In this Edition

Note From the Editor: Always Challenging the Status Quo
Feature Article: Change is Hard
Events: Save The Date - Third Annual AtTask User Conference
Blog Posts: Changing the Way Project Management Software is Developed
Three Keys to Redefining Work Management Success
Knowing When to Say Goodbye: Scrapping a Doomed Project
Three Proven Decision-Making Tips for Project-Based Work

Note From the Editor

The other day I was sitting in our CEO’s office talking about AtTask in terms of where we are, where we have been, and where we are going. Scott suggested a few traits that I think are relevant to anyone with the passion to challenge the status quo, improve themselves, while improving their organization:

1. A willingness to stand back and look at what you do with fresh eyes. This is not an easy task. Dispassionately looking at our successes, strengths, and flaws is difficult and sometimes even painful—but necessary if we really want to improve.
2. A willingness to throw overboard the things that don’t work. Sometimes we stay committed to practices that don’t work because they are comfortable and familiar. Looking at what we do with fresh eyes is only the first step; we also need to be willing to make changes and adjustments if something isn’t working.
3. An ability to roll with the flow. As organizations grow, roles and expectations change. Those who are able to embrace those changes and thrive within a growing organization are more likely to find fulfillment in what they do and positively contribute to personal and organizational success.

Today’s newsletter is all about challenging what is and adapting to change. It’s been said that death and taxes are the only constants in life; my experience has shown that’s definitely true so far as managing work is concerned.

I hope you enjoy the newsletter.

Feature Article

Change is Hard

Change is hard. We humans are creatures of habit and we don’t like it when someone upsets the apple cart. The being said, projects often react like living, changing creatures. Sometimes it only takes a few hours for a successful project to morph into…

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Events

Save The Date - Third Annual AtTask User Conference

AtTask User Conference 2011
February 7–10th, 2011
Venue TBA
Salt Lake City, UT

Join us February 7-10th, 2011 for the Third Annual AtTask User Conference held in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah. The conference will bring AtTask users and industry leaders together to develop relationships, share best practices, discuss new offerings, and generate new ideas.

Mark your calendars now by clicking here

Guaranteed to be one of the premiere conference events of 2011 - the AtTask User Conference will provide opportunities to learn from your peers, AtTask experts, and industry thought leaders.

Watch your inbox in the coming weeks for more information and other registration details!

Interested in presenting at the conference? Click here

Other Events

Blog Posts

Changing the Way Project Management Software is Developed

Sometimes as software users or software designers we forget that what the end user thinks they need and what they really need are sometimes two different things. Love it or hate it, the way my Nintendo Wii was designed is a good case in point—and why my wife, not the typical game system user, made sure we purchased a…

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Three Keys to Redefining Work Management Success

Completing projects on time and on budget has proven to be a pretty valid measure of IT project success—but should it be the primary measure? Pushing a project to completion on time is not the only objective. Ultimately the project also needs to deliver business value. Along with the worthy objectives of finishing projects on time…

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Knowing When to Say Goodbye: Scrapping a Doomed Project

On September 4, 1957, the Ford Motor Company introduced the Edsel to directly compete with GM’s Oldsmobile brand. It didn’t take long before Ford recognized it had made a costly mistake. On November 19, 1959, Ford decided to pull the plug on its $350 million ($1.55 billion in today’s dollars) good idea gone…

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Three Proven Decision-Making Tips for Project-Based Work

The Magic 8 Ball is not a good project management decision-making tool. The ability to make quick and informed decisions is part of what makes a good leader. After all, leaders are paid to make decisions…

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