If It Ain't Broke, Fix It Anyway

If It Ain’t Broke, Fix It Anyway

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Tools to Build Indestructible Projects with Enduring Results
Marc Resch, PMP
Softcover, 6×9, 216 pages
ISBN: 978-1-60427-154-6
June 2018

LEARN & EARN: Get 6.2 PDUs in the PMI skill areas of Leadership or Strategic and Business Management Skills

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Description

Projects are volatile endeavors filled with uncertainties, dependencies, contingencies, and risks. They require not only strategic, business-focused leadership to drive results, but also nimble and adaptive approaches in the face of increasing business uncertainty. Projects that limp along without the required adjustments and improvements suck the lifeblood out of companies. In this competitive new world economy, our project management mantra must shift from “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” to If It Ain’t Broke, Fix It Anyway.

This insightful and entertaining book will teach readers to be business savvy strategic corporate thinkers and planners, strong and practical project managers and leaders, and effective problem solvers and change agents focused on the bottom line.

Key Features

  • Equips project managers and business professionals with the skills and knowledge required to deliver business value to their organizations from their project investments
  • Instructs professionals on how to become nimble and adaptive in the face of business and economic uncertainty to drive and continuously improve their projects to achieve maximum returns
  • Presents a structured approach to incorporating strategic and quantitative methods to achieve, and even exceed, forecasted business objectives
  • Provides the tools and techniques necessary to become business improvement change agents and project turnaround specialists
  • WAV offers downloadable RASCI Matrix, Business Case, Benefits Realization Plan, and Cash Flow Model templates and a Strategic Project Management Checklist to help users maximize results—available from the Web Added Value™ Download Resource Center 

About the author(s)

Marc Resch, PMP, is the President of Resch Group (www.reschgroup.com), whose mission is to transform individuals and organizations into strategic value creators. Their specialty is assisting individuals and companies to generate optimal and sustainable business results from their project and training investments. Marc’s company is also is a Registered Education Provider (REP) of the Project Management Institute (PMI) offering training courses in the areas of strategy, project and financial management, and process improvement.

Resch is a recognized thought leader, subject matter expert, and author of the best-selling Strategic Project Management Transformation with decades of experience working with business leaders and organizations of all sizes, providing expertise around strategy, projects and processes. Additionally, he works closely with a variety of clients to develop and deliver customized workshops and training programs to meet long term strategic needs. He regularly keynotes and speaks at conferences, forums, and corporate and industry events on a variety of topics.

Resch graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and received an MBA from the University of North Carolina and an MS in Technology Management from Stevens Institute of Technology. He is an adjunct professor in the areas of business strategy, organizational theory and design, and organizational leadership. Marc can be reached at marc@reschgroup.com.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Time for a New Project Mindset

Current State of Affairs

If It Ain’t Broke

Project Management Is #%&@#% Hard!

It’s About the Business, Not the Methodology

Chapter Recap: Choose the Right Tool for the Job at Hand

 

Chapter 2: Project Alignment to Corporate Strategy

It All Begins with the Mission

Strategic Alignment to the Mission

Business Objectives Outrank All Other Objectives

The Pareto Principle

But, the Cost of Doing Business

Chapter Recap: Choose the Right Tool for the Job at Hand

 

Chapter 3: Relentless Engagement

Mission First, People Always

Delegating Is Not Abdicating Responsibility

Manage Up, Not Just Down

Mobilize and Remobilize Commitment

Escalate but Never Cry Wolf

Chapter Recap: Choose the Right Tool for the Job at Hand

 

Chapter 4: Plan, Adapt, and if Necessary, Change

Plans Are Useless but Planning Is Indispensable

The Bunny and the Berry—Case Studies

Don’t Change for the Sake of Change

BAU Process Improvement May Be the Required Fix

Assess the Cultural Appetite for Change and Act Accordingly

Chapter Recap: Choose the Right Tool for the Job at Hand

 

Chapter 5: The Business Case—Your Most Important Tool

It’s the North Star of Project Investments

It Calculates Hard Cash

It Calculates Yearly Rates of Return

It Calculates Your Project’s Black Friday

It Calculates ROI

It’s a Living Document that Drives Value

Uh Oh, There’s No Business Case!

Chapter Recap: Choose the Right Tool for the Job at Hand

 

Chapter 6: Have an Insatiable Thirst for Feedback

Check Your Ego at the Door

Perform Voice of the Customer

Specify Value from the Perspective of the Customer

Perform Lessons Learned Throughout the Project

Chapter Recap: Choose the Right Tool for the Job at Hand

 

Chapter 7: Strengthen the Foundation of Your Project

Establish (and Reestablish) Laser Focus

Identify and Fix Root Causes

Don’t Just Communicate, Communicate with Substance

Evaluate and Enhance Project Artifacts

Perform a SWOT Analysis

Chapter Recap: Choose the Right Tool for the Job at Hand

 

Chapter 8: Establish and Enhance the Benefits Realization

Plan and Processes

Where We’re Falling Short

The Value-Driven Life Cycle

Constructing the Benefits Realization Plan

Example Benefits Realization Plan

Chapter Recap: Choose the Right Tool for the Job at Hand

 

Chapter 9: Strategically Transform Your Project

Make Strategic Decisions Based upon Changing Circumstances

Start with the End Goal and Plan Backward

Revitalize the Plan

Rebuild the Team with the Power of RASCI

Chapter Recap: Choose the Right Tool for the Job at Hand

 

Chapter 10: Possess an Incessant Focus on the Business

Know More than Anybody Else—You’re in Charge

Standardize and Optimize Future State Business Processes

Focus on Business Quality, Not Arbitrary Quantity

Implement Mistake Proofing Throughout the Business

Reduce Interruptions and Context Switches

Be a Positive Force for Business Change

Chapter Recap: Choose the Right Tool for the Job at Hand

 

Appendix A: Strategic Project Management Checklist

 

Index

Reviews

“Adaptive leadership and project management have a natural synergy which is captured quite well in this page-turner. Any business professional interested in executing flawless change initiatives should definitely pick up a copy of this book!”

—Brigid Buchheit Carney, PMP, LSSMBB, Head of Operations, Group Insurance, The Argus Group

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