The Critova blog: project management, explained
Practical articles on planning, scheduling, cost, risk and running a PMO, written in plain words with worked examples and templates you can use today.
Project management basics
How to choose project management software for your team
A seven-step method for choosing project management software: define your work level, set must-haves, run a real trial and score tools with weights.
ReadProject charter template: what goes in it, with a filled-in example
What goes in a project charter: a section-by-section template table, a filled-in example, the steps to write and sign one, and the mistakes to avoid.
ReadProject closure checklist: how to close a project and capture lessons learned
A practical project closure checklist: acceptance, handover, financial close, archiving and a lessons learned session, with a template and an example.
ReadHow to run a project kickoff meeting: agenda, checklist and example
How to run a project kickoff meeting: a 60-minute agenda, a preparation checklist, a worked example, common mistakes and the follow-up actions.
ReadProject status report template: what a weekly or monthly report should contain
What a project status report should contain: a one-page template, RAG rules, a worked example with CPI and SPI, and the mistakes that make reports useless.
ReadWhat is a RACI matrix, and how do you make one?
What a RACI matrix is, what R, A, C and I mean, how to build one in six steps, a worked product launch example table, and the checks that catch mistakes.
ReadWhat is project management, and what does a project manager actually do?
What project management is, what a project manager does each week, the five stages of a project, and a worked example with real numbers you can copy.
ReadHow to build a work breakdown structure (WBS), with an example
How to build a work breakdown structure: the 100% rule, how deep to go, a full WBS example tree with numbering, a WBS dictionary and common mistakes.
ReadScheduling
What is the DCMA 14-point schedule assessment? All 14 checks in one table
The DCMA 14-point schedule assessment explained: all 14 checks with their usual thresholds, how to run them, a worked example and how to fix failures.
ReadWhat is a Gantt chart, and how do you make one that stays useful?
What a Gantt chart is, its parts, how to build one step by step with dependencies, a worked example with the critical path, and how to keep it useful.
ReadLook-ahead schedule: what a three-week look-ahead is and how to run one
What a three-week look-ahead schedule is, how it links to the master schedule, and a weekly routine with a worked example, a template table and common mistakes.
ReadWhat is a project milestone, and how many should a plan have?
What a project milestone is, the main types, how many a plan needs, a worked milestone plan for an office move and how to track milestones honestly.
ReadWhat is a project baseline, and when should you re-baseline?
What a project baseline is, how to set one, how to measure variance against it, and clear rules for when to re-baseline, with a worked example.
ReadCrashing vs fast-tracking: how to shorten a project schedule
Schedule compression explained: crashing vs fast-tracking, how to pick activities by cost slope, a worked crashing example checked by hand and the risks.
ReadTask dependencies explained: FS, SS, FF and SF, with lags and leads
Task dependencies explained with examples: the four link types FS, SS, FF and SF, how lags and leads work, a worked schedule and the mistakes to avoid.
ReadTotal float vs free float: the difference, the formulas and a worked example
Total float vs free float in plain words: both formulas, a six-activity worked example checked by hand, and the common mistakes that mislead planners.
ReadCost and earned value
Contingency reserve vs management reserve, and how to size them
Contingency reserve vs management reserve: what each covers, who controls it, how to size both from a risk register, with a worked budget example.
ReadCost performance index (CPI): what it is and what a good CPI looks like
What the cost performance index (CPI) means, how to calculate it from EV and AC, what counts as a good CPI, plus a worked example and common mistakes.
ReadEAC formulas: which estimate at completion should you use?
The four EAC formulas explained with one worked example: BAC/CPI, AC+(BAC-EV), the CPI×SPI composite and bottom-up ETC, and how to choose the right one.
ReadHow to build a project budget, step by step, with a cost breakdown table
A step-by-step guide to building a project budget: estimate work packages, add overhead and reserves, time-phase the cost baseline, with a worked cost table.
ReadHow to forecast project cash flow, with a monthly example
How to forecast project cash flow month by month: cash out, cash in after payment terms and retention, cumulative balance and peak funding need.
ReadS-curve in project management: what it is and how to read one
What an S-curve is in project management, why it has that shape, how to build one from the schedule and budget, and how to read PV, EV and AC with an example.
ReadRisk
Issue vs risk: what goes in the issue log and what goes in the risk register
Issue vs risk explained: what belongs in the issue log, what belongs in the risk register, the columns for each, and how a risk becomes an issue.
ReadThree-point estimating with PERT, with a worked example
PERT three-point estimating explained: the formula E = (O + 4M + P) / 6, standard deviation, a worked three-activity example and common mistakes.
ReadQualitative vs quantitative risk analysis: when to use each
Qualitative vs quantitative risk analysis: what each method does, a worked example with scores and EMV, and when Monte Carlo analysis is worth it.
ReadHow a 5×5 risk matrix works, and where it misleads
How the 5×5 risk matrix works: probability and impact scales, scores from 1 to 25, colour bands, a worked example, and the five ways it misleads.
ReadRisk register template: the columns that matter, with an example
A risk register template with the columns that matter, scoring scales, and a filled example with probability, impact, EMV and schedule exposure.
ReadRisk response strategies for threats and opportunities, with examples
Risk response strategies explained: avoid, transfer, mitigate, accept, escalate for threats; exploit, share, enhance for opportunities, with worked costs.
ReadPMO and portfolio
What is a change control process? Steps and a change request template
A change control process records, assesses and decides on changes to scope, cost and schedule. Steps, a change request template and a worked impact example.
ReadWhich project KPIs should a dashboard show? A table with formulas
Which project KPIs belong on a dashboard: CPI, SPI, EAC, milestones, float, risk exposure and changes. A KPI table with formulas and a worked example.
ReadWhat is project portfolio management (PPM)?
Project portfolio management (PPM) explained: how it differs from project management, the PPM cycle, a worked funding example and common mistakes.
ReadHow to prioritize projects with a weighted scoring model
Prioritize projects with a weighted scoring model: pick criteria, set weights, score 1 to 5, rank, then fund within capacity. Worked example included.
ReadWhat is a stage-gate process, and what happens at each gate?
A stage-gate process splits a project into stages and decision gates. See what each gate reviews, the four gate decisions, and a worked gate example.
ReadWhat is a PMO, what types exist, and how do I set one up?
What is a PMO? The three types (supportive, controlling, directive), what a PMO does, and a step-by-step plan to set one up without heavy bureaucracy.
ReadMethods and industries
Agile vs waterfall vs hybrid: which method fits my project?
Agile vs waterfall vs hybrid: what each method means, when each fits, and a scoring checklist with a worked example to pick the right one for you.
ReadWhat construction project management software needs to do
What construction project management software must do: CPM scheduling, baselines, earned value, change orders, risk and reporting, with a buyer checklist.
ReadHow to plan an ERP or IT system implementation: phases and milestones
How to plan an ERP or IT system implementation: the phases, milestone exit criteria, an example timeline with dependencies, and the mistakes that delay go-live.
ReadHow to use a Kanban board for project work: columns and WIP limits
How to set up a Kanban board for project work: which columns to use, how WIP limits work, a worked example and the mistakes that make boards stop working.
ReadPMBOK Guide vs PRINCE2: what is the difference?
PMBOK Guide vs PRINCE2 explained: what each one is, how they differ on roles, stages and documents, a comparison table, and how to use both together.
ReadHow to manage resources and workload across projects
How to manage resources and workload across projects: capacity vs demand, a worked weekly example, fixes for over-allocation, and leveling vs smoothing.
ReadBring one schedule. See your critical path in an hour.
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