20 July 2011 3:05 pm

The Model T Ford Project: A “Model” for Product and Process Innovation

Up until the early 20th century the world viewed the automobile as a luxury item built for the elite of society.  Cars were complicated in their use and required a significant investment that the average person could not afford.  Then in 1908, Henry Ford introduced the Model T Ford that did not only revolutionize the world’s perspective on personal transportation for the masses but also re-invented the manufacturing process still applied over 100 years later.  Although we have seen improvements to his original process, with the development of lean manufacturing, JIT, Six Sigma, Kanban, and others, the core philosophy of  Read More

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 20 July 2011 3:05 pm

Posted in Famous Projects, Manufacturing, PM Best Practices  |  No Comments
15 June 2011 1:42 pm

Are your Projects Getting Social? With the Good comes the Bad…

Now that social media is really mainstream, there is a lot of discussion around its benefits (especially in the business world).  Creating social networks through the likes of LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter can equally empower both small project work groups as well as multi-national corporations to become their own media outlet by sharing valuable information and ideas among their peers and customers.   Instantaneously businesses can facilitate value-driven collaboration impacting the way they service their customers and the manner in which their employees can have their voice heard.
In theory social media tools are suppose to contribute to the overall growth of  Read More

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 15 June 2011 1:42 pm

Posted in Information Technology, PM Best Practices  |  No Comments
31 May 2011 2:32 pm

Effective Resource Management Requires an Accurate View of your People

In the digital age where the average person has 130 friends on Facebook and are plugged into to numerous other social networks, we tend to forget that many of the connections and relationships that live in these social are networks are limited to their virtual origins.  Most people can probably attribute only a couple dozen connections to real relationships that live outside this virtual reality.  In fact, in a recent research study coming out of Oxford it has been said that the human brain cannot manage more than 150 people in their social network and no more than 50 of  Read More

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 31 May 2011 2:32 pm

Posted in PM Best Practices  |  No Comments
11 April 2011 10:08 am

Is Agile right for you? Top 5 considerations when implementing Agile Methodology

We often hear in software development circles how Agile development is taking hold of the industry.  Created as a grassroots framework by developers for developers, the origins of Agile methodology began 10 years ago with a group of progressive software developers at a Utah ski lodge that established the Agile Manifesto aimed to establish a more inclusive, democratic and efficient system for running software development projects.  As result, multiple Agile methodologies emerged including Crystal Clear, Scrum and Extreme Programming all designed to establish self-governing project teams that place equal accountability on all members that touch the project.
As this is  Read More

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 11 April 2011 10:08 am

Posted in Information Technology, PM Best Practices  |  No Comments
4 April 2011 3:15 pm

The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel Project: A Lesson in Project Quality and Innovation

Probably considered by some as one of the most famous hotels in the world, the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel has its roots steeped in catering to the social elite of New York City.  The history of the Waldorf=Astoria is interesting in that its first incarnation on 5th avenue and 33rd street was a two tower structure, with the first 13-story building built by William Waldorf Astor in 1893 and later connected via a tunnel to a 17-story tower constructed by his cousin John Jacob Astor IV in 1897.  As the largest hotel in the world at the time, the Waldorf=Astoria would be  Read More

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 4 April 2011 3:15 pm

Posted in Famous Projects, PM Best Practices  |  No Comments
14 January 2011 2:19 pm

Automated Project Management: The Human Element Does Matter!

Resource Leveling

I recently read an article that suggested that even the untouchable Google may face trouble ahead with its automated approach to Search based purely on its use of algorithms.  The article suggests even the most sophisticated machines do not have the ability to prevent its power users, SEO experts, from finding creative ways to outwit Google by developing “content farms” that produce Spam-like content that dilute the relevant results found on its coveted first page.  Consequently, human powered content is moving ahead in providing better search results.  In fact social media content produced and developed by its own end users  Read More

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 14 January 2011 2:19 pm

Posted in Information Technology, PM Best Practices, PM Software in the Software Market  |  No Comments
1 November 2010 4:10 pm

The Empire State Building: A Project with a “Higher” Purpose

Most notable projects typically have an interesting story and have achieved remarkable recognition for some major contribution to society.  This remains true of the Empire State Building – known as one of those incredible landmarks that symbolized hope during a time of despair in American history.  The Empire State Building project is one of those projects that demonstrate that motivation plays a large role in a project’s success.
Like any great project, the Empire State Building has evolved over the years from its original intent as a global symbol of economic power to redefining itself recently as a global symbol for  Read More

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 1 November 2010 4:10 pm

Posted in Famous Projects  |  No Comments
21 September 2010 12:59 pm

Social media meets project management – can they co-exist?

Project management practitioners understand that their ultimate objective is to get projects finished on time and on budget.  However, their biggest challenge is managing the unexpected that inevitably emerges during the life cycle of their projects.  Making order out of chaos is what truly defines the quality of a project management professional.   In light of this reality, great project managers understand that the project management tools developed to assist them in their work must be carefully selected so that they facilitate their success.  The truth is, sound project management best practices need to drive project success and not the technology  Read More

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 21 September 2010 12:59 pm

Posted in PM Best Practices  |  1 Comment
10 July 2010 2:43 am

Mount Rushmore: The Art of Project Management

Gutzon Borglum

Many of today’s famous landmarks are equally enjoyed for their appearances as they are appreciated for their original intended practical use. However, there are projects that were purely conceived to function as artistic landmarks. The justification and success of those projects require a visionary group of project leaders that understand that the true value behind their project’s success relies on a combination of creative genius and effective project management to ensure the project is fully realized.
The Mount Rushmore project is a classic example demonstrating the value a project can bring to a region thirsting to make  Read More

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 10 July 2010 2:43 am

Posted in Famous Projects  |  No Comments
28 May 2010 11:46 pm

Just Like in Pac-Man, Successful Project Management is About Improving Your Skills

pacman logo

It is hard to believe!  Who would have thought that a nine man project team and $100,000 over the course of one year led by Tōru Iwatani would revolutionize the world of gaming with Pac-Man?  It’s been 30 years since the launching of Pac-Man and as a project is still recognizable and enjoyed by all.  In fact, when Google recently honored our little yellow friend on March 21st by providing a live working version on its home page it is estimated that on that day alone there was a loss of 4.8 million hours (at an estimate cost of $120  Read More

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 28 May 2010 11:46 pm

Posted in Famous Projects  |  No Comments
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