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New Year’s Resolutions

This year I promise to do what I know should be done. Which is what I tell other people to do when I teach project managements classes.

I will seek to understand the need of the customer before I define the product. Even when it appears that the customer is clueless.

I will identify relevant secondary stakeholders and identify their needs. I will assist in identifying and resolving conflicting requirements.

I will understand the work that needs to be done to meet the customer need before I create the estimate and the project plan. That same project plan will be bought into by all stakeholders before it is baselined.

I will identify, assess, and address risks on the project. I will continuously repeat this process throughout the project life cycle. I will escalate risks to the customer when they need to be involved.

I will measure and evaluate the progress of my project against the approved project plan. That approval will have been received from sponsors, customers, and other stakeholders as defined in the charter. It will be formal, documented and visible.

I will take corrective actions when the actual results of the project deviates from the planned result. I do this to meet the plan that I committed to. However, if there is no way to take sufficient action to get back on track, I will rebaseline the project with the “assistance” of key stakeholders.

I will close down my projects through formal evaluation of processes and results. I will give feedback on all my team members to them and to their functional managers. I will facilitate rewards for strong performance and I will thank the team members.

I will do this during my normal 12 hours per day, six days per week and I will do it with a smile on my face.

Oh well…… There is always 2011.

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