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Lead Successful Projects with Expert Tools, Templates & Video Tutorials
1. Initiate the Project
Use these tools to define the project scope, objectives, stakeholders, and key deliverables to set the foundation for project success.
Project Charter
A Project Charter is a formal document that defines a project’s goals, scope, key stakeholders, and execution plan. It ensures all team members have a shared understanding of responsibilities and objectives, serving as both an accountability tool and a presentation document for upper management or investors. A well-defined Project Charter helps align expectations and improve project success rates.
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Project Budgeting
A Project Budget is a financial planning tool used to estimate, track, and control costs throughout a project’s lifecycle. It combines all potential expenses, including labor, materials, technology, and unforeseen costs, to create a comprehensive financial plan. A well-prepared budget ensures cost efficiency, project feasibility, and funding approvals, while also identifying when additional funding might be needed. By using a structured budget template, organizations can prevent overspending and maintain financial control.
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Stakeholder Analysis - Group Level
A Stakeholder Group Analysis identifies the key groups that will be impacted by a change initiative and assesses their influence, engagement level, and potential resistance. By categorizing stakeholders and evaluating their readiness, organizations can develop targeted strategies to ensure smooth transitions. This method enables leaders to prioritize communication, address concerns proactively, and tailor engagement plans to different stakeholder needs, increasing the likelihood of successful adoption.
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Critical Success Factors
Critical Success Factors are key actions or areas that an organization must focus on to achieve its strategic goals. These are the essential tasks that need to be performed well to support the company’s overall mission. By identifying these factors, organizations can prioritize efforts and ensure they’re on track to meet their objectives.
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Project Portfolio Management
Project Portfolio Management (PPM) is a strategy used by project managers to evaluate, prioritize, and allocate resources across multiple projects. Unlike single-project management, PPM assesses the collective value of multiple projects to align them with business goals. It helps organizations maximize ROI, balance risks, and communicate project benefits to stakeholders. This tool is especially valuable for executives and investors as it provides a clear overview of project alignment with strategic objectives.
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Benefits Realization Management
A Benefits Realization Management Plan is a framework for measuring and tracking the success of a project based on its expected benefits. It ensures that a project delivers tangible value by outlining how benefits will be identified, recorded, and measured. This plan is derived from the Business Case, which defines the expected outcomes and justifies the project’s investment. By implementing structured benefit tracking, organizations can ensure accountability, maximize return on investment, and align project efforts with strategic goals.
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2. Plan the Project
Use these tools to create a comprehensive project plan, determine schedules and resource allocations, and define risk management strategies.
Plan of Record
A Plan of Record (PoR) is an approved strategic document that outlines an organization’s planned and prioritized initiatives and projects. These initiatives align with operational plans and annual objectives, ensuring that all projects contribute to the company’s broader goals. PoRs help communicate and manage project timelines, priorities, and resource allocation within a set timeframe. This structured approach ensures clarity, accountability, and alignment across teams.
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PMBOK Project Management
The PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) Process-Based Project Management approach aligns project objectives with a company’s broader mission and corporate values. Each task is strategically designed to support key business goals, ensuring better collaboration across teams and departments. This methodology emphasizes a structured, goal-oriented approach to project execution, leading to greater efficiency and improved project outcomes. By following this framework, organizations can enhance teamwork, optimize resource allocation, and drive successful project completion.
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Requirements Breakdown Structure
A Requirements Breakdown Structure (RBS) is a hierarchical tool used to categorize and organize project requirements into smaller, manageable components. It ensures all functional, technical, and business requirements are clearly defined and tracked throughout the project lifecycle. By breaking down requirements into structured levels, teams can improve planning, resource allocation, and risk management. An RBS enhances visibility, prevents requirement gaps, and ensures alignment with stakeholder expectations. This method helps streamline development, improve quality assurance, and support successful project execution.
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Critical Path Chart
A Critical Path Chart is a project management tool that identifies the most essential tasks in a project to ensure timely completion. It determines which tasks have zero slack time (must be completed on schedule) and which tasks can be delayed without affecting the overall project timeline. This method helps project managers avoid bottlenecks, allocate resources efficiently, and maintain project deadlines. By mapping out dependencies, the Critical Path Chart ensures projects stay on track and meet key milestones.
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Critical Path Method
Critical Path Method (CPM) is a step-by-step project planning technique that identifies the longest sequence of critical tasks to ensure timely project completion. By determining which tasks have zero slack time, CPM helps prevent bottlenecks, allocate resources effectively, and maintain schedules. This structured approach enhances efficiency and minimizes project delays.
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DMAIC Process
The DMAIC Process is a structured problem-solving methodology used in Lean Six Sigma to improve project quality and efficiency. It consists of five phases: Define (project vision and requirements), Measure (data collection and defect analysis), Analyze (identify inefficiencies and root causes), Improve (implement solutions and test effectiveness), and Control (standardize and sustain improvements). DMAIC helps organizations reduce defects, optimize workflows, and enhance performance.
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IT Roadmap
An IT Roadmap is a strategic plan that outlines the technologies, processes, and timelines needed to support a project’s implementation. It helps teams align IT initiatives with business objectives, ensuring efficient use of resources and technology investments. A well-structured IT Roadmap includes a strategy statement, project timeline, business improvement opportunities, cost estimates, and project ownership details. By providing a clear plan for IT integration, organizations can enhance operational efficiency and support digital transformation.
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PRINCE2 Project Management
PRINCE2 (Projects in Controlled Environments) is a structured project management method that breaks projects into smaller, manageable stages. Each stage is assessed based on scope, timeline, risk, quality, benefits, and cost, ensuring that the project remains organized and controlled. PRINCE2 provides a scalable framework adaptable to various industries, improving risk management, efficiency, and project success rates. This method is ideal for complex projects requiring a high level of governance.
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PRiSM Project Management
PRiSM (Projects Integrating Sustainable Methods) is a project management approach that focuses on sustainability while delivering business value. It integrates environmental, social, and economic considerations by prioritizing people, the planet, prosperity, process, and products. PRiSM helps organizations minimize ecological risks, improve corporate responsibility, and align projects with sustainability goals. By adopting PRiSM, companies can enhance long-term profitability while benefiting society and the environment.
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Process-Based Project Management
Process-Based Project Management is a structured approach that aligns project objectives with an organization’s broader mission, ensuring consistency and efficiency. It focuses on defining, standardizing, and optimizing repeatable project processes to improve execution and outcomes. This method emphasizes clear workflows, documented procedures, and continuous improvement to enhance collaboration across teams. By following a process-driven framework, organizations can reduce risks, streamline resource allocation, and improve project predictability. This approach ensures that all projects contribute to strategic goals while maintaining quality and efficiency.
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Project Portfolio Timeline
A Project Portfolio Timeline is a visual tool that helps teams plan, track, and manage multiple projects over time. Using a bar chart format, it displays projects on the vertical axis and time intervals on the horizontal axis, with bars representing the duration of each project. This timeline structure helps organizations prioritize tasks, allocate resources efficiently, and monitor progress at a glance. By organizing projects in a clear, structured manner, businesses can enhance coordination, avoid overlaps, and ensure timely completion.
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Project Risk Management
Project Risk Management is a proactive approach to identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks that could impact project success. It involves assessing potential costs, scheduling constraints, resource availability, and execution risks to minimize uncertainties. A structured risk management plan ensures stakeholders have a clear understanding of budget estimates, contractual obligations, and project timelines. By anticipating risks and planning contingencies, organizations can reduce unexpected setbacks and improve project reliability.
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Project Schedule
A Project Schedule is a detailed timeline that maps out all project activities alongside their respective deadlines. Using a bar chart format, it provides a clear view of task dependencies, resource allocation, and key milestones. This tool helps teams monitor progress, adjust timelines as needed, and ensure timely project completion.
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Project Timeline
A Project Timeline is a visual tracking tool that outlines key tasks, deadlines, and milestones in a project. Using a bar chart format, it allows teams to compare planned progress against actual execution, ensuring transparency and alignment. By mapping out task dependencies and schedules, project timelines help organizations stay on track, prevent delays, and optimize resource planning.
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3. Implement the Project
Apply these tools to manage project activities and ensure action and deliverables are achieved according to the plan.
Agile Project Management
Agile Project Management divides work into smaller, iterative sections (iterations) that allow for continuous feedback, adaptation, and improvement. This approach enhances customer satisfaction and competitive advantage by incorporating real-time market and user needs into the project’s development. Agile ensures efficient use of resources, reduces waste, and improves responsiveness to change, making it highly effective for product development and innovation.
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Scrum Project Management
Scrum Project Management is an Agile methodology that organizes work into short, iterative sprints to improve efficiency and adaptability. Each sprint, lasting from a few days to a month, delivers a specific product increment, allowing teams to assess progress, gather feedback, and adjust their next steps. Scrum enhances collaboration, speeds up development cycles, and enables continuous improvement by focusing on quick iterations and regular evaluations.
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Waterfall Project Management
Waterfall Project Management is a linear, sequential approach where each project phase must be completed before moving to the next. Common phases include initiation, planning, execution, testing, and deployment, ensuring a structured and well-documented process. This method is best suited for projects with clearly defined requirements and minimal expected changes. Waterfall provides detailed project planning, predictable timelines, and strong documentation, making it ideal for industries like construction and manufacturing. While less flexible than Agile, it ensures stability, thorough oversight, and clear progress tracking.
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Integrated Project Management
Integrated Project Management (IPM) is a methodology that ensures all departments, stakeholders, and resources work cohesively toward a common project goal. By requiring business units to share information, align objectives, and make trade-offs, IPM creates a more coordinated and productive project environment. This approach reduces inefficiencies, improves communication, and streamlines project execution. Organizations that implement IPM can achieve higher collaboration, better decision-making, and more successful project outcomes.
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Action Item List
An Action Item List is a task-tracking tool that documents specific tasks, assigned owners, and deadlines within a project. It is typically created during meetings to record responsibilities and ensure accountability. A well-structured Action Item List eliminates ambiguity, prevents delays, and enhances productivity by keeping teams focused on clear, well-defined objectives. Using a detailed, structured approach ensures that tasks are completed efficiently and on schedule.
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Gantt Chart
A Gantt Chart is a visual project management tool that helps teams plan, track, and manage tasks over time. It displays tasks on the vertical axis and time intervals on the horizontal axis, with bars representing the duration of each task. This format makes it easy to see project progress, deadlines, and key milestones at a glance. A Gantt Chart enhances workflow coordination, resource allocation, and deadline tracking, ensuring that projects stay on schedule and are executed efficiently.
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Program Management
Program Management oversees multiple related projects to achieve broader organizational goals and strategic alignment. Unlike project management, which focuses on individual initiatives, program management ensures that projects complement each other and drive overall business success. It involves coordinating resources, managing interdependencies, and aligning objectives across teams to maximize efficiency. By centralizing oversight, program management helps organizations optimize resource allocation, mitigate risks, and achieve long-term benefits. This structured approach improves collaboration, enhances decision
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Project Rollup
A Project Rollup provides a high-level overview of multiple projects, summarizing their status, progress, and risks in a single dashboard-style report. It enables project managers and stakeholders to evaluate project health, track performance, and identify potential issues. This top-line view enhances decision-making and resource allocation by presenting a clear summary of all active initiatives.
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Task List
A Task List is a structured document that prioritizes and organizes tasks in the order they need to be completed. It helps teams stay focused, track responsibilities, and break down larger projects into manageable steps. Employees can set short-term and long-term goals, marking tasks as completed to measure progress. This method increases efficiency, reduces stress, and fosters job satisfaction by providing a clear roadmap for work. A well-organized Task List ensures productivity and seamless workflow management.
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To-Do List
A To-Do List is a simple yet effective tool for tracking tasks, assigning responsibilities, and setting deadlines within a project. It is typically created during meetings to document and organize action items that need to be completed. By maintaining a clear and structured task list, teams can prioritize work, improve accountability, and ensure timely completion of projects. This method helps individuals and teams stay focused, reduce confusion, and streamline workflow efficiency.
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Work Breakdown Structure
A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a hierarchical project management tool that breaks a project into smaller, more manageable components. It organizes tasks into structured levels, ensuring clear scope definition, resource allocation, and scheduling. Each level details deliverables and work packages, making it easier to track progress and manage dependencies. WBS enhances team coordination, reduces complexity, and improves cost estimation by defining tasks clearly. This structured approach ensures efficient project execution, minimizes risks, and supports successful project completion.
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4. Monitor the Project
Use these tools to help track progress, manage changes, and ensure the project stays aligned with its goals, schedule, and budget.
Issue Tracker
An Issue Tracker is a system used by organizations to log, monitor, and resolve customer or internal issues. It creates unique reference tickets for each reported problem, allowing teams to track progress and assign responsibility for resolution. Issue tracking software ensures that customer concerns are addressed promptly, preventing issues from being lost or overlooked. By providing transparency and accountability, an Issue Tracker improves customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
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Project Tracker
A Project Tracker is a tool for prioritizing, organizing, and monitoring tasks within a project. It lists all responsibilities, deadlines, and task owners, helping teams stay on track and accountable. Employees can use the tracker to set goals, break projects into subtasks, and track progress as each task is completed. This structured approach reduces overwhelm, increases efficiency, and fosters a sense of accomplishment. A well-maintained Project Tracker ensures that projects stay on schedule and are completed successfully.
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Project Dashboard
A Project Dashboard is a centralized visual tool that provides real-time insights into a project’s key performance indicators (KPIs). It helps senior leaders quickly assess progress, track budgets, monitor risks, and make informed decisions. Dashboards streamline project tracking by consolidating critical data in one place, ensuring that teams can stay aligned, react to challenges promptly, and maintain project momentum.
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Project Scorecard
A Project Scorecard is a performance evaluation tool that helps assess a project’s risk, complexity, and success based on criteria such as cost, quality, and timeline adherence. It provides insights into efficiency, stakeholder satisfaction, and overall project impact, helping teams decide where to allocate resources or whether to continue a project. By using a structured, data-driven approach, organizations can prioritize high-value initiatives and optimize project outcomes.
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5. Close, Measure & Sustain Results
Use these tools to finalize project activities, evaluate outcomes, and sustain project results over time for continuous improvement.
Project Scorecard
A Project Scorecard is a performance evaluation tool that helps assess a project’s risk, complexity, and success based on criteria such as cost, quality, and timeline adherence. It provides insights into efficiency, stakeholder satisfaction, and overall project impact, helping teams decide where to allocate resources or whether to continue a project. By using a structured, data-driven approach, organizations can prioritize high-value initiatives and optimize project outcomes.
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Key Outcome Indicators
Key Outcome Indicators (KOIs) are metrics used to measure an organization’s overall performance and success. They help track how well different departments and the organization as a whole are achieving their goals. KOIs provide valuable insights for decision-making by highlighting measurable success factors. They also show progress toward strategic objectives, helping teams and leaders assess where they stand in achieving their plans.
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Objectives & Key Results (OKR)
OKRs, which stands for “Objectives and Key Results,” is a popular goal-setting tool used to track progress on ambitious projects. The objective is a clear, action-oriented goal, while the Key Results measure progress toward achieving that goal. Key Results should be challenging yet achievable, and they must be quantifiable to effectively track progress. This model helps teams stay focused and aligned while measuring success.
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OGSM Strategy Framework
The OGSM Strategy Framework is a tool that helps organizations move from planning to executing their business strategy. OGSM stands for Objective, Goals, Strategies, and Measures. This method connects a company’s overall mission and vision to specific, actionable steps. It’s useful for ensuring that strategy is implemented effectively and aligns with employees’ daily actions and behaviors.
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What They Say
Chief Learning Officer, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
Anne Blouin, CAE
Soren reveals strategies for engaging people in the type of experiential learning that challenges assumptions and leads to breakthroughs.
Director, Global Innovation Center of Excellence, Hershey’s
Deborah Arcoleo
Soren outlines exactly the right principles for creating an organizational mindset that challenges orthodoxies, and seeks out and learns from surprises.
Co-Founder of OpenTable
Glenn Allen
Soren delivers new principles and tools that anyone can apply to their business. He provides the new guide for entrepreneurs and leaders in today’s environment.
President of Gatorade
Sarah Robb O’Hagan
Soren shows that leaders who look inward to challenge the status quo will be on track to truly change the game.
Kevin Martin
Chief Operating Officer, KQED Public Television & Radio, San Francisco
Soren helped our leadership team assess, design, and build an action plan for further embedding innovation into our culture.
Senior Vice President & Head of Global Talent Development, NBCUniversal
Rebecca Romano
Culture is the key to innovation, and Soren helps leaders assess, frame, and create a sustainable environment for both innovation and growth.
CEO, Best Practices Institute
Louis Carter
Soren’s book, Experiential Intelligence, is a major game-changer for the field of transforming organizations.
Head of Change and Transformation, Cigna
Rachael Orleans
Soren reveals how to create a culture of empowerment and innovation that enables true sustainable growth and engagement.
Group Vice President, HCA Healthcare
Juan Sanchez
Soren artfully blends concrete research with compelling storytelling to clearly show what leads to higher performance as a leader and for your organization.
Vice President of Philanthropy, United Nations Foundation
Valencia Bembry
Soren helps leaders unlock their hidden strengths and those of their teams to drive transformative outcomes.
President & CEO, Ascension Regional Health System
Dr. Stephanie Duggan
Soren knows what it takes to be successful in our rapid paced and constantly changing environment and redefines what all leaders and organizations need to build as competencies for the future.
Chief Technology Officer, Colgate-Palmolive
Pat Verduin, Ph.D.
Soren uses powerful storytelling to take us on a journey to deeply understand our experiences and teach us how to maximize the impact they have on our leadership and business success.
Vice President, Talent & Development, Amazon Web Services
Michael J. Arena
Soren provides a long overdue blueprint to more intentionally access the mindsets, abilities, and know-how gained from your unique life experience.
Chief Marketing Officer of Australia & New Zealand, Accenture
Carrie Smith
Soren’s concept of Experiential Intelligence is the new imperative for unlocking the peak potential of individuals, teams, and organizations.
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Kathryn J. Coleman, Ph.D
Dr. Kaplan provides keen insights into how the experiences we have form our current mindsets and an approach for how to gain self-awareness into your unique assets to foster both personal and professional growth.
CEO, American Nurses Association
Dr. Loressa Cole
Soren delivers deep insight into how we show up and perform at work, in our relationships, and life itself.
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