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June 8, 2025

The Project Controls Value Ring

Project controls isn’t just a function—it’s a value engine. This Value Ring shows how project controls delivers certainty across every layer of a project, from daily decisions to strategic delivery: At the core is what matters most:🎯 INSIGHT FOR DECISION-MAKING – where data turns into clarity, and clarity into confident action. The ability to make proactive, informed decisions is the ultimate value-add. Surrounding Domains include:💰 Cost Certainty – Clear forecasts,…

June 8, 2025

Top 5 Myths About Project Forecasting

🚨 Top 5 Myths About Project Forecasting – BUSTED 🔮 Project controllers are often seen as the fortune tellers and forecasters of project performance. But not all predictions are created equal… and not all assumptions hold up. Which forecasting myth do we need to be most aware of? Here are the Top 5 myths that continue to trip up even experienced teams: 1. “Once the baseline is approved, forecasts won’t…

June 8, 2025

A PMO That Actually Adds Value

A PMO That Actually Adds Value – Not Just Reports on It. Let’s stop pretending that all Project Management Offices (PMOs) are equal. Some are still stuck in spreadsheet land, pumping out stale reports and blocking progress with process theatre. Others? They’re strategic engines — enabling bold decisions, managing risk, and accelerating delivery. Here’s what a PMO model that really adds value looks like: 🧩 1. Strategic by DesignNot just…

June 8, 2025

What a Project Planner says vs What a Planner means

“What a Project Planner says vs What a Planner means”… If you’re a project planner, you KNOW these translations are (almost) true… Behind every perfectly crafted schedule, there’s a whole lot of real-world translation happening! Here’s what planners say vs what they actually mean behind the scenes!…Planner says:“We’re slightly off track.”Planner means:“It’s not a disaster yet… but give it a week.”…Planner says:“We’ll need to rebaseline.”Planner means:“We’re now officially making up…

June 8, 2025

Critical Path vs Critical Chain

Critical Path vs Critical Chain: Are You Managing Time, or Managing Flow? In the world of project controls, two terms often pop up when it comes to scheduling: Critical Path Method (CPM) and Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM). While both aim to keep projects on track, they tackle the problem from very different angles. Critical Path focuses on the longest path of dependent tasks—delays here directly impact the project end…

June 8, 2025

Project Controls is a Waste of Money

“Project Controls is a Waste of Money – Unless You Actually Use It”Companies spend millions on fancy project controls systems, detailed schedules, cost forecasts, and risk registers—only to ignore them when making decisions. What’s the point? If your leadership treats Project Controls as a reporting function instead of a decision-making tool, you’re just burning cash. Here’s how Project Controls is wasted every day:❌ Schedules that are updated but not followed.❌…

March 16, 2025

Mastering Time Management with the Eisenhower Matrix

In today’s fast-paced world, managing time effectively is a crucial skill for professionals, executives, and business owners. With endless tasks demanding attention, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The Eisenhower Matrix, also known as the Urgent-Important Matrix, provides a powerful framework to prioritise tasks efficiently and focus on what truly matters. What is the Eisenhower Matrix? The Eisenhower Matrix, named after former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, helps individuals and organisations…

March 2, 2024

Mastering Project Slowdowns: 9 Strategies to Keep Your Project on Track

Project delays can be a daunting challenge for any team, but before accepting them as inevitable, it’s crucial to explore proactive approaches to control and mitigate slowdowns. In this blog post, we will delve into nine effective strategies that project managers can employ to navigate through setbacks and ensure successful project completion. Try these approaches before accepting the inevitability of a delay in project completion. 1. Renegotiate with Stakeholders: The…

December 22, 2023

Ten Best Practices for Schedule

The ten best practices associated with a high-quality and reliable schedule and their concepts are as follows. 1. Capturing all activities. The schedule should reflect all activities as defined in the program’s work breakdown structure (WBS), which defines in detail the work necessary to accomplish a project’s objectives, including activities both the owner and the contractors are to perform. 2. Sequencing all activities. The schedule should be planned so that…

September 3, 2023

Checklist for setting up project controls function

Setting up a project controls function is essential for effective project management. This checklist outlines the key steps and considerations for establishing a project controls function within your organisation. Customise it to suit your specific project and organisational needs: 01. Define Objectives and Goals: 02 Allocate Resources: 03 Develop a Project Controls Plan: 04 Select Project Controls Software: 05 Define Reporting Structures: 06 Set Up Data Collection and Management: 07…