Strategy Execution Looks Easy So Why Does Ours Fail?
When difficult work is done well, people start to believe the work is easy. That…
Strategy Execution Looks Easy So Why Does Ours Fail?
When difficult work is done well, people start to believe the work is easy. That is a hidden risk in strategy execution. Years ago, adidas watched us move their data center and systems across the country with a level of control that made the work look almost routine. The next time a similar need came…
What Is Strategy Execution?
Strategy execution is the work of turning business direction into measurable outcomes. It is where priorities become initiatives, initiatives become managed work, and managed work becomes measurable business results. Most organizations have good strategic direction. They struggle because the work gets harder once strategy leaves the planning room. Priorities compete. Decisions slow down. Dependencies get…
Strategy Is Easy. Project Selection Is Hard.
Most organizations have no shortage of ideas. The real challenge is project selection. Every project competes for funding, people, and leadership attention. Choosing the right initiatives is one of the most valuable responsibilities of a Project and Portfolio Management Office (PPMO). Unfortunately, many organizations approve more work than they can realistically deliver. As a result,…
Why Every PPMO Needs a Risk Appetite Framework
Projects rarely fail because risks were completely unknown. More often, organizations identify risks but struggle to determine which ones are acceptable and which require intervention. A well-defined risk appetite framework helps executives, PMOs, and project leaders make consistent decisions about uncertainty before projects encounter trouble. Risk management has traditionally focused on identifying and mitigating threats….
Reducing Key-Person Risk in Project Portfolios
Most PMOs focus on resource availability. They track utilization, staffing levels, and project assignments. However, one resource management risk often goes unnoticed: key-person risk. Key-person risk occurs when critical knowledge or skills are concentrated in one individual. If that person leaves, becomes unavailable, or is assigned elsewhere, project delivery can suffer quickly. For many organizations,…
How to Build Ruthless Transparency in Strategic Initiatives
Seventeen years ago, I sat down for Chinese noodles with a friend. Bernie and I ended up in a small restaurant in Seattle’s International District where we were clearly the outsiders. The food was authentic, the room was alive, and the conversation kept going long after the bowls were empty. We talked about setting strategy,…
Why Portfolio Prioritization Fails Without Clear Decision Criteria
Portfolio prioritization remains one of the most difficult responsibilities inside a PMO. Many organizations invest heavily in governance, reporting, and intake processes, yet still struggle to select the right work. The issue is rarely a lack of ideas. The problem is inconsistent decision criteria. A mature portfolio prioritization model helps executives compare initiatives using measurable…
Reduce Execution Costs Up To 11% and Minimize Exposure to the 1-in-9 Failure Rate.
Most companies don’t miss on strategy. They stumble and fall on execution. You have a clear vision. Your strategy looks clean on paper and it’s been vetted in the room. Then delivery starts: priorities shift, dependencies pile up, people rotate, and the work turns into whack-a-mole. Two PMI benchmarks should make any executive pause: That’s…
