Project management is changing. With so many communications tools at our fingertips, it is more important than ever to bring stakeholders in early on projects and keep their perspectives in mind throughout lengthy projects. That is why stakeholder-led management strategies are growing in popularity today.

What Is Stakeholder-Led Project Management? 

Simply put, this style of management means putting the stakeholders’ needs first. While other forms of management may ask stakeholders what they would like to see happen, oftentimes the implementation team is left to their own devices to try and solve problems without direct and continuous input from the people who will be most impacted.

In a stakeholder-led system, stakeholders have the chance to provide feedback at every stage of the process and engage in problem-solving alongside the implementation team to ensure that proposed solutions actually work.

Why Let Stakeholders Lead? 

For one, it’s more efficient. Instead of guessing at the root of problems your team is facing and trying to solve them independently, you have a direct line of contact with the people on the ground. Their feedback at every stage of the project ensures that you can pivot quickly when something isn’t working instead of waiting until after the solution has failed.

In addition, by bringing stakeholders into the process early, you are more likely to get positive engagement and feedback. Too many companies go ahead with projects without consulting stakeholders, only to have those stakeholders resist the new system at implementation time. This causes headaches and confusion for everyone involved.

How Does It Work? 

Like any project, stakeholder-led projects can be broken down into multiple stages. From the conception of the project all the way through the follow-up, you should be listening and adjusting your plan to meet the needs of the people who are most affected.

Identification and Analysis

Stakeholders provide a direct line of contact with the problem area. Asking pertinent questions can lead you to quickly identify the main pain points in the existing system and give you some starting ideas for how the problem could be solved. This is the shortcut to analysis you’ve been needing to save time and money.

Planning and Proposals

At this stage of the project, you have a chance to use stakeholders as a sounding board. Present your ideas to them and determine whether or not the solution fits their needs. They will be able to tell you immediately if the solution will increase or decrease the resistance in their jobs.

Implementation 

Now is the time to listen to feedback and stay on top of problems as they arise. Other projects fail when they fail to take feedback into consideration at this stage.

No matter how big your project is, stakeholder involvement should be a priority. You can save time and money by going straight to the root of your project’s goals and engaging with the people who really have a vested interest in seeing the project succeed. Before you plan your next project, contact Project Genetics to learn how we can help you find the solutions you need.

Customer relationship management, or CRM, is an aspect of doing business that has received plenty of attention in recent years. Improving the experience that a customer gets when interacting with your business can give you the edge over your competition. However, CRM implementation can be a difficult and time-consuming project that drains your resources if not managed properly. Here are some tips for improving the success and efficiency of your CRM project.

5 Reliable Ways to Speed Up a CRM Project

1. Develop a Clear Plan for CRM Implementation

As with any facet of your business, successful implementation of a CRM system is as much about the planning as the execution. If you don’t have a clear idea of what you want your customer experience to be like after the project is complete, it will be difficult to measure the success or failure of your plan. Set clear, measurable objectives so that you have a clear view for how to bring your project forward.

2. Implement the Plan in Phases

Even a project that seems daunting in scale can become much more manageable when they are broken down into smaller phases rather than taken as a whole. Discerning what each stage of your project looks like will make it clear for your entire team what needs to be done to see your project through to completion.

3. Standardize Internal Practices

It’s only logical that work will go faster and more smoothly if everybody involved in a project is on the same page when it comes to everyday procedures related to their work. That’s why one of the most important steps you can take towards improving your project’s efficiency is standardizing the internal practices your team works from. Consider every detail that goes into the work so that everybody is clear on the standards they must work towards.

4. Clarify the Project’s Leadership Structure

People look to the leaders of a project for guidance on what they should be doing and as an example that they can be following. Having either too many or no project leaders can detract from this clear sense of direction that strong leaders create. Make sure that it’s clear who the leader of your project is and that there aren’t so many leaders that the project is being pulled in several directions at once. The chain of command, and who has final say on various aspects, should be clear.

5. Test Your Results in Real-World Scenarios

Ultimately, your CRM project’s success or failure depends on the results that your customer-facing team members get when using the system you implement. Involving this part of your team in the implementation stage can help you find problems you might miss when working from the outside looking in. This will allow you to test the CRM you’re implementing in real situations with your customers.

Helping businesses turn their project plans into tangible realities is something that our team specializes in. We’ll help you develop a clear plan for your CRM project and then assist in executing that plan to perfection. Contact Project Genetics today to learn how we can help make your vision of success a reality!

Mergers and acquisitions can be a complex and challenging process, but HR professionals are uniquely qualified to manage the transition. They work closely with both the leadership of the acquiring company and the employees of the target company to ensure a smooth transition as well as successful workforce management. Below are some of the many crucial roles that HR professionals perform during acquisitions.

What Is the Role of HR During Mergers and Acquisitions?

Workforce Management

One of the key responsibilities is to ensure that employees are aware of the changes and how they will be affected. This includes communicating the goals of the merger, providing information on the new organizational structure, and answering any questions that employees may have.

Additionally, HR professionals must identify which positions will be eliminated and which employees will be impacted. They also need to develop a plan for transitioning employees to new roles, which may involve retraining or relocation.

Solving Employee Benefits Issues

In addition to worrying about job security, many employees may also have questions about their benefits. As an HR professional, it’s your job to address these concerns and ensure that employees receive the benefits they’re entitled to. Some of the most common benefits issues that arise during mergers include changes to health insurance, pension plans, retirement savings plan, and vacation policies.

You’ll need to work closely with the new management team to determine what changes need to be made and how best to communicate them to affected employees. In some cases, you may also need to negotiate with union leaders or other employee groups to ensure that your employees get to enjoy more benefits.

Developing New Policies

A merger is an excellent opportunity to bring fresh perspectives and policies into the organization. Some companies still have outdated policies that no longer reflect the needs of the workforce. By introducing new policies during a merger, HR professionals can help to bring the company up-to-date.

In addition, mergers provide an opportunity to review existing policies and make sure they are still relevant. With so much change happening, it’s crucial for HR professionals to be proactive and take advantage of this unique opportunity to improve the organization and create a positive environment for all employees.

Maintaining Workplace Culture

When two companies merge, it’s crucial to ensure that the new workplace culture is one that is supportive and productive. HR professionals are responsible for helping employees to adapt to the new culture and ensuring that corporate values are aligned. One of the ways they can do this is by providing training and development programs that help employees to understand the new culture and how it can benefit them.

Acquisitions and mergers can be greatly facilitated by the expertise of HR professionals. HR can help ensure that employees are properly trained on new systems and procedures, and can provide guidance on how to manage changes in company culture. If you’re preparing for a merger or acquisition, contact Project Genetics today for project implementation solutions. We can help you identify and integrate the technologies that will best meet your workforce management needs.

ERP implementation can be a complex and time-consuming process. However, by regularly updating your ERP system, you can ensure that it remains effective and efficient in meeting the needs of your business. In addition, by keeping your system current, you can take advantage of new features as well as ensure that it is aligned with your changing business processes. Consider these four reasons why you should regularly update your ERP system.

4 Reasons You Should Regularly Update Your ERP System

1. To Take Advantage of New Features and Functionality

If you’re not regularly updating your ERP system, you’re not taking advantage of new features and functionality that could help improve your business. New features provide opportunities for increased efficiency and productivity, and can also help to create a streamlined workflow.

2. To Ensure Compatibility With Other Applications

As business needs change and new technologies emerge, it is important to regularly update your ERP system to ensure compatibility with other applications. For example, many ERP systems now offer integration with popular CRM and eCommerce platforms.

This allows businesses to manage customer data more effectively and sell products online without having to use multiple disparate systems. By integrating with other applications, ERP systems can provide a more holistic view of the business and help managers make better decisions.

3. To Reduce the Risk of Data Loss or Corruption

If an ERP system is not regularly updated, it can put the data at risk of corruption or loss. One way that data can be lost is through human error. For example, if an employee enters data into the system incorrectly, it can be difficult to retrieve the correct information later on.

Additionally, if the system is not updated with the latest security patches, it may be vulnerable to hacking. This could allow criminals to access sensitive information or make unauthorized changes to the data.

4. To Improve User Experience

A clunky, outdated interface will frustrate users and lead to a drop in productivity. On the other hand, a sleek, modern interface will make users more likely to actually use the system and take full advantage of its features. In order to stay competitive, it’s essential to keep your ERP system up-to-date with the latest UX best practices. This will also ensure that your business is getting the most out of its investment.

ERP Implementation Process

When it comes to implementing ERP, there are a few different routes you can take. You can go with an out-of-the-box solution that offers little in the way of customization, or you can work with a consultant to develop a custom system that meets your specific needs. If you’re not sure which route is right for you, it’s crucial to consult with an expert who can help you understand your options and make an informed decision.

Updating your ERP system is essential for the continued success of your business. At Project Genetics, we understand the importance of regular ERP updates. We can help you plan and implement an updated schedule that meets the specific needs of your business. Contact us today at Project Genetics to learn more about our project and system implementation services.

When you need to get a project back on track, bringing somebody into that project with a fresh perspective can be a valuable asset that will help you reach your goals. Here are some of the advantages that you can find when you bring an outside perspective into your project recovery process.

7 Benefits of Bringing In Fresh Perspectives for Project Recovery 

1. Reassess Your Vision

Successful projects start out with a goal in mind. However, reevaluating that initial vision throughout the project can be helpful in finding ways to improve the project. Someone with a new perspective can help to clarify the vision for your project so that you can get the best results.

2. Get Objective Analysis

Everyone tries to approach business matters with an objective mindset. However, when you’ve been involved with a project, developing some attachment for the project itself and the people involved in it is inevitable. A new perspective can approach things more objectively, helping to identify opportunities for improvement you may be overlooking.

3. Break Out of Old Habits

When a project has been underway for some time, it can be easy for those involved to become stuck in their ways. While experience is undoubtedly an asset, sometimes the habits we develop aren’t the best way to get a project done. New perspectives can help you identify habits that aren’t helpful so that new strategies can be implemented.

4. Broaden Your Project’s Reach

Although it may be done unconsciously, certain aspects of your project may alienate certain segments of your potential audience or might simply not resonate with them. Bringing someone with a different perspective onto the project can help you identify these areas of weakness so that the results of your project have the broadest reach possible.

5. Improve Leadership

Leadership defines the expectations and goals for everyone involved in a project. Outside perspectives can bring leadership qualities that you don’t have in your current team to improve the project as a whole. This will reinvigorate your team and get everybody performing at their very best.

6. Tap into Others’ Experience

Depending on the nature of the project you’re undertaking, the challenges involved may be unfamiliar to you or your team. You can overcome this unfamiliarity by taking advantage of the experience that outside perspectives bring to your project. By bringing in someone who has handled projects similar to yours, you can benefit from their experience.

7. Reduce Inefficiencies

Sometimes, those involved in a project can become stubborn about doing things a certain way simply because that’s the process they’ve grown used to. However, this can lead to inefficient methods that harm a project’s overall success. Having an outside perspective to assess the efficiency of the project can help accomplish your goals more smoothly.

If you find that you’re in need of external resources to help you realize all the goals your project entails, our team of project implementation specialists have the answers you’re looking for. Get in contact with Project Genetics today to learn more about the assistance our proven methods can offer for your business!

While some mergers and acquisitions (M&As) look flawless on paper, they quickly lose their shine in the workplace. Issues such as company culture clash and excessive disruption of daily operations can make integration seem like a pipe dream. Completing a successful M&A with minimal hangups requires skilled workforce management and a strategy that accounts for the inevitable issues that will arise during the transition period.

M&A and Workforce Management: Why Success Depends on Integrating Your Workforce

When an M&A isn’t working, it’s usually due to integration issues, not financial problems. Unfortunately, even highly functional teams often run into snags when pushed to blend or adapt their efforts.

Combining workforces is complex, and employees need time and space to transition to the new normal. Having an outline for the merger that states employee roles and offers guidance about office real estate, communication protocol, and client services provides clear expectations during a confusing time.

Go Farther Together

Both sides must let go of old protocols and mindsets for integration efforts to be fruitful. Since, from a legal perspective, one company is considered the acquirer and one the acquiree, it’s crucial to remember that acquirees often feel more nervous about changes.

Even though you know that the goal is to build a juggernaut from your companies’ combined forces, they won’t realize that unless you tell them. Communicating the plans to integrate and emphasizing how the companies are converging into a single, stronger team can help prevent quality employees from abandoning ship.

Shortcuts Aren’t an Option

When an M&A has high stakes, it’s common for leaders to push teams to adapt to new processes and procedures quickly. But, frustratingly, this pressure often backfires and slows down team efficiency in the long run. Think of your newly merged company as a toddler.

Expect them to go from crawling to running, and you’ll be disappointed. Instead, let your teams learn how to walk and improve their coordination before asking for quick movements.

Outsource Leadership During Mergers and Acquisitions

While an internal executive can guide the M&A efforts, employees from the other party may feel they cannot come forward with questions or concerns.

In addition, issues of favoritism and politics can also arise when internal leaders are chosen to handle integration efforts directly. By bringing in an experienced, neutral party, you show employees that you are committed to creating a new, united team, not simply forcing one group to assimilate against their will.

Trust Project Genetics to Lead Your Integration 

Our team is ready to offer guidance when you need unbiased, professional leadership. We select the appropriate individual from our skilled team based on your company’s unique needs, which allows them to hit the ground running. In addition, their years of experience enable them to troubleshoot any issues and streamline the integration process.

Whether your attempts at integration have been unsuccessful or you haven’t begun to plan your merger, we are ready to help you navigate your M&A with ease. Reach out to Project Genetics today, and learn how our management consulting services can help your company thrive following a merger.

A solid project management approach, or a PMO methodology, provides a framework for planning, executing, and monitoring projects in a way that minimizes risk and maximizes success. Two of the most popular project management methodologies are agile and waterfall. Though they share some common features, there are also distinct differences between them. Understanding these differences is essential for choosing the right methodology for your next project.

Understanding the Differences Between Agile and Waterfall PMO Methodology

Agile Methodology

Agile methodology is a popular choice for many project managers because it is designed to be flexible and adaptable. One of the biggest advantages of using agile methodology is that it allows for changes to be made throughout the course of the project. This means that if you need to make a change mid-project, you can do so without having to start from scratch.

Another benefit of agile methodology is that it encourages communication and collaboration between team members. This is because team members are typically working in close proximity to each other during an agile project. This collaborative environment can help to foster a sense of camaraderie among team members and can also help to keep everyone on the same page regarding the project’s goals.

Scope Creep

One of the biggest challenges with agile projects is scope creep. Scope creep occurs when the scope of the project gradually expands beyond its original parameters. This can happen because agile methodology allows for changes to be made mid-project, which can sometimes lead to team members adding new features or tasks that were not originally part of the plan. This often leads to projects taking longer than originally anticipated and can also cause cost overruns.

Waterfall Methodology

Waterfall methodology is a more traditional approach to project management. Unlike agile methodology, waterfall projects are typically completed in linear fashion, with each stage being completed before moving on to the next. One advantage of using waterfall methodology is that it can help avoid scope creep because there is typically less room for changes to be made once the project has begun.

Another benefit of waterfall methodology is that it can help team members stay focused on their individual tasks since they will not need to be concerned with other parts of the project until they reach their assigned stage. This can often lead to increased efficiency since team members are not wasting time on tasks that they are not yet responsible for completing.

Less Room for Adaptability

Waterfall methodology makes it difficult to make changes once the project has begun since each stage builds upon the previous one. This means that making even a small change early on in the process could potentially have a ripple effect that causes significant delays later on down the line. Another drawback of waterfall projects is that they often require more upfront planning than agile projects since all tasks need to be mapped out in advance before work can begin.

Both agile and waterfall methodology have their own set of advantages and disadvantages that should be considered before deciding which approach is right for your next project. If you need a flexible and adaptable approach, then agile might be the way to go. However, if you’re looking for something with less room for error, then waterfall might be a better fit. Contact us today at Project Genetics and we’ll help you decide which project solution best suits your specific needs.

There are many components to a successful project recovery plan that need to be implemented in order to successfully get a project back on track. Here are some questions you should be able to answer when developing your recovery plan.

6 Questions That Should Be Answered in a Project Recovery Plan

1. Is Recovery Necessary?

Before beginning to plan out your steps to recover a project, it can be worth examining whether or not the project is worth recovering in the first place. It may be that the goal of the project is no longer valid or the costs of recovery outweigh the value of the project to the point that recovery isn’t feasible. Be sure to have a clear vision of how the project will be beneficial before undergoing efforts to recover it.

2. What Is the Project’s Scope?

Having clearly defined goals and sticking to them is essential for the success of a project. However, the scope of a project can often change over time as more people with different visions become involved in the project. Try to limit this wherever possible by figuring out what the original goal of the project was and sticking to that goal in all your efforts.

3. Who Is Involved in the Project?

As part of understanding the scope of a project, it’s important to determine exactly which members of your team will be involved in the recovery process. Developing an organization chart with clearly-defined hierarchies of decision-making can be a useful exercise to this end. Clearly defining who is involved in a project will help to maintain clear and consistent messaging for the entire team.

4. What Milestones Will Success Be Measured By?

Knowing what benchmarks you’ll measure the success of a project with is essential to monitoring the success of a project over time. Ask yourself what milestones along the way to the project’s goal you’ll look for over the course of the project. This will give you the ability to reevaluate strategies as you go depending on whether or not you’re reaching these milestones.

5. What Extra Resources Should Be Devoted to Recovery?

When a project has gotten away from its initial plan, you will usually need to dedicate additional resources to get it back on track. That may require changing schedules or assigning overtime to workers involved in the project. Figure out what resources you have available to devote to a project before getting recovery underway.

6. Is External Help Necessary?

In many cases, bringing in outside resources will help you recover your project successfully. Outsourcing work involved in the project can help reduce the workload on your team. Working with project implementation professionals can also help you define your plan clearly and get additional resources to help achieve your project’s goals.

Our team leads the field in project implementation and recovery, and we can put our expertise to use in helping your business succeed in all its project goals. Reach out to Project Genetics today and learn how we can help your business succeed to its fullest potential!

The pandemic has pushed countless businesses of all sizes to reexamine the way they operate. For many, that has meant a shift to remote work. While this new reality presents some unique opportunities, it is also not without its challenges. However, with the right approach, businesses can build a highly productive, engaged, and loyal remote team. Here are the strategies that are crucial for successful remote workforce management.

Workforce Management in the Era of Remote Work

Ample Communication Technology

One of the greatest challenges of managing a remote team is maintaining communication and collaboration among employees. When everyone is in the same office, it’s easy to have impromptu meetings or pop into someone’s office for a quick chat. But when everyone is working remotely, there is far less opportunity for spontaneous communication. The best way to combat this is to provide ample communication technology options to your remote team.

This means having a secure, reliable messaging platform for employees to use for spur-of-the-moment, day-to-day communication as well as video conferencing software for more formal meetings. It’s also important to make sure that everyone on the team knows how to use the technology and that there is someone available to help with any technical issues that may arise.

Regular Check-Ins

Regular check-ins are crucial in managing remote employees. These can be done via email, messaging platforms, or video conferencing software and should be conducted on a daily basis, if possible. During these check-ins, business owners and managers should touch base with each employee about their work progress and any challenges they may be facing. This is also a good time to provide feedback and offer any assistance that may be needed.

Clear Expectations

One of the most important things you can do as a manager is to establish clear expectations with your employees. They should know exactly what is expected of them in terms of work hours, deadlines, and deliverables. If you can provide them with a clear roadmap, they will be much more likely to stay on track and meet business requirements.

Social Interaction

While working remotely has many advantages, it can also be very isolating for some people, particularly those not used to working from home. As such, business owners and managers should make an effort to promote social interaction among their team members. This can be done through regular video chats, virtual happy hours, or even just casual conversation during check-ins.

Regular Performance Reviews

Conducting regular performance reviews with remote employees helps ensure that everyone is meeting expectations and that any issues are addressed in a timely manner. These reviews can be conducted monthly or quarterly and should include both a review of recent work as well as goals for the future.

Performance reviews provide an opportunity for employees to get feedback on their work as well as receive recognition for their successes. They also give business owners and managers an opportunity to identify areas where employees may need additional support or training.

While remote work brings about new challenges for managers, these strategies can help. And with the right technologies and systems, managers can effectively oversee their remote employees just as well as an in-office team. Do you need help setting your remote team up for success? Contact us at Project Genetics today for a free 30-minute introductory call!

When you’re eager to begin a project, it can be challenging not to leap straight into the execution phase. Though planning may not hold the same satisfaction as making moves, you’ll be glad you accounted for any ongoing ERP implementation and created a well-outlined charter. The initiation phase is the foundation of your project, so taking the time to get a solid start will benefit your project’s future success.

5 Best Practices for a Successful Project Initiation Phase

1. Know Your Project’s “Why”

This question may seem overly philosophical, but it’s critical to the success of your project. Your project’s “why” determines whether your project is worth completing. To establish it, you’ll need to answer three questions.

First, what is the project’s goal? Also, what are the reasons this project should be completed now? Finally, what business benefits are you expecting to receive from this action? Once you answer these questions, the “why” of the project should be clear.

2. Determine The Deliverables

Knowing your goals and objectives is essential, but you’ll want to go further and break them down into concrete deliverables. Once the project is underway, deliverables are the targeted result.

Depending on the project, it could be something like implementing a new software system, closing a specific number of contracts, or constructing new facilities. Knowing the deliverables you want from the project allows you to establish the task breakdown necessary to achieve your desired outcome.

3. Take ERP Implementation Into Account

Implementing an enterprise resource planning system into your business will affect all departments. Since implementation can take anywhere from a few months to a year, depending on the changes occurring, you’ll want to account for it when planning your project’s timeline. A well-planned, relatively simple implementation most likely won’t slow progress on your project, but one that is chaotic or poorly designed will use up employee bandwidth.

However, having an enterprise resource planning system implementation underway doesn’t mean you need to hold off on starting new projects; that would be inefficient. Instead, you’ll want to consider any significant changes occurring in the company when planning your project so that you are prepared for any potential hangups.

4. Establish and Document Major Stakeholders

As stakeholders will have significant sway over project decisions, all the necessary parties must agree on them. Then you will want to decide how many stakeholders are needed to make a decision and the role each stakeholder will have in the project.

Finally, since maintaining stakeholder engagement is challenging during most projects, you’ll want to have each stakeholder sign off on their commitments. This step can prevent you from running into issues or confusion down the road, as each stakeholder will be aware of their responsibilities from the start.

5. Craft the Charter

The project charter is your guideline to success—the project’s “why,” the deliverables––and stakeholder roles will be listed in this document. You’ll also want to have team structures outlined and the contact info for core people participating in the project.

Project constraints, risks, and assumptions will also be included. The charter serves as a comprehensive overview of the project and allows the project to be commissioned. Charter creation is a vital step since this document will serve as a guidebook throughout the project.

When your company needs project solutions, our team is here to help. At Project Genetics, we bring the no-nonsense guidance you need during high-stakes situations like mergers and acquisitions. Work with people as passionate about your business as you are; contact Project Genetics and find out how our experienced leadership team can help you.