John Reiling This post lays out a simple way to identify the highest priority – or highest value – solutions to problems. It then extends that simple model from prioritizing solutions to prioritizing strategies and projects. The best tools are usually the simplest, and that is the case with this simple prioritization matrix! A Simple Prioritization Matrix … Read more
The BCG Growth Share Matrix is a simple but powerful conceptual framework for businesses, large and small. It is still very much applicable today, and well worth mastering for strategic portfolio managers, project portfolio managers, program managers, and project managers. This post provides an introduction to the BCG Growth Share Matrix Diagram, digs into the … Read more
The Advantage Matrix is an old Boston Consulting Group classic strategic framework. Despite changes in industry structure, the competitive environment, and the impact of technology since it was originally conceived, it still has applicability as a framework and as a thought tool. History and Basics of the BCG Advantage Matrix The BCG Advantage Matrix, also … Read more
Stable industries require a well-defined, largely predictive approach to managing projects. Less stable environments, by contrast, require a more adaptive approach – to both strategy and project management. This post explores an old rule in strategy for stable industries, the Rule of Three and Four. It looks at the impact it has, when it applies … Read more
The idea of the Experience Curve has been around for over 50 years. While businesses, organizations, and markets have evolved, the Experience Curve concept survives and can be very useful for informing decisions, shaping strategy, and guiding implementation. The post explores the origins of the Experience Curve, important nuances to consider, and how it can … Read more
Economies of scope broaden rather than narrow the focus of an organization. It’s like choosing to be a generalist rather than a specialist. While this may seem to apply more to commercial organizations, it does apply to just about any type of organization. This post seeks to define economies of scope which, like economies of … Read more
Gap analysis is something that we do naturally when we identify that we want vs what we have. On an organizational level, this natural process requires a more proactive approach that is much more formal, disciplined, and detailed. This post examines what gap analysis is, where it is applied, and its challenges and benefits. Basic … Read more
McKinsey’s 7S Framework provides an established and proven model for assessing an organization’s readiness to successfully deliver objective results. A strategy may seem sound, but if the right elements within the organization are not in sync, it will be difficult to implement effectively. Used for over 30 years, the McKinsey 7S Framework Model is focused … Read more
The Nadler Tushman Congruence Model is a useful approach to identifying potential issues with project and change execution at the organization, team, and individual level. It can identify gap areas that need attention, and can help steer toward solutions that will work in the context. Basics of the Nadler Tushman Congruence Model The Nadler Tushman … Read more
Business environments run the gamut from purely competitive to near monopolistic conditions. Most environments are a hybrid and have both highly competitive and monopolistic elements. The post examines the occurrence of natural monopolies, which are rich in projects and where many PMs work. Projects in a monopoly environment have different drivers – drivers that can … Read more