In November 1998, Softlab, a BMW Group company and leading European software provider and systems integrator, appointed project management specialists, the newly launched Professional Development Team (PDT), to assess project managers throughout the company, both individually and as teams. A...

More and more companies are employing senior interim Managers to handle short‐term assignments. The people who handle these fixed‐term contracts are senior, highly experienced managers, who have reached a point in their career where they feel confident to handle almost any challenge. The...

This article demonstrates how project managers can achieve greater success if trained in people skills. Project management is an important skill for businesses to have – particularly companies whose business rests on delivering projects. Often project managers are trained in the technical...

Matrix structures are increasingly used in organisations as they become more complex and as the pace of change increases. They are similar to project management arrangements, although matrix structures may be a permanent feature. Matrix structures, like project management, involve the creation...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the need for organizations to synchronize the development of the complete project management system. Design/methodology/approach – The paper concentrates on the three key areas of development for the project management system, “what we...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider the impact of implementation thoroughness on the achievement of expected results from people development initiatives and to provide a framework of consideration to improve levels of success Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on...

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the challenge of learning and reinvention from the twin perspectives of academia and the earthy pragmatism of popular culture. It provides a set of lessons to assist organisations to learn and, more importantly, unlearn, so that they can stay ahead....

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the need of a methodological training framework for project management office personnel. Design/methodology/approach – Working closely with hi tech corporations whose main line of business is based on projects, the paper presents an...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness of the need to understand the differences between management and leadership within the project environment. Design/methodology/approach – First stage research involved data analysis from forum, workshops, group to one, one to one...

Purpose – In the 1990s project management was a growing area, now it is almost impossible to go to any organization where there is not a project. This growth has been so fast that many people find themselves in charge of projects, with none of the special skills required. This paper aims to...