Every project creates actions. The real challenge isn't capturing them. It's making sure they get done. Today, many teams use Microsoft Copilot for meeting summaries or Microsoft Planner for task management. Both are valuable tools, but they solve d...

One of the biggest mistakes in project management is writing a shallow scope. Perhaps your customer has asked you to install a dust collector. You write your scope of work as:  Design and size the dust collectorInstall the dust collectorCommiss...

The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is the engine room of a project. Once the Project Delivery Strategy is decided, the WBS is the structure on which subsequent elements are created. A comprehensive WBS ensures that nothing is forgotten in terms of s...

The Project Delivery Strategy starts with a simple make-or-buy decision, but the consequences of that decision ripple throughout the entire project. Will I "make" the project with in-house resources or "buy" the result from a supplier who does it al...

"Most project failures aren't caused by poor schedules, poor estimates or poor scopes. They occur because changes are made in one area and the corresponding changes are not made everywhere else."     Most project management courses teach...

Even well-written actions fail if they’re not achievable. The Hidden Risk In meetings, actions are often assigned without considering:Time availableSkill levelCompeting priorities What Achievable Means An action should be:Realistic within the timefr...

If everyone owns an action, no one owns it! The Common Mistake Meetings often assign actions like: “Team to review proposal” This creates confusion and inaction. "It's clearly not a priority for me. Someone else will do it!" What Clear Responsibilit...

Without deadlines, actions drift. The Problem Actions like: “Send meeting summary” “Prepare report” “Develop plan” “Address customer complaint” Often get delayed indefinitely. What Time-Bound Means Every action needs a clear deadline or due date. In...

If you can’t measure when an action is complete, then the action description is also incomplete. The Issue Actions like:“Work on stakeholder engagement”"Update project schedule""Investigate {fill in the blank}" ...never truly finish. There's no fini...

Actions that are unclear don't get done! A meeting action should never leave room for interpretation. The Problem with Vague Actions Consider: “Follow up with client.” What does that mean?Email?Phone call?What topic?What outcome? Vague actions lead ...

Meetings don’t fail because of poor discussion—they fail because of poor follow-through. How often have you left a meeting with actions like “progress the project” or “look into options”? By the next meeting, the update is vague: “I’m working on it....

One big mistake in meetings is assigning actions that are too big. Take this example: “Organise the product launch.” On the surface it sounds reasonable—but it’s not actionable. The person responsible will spend weeks “working on it” with little vis...

Will AI take my job this year?   Who knows? What is clear is that the CEOs of every tech giant unanimously agree it is a major shift which will rewrite human history. Some believe it will eliminate all jobs. Others believe it will create new on...

Ai has advanced in leaps and bounds in recent months so it is critical in this blog series that we consider how to maximise the value from this powerful technology to enhance the results we get from brainstorming workshops. Unfortunately, I cannot s...

Finally! We've reached my favourite brainstorming technique.   What is Brain Boarding? Everyone writes down their ideas at the same time.   Setup half a dozen pieces of butcher's paper around the room (call these "stations"). Divide each p...

What is Reverse Brainstorming? In Reverse Brainstorming you ask attendees to focus on how to cause the problem at hand. Then the workshop focuses on how to reverse the ideas (causes) into solutions.   What are the questions to ask? Try the following...

Mind Mapping converts complexity into structure. It allows large amounts of information to be captured, organised and understood on a single page.   What is Mind Mapping? In Mind Mapping the brainstorming topic is placed centrally. Ideas then b...

What is Structured Brainstorming? Structured Brainstorming, (a.k.a. round-robin brainstorming) is where each attendee shares one idea at a time until no ideas are left to capture. The way I run these sessions is as follows:Set the objective: what is...

What is Unstructured Brainstorming? Unstructured Brainstorming is what most of us understand when the word "brainstorming" is mentioned. The facilitator starts by describing the topic. What problem is to be solved? What issue is to be explor...

Successful brainstorming doesn't just happen so before we jump into specific brainstorming techniques let's take some time to consider how to set yourself up for success.   Location "Where" is important! You need your team to be ab...

Projects often encounter obstacles which seem insurmountable. Complex problems with no solutions. It's easy to become overwhelmed and be uncertain as to how to proceed…but it's important to remember that you have a team working with you an...