For these past few days, I have been trying to find out how far I have gone through my project management skill. I wanted to know how was I doing in managing my expenditures for time and money, how I coordinate with my clients and my team, I wanted to know I am doing my project management right. Until I stumbled to one of sites called www.mindtools.com.
MindTools offers a brief, precise and powerful project management skills assessment tool. They have complete set of assessment tools that will help you assess your leadership skills, team management skills, strategy tools that your are using, problem solving and decision making abilities, time management, stress management, communication skills, learning skills and many more. You can browse by category wherein you can choose a specific skills area that interests you the most.
It is very important that we should be aware of our strengths and weaknesses when handling a project. It is very crucial in the success of of your project. MindTools is just one of the so many assessment tools that you can find over the web.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Microsoft Excel
There are so many tools that you can use in data entry. And one of the most famous, easy tool is the Microsoft Excel.
This spreadsheet has come a long way and has been a blue print to develop different data management apps.
Aside from tables that are arranged in columns and rows, the Excel spreadsheet also allows you input actions or also called as functions, wherein that spreadsheet will automatically do the math for you. For example, you want to add tables A-J in row 1, using the right formula, the spreadsheet will automatically do the math for you and input it into the table where you want to see it. This very famous function of the Excel spreadsheet made it so famous.
The Google has also adapted this data management in their Google Spreadsheet, wherein you can upload and share your data sheet to your team.
If you are a starter in project management, the Microsoft Excel will be one of your best start up tool. It is easy to use, and you can manage your data to the extremes with ease and convenience.
This spreadsheet has come a long way and has been a blue print to develop different data management apps.
Aside from tables that are arranged in columns and rows, the Excel spreadsheet also allows you input actions or also called as functions, wherein that spreadsheet will automatically do the math for you. For example, you want to add tables A-J in row 1, using the right formula, the spreadsheet will automatically do the math for you and input it into the table where you want to see it. This very famous function of the Excel spreadsheet made it so famous.
The Google has also adapted this data management in their Google Spreadsheet, wherein you can upload and share your data sheet to your team.
If you are a starter in project management, the Microsoft Excel will be one of your best start up tool. It is easy to use, and you can manage your data to the extremes with ease and convenience.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Effective Stress Management For Project Managers
Sometimes, we get ourselves deeply immersed into our projects that we tend to forget to take care of our health. One secret in a successful productive project management is to ensure a good health. And one way to ensure this is through an effective stress management.
These are 3 simple ways to handle stress:
1. Healthy Diet
It is true that what we is what we eat. If we nourish ourselves with bad food we will also have a bad health which will affect dramatically our performance at work. If you are always sick then for sure you'll spend more days at your bed rather than your desk.
2. Exercise.
It is always said and will always be mentioned that exercise is one of the best way to handle stress. Exercise allows blood to flow into different parts of our, most especially to our brain. So when there's more blood flowing to our brain, the more nutrients it will get. Thus, your brain will be properly nurtured with the right amount of energy that it will need to handle different kinds of problems that you will encounter in your project management tasks.
3. Take a break.
You cannot strain yourself too hard. When you feel like you have enough on a certain task, or may find yourself circling in one problem without finding a solution, get up, take a glass of water or take a a toilet break, take a deep breathe, get some air or whatever you want to do just to free yourself for a minute or two. Being a motivated to get a task done is good but killing yourself is never advised.
Healthy diet, exercise and taking breaks are just few of the stress managements that you can have. Always remember that you're capital in every work is yourself and one can only function to their fullest when they are healthy.
These are 3 simple ways to handle stress:
1. Healthy Diet
It is true that what we is what we eat. If we nourish ourselves with bad food we will also have a bad health which will affect dramatically our performance at work. If you are always sick then for sure you'll spend more days at your bed rather than your desk.
2. Exercise.
It is always said and will always be mentioned that exercise is one of the best way to handle stress. Exercise allows blood to flow into different parts of our, most especially to our brain. So when there's more blood flowing to our brain, the more nutrients it will get. Thus, your brain will be properly nurtured with the right amount of energy that it will need to handle different kinds of problems that you will encounter in your project management tasks.
3. Take a break.
You cannot strain yourself too hard. When you feel like you have enough on a certain task, or may find yourself circling in one problem without finding a solution, get up, take a glass of water or take a a toilet break, take a deep breathe, get some air or whatever you want to do just to free yourself for a minute or two. Being a motivated to get a task done is good but killing yourself is never advised.
Healthy diet, exercise and taking breaks are just few of the stress managements that you can have. Always remember that you're capital in every work is yourself and one can only function to their fullest when they are healthy.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Twenty-Twenty
Every one is eager in saving money for their future. But most of us are also unconsciously constant in wasting most of it in things that aren't really that important.
One of our greatest fear is bankruptcy. Who in the world would want to be broke? NO ONE. We all swear that we will never let ourselves suffer from this crisis. Yet, 6 out of 10 are broke by the age of 40.
The secret is 20-20. What does this mean? 20-20 means saving 20 percent of your net income for 20 years before retiring. Saving means, investing your money to that bank without touching it. And by 20 years, it means consecutive 20 years of doing the routine without missing a month. It's compulsory.
One tip is that you open a time deposit account from you bank of choice which offers the highest rate. From there then discipline yourself to the routine, and try not to tempt yourself in touching your savings - consider this as your retirement fund.
Another tip is that 20 percent is 20 percent. Don't make any excuses. Twenty is twenty.
And lastly, try to keep yourself away from all material stuffs which are non-beneficial to your part. Invest to things with value that doubles in time.
One of our greatest fear is bankruptcy. Who in the world would want to be broke? NO ONE. We all swear that we will never let ourselves suffer from this crisis. Yet, 6 out of 10 are broke by the age of 40.
The secret is 20-20. What does this mean? 20-20 means saving 20 percent of your net income for 20 years before retiring. Saving means, investing your money to that bank without touching it. And by 20 years, it means consecutive 20 years of doing the routine without missing a month. It's compulsory.
One tip is that you open a time deposit account from you bank of choice which offers the highest rate. From there then discipline yourself to the routine, and try not to tempt yourself in touching your savings - consider this as your retirement fund.
Another tip is that 20 percent is 20 percent. Don't make any excuses. Twenty is twenty.
And lastly, try to keep yourself away from all material stuffs which are non-beneficial to your part. Invest to things with value that doubles in time.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Budget Planning
One of the most important parts of project management is carefully making your budget plan. Since every project strongly relies dependently in its sources, budgeting is very crucial.
Firstly, you should do research. Learn from other projects. Identify different budget planning strategies. Be familiar with the pros and cons of every strategy. And determine which strategy will suit your project best.
Secondly, know your cost core. Identify your maximum and minimum values. Set estimates for future changes. Be transparent with the cost and always stick to it. Never go beyond your budget cost for this will entirely affect your project management once you ruined it.
And lastly, monitor! Always and always monitor your resources. The in and out of your money. And one more thing, always keep an additional fund which you should never touch unless it is the only last resort you have.
Budget planning is very important for it determines the effectiveness of your project scheme. So take time in doing it and be very sharp towards the numbers.
Firstly, you should do research. Learn from other projects. Identify different budget planning strategies. Be familiar with the pros and cons of every strategy. And determine which strategy will suit your project best.
Secondly, know your cost core. Identify your maximum and minimum values. Set estimates for future changes. Be transparent with the cost and always stick to it. Never go beyond your budget cost for this will entirely affect your project management once you ruined it.
And lastly, monitor! Always and always monitor your resources. The in and out of your money. And one more thing, always keep an additional fund which you should never touch unless it is the only last resort you have.
Budget planning is very important for it determines the effectiveness of your project scheme. So take time in doing it and be very sharp towards the numbers.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Tips in Buying A Laptop
A laptop is one of the most important tools one should have in an effective project management. Thus, a careful process in selecting the perfect laptop that will suit your need is very crucial.
I just bought my laptop and end up with so many regrets after a week when I realized lots of stuffs that I should have asked before purchase.
It is usual to ask for the processor, the ram, the memory, the video card and other hardware stuffs. But some of the most important questions to ask are:
I just bought my laptop and end up with so many regrets after a week when I realized lots of stuffs that I should have asked before purchase.
It is usual to ask for the processor, the ram, the memory, the video card and other hardware stuffs. But some of the most important questions to ask are:
- Is Microsoft Office activated?
- ANTI-VIRUS.
- Hardware warranty?
- Service warranty?
These are just some important questions you should ask before leaving the counter. You can always come back at the store to get some fixed when problems arise but you'll also save much time if you asked these questions before going home, excited to open your new purchase. After all, satisfaction doesn't really rely to the store's quality of service, but to the consumer's ability to make sure they got what they really want.
The Google Calendar
Google has offered a free time management tool that enables you to get in touch with your scheduled events. All information are stored online so you can access your calendar wherever there's an internet connection.
To become an effective project manager, one must have an organized time-table of his work flow. Dates and deadlines are very crucial in project management.
Google Calendar offers a very convenient way of organizing your tasks wherein you are also able to share it with your team. The only downside for this is its inability to synchronize the calendar in different time zones.
Still though, Google calendar offers one of the online calendar application in the web. You just need a Google account and you're ready to go.
To become an effective project manager, one must have an organized time-table of his work flow. Dates and deadlines are very crucial in project management.
Google Calendar offers a very convenient way of organizing your tasks wherein you are also able to share it with your team. The only downside for this is its inability to synchronize the calendar in different time zones.
Still though, Google calendar offers one of the online calendar application in the web. You just need a Google account and you're ready to go.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
The Power Sticky Notes
Sometimes, you are up to lots of tasks that you don't know where to start or even what's next. What you need - is a perfect combination of an organizer and a reminder - the sticky notes.
One best traditional tool in a project management is a sticky note. These are cute colorful tiny notes you can stick to your desk desk, laptop corners, book covers and pages, bulletins or calendars. These provide you ease of sight of the things you need to do.
With the advancement of the famous technologies, sticky notes have also come available for your device. Androis and IOS have apps and a lot more third party apps that provides sticky notes tools to cater your project management needs. So, it comes more convenient for you to organize your stuffs using these simple organizer.
The sticky notes are handy but maybe you'll find them a little bit messy for you will need lots of it when you more tasks to do. But its also a motivation for you to hurdle up and finish a task at a time. Consider it as a harvest-game, after you finish one task, you can take its corresponding sticky note. Not that you have organized your tasks, you also have enjoyed doing it.
Using a sticky note is just one tool to organize your tasks. And out of all the tools, this one is the most colorful and playful one.
One best traditional tool in a project management is a sticky note. These are cute colorful tiny notes you can stick to your desk desk, laptop corners, book covers and pages, bulletins or calendars. These provide you ease of sight of the things you need to do.
With the advancement of the famous technologies, sticky notes have also come available for your device. Androis and IOS have apps and a lot more third party apps that provides sticky notes tools to cater your project management needs. So, it comes more convenient for you to organize your stuffs using these simple organizer.
The sticky notes are handy but maybe you'll find them a little bit messy for you will need lots of it when you more tasks to do. But its also a motivation for you to hurdle up and finish a task at a time. Consider it as a harvest-game, after you finish one task, you can take its corresponding sticky note. Not that you have organized your tasks, you also have enjoyed doing it.
Using a sticky note is just one tool to organize your tasks. And out of all the tools, this one is the most colorful and playful one.
Four Ways To Dump A Stressful Co-Worker
You may have been grueling to find ways on how to handle an emotionally-draining-office-mate - yes, its hard to deal with them but there are some effective professional ways to control them.
One of the reasons why an office mate's attitude may that clingy to you is that they're a heavy competition for you. It is also possible that they maybe a reflection of yourself. And it is also possible that you just hate them with no reason at all. Whatever your reason is, here are 4 simple ways to professionally handle them.
Focus to what is needed to be done.
You applied for a job primarily because you want to grow in your career or earn to save for your future, and meeting people will be just a mere consolation. It is not that important to try to impress every one. Never leave your desk without doing something productive - that is having a task done! You should focus on your projects, deadlines, etc. In this way, you get to spend your attention less to the people that is not so important in your career growth.
Ignore side-topics.
You'll never really get to ignore these people your entire life. There will also come a time that you'll be needing their help. Always remember that no one is an island. Only answer to queries that pertains to your job. If you find out that the flow of the conversation is heading towards your emotional death - smile, walk away and say you have things to finish. It doesn't really matter how'd they think about you hanging them in a conversation, after all, they don't really matter - right?
Never avoid them, be more entertaining.
They will always be clingy. They are on a mission to kill you. But that doesn't mean you should be afraid of them and just run away. Please remember that the more you show them your fears, the more that they will think that they have control over you - so please don't let them! Rather be nice every time they try to approach you. Answer their questions. Provide help if you can. Entertain them but in a direct, specific way. Through this way, you are gaining control over them - hell yes, you are smarter and more mannered than them - professional, in other words. And the boss likes it.
Smile.
Smile is such a mystery. Always give them your smile. Not only that it hides your anger towards them, it is also some sort of an effective "reverse-psychology" method, wherein confuses them to what really is going in your mind. It makes you look more dominant than them. You look nice at it. And it makes them look like a loser.
These are just simple ways to handle them. But better than these is to talk it over with them personally. Try to fix it. After all it is still better if everyone is your friend.
One of the reasons why an office mate's attitude may that clingy to you is that they're a heavy competition for you. It is also possible that they maybe a reflection of yourself. And it is also possible that you just hate them with no reason at all. Whatever your reason is, here are 4 simple ways to professionally handle them.
Focus to what is needed to be done.
You applied for a job primarily because you want to grow in your career or earn to save for your future, and meeting people will be just a mere consolation. It is not that important to try to impress every one. Never leave your desk without doing something productive - that is having a task done! You should focus on your projects, deadlines, etc. In this way, you get to spend your attention less to the people that is not so important in your career growth.
Ignore side-topics.
You'll never really get to ignore these people your entire life. There will also come a time that you'll be needing their help. Always remember that no one is an island. Only answer to queries that pertains to your job. If you find out that the flow of the conversation is heading towards your emotional death - smile, walk away and say you have things to finish. It doesn't really matter how'd they think about you hanging them in a conversation, after all, they don't really matter - right?
Never avoid them, be more entertaining.
They will always be clingy. They are on a mission to kill you. But that doesn't mean you should be afraid of them and just run away. Please remember that the more you show them your fears, the more that they will think that they have control over you - so please don't let them! Rather be nice every time they try to approach you. Answer their questions. Provide help if you can. Entertain them but in a direct, specific way. Through this way, you are gaining control over them - hell yes, you are smarter and more mannered than them - professional, in other words. And the boss likes it.
Smile.
Smile is such a mystery. Always give them your smile. Not only that it hides your anger towards them, it is also some sort of an effective "reverse-psychology" method, wherein confuses them to what really is going in your mind. It makes you look more dominant than them. You look nice at it. And it makes them look like a loser.
These are just simple ways to handle them. But better than these is to talk it over with them personally. Try to fix it. After all it is still better if everyone is your friend.
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