No one can doubt that project management software is a great tool to help PMs save a significant amount of time. However, “the tremendous power of project management software can lull young project manager into a false sense of security” (Heerkens, 2002, p 138). As every other software, applications like MS Project are just tools; they do not execute the entire job for the PMs. It is unacceptable to expect a computer to manage the project, it just manages the vast amount of data that large projects require to store (Verzuh, 2003, p 104). Project management software is incapable of “establishing project objectives, define project tasks or dependencies, determine and manage project constraints” (Richman, 2002, p 93). As the significance of having a proper Statement of Requirement becomes more and more apparent, project management software should consciously take a secondary role in a project system since their power can only be exploited when the project is defined correctly. Computers can only help producing wrong plans faster, instead of helping the PM understand the essence of project management: satisfying the stakeholder’s needs.

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Everyone has supply chains in place–whether it’s for moving and distributing products or services or pushing out new business operations. But, it’s unlikely everyone has a backup plan of action in place if supply chains break down. As some companies are learning, conducting training exercises for “what if” scenarios can prove valuable to making sure customers are kept satisfied and revenue streams keep flowing.

For more on supply-chain backup plans:
- read this article at BPM Today

IBM and various smaller companies have controlled the spotlight on databases for unstructured content in recent years. Now Oracle is getting involved with the new Oracle Content Database and Oracle Records Database products. Both systems integrate with Oracle’s business applications, while PeopleSoft and Siebel integrate is under construction, officials said. As with the standard database products, there will be a variety of third-party applications as well.

For more on content management:
- see this IDG News article

ALSO: Oracle has single sign-on too. Article

Getting paid can be a stressful thing, and can make some web developers/professionals do things that lack judgement.

Here’s an example:

I referred a videographer to a colleague of mine recently, to shoot a commercial for him. The videographer did a good quality job with the shoot.

But then he started demanding payment—after two days after the shoot. Now he won’t finish editing until he is paid.

Meanwhile, the client works with a $100 million corporation known for paying on time. But he can’t pay for 30 days, as is customary.

But the client will never hire the videographer again, because of his approach to collecting his money. And I look like an idiot for referring this guy to him—even though my experience has been more positive.

What should have happened here is:

- The videographer should have specified his payment terms up front as part of a written contract. Part of that contract should have included a clause for 25-50% paid up front before the shoot, Y% immediately after the shoot, and Z% after final delivery.

- The videographer should have been more professional and patient in insisting on payment. Two days is not a big deal. (I suspect that the videographer has been burned before, and so gets a bit paranoid about payment).

If you have had times when you want to react with emotion/fear/anger about payment, please first be sure that you have acted professionally to protect yourself and communicate with your client.

This article provided by sitepoint.com.

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Well, I’m as swamped as I’ve been in a long time, thanks to a business trip to Illinois to work with a University on commercializing a beautiful market maker website and technology for agricultural users. This was a great trip, and here’s a mish mash of lessons:

1. Universities are an untapped market. Many of you who live near universities should consider stopping by some departments to discuss potential projects for outreach to constituents. In two days, this particular university department (agricultural extension) received requests to create a bunch of sites that will become the “go to” sites for a variety of natural resources and recreational research. They can’t do any of this on their own, and need people with good ideas to help create commercialization (e.g. advertising and premium membership) models.

2. Part of the trip involved pitching to a local venture capitalist. I helped develop the business plan and pitch. If you have yet to pitch to a VC or investor, make it part of your goals. It’s fun, exciting, and you get great feedback (or brutal feedback). In this case, the VC thought he knew what we were pitching, but didn’t. Our mistake was going off script instead of sticking with our key themes and “story.” But we also learned that this particular VC has a different mission than our particular venture, and so the fit is not there.

3. During the trip, 2 other prospective clients reached out to me, adding over $50K to my pipeline. When you visit a large organization, try to get visible while you are there walking the halls. In this case, my client sponsor helped me get visible and was very helpful in this regard.

4. Don’t underestimate your value. Sometimes I take what I do for granted, like helping people get organized and move forward to grow a business. But the client found this enormously valuable, and helped me think more about the value I bring, so I can describe it to others. Nothing beats having your own clients tell you how to describe your value to others.

5. During business trips, find time to do other work so you aren’t overwhelmed when you return, as I am now. I just hung out at my hotel room, when I could have done a better job catching up.

Okay, back to work…..

This article provided by sitepoint.com.