July 31, 2009 – Mark Foster
I came across an interesting study on the cost effectiveness of PPM Tools. Forrester ( no relation – misspelled, or otherwise ) interviewed and surveyed 22 vendor and user companies to create a return on investment (ROI) model based on its Total Economic Impact analysis framework. Click below to download this report to find out how an investment in a comprehensive PPM tool can provide an ROI of more than 250 percent.
Click here for a copy of the complete study.
July 22, 2009 – Mark Foster
In response to an email commenting on the challenges of gettting team participation in a collaborative management environment I replied with the following – then thought it would make great blog content.
“The keys to it I have found are, first a clear message from management that the site collection method of working is the new way and the only way to work – setting a projected date for total transition is mandatory. Second is that the Task/Issues/Risks Status Report keeps a daily email in front of the team – but also and in addition – the same Tasks/Issues/Risks are on the Workspaces providing clear evidence of those with some hesitance to participate fully. Third, there is a series of Alerts that can be easily instituted to provide clear vision of document reviews, task completions and even alerts to indicate new contacts have been reviewed. Lastly, I have also found that if keep the training sessions short and sweet teams are always happy to report that it is working well – as it does not overwhelm nor take them away from their respective work days!
In other words , we help build and insulate the teams acceptance. All this comes down to having a plan from the start as to how to create enthusiasm within the team to gain acceptance in the long term.”
July 21, 2009 – Mark Foster
During the past several months as I have introduced new clients to collaborative management online, I have made a few interesting observations in terms of acceptance, implementation and reactions while they cope with the downturn in the economy!
1. I have found many that companies regardless of size or industry/business sector, have been rethinking their business strategies – partly out of necessity, but also to clearly examine just how effective the efforts they are making really are. Costs analysis is certainly prudent but it seems there is a clear level of creativity in recent months – uber thinking.
2. I have spoken to many organizations from mining, to real estate development, to non-profits, to both large and small government and they all have one thing in common. This economic downturn has provided the opportunity to measure the impact that the tidal bore of technology has had in recent years. And now, in these quietest of moments, they are weighing their operations against the ever increasing mass of information created to run things. The most cost effective, most up-to-date method of keeping on top of business reaches back to simplified collaborated systems. Technology in business has been sorely based on a plethora of software packages and finding an effective means to once again integrate the departments within an organization is on the agenda.
3 It’s still down to the power (and implementation) of information folks! Say what you like about the automotive industry when the dust settles it will be a better run industry – you know we all know it. Why because the focus has left prudent management in recent years. They/we have to manage whist trimming the fatty paunch gained over the last couple of decades. Excess is out – replaced by keen edged dedication to function.
4. Despite the drilled-down, cross-drilled access of information, a Dashboard View across many different sectors/facets of business and the projects within them, are a necessity and easy to operate. It’s one thing to have all the information at your fingertips but you don’t want to spend the bulk of your day sifting through it nor learning new software. Try a condensed one page view of all operations. Much more effective.
5. Take heed, as this recent slump – brought to us by the makers of fine mortgage products – is fleeting and the best you can do is retool for the future. That said please drop me a line if you would like to expand on any of these points or if you have questions.
