THE SEARCH FOR THE HOLY GRAIL

CREATING TOOLS & PROCESSES FOR YOUR TEAM

NATALIE SEMCZUK

@TALKANATALKA Picture from Monty Python and the Holy Grail

WHAT DO I MEAN BY TOOL OR PROCESS???

TOOL = software, web app, spreadsheet, piece of paper,

notebook, stone tablet, etc. that can be used to aid workflow

PROCESS = a workflow that is generally held consistent throughout a project, sometimes can be facilitated

or helped with a tool.

SO, YOU’RE A PM

AND YOU NEED…

TOOLS OR PROCESSES.

WHAT NOW?

1. INVENTORY

MAP THINGS

HOW DO YOU CURRENTLY COMMUNICATE?

IDENTIFY NON-NEGOTIABLES

WHO ARE THE USERS?

2. IDENTIFY PAIN

BOTTLENECKS?

COMMUNICATION ISSUES?

COMMON PROJECT ISSUES?

INTERNAL OR CLIENT-FACING PROBLEM?

3. COMPANY CULTURE

REMOTE, DISTRIBUTED, OR IN OFFICE?

OR ALL?

RIGID OR FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES?

DOES DESIGN/UI MATTER?

IS COST IMPORTANT?

COMPANY SIZE?

4. RESEARCH, TEST, CHOOSE!

THIS IS THE (RELATIVELY) EASY PART

SO MANY OPTIONS!

MANAGE EXPECTATIONS OF PRODUCTS/PROCESSES

5. GET FEEDBACK

IS ANYONE USING IT?

WHAT’S THE TIME INVESTMENT?

WHAT’S WORKING OR NOT?

REPEAT

RECAP!

1. TAKE STOCK 2. IDENTIFY PAIN

3. COMPANY CULTURE 4. RESEARCH AND TEST

5. GET FEEDBACK

THANKS!

NATALIE SEMCZUK

@TALKANATALKA