Blog

Decision Making and Personality Traits

Posted on 29/09/1626th September 2016 by Eamonn McGuinness

Personality traits play a much bigger role in decision making than you may think. Some people are, by their very nature, indecisive. They find it quite difficult to make most decisions. I often find these people very loyal to the decision when they do make it. I am sure you…Read More

The 3 D’s of a Successful BrightWork Deployment

Posted on 27/09/16 by Billy Guinan

When deploying any new software or business system, it’s the important to have a process in place to ensure you have a smooth and efficient roll out. It’s no different when it comes to implementing collaborative project management software. Your change management process should be transparent and focused on delivering value, driven by your needs. At…Read More

5 Project Management Stories from the Healthcare Sector

Posted on 27/09/1626th September 2016 by Geraldine O'Reilly

Healthcare organizations often need to track many medium-to-large projects at once. In one of the more scrutinized industries, project errors can be costly and can often bring down an organization. Hence there is a need for a project management tool that is reliable and scalable. With BrightWork, these organizations can install…Read More

The Power of Training for Project Teams [Infographic]

Posted on 26/09/1622nd September 2016 by Ciara McCarthy

Today, many employees are feeling more overwhelmed in their roles. Their time is limited, the pressure is on to deliver, and they want control over their learning. There is a steady increase in millennials entering the workforce and studies show that this group expect training. As a result, employers and projects need to…Read More

A Quick Guide to Project Request Management

Posted on 22/09/1619th September 2016 by Grace Windsor

Project request management is a vital process that ensures the right projects are chosen to fulfill your organization’s short and long term strategic goals. Depending on your organization’s size and type of projects, project request management can be quite tricky. Questions to consider include: Where do the project ideas come…Read More

Sync Office 365 Group Files with OneDrive for Business

Posted on 22/09/1623rd September 2016 by Donal McCarthy

UPDATE: It seems that the below process uses the old Groove Client. My colleagues in support recommend not doing it this way unless you really have to! According to the Office Roadmap, the feature I want is still in development. 🙁 Office 365 Groups are a really great way of…Read More

Business Intelligence and BrightWork

Posted on 21/09/1615th September 2016 by Peter Doyle

Summary: Business Intelligence (BI) is becoming a more and more popular concept that enables access to and analysis of information to improve and optimize decisions and performance. SharePoint is an ideal platform for BI because of its inherent collaboration features and also its ability to connect to other systems using…Read More

Sharpen Your Decision Making in 5 Steps [Infographic]

Posted on 20/09/1615th September 2016 by Eamonn McGuinness

I recently wrote about the importance of decision making to collaborative project management. Using a process will allow you to make decisions more effectively. I suggest a  five-step approach as follows: Remember the Privilege of Choice Frame the Decision Start with Indifference Continue with a Head/Logical Decision Confirm with a Heart Decision.…Read More

4 Steps for Improved Stakeholder Engagement [SlideShare]

Posted on 19/09/1616th September 2016 by Grace Windsor

Building a good relationship with stakeholders is critical to project success. After all, a stakeholder is defined ‘as any person or group of people who have an interest in, can influence, or will be affected by any planned changes in an organization’. Using a stakeholder engagement plan will ensure that…Read More

A Real Approach to Project Management [Infographic]

Posted on 16/09/16 by Ciara McDonnell

As we all know, in order to successfully manage a project, you need an approach. A process, mechanism, a ways and means of doing something – whatever you like to call it. For this post and my infographic below, I am going to go with approach! A very real yet…Read More

Handstands, Failure and Better Project Management

Posted on 16/09/1612th September 2016 by Grace Windsor

There are many definitions of failure – a situation or occurrence in which something does not work as it should; lack of success, a falling short. These innocuous explanations do little to convey how frustrating and draining failure often is. Failure is particularly stressful when it is work related; after…Read More

PM Tip: Manage Meetings – Sponsor Template [Video]

Posted on 14/09/169th September 2016 by Grace Windsor

Good meetings are essential to collaborative project management. They help everyone to stay informed and involved. As a project manager, you should have regular meetings with the Project Sponsor. Project sponsors are generally busy people, so you need to make good use of their time to gain their respect and…Read More

BrightWork New Release How To: Enable Simple Scheduling

Posted on 13/09/1613th September 2016 by Ciara McCarthy

The number one ask from our customers in recent times has been the ability to schedule tasks in BrightWork. With the BrightWork New Release, we introduced this scheduling functionality in an in-browser way that is simple for you to use. The feature is enabled by default on all newly created…Read More

Making Decisions – A Collaborative Approach

Posted on 12/09/1614th September 2016 by Eamonn McGuinness

“Most high officials leave office with the perceptions and insights with which they entered; they learn how to make decisions but not what decisions to make.” – Henry A. Kissinger (Secretary of State, USA, from Sept. 1973 to Jan. 1977) I believe that Henry Kissinger has it right. We really…Read More

Start Your Work Breakdown Structure in Two Steps

Posted on 08/09/165th September 2016 by Grace Windsor

One of the first major projects that I worked on ran over time and budget for a simple reason. The team jumped straight into doing the work without thinking through the required deliverables and associated deadlines. In short, we did not create a work breakdown structure (WBS). A work breakdown…Read More

Track Non-People Resources using SharePoint [Video]

Posted on 07/09/165th September 2016 by Grace Windsor

Resources are the nuts and bolts of any project. Getting the right resources – people, equipment and budget – in place is the first step in resource management. You also need to track how resources are used over the course of the project to ensure that resources are optimized and available…Read More

5 Tips Every Project Manager Should be Following

Posted on 06/09/167th September 2016 by Grace Windsor

Here at BrightWork, we know how difficult the life of a project manager is! Our latest free resource, 15 Tips for Successful Project Management, brings together our most popular tips in a handy guide to make project management a little easier. Here are five essential tips to help you get started. 1. …Read More

Camden National Bank Aims to Eliminate 100% of Extra Project Documentation

Posted on 05/09/165th September 2016 by Geraldine O'Reilly

Camden National Bank formed their Office of Project Management (OPM) in 2014 after experiencing a period of exponential company-wide growth. The aim was to get a better handle on the strategic portfolio of projects that the company was initiating. Prior to 2014, projects were managed independently along the different business…Read More

7 Steps For Effective Report Writing

Posted on 02/09/1630th August 2016 by Grace Windsor

Many project teams utilize the reporting options and tools available in their collaborative project site to track work, identify risks and issues, and keep stakeholders informed about the project.  Depending on the project and organizational processes, additional reports with in-depth analysis and recommendations may also be required when a project…Read More

Latest BrightWork Resource: 15 Tips for Successful Project Management

Posted on 01/09/162nd September 2016 by Grace Windsor

To manage a project successfully, you need to plan correctly, choose the best software, lead the team and more! Sounds complicated? With the right knowledge and insights, you can tackle any project challenge and enjoy more project success. We have put together our top 15 tips to help you do…Read More

PM Tip: 3 Ways to Work the Project [Video]

Posted on 31/08/1630th August 2016 by Grace Windsor

As a project team member, you are likely involved in many different projects. So many commitments, tasks and deadlines can become overwhelming very quickly! Watch our video for three steps to help you work each project in a more organized, systematic way. Think of these steps as your commitment to…Read More

Brainstorm Your Way to Project Success [Infographic]

Posted on 30/08/1630th August 2016 by Eamonn McGuinness

Problems occur on all projects. Creative solutions are always needed to deliver on some of the project requirements. The team generally has or can come up with the solutions. You just need to give them the time and space. There are many ways to run the brainstorm style of meeting.…Read More

Leverage Data Visualization to Boost Collaboration and Project Visibility

Posted on 29/08/1631st August 2016 by Grace Windsor

Data visualization is a powerful management tool. Simply put, data visualization is a means of presenting complex data in a visual format, typically a chart or graph. Over 2.5 quintillion bytes of data is generated every day! Data visualization brings this information to life, making it accessible and actionable. Visualization…Read More

Configure Your Project Site using SharePoint [Video]

Posted on 25/08/1631st August 2016 by Grace Windsor

When using SharePoint for project and portfolio management, it is essential to configure your project site correctly from the outset. Your project site should adhere to your organization’s local guidance, accommodating all elements of established project and portfolio management processes.  It is also important to structure your site collection, or site…Read More

The BrightWork New Release at a Glance [Infographic]

Posted on 24/08/1623rd August 2016 by Grace Windsor

BrightWork recently announced the new release of our project and portfolio management solution for SharePoint. This new release improves the overall usability and flexibility of existing features whilst also introducing innovative project management tools. The highlights of the new release are outlined in this video with Éamonn McGuinness and include:  Task Scheduling:…Read More

A Tale From The Trenches: Using BrightWork To Build The New BrightWork Release

Posted on 23/08/1631st August 2016 by Grace Windsor

At BrightWork, our mission is simple. We want to make successful project and portfolio management possible and easy for every organization. Our new release, officially launched on  August 22, improves the overall usability and flexibility of existing features whilst also introducing innovative new tools designed to help projects succeed. The…Read More

PM Tip: Run Project Post-Mortem [Video]

Posted on 23/08/1623rd August 2016 by Grace Windsor

There usually isn’t much time between projects to think about what worked and what didn’t. This means project teams often waste time making the same mistakes over and over! As your project ends, take some time to ask team members what they thought of the project. This will really help…Read More

BrightWork Launches Task Scheduling in SharePoint and an Improved User Experience with New Release

Posted on 22/08/1623rd August 2016 by Grace Windsor

Today, BrightWork announced the new release of their project and portfolio management solution for SharePoint. This new release delivers several capabilities to make project and portfolio management easier for their customers, headlined by the new task scheduling feature that allows users to apply simple schedules to a tasks list in…Read More

Run a Successful Team Meeting

Posted on 22/08/1622nd August 2016 by Eamonn McGuinness

Running a successful meeting that energizes and informs your team does not happen by accident! Take a look at how you currently organize meetings and consider the question – “do you and your team need better management of meetings?” If the answer is yes, try at our sample agenda for…Read More

Improve Your Delegation Skills for a Happy Team

Posted on 17/08/1622nd August 2016 by Grace Windsor

Delegation is an effective way to manage a project collaboratively. Delegating signals confidence in your team, which in turn, harnesses their skills and capabilities.  A good project manager leads and empowers the team by trusting them to get the work done. Many managers under-delegate, simply refusing to share tasks. Under-delegating…Read More

Track and Re-Plan the Project in 3 Steps [SlideShare]

Posted on 16/08/1616th August 2016 by Grace Windsor

As a project manager, you may have encountered two scenarios as the project moves towards completion. Scenario 1: Your project is successfully underway and the team are working through their assignments.  Everything is going well and the team is confident that the project will finish on time. Scenario 2: Your…Read More

Get More Results from Your Project Sponsor Meetings

Posted on 15/08/1616th August 2016 by Eamonn McGuinness

Keeping your project sponsor informed about the progress of the project is incredibly important to the overall success of the work. After all, your project sponsor is likely the project customer and has control over budgets and resources! Meetings are a great way to update the sponsor and get their…Read More

Infographic: 4 Steps to Save Time Using Outlook!

Posted on 12/08/1624th August 2016 by Ciara McDonnell

Outlook, email, communication…how much time do you spend every day trawling though your emails; reading, responding and searching? Now, I am not one for gambling, but I would bet a pretty penny, once  you begin to really think about it, you will amaze yourself . The amount minutes and hours every week…Read More

Build the Right Team for Project Success using Belbin

Posted on 12/08/1616th August 2016 by Grace Windsor

Resource Management is a critical step when initiating your project. You need to get the right budget, tools, people and additional relevant elements in place to complete the work. Building the project team is not just about skills and experiences. You need to make sure that the team is balanced…Read More

Infographic: 7 Project Management Terms That You and Your Team Should Know

Posted on 11/08/1619th August 2016 by Grace Windsor

Communication is often described as the act of conveying information or meaning from one person to another. The act is based upon rules and signals that allow interpretation of this information as intended. Sounds easy? As we all know, communication is anything but straight-forward! Interpretation is influenced by so many…Read More

Video: 3 Essential Practices for Project Managers Using SharePoint

Posted on 10/08/1616th August 2016 by Grace Windsor

If you are ready to launch a new project, ensure a successful start with our three essential practices for project managers using SharePoint. Watch the video to find out how to: Start your projects with standardized templates on SharePoint or a SharePoint enhancement such as BrightWork. Use best practice, out-of-the-box templates to…Read More

9 Strategies for More Productive Meetings

Posted on 09/08/1616th August 2016 by Eamonn McGuinness

Think about your most recent meeting. Did you and your team feel energized or drained afterwards? There are so many factors that can lead to unsuccessful meetings. In our DAFT template, I outlined four steps for meetings that connect, involve and inform your team. If you and your team are…Read More

5 Ways to Get Users to Follow Your Local Project Methodology

Posted on 05/08/1624th August 2016 by Billy Guinan

Tell me if this scenario is familiar. You have lots of projects underway. You have many project managers, some trained and others not trained. Each one is using their own approach to project management.  In addition, project plans are being managed in email and Excel and project documents are floating around in obscure file…Read More

PM Tip: 6 Ways to Manage Your Schedule

Posted on 04/08/1631st August 2016 by Grace Windsor

In order to achieve your goals, it’s important you give them time. And the best way to schedule this time is through a daily or weekly schedule. But what if you’re finding it hard to manage your schedule? Watch our video blog for 6 ways to keep your schedule running…Read More

Guest Post: The Manager’s Guide to Letting Go

Posted on 04/08/1625th August 2016 by Grace Windsor

In 2014, the Washington Post ran an excellent piece on the idea of work martyrdom — the belief many executives, managers and other employees hold that they’re so indispensable to the company that they cannot imagine stepping away for a week, or even a couple of days. Instead, managers who…Read More

Get DAFT for Better Meetings

Posted on 03/08/1631st August 2016 by Eamonn McGuinness

“A meeting is an event where minutes are taken and hours wasted.”      James T. Kirk (William Shatner’s character from Star Trek) Although this quote is not likely from the original TV series Star Trek, the sentiment is very true for many of us. Meetings – so often such a waste…Read More

Infographic: 4 Ways to Manage Distractions in an Open Office

Posted on 02/08/1631st August 2016 by Grace Windsor

We recently outlined physical and emotional factors that can drain your energy and impact upon your time-management. If you are struggling to stay on top of your schedule – key to achieving your goals – you should also consider if distractions in an open office space are reducing your productivity levels. More and more…Read More

How do I Manage My Project?

Posted on 01/08/1624th August 2016 by Grace Windsor

As you begin to plan your project, you’re probably already thinking about team structure, budgets and timelines. Before getting too far ahead, it’s important to take a step back and ask a simple yet tricky question – how am I going to manage my project? It’s useful to think of project management as a…Read More

6 Collaborative Project Management Challenges

Posted on 28/07/1616th August 2016 by Eamonn McGuinness

An increasing number of organizations are turning to collaborative project management to secure project success.  Changes in the business environment and workforce now mean that project teams are moving away from traditional rigid processes to engaging the talents and energy of the group. However, collaborative project management brings its own…Read More

PM Tip: Check & Understand Project Progress

Posted on 27/07/1616th August 2016 by Grace Windsor

A useful way to check and understand project progress is to hold a meeting. However, you need to be careful with how these are run so that they are an efficient use of your and your teams time. Here is a sample five-point agenda you might consider.   1 Check the…Read More

APi Group IT Uses BrightWork to Implement Software Across 50+ Subsidiary Companies

Posted on 27/07/162nd September 2016 by Grace Windsor

APi Group IT was hindered with difficulties that stemmed from a lack of project visibility and reporting ability. As is a well-known tale for many companies, there was a practice of using multiple project management tools and methodologies within the department and in 2015 the IT department decided enough was…Read More

Microsoft Office Tips: Styles and Headings in Word – Use Them!

Posted on 26/07/1616th August 2016 by Gerald Glynn

In this post, I will give a basic introduction to styles and headings in Microsoft Word and explain why you should use them. Microsoft Word is probably the first Microsoft application most people encounter and use. Everyone instinctively understands that, you type in the words, they appear on the screen,…Read More

5 Steps to Improve Your Time Management

Posted on 25/07/1616th August 2016 by Grace Windsor

Time is a finite resource that we all wish we could top up every now and then! Juggling multiple, and sometimes competing, professional and personal commitments makes effective time management seem almost impossible. However, it is really important to take control and manage your time so that you live your…Read More

Get the Project Approved, Sponsored and Resourced

Posted on 21/07/1616th August 2016 by Eamonn McGuinness

You are ready to start a new project – what’s next? You should formally initiate the project so you know what you’re getting into as a project manager before you officially start. This step will help to secure approval and resources for the project, and ideally enlist the support of…Read More

5 Project Management Tips

Posted on 20/07/1616th August 2016 by Grace Windsor

We were a little too eager to share our Top 5 Project Management Tips and published our unfinished post earlier! This post lists some of the main challenges that project managers face.  These quick and easy tips will ensure that your project starts successfully, and also provide information on additional resources.…Read More