Have you been sucked into a project management black hole?
Most summers you’ll find me somewhere in the shade with a chardonnay by my side and something interesting to read. This year, I’ve gravitated towards a lot of those silly-season best and worst lists. Anyone that knows me won’t be surprised that I took particular...
Has your project leader got EQ?
EQ gets a lot of press these days, but what exactly is it? EQ, or emotional intelligence, can be best described as the ‘intelligent use of emotions’. It’s about having the self-awareness, self-control and self-expression to ensure you handle your relationships with...
Only brave leaders need apply
There are some traits that a natural born leader will have that makes them shine in a challenging environment. The people that inspire others to achieve are usually emotionally intelligent and brave. As leaders, they are not afraid of confrontation. They front foot...
Behind every successful project is a smart steering committee
The steering committee is integral to a project’s success. In too many cases the steering committee’s role is often misunderstood to be all about control. Sure, control plays a small part, but it is a minor one. The key role of the steering committee’s (SC) is seen to...
What does the Great Reshuffle mean for your projects?
Once upon a time, in the not-so-distant past, going into the office from 9 to 5 was the norm, it was the expected and it was the undisputed. Covid changed everything, and its impact is being felt more now than ever, even compared to the initial chaos it sprung upon us...
Four Steps To Ensure Smooth Vendor Relationships
What do we all want when we start a project? Success. Unfortunately, wanting success and securing success are two entirely different things. But that doesn’t mean it has to be hard. It just means that the correct steps have to be taken. And one big step is...
Luminate’s Core Skills of a Great Project Sponsor
Sometimes skills and achievements on paper may seem impressive. However, in reality what is actually required from a great project sponsor is a much more unique set of skills and behaviours. Without such, it could be very difficult for any organisation to deliver a...
A Sponsor’s Role in Project Success
According to PMI’s 2018 Pulse of the Profession Report one of the pivotal reasons that projects fail, is because of the lack or inadequacy of support from the project sponsors. This is the case for a staggering 26% of all organisations, and 41% of organisations with a...
How a reality check could save your project
Optimism is inherently a positive word. It is exactly what our teachers and parents tried to instil within us. However, when it comes to managing a project, it can in fact be the biggest enemy your team could have. Overconfidence and over-optimism can result in...
Is Your Project Falling Short on Value?
When a project’s scope is initially being mapped out, chances are that the team will be feeling optimistic. Nobody starts a project thinking the worst, in fact, at the beginning most will think of only the benefits the project can bring to the table, and rightly so. A...