Remote Project Manager's Arsenal
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The document discusses tools and techniques for managing remote projects. It recommends using Scrum techniques like daily stand-ups and weekly planning to keep communication lines open. It also provides examples of project management tools like Google Docs, Basecamp, Pivotal Tracker, and Unfuddle and when each may be best suited. The document concludes with an example weekly schedule for a project manager to tie all the communication and tools together.
Remote Project Manager's Arsenal
- 1. WHERE IS EVERYONE?! http://www.flickr.com/photos/iqcomputers/5377652439/ The Remote PROJECT MANAGER’s Arsenal DATE AT AUG 9, 2011 PARISOMA INNOVATION LOFT
- 2. 1 Management Approach 3 Communication Tools (and tips!) 4 Project Management Tools Tying it all together Here’s the plan INTRO
- 3. Besides Project Management... • Why does my designer insist on using Helvetica? • What the hell is SVN, Git, and “version control”? • How do I bootstrap my social-graph-local-niche-crowdsourced- platform startup? • Where exactly is Bangalore, India? What do I know? INTRO Questions? Ask away
- 4. 1. Define list of to-do’s (and prioritize) 2. Assign 3. Delegate 4. ( Accept / Reject / Troubleshoot ) Steps for managing a project INTRO Not rocket science
- 5. 1. Define list of to-do’s (and prioritize) 2. Assign 3. Delegate 4. ( Accept / Reject / Troubleshoot ) Steps for managing a project INTRO Not rocket science
- 6. YOU ARE NOT THE CENTER OF ATTENTION The Problem INTRO Everyone’s busy
- 7. YOU ARE NOT THE CENTER OF ATTENTION ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE 6,484 MILES AWAY The Problem INTRO Everyone’s busy in INDIA CHINA
- 8. Daily “Standup” • What you did yesterday • What you’re going to do today • Any blockers? • Weekly “Planning” determines the current scope Your goal: Scrum SOLUTION An approach to project management
- 9. • Repetition. • Be on time. Don’t go over. • Don’t make it suck. Scrum approach SOLUTION What makes it work?
- 10. • No more random calls • Get everything done at once • Advanced warning • Big picture Scrum approach SOLUTION Why everyone will love it
- 11. • Reiterate the value, even when it’s not obvious • Training period (usually 2-3 weeks) Scrum approach SOLUTION Don’t get discouraged
- 12. FOR PLANNING: FOR STANDUP: Scrum approach SOLUTION How to pull it off
- 13. • @bob, @all • #status • room topic • keep it friendly Keeping in touch while working TOOLS HipChat
- 14. 1. Define list of to-do’s (and prioritize) 2. Assign 3. Delegate 4. ( Accept / Reject / Troubleshoot ) Steps for managing a project INTRO Not rocket science
- 15. THE PERFECTIONIST: THE DABBLER: • Goes off and refactors for • Likes to play with shiny new three days technology • Wants to do everything the • Enjoys research “right way” • May not be an expert • Doesn’t always hit deadlines Get to know your team SOLUTION Give the right task to the right person
- 16. Different timezones? • Assign new features that take a while • Rely on local team to put out fires • Spell out everything. Provide visual mockups. Get to know your offshore team SOLUTION Give the right task to the right person
- 17. Project Management Tools TOOLS There are A LOT to choose from
- 18. Google Spreadsheet TOOLS https://spreadsheets.google.com
- 19. • Pros: • Familiar, easy to learn • Easy, real-time collaboration • Cons: • Primitive, limited functionality • Unwieldy • Good for: • “Crunch mode” Google Doc TOOLS https://spreadsheets.google.com
- 20. Basecamp TOOLS http://basecamphq.com
- 21. • Pros: • Familiar, intuitive interface • Good for discussions • Integration with Backpack, Campfire, HighRise • Cons: • Limited; not meant for bug tracking • Good for: • Non-profits, small projects, early discovery phases Basecamp TOOLS http://basecamphq.com
- 22. Pivotal Tracker TOOLS https://www.pivotaltracker.com
- 23. • Pros: • Easy drag ‘n drop interface • Intelligence (velocity, etc.) • Cons: • Doesn’t allow for a lot of information • No milestones • Good for: • Engineers, small teams, few decision makers Pivotal Tracker TOOLS https://www.pivotaltracker.com
- 24. • Code repository hosting with commit hooks • Full ticketing system • Group tickets by milestones • Free for teams under 3 Unfuddle TOOLS http://unfuddle.com
- 25. • Pros: • Whole project/team support • Integrated • Access permissions • Cons: • Overkill for some projects • Good for: • Team of 2+, especially if requirements are well defined Unfuddle TOOLS http://unfuddle.com
- 26. Milestones = “Sprints” TOOLS http://unfuddle.com
- 27. Milestones = “Sprints” TOOLS http://unfuddle.com
- 28. Custom views TOOLS http://unfuddle.com
- 29. Estimate effort needed TOOLS http://unfuddle.com
- 30. Shared reference TOOLS http://unfuddle.com
- 31. MON • #Planning TUES-THURS • #Standup • Developer logs looks at tickets in Unfuddle. • Work, code, commit. Resolve tickets. • Hang out in HipChat. Ask/answer questions. THURS-FRI • I review resolved tickets. • Update tickets for next week. Tying it all together END A week in the life of a PM