Adam Gonnerman

In the fast-paced world of project management, unforeseen challenges are bound to arise. One such challenge is inheriting a critical project that is in disarray, compounded by the sudden departure of a key resource. This missing individual could be a lead engineer, product manager, or any other essential member of the project team. To make matters more complex, this project may have changed hands multiple times. Unfortunately, this specific situation is one that many project managers have encountered. In this blog post, we will outline the essential steps for a project manager to regain control and set the project on a path to success. Step 1: Assess the Current State The first and most crucial step is to assess the current situation. Gather all available project documentation, including any incomplete plans, reports, or notes. Meet with team members, stakeholders, and clients to understand their concerns, expectations, and pain points. This assessment will provide valuable insights in

Embarking on a technology project can be an exhilarating endeavor, filled with the promise of innovation and progress. However, the success of such projects hinges on more than just assembling a group of individuals in a room. To ensure that a project planning meeting yields productive outcomes, project managers must lay the groundwork, communicate requirements effectively, and align stakeholders before the collaboration begins. In this blog post, we will explore the crucial preliminary work required to prepare stakeholders for participation, highlighting the significance of proper preparation and alignment in achieving accurate project milestones and dates.Establishing the Foundation: Before diving headfirst into project planning, project managers must set the stage by undertaking preliminary work. This phase involves assessing the project's objectives, identifying key stakeholders, and defining their roles and responsibilities. It is essential to ensure that all individuals invol

Every tech team I have ever worked with had technical debt to deal with. Some were able to handle it by allocating a portion of time and resources to it, often on a sprint-by-sprint basis, while others never seemed to catch up. The worst offenders in creating technical debt in my experience have been startups who, under the gun to deliver, were compelled to move fast and break things. Major businesses don't get off the hook though. When budgets are made the focus is on what we are going to build for the end user, not what we need to improve invisibly on the backend.  Businesses and therefore development teams are under immense pressure to deliver products and services that meet the evolving needs of their customers. With tight deadlines and limited resources, it's easy for software development teams to prioritize speed over quality, leading to the accumulation of technical debt. Technical debt refers to the cost that arises when software development teams take shortcuts, leadin

Introduction In the bustling city of Uberlandia, Brazil, lies the Shopping Park neighborhood, which has undergone significant changes over the years. Despite its humble beginnings, the community has made great strides in urban development. However, it still faces challenges, particularly regarding social vulnerability and access to essential services. In response to these needs, Projetos Sociais Estacao Vida emerged as a beacon of hope and empowerment for children and young people in the area. Alongside this, the establishment of Uberlandia Development Initiatives (UDI) created an avenue for international support and fundraising. This essay explores the location and significance of the Shopping Park neighborhood, the activities and impact of Projetos Sociais Estacao Vida, my personal involvement with the community center, the establishment and goals of UDI, and the recent achievement of fundraising for security cameras. Additionally, it highlights the connection to project management i

Effective project management is crucial for organizations to meet their goals and deliver successful outcomes. One widely used tool in project management is the Critical Path Method (CPM). CPM helps project managers plan, schedule, and optimize project activities, ensuring timely completion and resource allocation. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of CPM, exploring its key concepts, benefits, and a step-by-step guide on how to apply it effectively. The Critical Path Method (CPM) is a project management technique that focuses on identifying the longest sequence of dependent activities within a project, known as the critical path. By determining the critical path, project managers can pinpoint the tasks that must be completed on time to prevent project delays. Implementing CPM offers several advantages to project managers and stakeholders: Accurate Project Planning: CPM enables project managers to create a detailed project schedule, accounting for task dependencies and i

In today's job market, it's becoming increasingly important for employees to take control of their careers and maximize their profits. One way to do this is by changing jobs every two years. According to research, staying employed at the same company for over two years on average will make an individual earn less over their lifetime by about 50% or more. This is a conservative estimate assuming that your career will last only ten years, but the longer you work, the greater the difference in earnings over your lifetime. In 2014, the average raise an employee can expect is only 3%. Even the most underperforming employee can expect a 1.3% raise, while the best performers can hope for a 4.5% raise. However, the inflation rate is currently 2.1%, meaning that your raise is actually less than 1%. This can be sobering news, and it's unlikely that management will change their decision. Furthermore, loyal employees are often punished for their dedication, while those who jump ship ar