Tools for Project Management, Workshops and Consulting
A Must-Have Compendium of Essential Tools and TechniquesOverview of tools
Define situation
| Tools or technique name | Ease of use | Effectiveness |
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Black box IS - IS NOT Helicoptering Hypothesis Stakeholder map Stakeholder analysis - Expectation management Stakeholder influence matrix Stakeholder accordion Stakeholder swapping Context diagram tool Silo view tool Mind map |
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Gather information
| Tools or technique name | Ease of use | Effectiveness |
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Interview (unstructured) Climate assessment (structured) Tripod (mixed) Octagon Focus groups (unstructured) Questionnaires (structured) Survey/field study Direct observation (DILO=day in the life of) Delphi or expert panel Desk research/database research 5 Whys |
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Creativity
| Tools or technique name | Ease of use | Effectiveness |
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Brainstorming Cardstorming tool 6-3-5 tool Nyaka (defect analysis) Bionic Attribute listing Morphological matrix Merlin technique/Osborn checklist Force field Introduction to alternative creativity tools Affinity diagram tool Venn diagram Fishbone or cause-effect Pareto ABC tool |
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Goal setting
| Tools or technique name | Ease of use | Effectiveness |
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Goal catalogue SMART goals Well-defined outcomes 3 P statements Goal hierarchy Goal grid Charter SNAP |
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Org. analysis
| Tools or technique name | Ease of use | Effectiveness |
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Organisational structure Span of control Org structure versus process Organisational assessment Powergram |
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Technical analysis
| Tools or technique name | Ease of use | Effectiveness |
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Architectural decomposition view Functional decomposition Process analysis Entity relationship diagram Logical data relationship Technology and systems landscape Requirements catalogue Logical and functional system modelling |
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Strategic analysis
| Tools or technique name | Ease of use | Effectiveness |
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Value chain analysis Critical success factor (CSF) SWOT and TOWS Life cycle 5 Forces Competitor analysis Environmental analysis (PEST) Strategic market group Customer segmentation Business matrix Product/market mix Strategic development options Strategy matrix |
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Decision making
| Tools or technique name | Ease of use | Effectiveness |
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Decision tree Perspectives3 Argument balance Cross of beliefs Polarities tool Utility analysis Nominal group tool 100 Points Cartesian coordinates Vromm Yetton Risk analysis Prioritisation matrixes |
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Project Management
| Tools or technique name | Ease of use | Effectiveness |
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Project management skills radar Expectation review tool Roadmap Gantt chart Work breakdown structure (WBS) Action steps and reviews Project management roles and responsibilities Accountability matrix (CIDA) Project structure Project communication plan Workshop guideline De Bono thinking hats (6 hats) Booz ball evaluation |
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Checklists and questions
| Tools or technique name | Ease of use | Effectiveness |
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Check questions for a project start Check questions to define the current situation Check questions to define goals and objectives Check questions during an analysis Check questions during decision making |
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Scenarios ("shopping list" of tools)
| Tools or technique name | Ease of use | Effectiveness |
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Feasibility study System development Organisational restructuring Strategy workshop Business process improvements Project definition/scope |
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Advanced experience/skill required
Average experience/skill
Easy; just try it
The author rating is based on perceived effectiveness and impact versus effort. ('added value for time')