CoffeeCAST – #55 – One Version of the Truth and Consulting

Welcome to the 55th CoffeeCAST with Stephen Hayward of Project X Ltd. It is a spring cleanup type of coffeecast where we want to talk about how to create efficiency in capturing unstructured project related information. I have asked Michael Ianni-Palarchio to join me today where we wi

Being a Consultant – Many Roles

Is a consultant the expert, an extra pair of hands, a source of revenue, a source of advice, ……….?  In a consulting course I created often called Consulting 101 I devote a whole section to dealing with this question.   The answer to the question depends o

Ken Olson and iPADs

Back when I worked for digital equipment corporation Ken Olson (founder) was quoted as saying ” who would ever want a computer at home”. He started one of the most successful mini-computer companies of the 70s and 80s but his legacy will be his inability to see that what t

What Tools to Use?

I was asked an interesting question recently with regards to what tools I used for carrying out strategy sessions or business requirements gathering.  In truth, I use a wide range of techniques, exercises and software tools when carrying out that type of work.  I ass

Motivation to Enter Scores Feedback

In a previous blog http://blog.pxltd.ca/2010/02/how-to-motivate-people-help.html, I talked about my ideas of motivating people to enter scores in the computer for handicap purposes.  I seem to be having an impact, however I am getting some negative feedback.  

CoffeeCAST – #54 – Process

 Welcome to the 54th CoffeeCAST with Stephen Hayward of Project X Ltd. I hope all is well with everyone.  I have asked Michael Ianni-Palarchio to join me today where we will be discussing: Misalignment between scope estimation and the truth Lowball Estimates and Change Request to deat

Models for Change – Switch

The rider and the elephant – a model for change.  I am listening in my car to a book called Switch by the the Heath brothers. http://heathbrothers.com/switch/   I have found much of his stuff really compelling and surprising.  I really like his model for

Looking for Business Analysts @ Project X Ltd.

Role:  Business AnalystCompany description:Project X Ltd. is a boutique advisory, systems integration and support firm focusing on providing: Advisory Services Data Warehousing / Data Integration Business Intelligence xBusiness (device and web-enabled services) Support Services

Consulting and Systems Integration Firms – People Centric

Most good consulting companies marry a balance of people, process and technology to create a practice that meets and sometimes exceeds a client need.  This is a lovely motherhood statement.  But it forgets that the word consult means the bare use of people to listen, discu

Personal Performance

I was pondering this week about balanced scorecards as a way to measure personal performance.  Michael when we worked together long ago took me through a balanced scorecard process to help me evaluate my performance for all the roles I take on.  These were not just about w