strategy execution Archives

Management Excellence Book Series Podcast: Strategic Speed

I had the good fortune to connect recently with Jocelyn Davis, one of the co-authors (along with Henry Frechette, Jr., and Edwin Boswell) of Strategic Speed, for an interview, where we discussed the high failure rate of strategies, the meaning of "strategic speed," and a number of other issues important to anyone interested in improving strategy execution. Jocelyn's insights into the book and the world of strategy and leadership were fascinating.

By Art Petty|2016-10-22T17:11:48-05:00August 31st, 2010|Leadership, Leading Change, Management Innovation, Strategy|1 Comment

Bicycle Helmets, Texting while Driving and Project Failure

The same traits that drive people to do dumb things that they know can cause personal injury, manifest themselves in the way many organizations pursue projects. Like head injuries from a bicycle fall without a helmet and car accidents due to texting or talking on the phone, every single one of the issues above and the many more that I did not list, are easily prevented by the application of well-established professional project management practices.

By Art Petty|2016-10-22T17:12:16-05:00January 6th, 2009|Leadership, Project Management, Strategy|3 Comments

Common Sense and the Role of Leadership in Project Management Success

As organizations grow increasingly dependent upon project execution and professional project management practices to drive strategy execution, a firm’s leaders have to be smart enough and engaged enough to recognize an imbalance between process and people. Methodologies are guidelines to be strictly or liberally adhered to depending upon circumstances. Good leadership in this sense means tuning in to project activities at a level sufficient to ensure that the right approaches are being applied for the right reasons. While your methodology might have its champions, don’t lose track of the fact that the methodology must enable success, not fight it.

By Art Petty|2016-10-22T17:12:20-05:00September 4th, 2008|Leadership, Project Management, Strategy|1 Comment

The Project Management Discipline of Strategy Execution

Strategy execution is where value is created. The best plans are worthless unless they are backed by a group of people that understand their roles and accountabilities and that have the information they need when they need for rapid decision-making. Execution never takes place in a straight line and without setbacks. In fact, the setbacks are powerful learning experiences that a good team will leverage as it adapts and responds to internal and external factors. A large part of the solution in my opinion is treating execution like a high-order program comprised of a series of projects to be managed. Ask a good Project Manager how to successfully pull of an execution program and I suspect they won't need to interview 1,000 companies.

By Art Petty|2016-10-22T17:12:23-05:00June 23rd, 2008|Leadership, Project Management, Strategy|0 Comments

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