AtTask

"Wax on, right hand.  Wax off, left hand.  Wax on, wax off. Breath in through nose, out the mouth.  Wax on, wax off.  Don't forget to breathe, very important."

In the 1984 movie The Karate Kid, Mr. Miagi, an apartment complex maintenance man, becomes an unlikely karate teacher for Daniel Laruso, a high-school kid in trouble with a bunch of local karate-bullies.  With an unorthodox teaching style, Daniel-san's first karate lessons includes waxing Mr. Miagi's cars—all four of them. 

So what does this have to do with project based work?

Without giving a play-by-play of the whole story, Mr. Miagi taught Daniel the basic techniques and skills that would allow him to defend himself.  I've observed that there are some basic project management fundamentals that are common to any successful project and portfolio management methodology.

Successful project managers focus on what matters most.  Here are six suggestions:

1. Make sure the project has a strong sponsor.  Every project needs a sponsor who will evangelize the value of the initiative throughout the life of the project.
2. Make sure the project is adequately funded.  The temptation is to take whatever funding is offered, but without adequate funding—it's usually the project manager who ends up in hot water when the project fails for lack of financial resources.
3. Pick the right team.  Make sure the team includes all the skills that will be needed for success.  Just because someone is available, doesn't always mean they are the best to work on your project.
4. Plan.  Planning is more than just preparing to deliver the final product.  It should involve a continual process of evaluation and adjustment.
5. Know the end before you begin.  Make sure you know what the outcome of a successful project is before you start.  What does "done" mean?  Financial experts call this an "exit plan."
6. Prepare for change.  The very nature of projects create change.  Whether it's a new product or an improvement in process or technology.  Makes sure to prepare for the change.

What are some of the common traits you have observed in successful projects or successful project management?  What project management tools have been most beneficial to you?