Lessons Learned | Project Lessons Learned Recipes

Recognition Level – Sell Yourself or Be Judged

2 December, 2011 By denniskwan Leave a Comment

Some people just like to boast about their work performances / achievements. They would just constantly boast to the peers about his outstanding work.

Whatever good things, he will be there to claim the credit. He will also be there to blame others if anybody commits any assignment mistake.

I am sure you have someone in your circle of friends and cohort that behave the same manner.

There are 2 sides of the coin in looking at this matter.

Regular boasting will imprint his good work in people’s mind even though he had not really performed a good work. Some peers had not done a good job in the assignment. In order to avoid the blame from others, he will comment on his past achievements for various moments.

This way he is creating a smoke screen for others and hoping people will forget his mistakes and better still, his achievements are remembered. Subconsciously, he anchored to others that he is good in his work. He is also trying to prove his management so as to win a seat in the next promotion.

On other hand, in order to prove others you are really good. You don’t have to tell others or broadcast everyone that you are good. Instead letting others to know you are good through your performance result and letting others to say you are good and that is an art. Not many people can achieve. Many people will sell or promote themselves vigorously. Of course there are no right and wrong in both approaches.

You seldom see any artist comment that they can performed well. Their efforts are normally recognized in those Awards, such as Oscars, Grammy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, MTV Music Awards, and Country Music Awards. etc. And the artists are judged by external panel not by him or her.

If you are good, you will be rewarded. You won’t tell the world that you are good to obtain the award.

Lesson Learned: Certain level of recognition is good and is a push factor to lift up one’s motivation and spirit. To prove your performance, there is a need to balance in your achievements declaration. However, if you will to use your achievement to cover your mistakes, then it does not make you a better person. In fact if you are still dwelling on the same mistake and tendency will commit it again.

If you have done a good job, it’s alright to boast your achievements but not for too long. Use the good result/ achievements to boost yourself and learn the mistake that you had made as lesson learns. These lessons learn will act as an improvement in the next assignment. Let others to judge you not you sell yourself.

Filed Under: Articles, Employment, Lessons Learned

How to you cost a Project

24 November, 2011 By denniskwan Leave a Comment

When it comes to price comparison, it is a good practice to collate all returned quotations into a single spreadsheet and put the respective items side by side.

Once the alignment is done, you are able to compare the final price no matter what discount rate the vendor provides. Do an apple to apple comparison.

Compare the quotation line by line – item by item with the following criteria,

Same exchange rate,
Category,
Discount structure,
Logistics charges,
Professional Services etc.

In Asia, pricing is an interesting and unique item.

There are many different countries in this region. Countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Korea, Japan , Taiwan and so others. There are many taxation, currencies exchange rate issues that not many locations have.
In a project cost budgeting, a proper cost comparison is required.

Ultimately, how much the project needs to invest is crucial. Which vendor is offering the best deal and can offer highest cost reduction is important. However, low price quotations may come in with low quality. Thus project manager got to balance the constraints.

There are certain amount of margins that the vendor has to make.
However, the margin should be justifiable and should not be letting the vendor had the lion’s share.

Once the project kick-starts, project managers needs to track the project expenditure. Ensure there is no over spent on the project budget once it is approved.

There are many explanations, justifications if the spending is higher than the budget. Project Manager will have to answer to the Business Sponsor for the additional investment.

Discussion and effective negotiations are VERY important to get the deal win with low cost at the very initial stage.

It is easier for Business Sponsor to invest after you had made the necessary price comparison and valid justification.

Filed Under: Articles, Lessons Learned

Taking Responsibility to Improve Overall Personal Life

12 May, 2011 By denniskwan Leave a Comment

Taking responsibility for your actions is the way to improve overall personal life. When you take control of your actions, you are putting bad habits behind you and moving forward down a new highway. At the end of the highway, you will find happiness. Responsibility is a good thing.

Sometimes we make mistakes. There is nothing wrong with this, as long as you learn from these mistakes. You are a human being and will make mistakes for the rest of your life. Mistakes is a part of life, you will have to face.

Blame:

Too many people in this world blame others for their mistakes. Taking responsibility is the way to stop blaming others and start putting the blame where it belongs. Once you learn to take blame, you will see new horizons in your future. Sadly, the law talks about society casting blame, but these people too are worse at casting blame than anyone else casts.

We see this in the media, etc. Unfortunately, we have bad examples to follow in life, so you will need to learn to become your own best example. No one can guide you to improve your life better than you can. When a person takes blame they do not dwell on the mistake they made, rather look at the options to make things right.

For instance, if you cause an accident while driving, you would take the blame and find a way to resolve the problem.

Once you learn to take reasonability for your actions, you will see the road that leads you to success. Someone taking responsibility for their action is the master of their own mind and body.

In life, you will have risks. You will need to learn to take risks whether you like it or not. Sometimes you will take risks that cause you harm, or causes harm to other people. To avoid taking risks that cause harm, try using your critical thinking cap to discover consequences first. Be willing to take chances, as well as participating even if you feel it is stupid.

Many people say, I am probably going to ask another stupid question. The fact is there are no stupid questions. The point being, don’t be afraid to ask questions when in doubt. In fact, when in doubt don’t do it.

When you are willing to join in with others to make your life better, take responsibility for your actions, etc, you are improving your life. a person willing to improve their life is not sitting on the back burner. This person is taking the steps, playing the game of life and taking action to achieve his or her goals.

Are you a generalist?

Do you take interest in all things around you? Do you keep an open mind when something good comes your way? Are you willing to learn? If you take action to acquire these skills you will successfully walk through life without running backwards taking responsibility for bad mistakes you made.

Do you accept the unknown?

The unknown can become your best friend. When you learn to accept the unknown, it can help you improve your overall personal life. For instance, if you know English are you willing to learn French. Broaden your horizons and I promise you that you will improve your overall personal life.

Do you acknowledge your limitations?

We all have limits. We must set limits for our self each day. If you fail to set these limits, you will spend the rest of your life casting blame, since you will live in a chaotic world.

Filed Under: Articles, Lessons Learned Tagged With: hobbies, Time