Project Management

At times managers tell their resources, to add a buffer of x hours while calculating the time so as to cover up for any unforeseen situation. This is incorrect anything not known is called unknown risk and it is always good to keep a certain amount of time for risk mitigation and workaround. Moreover it throws off project metrics. At the end of the day the manager needs to know where the team is, even if they are not on track. It is always recommended to encourage your resources to report the actual effort spent. But there might be some contractual […]

All workers have trouble with distractions in the workplace to a certain degree. Distraction level varies from person to person, those with less concentration are distracted easily while others take time. So it is necessary that everyone must ensure few proactive measures to avoid or reduce these distractions. Distractions range from external distractions like loud phone calls, heated discussions in common area, or celebrations within a certain group to self-distractions such as Whatsapp, Facebook, sms or email. At times the working style or habit can also cause real distraction and resulting in unproductive tasks like spending your day checking and answering

There are times when you find most of your resources are constantly struggling to meet the deadlines, as a result they start sitting late to complete the work. If this is happening quite often then it is a matter of concern and should be addressed on priority. It’s worth stepping back and taking a different approach of doing your work. Try to identify the reasons first Do you plan your work a week or a month back or do you do it every day. Do you prioritize your work or just do it the way it was assigned to you.

It depends on the host of the meeting to manage it effectively so that the outcome of the meeting meets his expectations. Conducting effective meetings is an art and not all of us are good at this. At times it is very difficult to interrupt in between even if people are going off track. But in the interest of your and others’ valuable time, one is bound to do so. Choose the correct set of words like and try to wrap it effectively with the desired outcome. Few tips for conducting a meeting Start and end on time. Ask participants

Most people do not know or are not honest with themselves regarding their weaknesses. Many companies use a 360 degree assessment tool which is very effective in identifying an individual’s weakness irrespective of his personal belief. This tool is online, discreet, and administered by Human Resource (HR) Department. The questions covers all aspects of the subject person’s personality, management style, strengths, weaknesses, and performance. Each person was required to conduct a 360 degree assessment which meant he/she would identify 3-4 peers each for subordinates, supervisors and management people to conduct the assessment. HR would send the notice out requesting inputs

People management is tougher than managing any project or program and is the key to success for every project. No matter how well the planning of the project is, it is of no use unless executed properly. The execution part is done by the project team, so they need to be managed really very tactfully and carefully. Many managers lack basic training in managing people, they even lack the values, and sensitivity required to interact effectively with different types of people. Top 5 Mistakes made by managers in managing resources  Make decisions before discussing with the team members- Some managers

“Feedback” is generally an “opinion” about a person, a group or a process, people are directly or indirectly related with. It can be given as a balanced advice based on facts or one’s own view point based on limited or incomplete information.  Be very careful while sharing the feedback specially feedback regarding your superiors, as nobody likes to hear negative comments about themselves, irrespective of how constructive these may be. And it can return back to you any day. Feedback is one of the “ideal” noble ideas that companies want to put to use, and they are sincere in instituting

Predictive analysis of employees is a type of data analysis done basis assumptions and unknowns, to make predictions about unknown future events. Consider a scenario: A manager walks towards one of his team member and tells him/her that they did a data analysis, and it predicts that some of the key resources similar to his/her profile would soon get restless and think of leaving the company, so the company want to make an offer basis data which shows how they had retained people of similar profile in past. What reaction is expected from the team member? Would s/he welcome the offer,