Archive for March, 2010

The difference between Complex and Complicated Projects

What is meant by a complex project?

The world if full difference when we talk about complex projects. Is complexity the same as complicated? By complex do we just mean a large project, one which is geographical distributed or using complex technology? Or are these mega project just more complicated.

Complexity

Within business complexity is defined as

“Complexity describes the variances in approach and their consequences on the business”

I think complexity is closely related to ambiguity of project goal and method of delivery, because complexity is caused by the challenges of planning the project in the first place and likely level of anticipated change. This complexity makes it impossible to sit down and plan the project in a clear way from start to end; we need a slightly more flexible approach to the traditional “plan the work” “work the plan”. This can be represented by an adaptation of Rodney Turners classic goal method matrix

The higher the levels of ambiguity about the project goal and uncertainty about the delivery method make it more difficult to manage in a traditional way. This seems more important than the pure size of the project. Some large complicated projects have clear goals and known methods and these can be managed in a very traditional way. This definition differs from the normal multi organisation; multi-phase definition defined by the APM, but is nevertheless more relevant to help think about the complexity of the projects we manage.

Comments?

Parallel Project Training Launches 5-day APMP in London from £1,080.

We are pleased to announce that we will be holding our first 5-day APMP in London on the 17th May. The pre-study material for this course includes a copy of our study guide, access to our e-learning, podcasts and pre-course forum support. Book now for 20% early bird discount at APMP Project Management Training London 

APMP Study Guide Competition Winner

The winner of our APMP study guide competition was Kevin from Benfleet. He is delighted with his prize as he is a new project manager just starting his professional journey. Commiserations to all those who missed out but as compensation we are offering £10 discount on our APMP study guide when you purchase it from www.parallelprojecttraining.com. Just use the “comp2012″ as a coupon code at checkout.

Subject: Want to see the Study Guide quick Quiz answers? – by: john bolton

You need to register in the community od practice at teh top of the home screen.

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This is a discussion topic started on the Parallel Project Training Community of Practice forum. You can click here to read the main topic and join in the discussion.

How to Pass the Open APMP Webinar 3rd May only £30+vat

Parallel Project training are launching the world’s first ever how to pass the APMP Webinar on the 3^rd May. Scheduled at 18:00 it is ideal for those who are self studying for the Open APMP exam on the 10^th May.

With the authors of our APMP study guide this webinar gives you all the trainer hints and tips for passing the APMP exam. This 2 hour session will include:

1. The structure of the APMP exam.

2. Managing time in the APMP exam.

3. What sort of questions will come up in the APMP?

4. How to structure answers to help the examiner award marks.

5. The APM project management mind set.

6. APMP Exam management tips.

The webinar will be highly interactive and can cover hot topics, such as earned value as requested by the participants. We recommend listening to our podcasts and getting a copy of our APMP study guide before the webinar. For details click on here

Subject: How the pass the APMP Webinar? Anyone interested? – by: pnaybour

Given the popularity of the post we are launching a How to Pass the APMP webinar on the 3rd May,. This is a week before the Open APMP exam organised by the APM on the 10th May. For details
follow this link Open APMP Webinar 3rd May (http://www.parallelprojecttraining.com/registrationpro.html?did=115&view=event)

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This is a discussion topic started on the Parallel Project Training Community of Practice forum. You can click here to read the main topic and join in the discussion.

Podcast – APMP Module 7.2 Stakeholder Management (APM BoK 2.2)

This podcast covers the APM BOK topics 2.2 Stakeholder Management, including the stakeholder management process such as identify, analysis, communications planning, and ongoing management. It is part of the Parallel Project learning system and is ideally used in conjunction with the APMP study guide.

Subject: APMP Self Study Questions – by: pnaybour

This thread is for anyone who is self studying for the APMP exam. Post questions here and we will answer your question.

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This is a discussion topic started on the Parallel Project Training Community of Practice forum. You can click here to read the main topic and join in the discussion.

Arras People to self study for the APMP using the Parallel Project Learning System

The good people at project management and recruitment specialists Arras people are to test out the Parallel Learning System by self studying for the APMP. They will be working as a learning set of four, using the Parallel APMP study guide, Podcasts and e-learning modules. They will be posting daily updates and reports on their blog how to manage a camel. It will be interesting to see how they all get on. To help everyone who is self studying we have set up an APMP self study forum on our website. Post any questions and we will help you. Remember we are with you all the way

Subject: Jobs and Project Management Qualifications – by: pnaybour

with Lindsay Scott of project management recruitment specialists Arras People this podcast interview with Parallel Project Training explores changes in the jobs market for project managers. What are employers looking for and how do job seekers need to work differently. Let us know what you think. The podcast is at http://www.parallelprojecttraining.com/podcasts.html

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This is a discussion topic started on the Parallel Project Training Community of Practice forum. You can click here to read the main topic and join in the discussion.