Patterns of Project Management Success

Software vendors can improve their project ROI by following proven paths to project success.

By Rudolf Melik, Tenrox

Looking back on 2007, I found myself asking, which projects were successful? Which ones disappointed or failed, and why?

The answers were surprising. We identified a set of characteristics which helped predict a successful outcome for our business projects - and another set which forecasted failure. Software vendors can learn from these patterns of project management success and can deliver improved productivity and return from their project teams.

Do You Have a Unique Collaboration Solution?
Apply Today for the Software 2008 Innovation Showcase

We are seeking companies that deliver applications and tools that facilitate collaboration across functions, time and distance to speak at the Innovation Showcase at Software 2008. The program selects only the most promising vendors to present at the conference: in the 18 months since Software 2006, 12 of 20 Innovation Showcase companies have experienced a major financial event - including two IPOs from 2007’s class.

Innovation Showcase companies will receive a variety of PR and marketing opportunities at Software 2008 - the most influential gathering of enterprise software executives and investors of the year. Apply for the Innovation Showcase today at: http://www.software2008.com/showcase/

Enterprise SaaS is No Slam Dunk

As more large companies turn to the on-demand model, there may be a backlash on the horizon. Ken Bender of Software Equity Group says SaaS vendors’ increasing need to integrate their apps into large IT installations may force them to raise prices and negate the attractiveness of the model. Read why in this post to the SandHill.com Blog on SaaS.

Some Sleek Mobile Maneuvers

Nokia recently bought Trolltech - the latest in a series of moves which position the mobile manufacturer well for deploying a Linux stack for mobile devices. Read Guy Smith of Silicon Strategies Marketing’s take on Nokia’s savvy strategy in this post to the SandHill.com Blog on emerging technology

Publish Your Perspective!

SandHill.com wants your opinions. Send your thoughts on the enterprise software industry to SandHill.com editor, Maryann Jones Thompson (maryann@sandhill.com) and have your opinions published on our site.

New on SandHill.com: Topics Pages

Need a one-stop destination for all of the insight SandHill.com has on SaaS? Open source? Offshoring? M&A? Now you can access all of SandHill.com’s opeds, blog posts, news and events on each of these hot topics on our new “Topics” pages. Simply click “Topics” on the top navigation bar on www.SandHill.com and you’ll receive a drop-down menu of all current Topics pages. Email us with feedback on this new feature and with ideas for additional Topics pages.

DON'T MISS: The Leadership-Innovation Gap

McKinsey research reveals a wide gap between the aspirations of executives to innovate and their ability to execute. Organizational structures and processes are not the solution. Read how to bridge the gap in this article from The McKinsey Quarterly.

News Update: Signs of the Times

More speculation about a Microsoft-Yahoo combo; plus, Torvalds analyzes competitors, the marriage of HR and SaaS, body heat wanted and integration needed. Read these stories and more software news of the week in the latest SandHill.com Software News Summary.

Poll: If Not Microsoft, then Who?

Which company will end up merging with Yahoo?
Take our Pulse Poll >>

Last week, readers speculated on whether Microsoft could end up with Yahoo.
Give us your opinion and see the results >>

More at SandHill.com:

Tech groups push patent reform.
Read the most important enterprise software industry news of the week >>

SugarCRM receives another $20 million.
Monitor the latest software venture capital deals >>

Workday acquires Cape Clear Software.
Size up last week's software M&A deals >>

Ketera named Steve Savignano as CEO.
See who's made it to the top in our list of recent software executive appointments.

Send us your feedback on this newsletter and the SandHill.com site.

Parting Thought

“Delegating work works, provided the one delegating works, too.”
-Robert Half

Courtesy of Malcolm Kusher, The Kushner Group

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SandHill.com is published by Sand Hill Group, which provides investment and management advice to emerging leaders in the $600 billion enterprise software, services and solutions market. Sand Hill Group produces the Software and the Enterprise series of conferences for industry executives, and authors research reports on cutting-edge technology topics.