management career earlier – or acknowledge that it is part of the role you are playing in your other jobs. So, what are these talents and how did I recognize them in my personality and my God-given talent?
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The SMART goal framework is strict enough to help form a backbone for any project but also flexible enough to be applied to any Project Management strategy. The Project Management structure can be reflected in the set of SMART goals created for any project member.
By Susan Fennema
A good project proposal is necessary to the success of your project. It defines the scope. It provides the budget. Lastly, it sets the timeline. In other words, your project proposal sets the tone and expectations for your project.
A project proposal should minimally include the following:
