Keeping a keen eye on scope is a key responsibility of every project manager. The ability to address any element that affects project performance risks triggering a cascade of changes to cost and schedule, that can have dangerous consequences to the project as a whole. Experts Jay Christensen and Scott Lisset walk through the nature of the problem and how you can put a keen eye on resolution by getting back to basics, holding the reins of scope tightly, while still listening to the core customer. Listen to this week’s Ask Cadence for more on getting your projects started right, and thanks to those who have written in with this challenge!

A universal understanding of project scope is critical to overcoming confusion in project start-up. This week’s problem comes from a project manager dealing with just that; multiple sponsors and members of leadership competing for input into project scope. Experts Jay Christensen and Scott Lisset walk through the nature of the problem and how you can put a keen eye on resolution by getting back to basics and listening to your project customers. Listen to this week’s Ask Cadence for more on getting your projects started right!

PMI Portland dinner meeting attendees were treated to this rousing speech by Randall Englund, author of the book "Project Sponsorship: Achieving Management Commitment for Project Success". Englund is introduced here by Cadence COO Connie Plowman. Englund will be joined by co-author Alfonso Bucero teaching their first seminar with Cadence, Project Sponsorship, in early November. Visit cadencemc.com for more information on that seminar.

This week we are thrilled to launch the innaugural episode of Ask Cadence!, tackling your gorilla project management problems, one week at a time.

This week, Scott Lisset and Jay Christensen take on the perennial problem: lack of key skills on the project team. What can you do when your defined tasks don't match the skills of your team? Listen to this episode for strategies to get your project needs met and keep your project moving!

In part three of the Cadence Podcast Series, "Virtual Team Communication", Connie Plowman discusses the challenges of incompatible technology in virtual teamwork.

"There is nothing more frustrating as a project manger or team member than not getting something to work when you need it," explains Plowman. "Having the tools you need when you need them and the support of those tools is critical in getting the project done."

Plowman reminds us of the key point of technology in a project environment: the technology is not the project. She outlines challenges of synchronous and asynchronous communication and defines some critical solutions to overcome frustrating technological frustrations.

In part five of the Cadence Podcast Series, "Virtual Team Communication", Connie Plowman discusses the challenge of team members getting lost in the isolation of remote project work.

"At the start of each project, I make it a point to get all team members together, face-to-face, in the same room," explains Plowman. "This is a key success factor in accelerating project results."

Plowman walks through some of the key tools and technologies for building relationships internationally for the long term, from encouraging personal sharing to dealing with team member drift, to ensure that team members stay engaged in the team and the project.