Ask a Project Manager at Roeder Consulting: Why Re-Baseline a Project?

Question:  I was asked the other day to re-baseline a project.  Can you add some clarification on what instances might force this to happen?

Answer: From Keith Jenkins, PMP, MBA

I’ll give it a try… Establishing a new baseline is usually considered when underlying fundamentals of the project change. The change can happen at any point within the project lifecycle. When PMs are asked to establish a new project baseline, there is immediate focus on the project schedule but do not forget to include the budget since it will also change.

A PMO usually has a list of what conditions cause a re-baseline to occur.  For those PMs working in companies where no PMO exists, you might want to start to develop a list for yourself.  Here are some initial thoughts:

Events That Require Re-baseline of Project:

1. Force Majeure (Acts of Nature):
2. Scope change (including external mandates)
3. Acquisition or elimination of facilities
4. Locations cut from scope (think multi-facility implementation)
5. Design changes
6. Approach change
7. Business drivers change (budget, deployment schedule, time constraints, business priorities, etc.)

Events That Don’t Require Re-baselining of Project:

1. Risk is encountered and mitigation steps need to be enacted (handled thru risk mgmt plan)
2. Risk is encountered and contingency dollars need to be spent (handled thru risk mgmt plan)
3. Project cost projections are above a certain threshold  (project variance handled thru supplemental funding)
4. Project is under budget or schedule (is a project variance)
5. Vendor is late on deliverable (a project variance)
6. Resource is pulled from project (either project variance or handled thru risk mgmt plan)
7. Re-sequence of implementation schedule (unless it costs more) (usually handled with Decision Record)

Understanding what category an event might fall under is helpful in determining whether to re-baseline a project. As you work on planning for a project, I always like to take a general list like above and see if there are specific situations within the known project that I can add to that general list. Hope this helps.

If you have a question, please let me know at headquarters@roederconsulting.com

Project Management Course of the Month | Project Management Negotiation

Project Management Negotiation

Projects are one negotiation after another. Do you need more resources? Is the timeline too tight? Are there important procurement contracts to be awarded? Negotiation skills are among the most important any project manager can possess.

Project Management Negotiation is an action-packed course that features a major new case study from Northwestern University’s Dispute Resolution Resource Center. The case exercise, which spans across both days, thrusts participants into the position of negotiators who must deliver results against a deadline. Do you establish alliances or go on your own? Do you include your opponent … or fight them?

The fun is intense and the learnings are immense. As Walt Disney demonstrated years ago some of the most effective learning situations are taught through experience (not lecture). If you want to sit down and have someone talk at you, this is NOT the course for you. You will be engaged, energized and stretched. Roeder Consulting will help sharpen your negotiation skills, enabling you to:

• Handle one-on-one and multi-party negotiations
• How to win before the negotiation even begins
• Postulating, partnering, or posturing – know the difference and its implications
• Techniques you can deploy when others don’t play by the rules

For more information and/or to register for this online course, CLICK HERE 

Project Management On Demand Course Prices Reduced!

Are you a fan of online learning?  Do you prefer to take courses on your own schedule?  Roeder Consulting has courses to fit every learning style including self-paced courses that are available 24/7.  Our On Demand course prices have been reduced through June 10^th!

Check out our current lineup of online, on demand sessions based on A Sixth Sense for Project Management® . All of our On Demand courses have been updated to a newer technology platform and have fresher content to enhance your learning experience.

• 360° Awareness – Understand Human and Environmental Factors  8PDUs for $189 (regular price $349)
• Whole Body Decisions – Synthesize Brain, Heart and Gut  4 PDUs for $99 (regular price $199)
• Project Management Fundamentals  8PDUs for $189 (regular price $349)

Sign up now and start your journey to Sixth Sense® learning!

Advanced Project Stakeholder Management in Richmond, VA – 8 PDUs

Saturday, May 19, 2012
8:00 am to 5:00 pm (check in begins at 7:30)
Courtyard Marriott Richmond

Each stakeholder has an essential contribution to make, and all stakeholder expectations need to be met. It’s the responsibility of the project manager to understand how to identify, manage and clarify stakeholder direction. Roeder Consulting applies cutting-edge science to real-world expertise to deliver tangible techniques for project stakeholder management. This dynamic course teaches you the ins and outs of project stakeholder management.

For more information or to register, go to our website – http://www.roederconsulting.com/advancedprojectstakeholdermanagement.php

Project Risk Management *New Course Debut*

#pdu #pmot #pm #risk

Roeder Consulting is proud to introduce “Project Risk Management,” our newest 8 PDU online course.

When your projects are planned and executed without a strong risk management approach, you do more than put your project at risk – you are also risking your career and the professional health of your team members. Our structured approach with a strong focus on mutual clarity is the key to risk management. We incorporate communications into the risk management processes.  As a result of taking this course, you will not only better manager risk, but also increase the understanding of the value of your team’s work and your leadership to the organization.

Join us live online for the course debut May 16^th & May 23^rd.

For More Information Visit:  www.roederconsulting.com/projectriskmanagement.php

For Our Full Training Schedule Visit: www.roederconsulting.com/projectmanagementtrainingschedule.php

Act Fast – January Promotion Expires 1/31!

#pdus #pmot #pmp #pm #promo #online #training #courses

Roeder Consulting has ALL NEW on demand training for 2012: new content, new learning platform, the same great Roeder Consulting training experience.  Check out the new versions of 360 Awareness (8 PDUs), Whole Body Decisions (4 PDUs), and the completely brand new course PM Fundamentals (8 PDUs).  To kick off the New Year right, we are offering these on demand courses at a 50% discount when you purchase any of our other live instructor-led courses.

For More Information:

http://www.roederconsulting.com/projectmanagementtrainingonline.php

Dynamic Leadership for Better Project Results – South Florida

Dynamic Leadership for Better Project Results (8 PDUs)

Friday, February 24, 2012
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Renaissance Fort Lauderdale – Plantation

Roeder Consulting presents this accelerated 1-day course designed for busy professionals. Early Bird Discount Expires January 24th.

Based on real-world experience and the latest research, learn our 3A model (Assess, Adjust, Act) to lead your projects to better results!
Click for more information or to register

January BOGO Promotion – Buy One, Get 50% Off!

Roeder Consulting is conducting a BOGO sale for all “OnDemand Training”.

Purchase any in-person or live, instructor led online course and receive one or more OnDemand courses at 50% off. Sale ends January 31st. Don’t let this deal pass you by! To view our full training schedule, click here.

Newest Online Live Course – The Synergy of Intuition

#pmot #pm #intution #pmintuition #onlinetraining #online #training

The Synergy of Intuition – Feb 17th & 24th – 8am to Noon EDT

In The Synergy of Intuition, you will learn specific skills to deal more effectively with day-to-day project management duties by foreseeing issues before they are evident to others, sensing project health without asking for a single status update, see opportunities or solutions more clearly and reading people more clearly.

Click the link for more information or to register – http://www.roederconsulting.com/projectmanagementintuition.php

Develop Collaborative, Winning Teams – Pittsburgh, PA

#pmot #pdu #pm #pittsburgh #pmi #pmp

Develop Collaborative, Winning Teams (8 PDUs)

 

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Courtyard by Marriott Settlers Ridge

Partnering with PMI Pittsburgh Chapter, Roeder Consulting presents this accelerated 1-day course designed for busy professionals.

Based on real-world experience and the latest research, learn to develop and sustain high performing teams from kickoff to close-out for more successful project outcomes.

 

For more information or to register, go to Develop Collaborative, Winning Teams – Pittsburgh, PA

 

Cavs Basketball Withdrawl? Try the Canton Charge!

#pmot #pm #basketball #cantoncharge

Sign up now for any Roeder Consulting event in 2012 and earn 4 free tickets to see the Canton Charge Minor League Basketball Team! Not only will you receive tickets to the Dec 2^nd game you will also be able to take advantage of our early bird pricing.

Don’t forget to use discount code PMINEO

Choose from:

• Present with Precision and Authority on Friday, April 27^th, 2012
• Advanced Project Stakeholder Management on Friday, June 8^th, 2012
• Project Management Negotiation on Thursday and Friday, September 27^th and 28^th, 2012

 

Act now, tickets are limited. Sign up at http://www.roederconsulting.com/pmineo.php.