http://www.bosstalks.com/ BossTalks.com Forum: General (English) en Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:37:42 +0000 http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/46#post-2127 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 01:43:18 +0000 jkeppens 2127@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>Scrum doesn't need a Project Manager. In the projects I worked with, we typically give the Product Owner role to the PMs. It works fine as long as the PM takes onboard the responsibilities and limitations that come with the role.</p> <p>1. he is the owner of the product back log. Basically he communicates to business and creates the user stories and adds them to the backlog. He is in charge of deciding what priority each item on the back log has. This means basically he is in a effect in charge of planning and deciding what features are developed when. (initial estimations are done with the dev team at projects I work with. We estimate in complexity points, which means you estimate how much work something is compared to another task you did. The PO then puts a time on this).</p> <p>2. the product owner calculates each sprint what the available complexity points are for the team. This is done taking holidays, vacation, etc... in mind. Based on this calculated number, he makes a prioritized list of backlog items he would like done in the sprint. This is discussed with the team during the first part of the sprint meeting (at the start of the sprint). In the second part of our sprint meeting (we call it the technical sprint), our dev team typically does small analysis of the stories and divides them in tasks. We then estimate the tasks and if needed we split the tasks further (task max 2 working days or 13h actual work). Based on this we couple back to the PO what the real estimates are and he can decide to add a story or remove a story if needed. Very important: never overcommit! it doesn't work!</p> <p>3. during the sprint, the team has their daily scrum meetings. All problems and questions that arise are relayed back to the PO by the Scrum Master. The PO is then responsible for providing answers on the questions. In our company we also relay things such as "we need 2 extra servers" to the PO and he talks to the responsible departments for it. </p> <p>4. If for some reason extra important features are required, the PO has the possibility to halt the sprint and start a new sprint. This is an exceptional situation and should be used with care. Never start messing with the content of your sprint mid sprint: emergency break + new sprint.</p> <p>Earlier I said that the PM should also take on the limitations of the PO role to make it work. With this I mean that:</p> <p>1. he should stay away from the team as much as possible mid sprint. Asking "is it done?" a million times leads to frustration. If developers can concentrate for a longer period of time, you loose momentum and your velocity drops. If there are issues, the SM will inform the PO. You need a good SM that dares to say NO to the PO btw. An SM that always says "yes", will lead to contra-productive situations.</p> <p>2. he should not try to (micro-)manage the project or play boss. Scrum leads to self-managing teams. It works quite fine. Interaction in the team is very important and a good mix between junior and senior members where the juniors receive coaching by the seniors is needed.</p> <p>3. if working with a burndown chart, keep it away from your PO, unless he knows how to interprete it. A burndown chart is not rocket science and it surely isn't a straight line down. If the PO starts panicking when you are above the most ideal line (especially in Greenhopper where it's a straight line down, while it's actually a curved line with slow slope in the beginning and steeper at the end), it will lead to frustration, annoyance and mockery. </p> <p>With kind regards,</p> <p>Jeroen </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/32#post-214 Mon, 24 May 2010 00:38:37 +0000 timesolve 214@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>Hi,<br /> I would like to share my experience about Web Hosted Solution for Project Management.<br /> Control your projects and budgets and bill faster with WorkSolv project management system integrated with TimeSolv time billing software. TimeSolv &#38; WorkSolv can be accessed by all parties from any location through the internet 24/7.<br /> For details one can contact them at:<br /> <a href="http://www.timesolv.com/timesolv_worksolv.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.timesolv.com/timesolv_worksolv.html</a><br /> TimeSolv Corporation<br /> 3432 Denmark Avenue, # 105<br /> Eagan, MN 55123 </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/92#post-213 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:21:21 +0000 jasonwestland 213@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>It you don’t wish to have to set forth every project from scratch, then it’s deserving creating your personalized Design Lifecycle.<br />  <br /> How should you make this? What should it look like? And how do you practice it? Maintain learning to see how to...<br />  <br /> Make your individual Project Lifecycle...<br />  <br /> A Design Lifecycle is a series of methods that you demand to accomplished a project from start to finish. Certainly, it means that you can accomplished the identical measures for every project— so is this accurate?<br />  <br /> In rationale, yes. Each design will have a Foundation stage, a Planning phase, an Execution phase and a Shutdown phase angle. However within these phase angles, the methods you take may change a little in the middle of the projects.<br />  <br /> The trick is to develop a lifecycle that is generic enough to utilize for all of your projects, while quiet being limited enough to bestow worth and keep you time on presenting. Here’s how to do it…<br />  <br /> Map it out<br />  <br /> Each design is rendered in several sort of lifecycle. You likely usually define your project upfront, then you’ll employ your team, you’ll plan and complete a set of tasks to create a lot of deliverables and then get your client to signoff the production. This chain of methods are what is named a “lifecycle” and chances are that you’re utilizing the corresponding general lifecycle each time you render a project!<br />  <br /> So set forth by charting out your current design lifecycle on a free sheet of paper and identify the components that you know work better, and those that don’t.<br />  <br /> And develop it<br />  <br /> Then try and improve your lifecycle by examining why specific methods don’t process well presently. Analyze the root cause and identify which procedure you could acquire instead, to enhance your prospect of success. For example, possibly “range creep” is a hassle for you, so by placing in place greater methods for dealing alterations to setting, it would aid.<br />  <br /> Once you have distinguished the arrangement of procedure that you recognize will render your projects productively from beginning to end, the following matter you have to exercise is to “be detailed”.<br />  <br /> Get detailed<br />  <br /> With a evidently determined chain of procedure, you right away require to determine the tasks and actions that are required to execute each measure well. For instance, if your first method was to obtain funding for your project, then do you require to make a Business Case or Financial Design to make it? What kind of person will approve the financing and what information will they ask to exercise it?<br />  <br /> For each measure, distinguish how you intend to do it, the labors and activities to be made, and as prominently, who is responsible for doing them (e.g. it is yourself or members of your team)?<br />  <br /> Tool up<br />  <br /> Fantastic—so you have a crystal clear function for presenting projects. Now how can you make all step speedily and efficiently? Typically project managing directors use templates, software and illustrations to aid them finished each method swifter and more efficiently. With a better documented lifecycle, the good lifecycle methods and great instruments, you will be equipped and fit to undertake any type of project to come after.<br />  <br /> Be prepared<br />  <br /> And lastly, with all of this collateral, you have to collect it into a single set, set to utilize on projects. Some project managers use “MPMM” for this, as you can develop a brand new Project Lifecycle and import all of your guides and illustrations into it, available for use.<br />  <br /> By making your private project lifecycle or customizing that of another, you can utilize a single approach to managing thriving projects.<br />  <br /> Jason Westland has been a project manager for the past 15 years. He has recently published a new book called “A Project Management Life Cycle” and owns his own project management software company. If you would like to find out more about <a href="http://www.mpmm.com">Project methodology</a> visit his website at mpmm.com </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/68#post-212 Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:25:09 +0000 aliraza 212@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>as we know MBA is a globally recognized degree and MBA IT is a good task to do if someone really wants to get enough of IT<br /> But it is not necessary or compulsory there are some other post graduate degree e.g. MS IT or some others<br /> i am a Pakistani and being a Pakistani i must say worth of degree is actually the rank and goodwill of university </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/91#post-211 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:58:01 +0000 scottcobb 211@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>Valleyspeak Project Sever a Hosted Project Management Software Solution</p> <p>Hosted project management solution is very crucial to the successful completion of projects of any size. Having access to hosted project management software can generate greater efficiencies for the entire project team. ValleySpeak is the creator of one of the most sophisticates hosted project management software. ValleySpeak Project Server allows project managers to continue using Microsoft project as their project management tool of choice, while allowing project managers to publish, execute and control projects in real time.</p> <p>Using hosted ValleySpeak Project Server, team members can publish their projects securely over the web. The team members can see their tasks over the web, without needing any Microsoft project license. This saves the organization licensing costs of Multiple Microsoft project licenses. Only the project manager needs Microsoft project.</p> <p>While most of the project management software in the market allow team members to view the project schedule, but not update the task status. The lack of collaborative features make project managers look for multiple solutions. Where as with Valleyspeak Project Server few of its powerful collaborative features make it the only Hosted Project Management Software Solution.</p> <p>Collaborative Features<br /> Valleyspeak project server provides most of the collaborative features which helps a project manager. A 100% two way integration where up-to-date project information is available to team members online in real-time. Only team members of a project managers choice have privileges to be able to make changes to the project status details. Few of the key benefits are Discussion forums, Calendar Management, Timesheet Management, Issue Tracking, Risk Management, Integrated Reporting and Roles based Dashboard covering entire organizational portfolio. </p> <p>ValleySpeak Project Server offers a flexible and powerful Hosted Project Management Software solution as appropriate for your environment. This Hosted Project Management Software can be individually tailored to help provide the best mix of functionality and security for each user and enterprise.<br /> for more details visit <a href="http://www.valleyspeak.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.valleyspeak.com</a> </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/90#post-210 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:29:55 +0000 scottcobb 210@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>Experience a powerful collaborative MPP Viewer With ValleySpeak Project Server</p> <p>ValleySpeak project server is a centralized MPP Viewer that enables viewing and sharing of Microsoft Project schedules with team members in real time without investing in expensive multiple Microsoft Project licenses. ValleySpeak project is a hosted MPP Viewer that enables team members to view their respective tasks as per the Project on their web interface. </p> <p>Team members can also update their task status and on approval it gets reflected on the Microsoft Project files of the project manager. Only the project manager needs Microsoft Project. The team members can view their MPP tasks through the web interface.</p> <p>ValleySpeak is easy to use and enhances project collaboration within the team. Project managers will appreciate this MPP Viewer because it extends data to help sharing Microsoft project files with remote team members. Because the hosted project management software is web accessible, resources working from other sites will be able to view and update project information in real time.</p> <p>ValleySpeak project empowers the project manager with a powerful project management tool, that greatly enhances project execution efficiency. ValleySpeak Project server is a sophisticated MPP viewer with a host of additional features like Document and timesheet management, a roles based dashboard and portfolio management extend management capability of this MPP Viewer across the enterprise. Security and control concerns are addressed with this MPP viewer because the files always remain on the local host.</p> <p>Salient Features of ValleySpeak Project server as a MPP viewer</p> <p>Only Team Members of your choice have privileges to be able to make changes to the project status details<br /> Team members use most updated schedule<br /> Collaborate with Team Members in a central place to capture and discuss important topics and decisions<br /> Built in calendar which helps keep track of the project meeting </p> <p>Allow team members to report their work status on a daily basis and get it approved by the Reviewer/Project Manager<br /> Keep projects on track and make sure critical issues don’t fall through the cracks<br /> Reduce project execution risks by allowing Team Members to create and monitor risks<br /> Get a canned view of project progress by generating several reports<br /> Team Members and Project Managers do not need to install any software to get up and running<br /> New improved Template work flow, where Project manager can save and share the work template </p> <p>Use your own SMTP settings - Admins can now use their own SMTP settings to control email flow<br /> Resource utilization report<br /> Complete Portfolio reporting </p> <p>ValleySpeak project Server a an MPP Viewer will be an indispensable part of any project management activity. The cost and time savings realized through implementing of ValleySpeak project server generally leads to huge project management cost savings</p> <p>Sign up for a free 15 days trail or for more details visit <a href="http://www.valleyspeak.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.valleyspeak.com</a> </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/32#post-209 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:08:04 +0000 Terryausten 209@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>Hey,<br /> we use Valleyspeak Project Sever <a href="http://www.valleyspeak.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.valleyspeak.com</a> this allows the team members to read the project schedule, and update the task status by an easy browser access. </p> <p>Key Benefits<br /> 1. Provides 100% two way integration between Microsoft Project tasks and ValleySpeak Project Server<br /> 2. Provides comprehensive features like Timesheets, Issue Tracking, Risk Management, Document Management<br /> 3. Free and automatic upgrades so that you are always using the latest version of the ValleySpeak Project Server<br /> 4. Hassle free Pay as you grow model<br /> 5. No restriction of number of projects that one can manage through ValleySpeak Project Server<br /> 6. Option to migrate out with your data anytime, your data on resides on your desktop and is under your control at all times<br /> 7. Secure and Web Based with support for all major browsers for team members</p> <p>We didn't have to download any software... It was easy to sign up and start using.<br /> Best project management software which I have come across and happy working with it. </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/32#post-208 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:49:22 +0000 haljordan5 208@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>can anyone suggest any web apps that do project management, time and billing, and CRM? </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/32#post-207 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:16:25 +0000 haljordan5 207@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>can anyone make any suggestions? </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/37#post-206 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:04:40 +0000 kaushik 206@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>Hi, i have completed my MCA and want to do MBA. Should i do MBA IT or Marketing or some specialzation.pls guide me? </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/68#post-205 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:01:55 +0000 kaushik 205@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>Hi, i have completed my MCA and want to do MBA. Should i do MBA IT or Marketing or some specialzation.pls guide me? </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/32#post-204 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:39:32 +0000 haljordan5 204@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>Is there an affordable all in one solution web application that does project management, timesheet billing, and CRM? </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/80#post-203 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:28:35 +0000 sudheerShankareyyanithara 203@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>i agree. this weird. </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/46#post-202 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:43:37 +0000 annasmith 202@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>I have found a software which Shares Microsoft Project schedules with team. Includes Project Portfolio Management, Issue Tracking, Risk Management, Timesheet Management, Document Management, Calendar Management, Forums, Reports and Project Dashboard.</p> <p>A good hosted Project Management software that suits my EPM needs is called valleyspeak project server, which I found at <a href="http://www.valleyspeak.com." rel="nofollow">http://www.valleyspeak.com.</a> One of the main reasons why I like the software is the fact that I could continue to work in Microsoft Project 2007 while sharing my Microsoft Project plans with my teams.</p> <p>ValleySpeak Project Server provides 100% 2-way integration with Microsoft Project 2007. While Project Managers can continue to plan and manage projects using Microsoft Project 2007 as usual, Team Members can now view and submit updates to the project plans in real time, simply by using any web browser.</p> <p>Because it is a hosted service, I did not have to buy expensive software or deal with installation and maintenance headaches. The functionality that I have with valleyspeak to manage my geographically dispersed teams works well for me. We also evaluated Basecamp and some other solutions but were not impressed. </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/89#post-199 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:23:16 +0000 ExecutiveBrief 199@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>Much has been said lately about Software as a Service (SaaS), which is often interchangeably referred to as “cloud computing”. While pundits may disagree on whether SaaS is cloud computing, its primary feature is application provided as a service to customers via the internet. Because applications are hosted, this eliminates the need for installation and running of applications on clients’ computers, or even servers, as well as maintenance and support. Moreover, SaaS reduces the need to purchase and maintain hardware. </p> <p>But before getting into the much-praised or marketed trend, it is worth considering first why SaaS is such a hot commodity nowadays. According to experts, security, maintenance, and cost are among the top reasons why SaaS is being embraced by enterprises. </p> <p>Moreover, due to the challenges that face companies regarding outsourcing, such as communication gaps and security, SaaS either supplements the need of businesses to outsource parts of their IT requirements. This is especially helpful for small and medium-size businesses that do not have large IT departments, or those that can only afford to pay general IT workers instead of specialists. Because staffing has become problematic due to reduced budgets that affect tech spending, SaaS offers a way to meet their technology requirements without spending more on overhead. </p> <p>Whereas the application service provider (ASP) business did not make as much mark as it should have in providing enterprise computing, SaaS is being touted as the trend that will replace and even overcome ASP. Scaling was ASP’s main challenge, which required “separate execution environment” or different server environments for hosting different applications. SaaS replaces multiple resources to run applications with shared computing resources, such as the same software version that runs on the same platform. This proves cheaper for end-clients. </p> <p>SaaS providers offer flexible contracts that have targeted costs for specific services. Many tech projects run for only a few months, so services that provide exactly what businesses need in terms of scope and time, with corresponding costs, are advantages that SaaS vendors are only too happy to explore. </p> <p>SaaS provide specialized software that increasingly meet clients’ needs. As vendors gain more knowledge about what businesses want, these insights are incorporated into version upgrades, which means better software and, just as important, more responsive service. </p> <p>It is common knowledge in any industry that freeing up the need to manage back-office processes, including technology services, allows companies to concentrate on bigger, more important business areas. Perhaps at the IT level itself, this is also true. Freeing up the upkeep of some technology processes allows IT departments to focus on the services that they can provide in-house. In effect, SaaS vendors upgrade the quality of both hosted applications and, indirectly, the quality of services of in-house IT departments. </p> <p><strong>Next part: Why businesses should be cautious about SaaS.<br /> Read the full article at: <a href="http://www.executivebrief.com/blogs/the-pros-and-cons-of-saas-part-2">The Pros and Cons of SaaS - Part 2</a></strong></p> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.executivebrief.com." rel="nofollow">http://www.executivebrief.com.</a> </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/88#post-198 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:54:10 +0000 white 198@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>Hello everyone,</p> <p>My name is <a href="http://live.prokhorenko.us">Olexandr Prokhorenko</a>. As you might already know, I was the one of two guys who started the <a href="http://www.bosstalks.com">BossTalks.com</a> in the beginning of March 2007. </p> <p>Today I'd like to share my next big thing with you. So, please, let me introduce <a href="http://www.atomkeep.com">Atomkeep</a> - the service that solves the problem of information redundancy. </p> <p>So what actually Atomkeep is? We're the first service that created to really share the people profiles. Either you're a social networker, or a job seeker or a professional - all of you are having the same problem of data redundancy. There are too many social networks around, too many job boards, directories and sites that want you to keep your profile there. </p> <p>Being an active member of any community requires you to keep your profile up to date all the time. Nobody likes "dead heads". Once your Internet exposure is starting to grow, you're starting to spend much more time on keeping the things in sync. But we can take save your time. Don't waste your time on routine clicks, but have fun. This is what Atomkeep for. </p> <p>Let me give you another example. Have you ever faced a choice if you should sign to one more (maybe, more interesting or narrow) job site, but was pissed off and decided not to do this when you saw how big is the resume profile in it? I bet you did. But we can help you here as well. This is a typical situation when Atomkeep becomes a priceless service to use (and stays free!).</p> <p>Or might be you are a business owner and have listed your business contacts at the tens (or even hundreds) of different boards and directories, but it's time to move on and your contact are changing? Most of the time changes are good if everyone knows the new contacts. However, can you imagine the crowd of potential clients who got lost and choose your competitor over you just because they got the wrong phone number? Atomkeep is a good service to use now.</p> <p>This is our first day of public release. Our team has been working on it for a while and now we are ready for a launch. So go ahead, take a quick look, register there, it's <strong>absolutely free</strong> and takes only a minute, and give us your feedback. </p> <p>Atomkeep is built for users. Users are the most important elements in the Atomkeep design and we're committed to complete user satisfaction. Let us know, either you like something or not. Any opinion counts and valuable for us. </p> <p>So, thank you and welcome to Atomkeep!</p> <p>Sincerely yours,<br /> <a href="http://live.prokhorenko.us">Olexandr Prokhorenko</a>,<br /> Founder of <a href="http://www.atomkeep.com">Atomkeep</a>. </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/24#post-197 Fri, 16 May 2008 16:58:25 +0000 white 197@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>I am a 100% agree. I would even better typical 3/2 situation, but with a flexible hours. </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/24#post-196 Fri, 16 May 2008 15:12:52 +0000 wakina 196@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>Hi guys, I have been working from home for about 5 years. and sometimes its great and sometimes its not. I love the ability to work my hours and do things on my time. However, it can sometimes be very isolating. I think I do miss the buzz of the office world and the people contact</p> <p>However on the hother hand, I dont miss the office politics and the every day work commute. I think the ideal situation may be to work from home 3 day s a week and 2 days in an office setting. </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/68#post-195 Sun, 06 Apr 2008 09:19:58 +0000 green 195@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>Everybody has different goals. Personally I think MBA as a helpful, but not necessary knowledge. It does cost a lot - and before investing that much you need to calculate your ROI. Sometimes you can better ROI by gaining by specific knowledge - project management, finances, law, etc. - but not the "whole" MBA package. I would say we can think of MBA as some kind of "all-stuff-need-to-know-crash-course", but again - it's all about personal goals and ROI :-) </p> (read more) http://www.bosstalks.com/topic/83#post-194 Sun, 06 Apr 2008 09:17:13 +0000 green 194@http://www.bosstalks.com/ <p>Better manager is nothing without better team. This is my point. Either both are great, or no one can be "better" </p> (read more)