How-to Guides
63 step-by-step guides to the tasks every project manager actually has to do — from writing a charter to recovering a delayed project.
How to Create a Project Charter
A project charter authorises your project and gives you the mandate to lead it. Here is how to write one that actually earns sig…
How to Create a Work Breakdown Structure
A good WBS turns an intimidating project into a countable list of deliverables. Build one in six steps.
How to Calculate the Critical Path
The critical path tells you your shortest possible finish date and which tasks you cannot afford to slip.
How to Create a Gantt Chart
A Gantt chart makes your schedule readable at a glance. Build one that communicates, not just decorates.
How to Calculate Earned Value
Earned value answers whether you are over budget and behind schedule — right now. Here is how to compute it.
How to Create a Project Schedule
A schedule sequences your work into a realistic, trackable timeline. Build one properly.
How to Estimate Project Cost
A defensible budget starts with a sound estimate. Combine techniques for a number you can stand behind.
How to Manage Project Risks
Managing risk means deciding what might go wrong before it does — and having a plan ready.
How to Create a RACI Matrix
A RACI matrix ends confusion about who does what. Build one that survives contact with reality.
How to Run a Project Kickoff Meeting
A strong kickoff aligns everyone before the work starts. Run one that builds momentum.
How to Recover a Delayed Project
When a project slips, panic and blame make it worse. Recover it methodically instead.
How to Manage Scope Creep
Scope creep is silent and cumulative. Control it without becoming the person who always says no.
How to Write a Project Status Report
A good status report tells busy stakeholders what they need in 60 seconds. Write one that gets read.
How to Prioritise a Product Backlog
A backlog is only useful if it is ordered by value. Prioritise it with method, not gut feel alone.
How to Write a Business Case
A practical, step-by-step guide to write a business case. Business Case is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in pract…
How to Do a Stakeholder Analysis
A practical, step-by-step guide to do a stakeholder analysis. Stakeholder Analysis is the concept behind it — here is how to do …
How to Build a Communication Plan
A practical, step-by-step guide to build a communication plan. Communication Plan is the concept behind it — here is how to do i…
How to Create a RAID Log
A practical, step-by-step guide to create a raid log. RAID Log is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in practice.
How to Run a Sprint Planning Session
A practical, step-by-step guide to run a sprint planning session. Sprint is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in prac…
How to Estimate with Story Points
A practical, step-by-step guide to estimate with story points. Story Points is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in p…
How to Run a Retrospective
A practical, step-by-step guide to run a retrospective. Sprint Retrospective is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in …
How to Do Resource Leveling
A practical, step-by-step guide to do resource leveling. Resource Leveling is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in pr…
How to Calculate PERT Estimates
A practical, step-by-step guide to calculate pert estimates. Program Evaluation and Review Technique is the concept behind it — …
How to Run a Monte Carlo Simulation
A practical, step-by-step guide to run a monte carlo simulation. Monte Carlo Simulation is the concept behind it — here is how t…
How to Do a SWOT Analysis
A practical, step-by-step guide to do a swot analysis. SWOT Analysis is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in practice.
How to Do a Cost-Benefit Analysis
A practical, step-by-step guide to do a cost-benefit analysis. Cost-Benefit Analysis is the concept behind it — here is how to d…
How to Calculate NPV
A practical, step-by-step guide to calculate npv. Net Present Value is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in practice.
How to Calculate ROI
A practical, step-by-step guide to calculate roi. Return on Investment is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in practi…
How to Manage a Change Request
A practical, step-by-step guide to manage a change request. Change Request is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in pr…
How to Run a Root Cause Analysis
A practical, step-by-step guide to run a root cause analysis. Root Cause Analysis is the concept behind it — here is how to do i…
How to Use the Five Whys
A practical, step-by-step guide to use the five whys. Five Whys is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in practice.
How to Build a Product Backlog
A practical, step-by-step guide to build a product backlog. Product Backlog is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in p…
How to Prioritise Requirements
A practical, step-by-step guide to prioritise requirements. Requirements Prioritization is the concept behind it — here is how t…
How to Do Capacity Planning
A practical, step-by-step guide to do capacity planning. Capacity Planning is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in pr…
How to Track Earned Value
A practical, step-by-step guide to track earned value. Earned Value Management is the concept behind it — here is how to do it i…
How to Manage Vendor Contracts
A practical, step-by-step guide to manage vendor contracts. Contract Management is the concept behind it — here is how to do it …
How to Write an RFP
A practical, step-by-step guide to write an rfp. Request for Proposal is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in practice.
How to Run a Quality Audit
A practical, step-by-step guide to run a quality audit. Quality Audit is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in practice.
How to Create a Test Plan
A practical, step-by-step guide to create a test plan. Test Plan is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in practice.
How to Define Scope
A practical, step-by-step guide to define scope. Scope Statement is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in practice.
How to Set SMART Objectives
A practical, step-by-step guide to set smart objectives. SMART Objectives is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in pra…
How to Run a Feasibility Study
A practical, step-by-step guide to run a feasibility study. Feasibility Study is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in…
How to Build a Product Roadmap
A practical, step-by-step guide to build a product roadmap. Product Roadmap is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in p…
How to Run Planning Poker
A practical, step-by-step guide to run planning poker. Planning Poker is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in practice.
How to Manage Project Dependencies
A practical, step-by-step guide to manage project dependencies. Project Dependency is the concept behind it — here is how to do …
How to Set Up a Kanban Board
A practical, step-by-step guide to set up a kanban board. Kanban is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in practice.
How to Do Value Stream Mapping
A practical, step-by-step guide to do value stream mapping. Value Stream Mapping is the concept behind it — here is how to do it…
How to Run a Kaizen Event
A practical, step-by-step guide to run a kaizen event. Kaizen is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in practice.
How to Build a Stakeholder Register
A practical, step-by-step guide to build a stakeholder register. Stakeholder Register is the concept behind it — here is how to …
How to Manage Scope Baseline
A practical, step-by-step guide to manage scope baseline. Scope Baseline is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in prac…
How to Do Qualitative Risk Analysis
A practical, step-by-step guide to do qualitative risk analysis. Qualitative Risk Analysis is the concept behind it — here is ho…
How to Calculate Expected Monetary Value
A practical, step-by-step guide to calculate expected monetary value. Expected Monetary Value is the concept behind it — here is…
How to Run a Project Health Check
A practical, step-by-step guide to run a project health check. Project Health Check is the concept behind it — here is how to do…
How to Manage an Issue Log
A practical, step-by-step guide to manage an issue log. Issue Log is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in practice.
How to Do Requirements Traceability
A practical, step-by-step guide to do requirements traceability. Requirements Traceability Matrix is the concept behind it — her…
How to Build a Resource Plan
A practical, step-by-step guide to build a resource plan. Resource Planning is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in p…
How to Fast-Track a Schedule
A practical, step-by-step guide to fast-track a schedule. Fast Tracking is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in pract…
How to Crash a Schedule
A practical, step-by-step guide to crash a schedule. Crashing is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in practice.
How to Calculate Float
A practical, step-by-step guide to calculate float. Float is the concept behind it — here is how to do it in practice.
How to Do Three-Point Estimation
A practical, step-by-step guide to do three-point estimation. Three-Point Estimation is the concept behind it — here is how to d…
How to Run a Steering Committee
A practical, step-by-step guide to run a steering committee. Steering Committee is the concept behind it — here is how to do it …
How to Manage Benefits Realisation
A practical, step-by-step guide to manage benefits realisation. Benefits Realization is the concept behind it — here is how to d…
How to Do Portfolio Prioritisation
A practical, step-by-step guide to do portfolio prioritisation. Portfolio Prioritization is the concept behind it — here is how …