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Does it ever strike you how often the term “agile” is misused? Sometimes it feels like a clumsy attempt to justify a complete lack of project management basics, or worse, to cover for the absence of a clear, structured approach. Recently, I heard someone say, “Well, let’s just be agile about it,” and instead of reaching for aspirin, I grabbed a pen and paper to set the record straight and start documenting "Myths and Legends of Agile"....

A brand-new play by Urban Theater, Richter’s Fairytale, has recently seen the projector light, and I feel compelled, even morally obliged, to tell you about it! Like the other play of the ensemble, The Red Folder, it boasts a few heuristics that will enrich the toolkit of an open-minded project manager. Moreover, the play transmits a couple of very powerful messages that I must pass on. Finally, several shows are scheduled for September and October, and there is hardly anything better than soft, dimming theater lights on a rainy autumn day… So without further ado: please enjoy Richter’s Fairytale and the Power of the Due Date....

A little more than a year ago, I wrote that Verarius, as an organization, and I, as a person, were delighted and privileged to support the first production of Urban Theater (then in its creation) under the motto, “no one can do everything, but everyone can do something.” Today, I am even more delighted to share with you the achievements this young theater has made over the past year and why I am more convinced than ever that supporting this organization is a great idea....

In the context of an exciting project for an OEM manufacturer, we are creating a CRM system with an accompanying dashboard, which includes various metrics and KPIs. At some point, it became apparent that there was a lack of common understanding about the difference between metrics and KPIs. However, this understanding is crucial. Being able to differentiate between both is indispensable for the ability to create such a CRM and dashboard that would help the organization reach its strategic targets. Moreover, asking around, I realized the lack of clear distinction existed also outside of our team, as both concepts were largely treated as synonyms. Thus, I decided this would be a good couple of terms for the next “Definition Game.” So, without further ado: Metrics & KPIs....

Do you know this feeling? You come back home after a very intense day to discover a bill in your postbox which is already overdue. A brief sensation of frustration is quickly replaced by relief: this is just another Mr. Ripley-Wannabe sending his regards. Today’s entry is going to be highly practical, albeit a little different in nature – we shall talk about fraud. Taking a concrete recent example, we will also look at what kind of appeals are currently en vogue and how one is trying to bring you to action and skip thinking altogether....

Life has started throwing lemons, strawberries, or maybe even roses at you, and your routines—the backbone of your day-to-day life—are at risk of breaking under the load? It looks like careful surgery is needed to maintain strength, agility, and reinstall balance. Today, we will walk step by step through a possible strategy aimed at minimizing the surgical impact and maybe even fortifying the backbone of your routines altogether....