2024-02-27 19:02
You're a senior exec. You’ve got the corner office. You have a bazillion people working for you. When you talk, people jump Read More
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Strategic Decision Making Made Simple | Transparen Blog
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TransparentChoice blog covers everything you need to know about the ultimate tool for improving your collaborative decision making using AHP technology.
2024-02-26 12:23
Today, we're delving into a hot topic that is key to PMO success - securing that elusive executive support. If you've ever felt like you're navigating a maze to win over the hearts and minds… Read More
2024-02-25 09:31
In 2023, the PMO Global Alliance PMO awards were hosted by Americo Pinto in Paris. I was there, in person, to see my friend Heba Al Shehhi, head of PMO for the Dubai Municipality, win the go… Read More
2023-11-17 14:37
At TransparentChoice, we love Business Integrated Governance (BIG) because it recognizes the reality of complex modern organizations as organic entities that wrestle with th… Read More
2023-07-20 21:23
The Role of the PMO has never been more critical to the success of modern organizations. Change is happening at an insane pace... and it's getting faster. To succeed organizations need the P… Read More
2023-07-17 14:34
Join Michael Hannan as he explains how Agile Governance can revolutionize your PMO, through moving focus away from project level micro-management and onto the realization of portfolio level… Read More
2023-07-17 14:03
Many inspirational growth stories start with a paradigm shifting project: Netflix turning entertainment into a subscription model, Under Armour and connected data, Apple and iPhone... but… Read More
2023-07-14 15:31
Join celebrated Program Management author Dr James Brown, as he explains how value-based prioritization works, and why it is a must-have for any forward looking portfolio manager Read More
2023-07-14 09:10
An oldie but a goodie... here's a chance to listen to a webinar from Mike Hannan that will tell you how to achieve Unlimited Upside Investment with Goal-Orientated Management.
Stop focusing… Read More
2023-07-12 19:46
Join Dan and David as they delve into the interplay between organizational accountability and systematic prioritization. They illustrate how with the right tools and commitment, these can be… Read More
2023-07-04 16:13
"We can’t just virtualize the way we used to do it"- Chris Carter
Chris Carter is a strategy expert who has built a wealth of experience with KPMG and beyond, who joined us to discuss… Read More
2023-06-29 10:00
When I speak with PMO leaders around the world, resource capacity planning is crucial for organizations wrestling to achieve strategic goals. In this blog post, Steve Beaumont and Greg Gomel… Read More
2023-06-26 17:10
What are Strategic Goals?
Put simply Strategic Goals are the connection between high-level aspirational strategy and specific value-driving activities. Done well they give your strategy t… Read More
2023-06-25 23:00
In a webinar with Johanna Rothman (author of loads of books on project management, program management, portfolio management and, I suspect, other things beginning with “P” that n… Read More
2023-06-21 11:20
Welcome to the world of business transformation, where staying ahead in today's dynamic and competitive environment is crucial. With technological advancements, economic challenges, and glob… Read More
2023-06-20 11:16
In a fast-paced, competitive world, the success of projects within an organization is paramount. Portfolio governance is a critical component that can significantly influence project outcome… Read More
2023-06-13 19:58
The PMO is no longer just the gatekeeper for best practice and champion of the delivery schedule. Forward looking organizations are increasingly turning to them to close the gap between stra… Read More
2023-06-09 17:13
In a business era characterized by escalating complexity and constant change, the role of a Project Management Office (PMO) extends beyond merely coordinating projects - it functions as a st… Read More
2023-05-03 09:50
At the heart of every planning process is, in all probability, a model that classifies people based on the days they will work, and the implied backlog of tasks they’re meant to comple… Read More
2023-04-17 09:31
Who moved my cheese is a staple in most HR bookshelves. It describes the journey of Hem and Haw as they come to terms with the disappearance of their steady supply of cheese Read More
2023-03-13 17:06
"You take the blue pill... the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill... you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the… Read More
2023-03-03 13:45
Everyone knows that an Englishman loves his garden, and I am an Englishman. Having said that, my wife tells me I don’t so much “do gardening” as “go to war with the… Read More
2023-02-24 11:47
The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a Decision Science solution ideally suited to prioritizing complex project portfolios. So whether your current project selection tool is a Magic Sprea… Read More
2023-02-07 17:22
Captain’s Log: Our portfolio is floating in space, lacking direction and under attack from a grumpy CEO who is annoyed at not being able to deliver strategy, while the crew keep gett… Read More
2023-01-30 12:57
I used to tell my kids the story of the three little pigs - the one with the houses made of straw, sticks and brick, and the big bad wolf with the attitude problem. The little pigs who use… Read More
2022-09-19 07:55
Ever had that feeling? You’re sitting in a management training course and you can’t fight the impression that what they are trying to teach you is what, in the UK, we call &ldquo&hell…Read More
2022-06-06 08:33
I was talking to a PMO the other day. An executive had told him to “Go and fix prioritization. Nothing fancy. Keep it simple.”
Translation: “Just slap a spreadsh… Read More
2022-04-04 06:42
My son has recently taken up running. I keep telling him to pace himself, but he doesn’t. He blasts out and, after a couple of hundred meters, has to walk for a bit. Then he’s o… Read More
2022-04-04 06:42
My son has recently taken up running. I keep telling him to pace himself, but he doesn’t. He blasts out and, after a couple of hundred meters, has to walk for a bit. Then he’s of… Read More
2022-03-29 01:09
Many organizations see project prioritization as a budgeting exercise, but it’s not. Or at least, it’s not only about budgets… in fact, it’s not even mostly about bu… Read More
2022-03-07 09:41
Many PMOs have a tool that they like to use for all kinds of jobs. It’s called Microsoft Excel.
When I was young, I always thought that the hammer was the right tool for any job, bu… Read More
2021-07-22 11:15
AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) has two core use cases for supporting better decision making; ‘build a portfolio’ and ‘pick a winner’. Both are premised on structure… Read More
2021-07-07 14:21
Running Too Many Projects is consistently one of the top issues flagged by PMO leaders, and with good reason.
It creates a suffocating negativity and ultimately erodes effectiveness, draini… Read More
2021-05-19 11:11
This isn’t the usual article about decision-making. You know the type; “you need better data so invest in Big Data” or “artificial intelligence&nb&hell…Read More
2021-05-12 09:54
As a seasoned expert at low quality Home Improvements, I know that there are very few jobs that can’t be done with duct tape, super glue and Polyfilla. Solving problems with the wrong… Read More
2021-03-04 13:21
I’m writing this blog in the depths of Covid-lockdown and Netflix is relentlessly pushing their series; The Meg.
The Meg in question is a Megalodon – a giant prehisto… Read More
2021-01-04 20:05
Your portfolio is being murdered...
We've all played the game Cluedo, right? (It's called Clue in North America and Detetive in Brazil).
It's a board game with the goal of finding the murd… Read More
2020-07-07 16:56
If you read this post on Linkedin and its associated comments, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the CEO drives a clown-car to work and that the rest of the… Read More
2020-03-24 12:55
I'm scared that someone I care about will get ill. I'm fascinated to see how fast it's spread. I'm frustrated at people panic-buying toilet paper. I'm terrified of being stuck… Read More
2020-02-08 15:47
This blog is going to be pretty short and it's aimed at PMO leaders and at the executive management layer of the organization. Here's the message: Read More
2019-12-05 13:28
This may seem like an odd question, but when did you last play Tetris?
Believe it or not, we can use Tetris to demonstrate something crucial about project portfolios. This should be a fun b… Read More
2019-09-04 11:20
Projects fail for all kinds of reasons. For once,
we're going to have fun looking at some of the causes of project failure.
But first... Project failure is a waste. It's a waste of m… Read More
2019-05-08 05:01
2019-01-23 11:43
Over 50% of projects fail Read More
2018-10-25 12:38
Dead fish.
Not the typical way to start a blog, I know.
Smelly and unpleasant they may be, yet dead fish are the inspiration for one of the PMOs most valuable tools: the fishbone chart.
T… Read More
2018-10-05 13:25
Okay, everybody talks about the importance of the strategic alignment of your project portfolio. Your portfolio exists to support your business strategy but in this blog, I want to look at t… Read More
2018-10-03 14:36
In this blog I often talk about the project prioritization process and the best method of implementing it. In this article I would like to share some ideas on how to use the prioritization m… Read More
2018-09-28 13:18
Okay, so you may have read our ultimate guide to project prioritization and now you want to know how to actually prioritize projects. You’re in the right place.
We’ll break it d… Read More
2018-08-24 16:21
So, you've probably heard the one about the broken pencil?
....nah, there's no point.
Maybe that's really a joke about PMOs. You've seen the stats, right?
50% of PMOs close wi… Read More
2018-08-15 07:43
In my role, I talk to a lot of frustrated PMO leaders. Most of them want the PMO to have an impact on their organizations, but feel like IMpact is IMpossible Read More
2018-06-12 13:45
There is a revolution under way: the 4th Industrial Revolution.
And the PMO is, in some ways, the most crucial player in making this revolution happen. The PMO is like Napoleon. Or the guil… Read More
2018-05-24 12:38
PMOs are like insects...
"Okay, Stuart, you've lost it this time...!"
But wait - hear me out.
Between certain species of ants and aphids, something magical happens. They cooperate t… Read More
2018-05-15 05:01
Well, I just got off the phone with a consultant friend of mine, Roberto Camanho. He is grey-haired and wise. He is the Gandalf to my Mr Baggins.
And he took the rather controversial positi… Read More
2018-04-24 14:25
2018-03-27 13:25
Next time you're in front of a large group of people, try this game. Ask people to put up their hands if the are "above average drivers". I pretty much guarantee that 70-90% of hands will… Read More
2018-02-27 16:00
I have no alternative; you’re fired!
Projects that fail, especially significant projects that promise the moon but that end up costing the earth, can end your career in a heartbeat… Read More
2018-01-10 09:55
On July 13th, 1985, a group of musicians including David Bowie, Queen and The Who came together and changed the world. It was called Live Aid and was attended by around 170,000 people… Read More
2018-01-04 17:50
At TransparentChoice we take security seriously. Many of you will have heard about today's big announcement about a security problem right at the heart of the processors that run all our com… Read More
2017-12-13 10:34
PMO Champions vs. Underperformers
In their massive rock anthem, We Are The Champions, the band Queen boldly declare, “No time for losers, ‘cos we are the champ… Read More
2017-11-28 14:33
Data suggests that 72% of PMOs are being called into question by senior executives. Clearly these executives don’t perceive value in what the PMO is doing. Now, the pr… Read More
2017-11-07 16:40
This blog is all about a very simple statistic from the PMI. It's a startling statistic, yet when you think about it it makes perfect sense.
Projects are 57% more likely to achieve their… Read More
2017-10-24 12:59
Search for ‘project failure statistics’ and you’ll find lots of reports talking about failure rates of anywhere between 40% and 75%. It’s also easy to find training… Read More
2017-10-17 11:47
Last week was the Project Challenge event in London and the were some really good talks. Among them was a talk by David Walton of Bestoutcome on benefits realization. This is an area I am of… Read More
2017-10-10 06:23
We’ve all had the feeling. You step into a lift (elevator for those of you who don’t speak the Queen’s English) and there’s the CFO. Or the CEO. There… Read More
2017-09-18 12:58
When you go to the doctor, you expect that she will use evidence and best practice when treating you. A doctor has a certain duty of care towards her patients.
It would be terrifying if doc… Read More
2017-08-23 11:09
Every PMO has the potential to be a superhero. Seriously.
Anyone who can deliver a sustained competitive advantage is a superhero (in company terms, anyway). It may be the “golden tou… Read More
2017-08-16 09:50
When your car breaks, most of us call the mechanic.
Well, I recently spoke with Amanda Oakenfull of Deloitte in Australia. She’s known in Australian project management circles as… Read More
2017-08-07 11:15
There’s one meeting (actually, it’s often a series of meetings) that is absolutely the most important meeting of the year for the PMO: the project prioritization meeting.
Why… Read More
2017-07-08 09:38
The Biggest Problem for PMOs
As part of my work, I speak with many PMO leaders and the most common complaint I hear is, “We have too many projects!” Read More
2017-06-24 08:19
Most people assume that if you want to reduce project failure rates the place to look is in project implementation. Of course improving implementation, upskilling project managers and puttin… Read More
2017-06-14 13:39
Let’s have a little fun, shall we?
Tell me, what did you see when you looked at the photo of a potato?
If you saw a face (look again if you missed it), then you just experienced… Read More
2017-05-29 11:05
I was asked to present at the recent Project Challenge event at Olympia in London, and the organizer wanted me to talk about something a little different from the topics of project managemen… Read More
2017-05-04 09:44
Many executives are comfortable with their current project prioritization process, one based on a “beauty parade” or a “police line-up” of projects.
Well, I recently… Read More
2017-04-25 08:08
Let’s be honest. PMOs don’t really do very much, do they? Read More
2017-04-11 13:12
John McGrath, speaking at the Pharma PPM Toolbox in London, said that there is simply no excuse for not having enough resources on a project.
Now I know many of you will be distur… Read More
2017-03-28 10:25
There’s an old joke about CIO standing for “Career Is Over”. This joke was doubtless crafted in the forge of poisoned-projects, blown budgets and detonating deadlines… Read More
2017-03-21 06:44
As a teenager, I was addicted to the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Douglas Adams’ masterpiece was filled with wry observations about human nature and one scene in particular has… Read More
2017-03-14 11:51
Nearly two thirds of PMOs identify resourcing or prioritization as their top challenge.
But these are topics that are not massively difficult to address. In fact our consulting partners… Read More
2017-02-14 15:00
How often have you heard the cry, “If we just did without a project manager we could save a load of money!”
Of course it's nonsense. For any project worthy of the name, a… Read More
2017-02-07 08:23
2017-01-27 10:24
On a recent webinar with Johanna Rothman (author of loads of books on project management, program management, portfolio management and, I suspect, other things beginning with … Read More
2016-12-17 03:44
Being PMO is an honour and a responsibility. But it’s also one of those roles where there’s not a lot of up-side. When things go well… well, that’s what people expec… Read More
2016-12-08 08:10
You. Me. Anyone with a management job-title. We all have the same role – to manage change.
We are here to improve things. But innovation in the PMO can be difficult and there’… Read More
2016-12-05 13:23
People of a certain age, like me, will eventually be invited to visit the doctor for a health check-up, an invitation which usually strikes fear into the intended victim. Or is that just m… Read More
2016-11-12 09:14
According to Geneca, 75% of execs believe their project is doomed from the start. This got me wondering…
How can we become more effective today, right now?
Where can you find a q… Read More
2016-11-08 12:21
"Project managers like their methodologies, but that won't help if they' re doing the wrong project. But all PMs seem to care about is delivering the project on time. Delivering business v… Read More
2016-10-25 08:23
Many people believe in homeopathy. It’s been used for thousands of years and is deeply rooted in certain parts of society. However, the unequivocal research by modern science practit… Read More
2016-09-30 07:48
There is a lot of debate about how to measure the performance of a PMO and why so many are undervalued. Too often the remit of the PMO is unclear, or they are just looked upon as an admin… Read More
2016-08-09 14:43
Picture the scene. The starting gun fires and Usain Bolt explodes off the line. Bolt pulls away from the rest of the pack. It's business as usual in Brazil Read More
2016-07-19 09:54
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This is a major problem for the PMO.
In just a couple of months, organisations around the world will be knee-deep in the planning process. When it co… Read More
2016-07-12 08:30
Playing Pick-up-sticks in the PMO
I recently sat through a presentation by Gartner Managing VP and Gartner Fellow Emeritus Audrey Apfel on the topic, “The Secrets of Prioritizing IT… Read More
2016-07-05 11:12
What if you’re handed down a project with a budget of 50 billion pounds? What if many experts expect this project to overrun by at least 20 billion pounds? To make it worse, ma… Read More
2016-06-27 20:27
When Britain voted to leave the European Union, it was a clear sign of failure. I don’t mean failure of “the European Experiment” (as the EU is often called by British Eu… Read More
2016-06-22 13:03
Back in 1998, the French computer manufacturer and systems integrator, BULL unearthed an ugly truth. A shocking truth.
Around 75% of IT projects were failing.
Since then, project… Read More
2016-03-22 11:37
Collaboration: Hero or villain?
All the best heroes have a Dark Side; Batman, Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes. And so does collaboration.
But having a dark side doesn’t turn our heroes i… Read More
2016-03-12 12:33
A few weeks ago, I asked a question about what the role of a PMO is. I got quite a lot of feedback on that one and this prompted me to tackle this next question: what causes PMOs to fail.
I… Read More
2016-03-02 17:52
I just recorded a podcast with Gerald Leonard over at Principles of Execution and part of the discussion was about how the PMO is really just the custodian of a portfolio. The only reason a… Read More
2016-02-23 15:00
I guess the fact that the American government has finally agreed a budget is good news. For one thing, it means all those departments can go out and spend money again. But respected co… Read More
2016-02-16 12:00
I was speaking with a CIO the other day and he essentially said, "We don't need to revamp our prioritization process. We already have a very robust project selection process in place." … Read More
2016-02-02 10:03
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