From the Chicago Bears to CERN: Meet Thom Baumann-Neylon, Project Controls Consultant
The skills needed to become a successful project controls consultant can be developed almost anywhere. Thom Baumann-Neylon’s career has been a winding one, taking him from sportswriter to instructional designer and, finally, to his current role as a project controls consultant with Manta Ray Consulting. Each experience has provided him the tools needed to succeed in what he calls “the best job in the world.” In fact, he doesn’t think he would be successful today without his previous experiences.
Read More
A guide to managing complex projects remotely
Managing projects remotely is nothing new – project teams have been working effectively and collaborating seamlessly in remote settings well before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, to be successful there are a few important guidelines that team members must adhere to. These are especially key for teams moving to remote collaboration for the first time.
Read More
3 Key Traits of a Great Project Manager
A successful project goes beyond coming in under budget. When done well, a project also leaves team members feeling accomplished, with an understanding of the role they played in its success.
Read More
A Brief History of Earned Value Management
Earned Value Management (EVM) has become a necessity in government and construction project management since its development in the 1960s. In short, EVM takes the legwork and guesswork out of forecasting by pulling scope, time and costs into one integrated system.
Read More
How to Collaborate with Different Personalities
No matter the size of your project team, you’re bound to run into personality clashes. Each team member has his or her own needs, experiences, and goals that affect the project outcome and the path taken to get there. Without a strategy in place that recognizes and respects these differences, a project may struggle or ultimately run off course. Project managers need to prioritize the human aspect by focusing on two key areas: acknowledging differences and preparing in advance.
Read More
3 Warning Signs Your Project is Off Course — and What to Do Next
After investing significant time, money and resources into a complex project, the last thing any manager wants to do is inform the executive team that final goals have not been met. For some projects, there may not be a second chance. Managers must keep an eye out for warning signs that a project is headed in the wrong direction and course correct in real time. Many warning signs boil down to the human element, and correcting them may call for a more qualitative approach. Here are the major flags that your project is off course.
Read More
The Cost Accounting Manager Role: Key Skillsets
Budget: even the word itself has been known to induce a headache. Project managers often find themselves at odds with competing desires to ensure deliverables exceed expectations, timelines are met and nothing goes over budget. It’s a delicate dance, and finding balance is not easy – and occasionally, impossible. Large-scale projects benefit from having a dedicated team member focus on the budget and meeting goals – a cost accounting manager (CAM).
Read More
2020 in Project Management: Trends on the Horizon
As a new decade approaches, several trends have come to the forefront in the project management industry. The last ten years have seen a surge in technology usage, changing how project management work is done and measured. In 2020, technology will continue to shape the industry in exciting ways. Work is no longer limited to an onsite office, and the tools available to project teams today have created new paths for efficiency and creativity. Here’s a look at four trends we expect to take center stage in the new year.
Read More
