Management

The contents of an effective project proposal that gets results include:Understanding of the problem:Situation - this is the "status" What complicates the situation in terms of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats - this is a further elaboration of the "status" Clear statement of the problem including needs and requirements - this is the "what" Solution hypothesis - "going in" position including potential features and benefits - this is the "why" - with an explanation as to the advantages over other alternativesScope, objectives, and goals:The scope of the project is a general statement to address the problem and the solution hypothesis. The scope statement establishes boundaries - what the solution hypothesis is and what it is not. The project may be subdivided into phases, such as planning, analysis, design, construction, implementation, enhancements, and maintenance. Hence the scope may define the entire project and/or a phase within it.The objectives are general … [Read more...] about Ingredients For an Effective Project Proposal

Telling Your StoryMy family likes to play Jenga. The game has fifty-four precision blocks and the goal is to take risks by removing and replacing blocks, building a taller tower without collapsing the structure. Jenga, in Swahili, means "to build" and whether you are talking about the game or your organization, the goal is to build it, while keeping the structure solid.Fairly quickly, even the kids learned that the weaker the Jenga base is, the quicker it falls. This is consistent with most areas of life. Whether you are part of a nationwide organization like your auto club or a small Rotary Club, proper organization and a stable foundation will support great leadership and attract members. How many times have we seen great leaders or charismatic chairpersons who are unable to succeed because they aren't supported by staff, volunteer or club administration? Today, I'd like to make a case for the elements of stability that will keep your organization going strong.The most important … [Read more...] about Jenga Anyone? The Importance of Stability in Group Management

Sources of personal income include activities from being an employee, an entrepreneur and/or a business enterprise owner, or an investor. The strength of an individual's competencies determines their success or failure in these activities, and their willingness to learn from failure so as to enable future successes. Competencies are about domain knowledge in academic and vocational disciplines, and in the related mental and physical technical skills. Disciplines are rules of conduct and subject areas of teaching. Individual competencies comprise personal, professional, and enterpriship (entrepreneurship, leadership, and management) knowledge and skills.Personal, professional, and enterpriship competencies...Personal competencies are about the self (intra-personal) and how an individual relates to others (inter-personal). Intra-personal competencies are both qualitative and quantitative. Beyond the fundamental satisfaction of human needs, the most basic competencies are the ability to … [Read more...] about Applying Individual Competencies to Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Investment Activities

The career path of a professional engineer is often filled with opportunities to use his or her strengths and talents to rise to any challenge and become a good leader. But is it possible that some individuals are hindering their growth by relying too heavily on their strengths?As a practitioner and coach for many executives, I believe that an overdependence on strengths is preventing many people from becoming better leaders, particularly in a time when organizations are faced with unprecedented challenges that may need unique solutions.When times are easy going, people tend to try something new, but difficult times don't encourage venturing into the unknown. Engineers often display strong analytical and problem solving skills, which can over shadow their soft skills. If you're under the gun and you know there's a way that you can get something done, you're going to revert to where you feel the most comfortable or the area where you know you are the strongest. For people that are … [Read more...] about Keeping Your Strengths From Becoming Weaknesses

Many of you will know that open questions are those that cannot be answered with a one word answer but I want to very quickly bring this to top of mind.If you are having trouble getting staff involved, think for themselves and solve problems, check the questions you are asking.Questions that begin with Who, When, Did you, Will you or Can you, often end in 1 word answers from staff.   If you were Mentoring them, you can give them the answer to their problems, but then they will probably return tomorrow with a similar issue.   However your objective as a Coach to your team is to:   Ask questions that get them thinking about how to solve the problem for themselves. It will take slightly longer and demand your self control and patience to hold back on the answer, but when they discover it for themselves, the rewards are long lasting.   Questions that begin with Why, How, What or Tell me, tend to generate more meaningful answers because the person is forced to … [Read more...] about 4 Key Coaching Questions to Help Staff Step Up and Seize Opportunities