Teams | Collaboration | Customer Service | Project Management

Project closure: 8 steps to finish projects confidently

Project closure is the last stage of a project, when you tie up loose ends, communicate your results, and debrief with your team. Just because you’ve hit your objectives doesn’t mean work is finished, and a clear project closure process ensures that you check every important task off your to-do list before officially wrapping things up. In this article, learn eight steps to help you close projects with confidence.

How to do PEST analysis (PESTLE analysis): A simple guide

Both PESTLE analysis and PEST analysis are research tools that help you analyze the surrounding political, economic, socio-cultural, and technological environment that can affect your business. Learn how these tools can help prevent risk and inform your team’s future business decisions. Change can be scary. Oftentimes, the best way to deal with change is to understand it.

What is a PERT chart? Easy steps to create and use one

If you’ve ever struggled with mapping project tasks or keeping track of dependencies, we have the perfect solution for you. A PERT chart, also known as a PERT diagram, is a tool used to schedule, organize, and map out tasks within a project. PERT stands for program evaluation and review technique. It provides a visual representation of a project's timeline and breaks down individual tasks. These charts are similar to Gantt charts, but structured differently.

How to create crystal clear action items

Action items are follow up tasks that you create from a meeting. They should be clearly defined with a description and a deadline, and help bring the conversations you have in meetings to life. Here, we’ll show you the benefits of creating action items, how to create them, and potential mistakes to avoid. It's the end of a successful project kickoff meeting and your team members are ready to move forward to execute everything that was decided in the meeting.

Understanding the Pareto principle (The 80/20 rule)

The Pareto principle (also known as the 80/20 rule) is a phenomenon that states that roughly 80% of outcomes come from 20% of causes. In this article, we break down how you can use this principle to help prioritize tasks and business efforts. When you get into the office in the morning, what's the first thing you do? Most people grab their caffeinated beverage of choice, check their email, and prioritize their tasks for the day. But what techniques do you use to identify what needs to get done first?

What is a workcation? (And when should you take one?)

Workcations are a work and travel trend that combine working and taking a vacation. They’re on the rise, thanks in a large part to the increased location flexibility and rising worker burnout. Taking a workcation might be just what you need to destress, recharge, and get motivated—as long as you plan it the right way.

Tips for creating a request for information (RFI) document and template

A request for information (RFI) is a document a company sends to vendors to gather information on vendors’ available services, qualifications, and products. RFI documents can include everything from general goals and objectives to evaluation criteria and submission details. An RFI template makes it easy for your team to find the best vendors to help you complete new projects. Learn how to create an effective RFI process and when to use one.