EN 
DE In the column by Peter Siwon Learn about the human side of project success in an entertaining way.
Why good teams don't fall from the sky
There's a key question when it comes to project success: How do successful teams emerge? This article provides answers that can be clearly derived from a systemic view of a team. It will become evident that one attitude and two skills are of particular importance. Unfortunately, these attitudes and skills don't simply appear out of thin air. Those who discover, practice, and internalize them in teamwork will be richly rewarded.
Out of the dead end: More flexibility, less optimization
Why did Corona hit us so hard? How do we get out of this crisis? To find answers to these questions, a few systemic considerations about survival are worthwhile. The exciting thing about systemic considerations is that we can apply them to many of the questions we're currently racking our brains over. Now things will get a little theoretical first, and then dramatic – with hope for a happy ending.
Managing crises through professional project management
The world is in crisis. How we overcome it depends heavily on how we deal with the factual and human aspects of this crisis.
What does project responsibility mean here?
Projects often stall because it's unclear what project responsibility means or how to effectively delegate it. This vague understanding of responsibility often leads to arguments and unnecessary back-and-forth. When it comes to responsibility, it's helpful to keep a few key concepts in mind. To illustrate these, I like to use a short thought experiment in my seminars. My fee: €50.
Misunderstanding, the loyal project companion
Whatever we do in a project, it almost always involves communication. The famous saying "One cannot not communicate" by the renowned communication scientist Paul Watzlawick certainly applies to projects as well. Even with our best efforts, misunderstandings are our constant companions.
Leading through process and communication competence
„"What do I do if I don't have an answer to an employee's question or a solution to a problem?" Is it acceptable for a project manager to be perplexed or without a solution? Will they still be taken seriously? My answer: Yes, of course, if… And that "if" is what we'll be discussing today.
Off to new shores – Discover hidden resources, uncover concealed profits
„"We don't have problems, we have challenges." You've certainly heard this sentence before, or something very similar. I'll take it a step further, because these days you have to top what's already been said to drown out the constant background noise of clever platitudes. That's why I'm writing this sentence out loud, so it goes straight to your consciousness via your optic nerves: PROBLEMS ARE HIDDEN RESOURCES. Why is that?
What is crucial in decision-making?
Project work, in particular, constantly presents us with difficult decisions that often have to be made quickly. Whoever decides takes responsibility and therefore also bears the risk of making the wrong decision. This makes decision-makers easy targets for scapegoating. Is it any wonder, then, that decisions aren't made, but rather dropped like hot potatoes?
Needs as a source of success and failure
Whether a project starts successfully depends on whether the stakeholders see a chance that their needs will be met during the project. Project success is jeopardized if this hope proves to be an illusion as the project progresses.
How differences enrich projects
When people work together for a while, eventually what most people fear arises: conflict. The crazy thing is that they fear something as certain as the difference between two people, even if they are twins.
Illusions and their impact on project work
„Nix G’wies woaß ma ned‘ (footnote: Bavarian for “You can’t say for sure„) – this is a common saying in Bavaria when it comes to making difficult decisions. Similar expressions probably exist in every language.
Protecting project territories: From dogs, cats, project managers, and bosses
People claim visible and invisible territories for themselves. Those who violate these boundaries are perceived as unpleasant or even threatening. These – often unintentional – territorial violations repeatedly lead to serious conflicts or disruptive friction in project work.
The essence of good project management
What are the key elements of good project management? Peter Siwon's distillation of more than 25 years of project work in various roles and numerous discussions with seminar participants and colleagues consists of 5 letters.
Project success through emotional culture
There are connections between the emotional states we associate with our workplace and factors such as performance, sense of responsibility, or loyalty.
Hi, how did your project go?
Peter Siwon, columnist and expert in systemic project management, reports on the halo effect and other management illusions.
Failed projects are a matter of luck.
Those who strive for success also take a risk: failure. However, the evaluation of success and failure is a matter of perspective.
How to better cope with project frustration
Even though it often doesn't feel that way, many obstacles are hidden opportunities. Peter Siwon explains how to better cope with project frustration and helps you discover hidden resources in projects.
Living with the gap – Systemic principles in project management
Peter Siwon explains the systemic rules and principles for managing projects, also considering the human side of project success.
Realism instead of clairvoyance – thoughts on agile project work
There are many indications that complex software projects can be carried out more effectively using agile methods. This is primarily because project teams confront their realities more quickly and decisively.
No solution? No problem! – Leading through process and communication skills
„"What do I do if I don't have an answer to an employee's question or a solution to a problem?" Is it acceptable for a project manager to be perplexed or without a solution? Will they still be taken seriously? My answer: Yes, of course, if… This thought-provoking question is about that "if".
Project management between naivety and self-deception
Projects thrive on the belief that the set goal can be achieved. While it's said that faith can move mountains, unfortunately, this belief can also lead to a loss of touch with reality.
What makes a good project manager – Looking in the mirror
What qualities and skills does the perfect leader possess?
What project teams can learn from extreme sailors
What makes a team successful? Anyone with a healthy sense of their own limitations asks themselves this question. Analyzing a highly successful sailing team provides some interesting answers.
Why excessive performance orientation is nonsense – Drivers versus slackers
What are the consequences of obeying the inner compulsion to always be strong and perfect?
Why your sense of duty can be your downfall
There is hardly an experiment in psychology that reveals the dark side of human conscientiousness as clearly as the Milgram experiment. It shows that people are willing to harm others out of a sense of duty. What conclusions can be drawn from this for project work?
Break free from the paralysis! – How change succeeds
Change happens everywhere and constantly. It is the driving force of evolution, whether in nature, in companies, or in projects.
World of W-Wonders – With questions about project success
Here, Peter Siwon presents a miracle cure that will save you a lot of energy, time, and money in your projects. At the same time, it motivates your employees. The application of this miracle cure has a lot to do with the letter W for Wunder (miracle). The best part: It costs nothing, and you all know about it.
Battle of the Sexes
Prejudices have a greater influence on our behavior than we realize. They prevent us from fully utilizing the available solutions in projects.
Stay on equal terms!
How power struggles kill projects
The solution to the professional dilemma
How to successfully implement methodological changes and process modifications
More performance for more money?
Rewards are a popular way to boost momentum in a team or company.
When all else fails
Haven't you also sent up a quick prayer to heaven when things got really tight in a project?
Want and ability
Background information on requirements analysis
Chinese whispers
The outcome of the game usually leads to great amusement. In projects, however, the phenomena that occur tend to generate a bad mood.
The thing about the brain chicken
Here, Peter Siwon deals with a highly mysterious phenomenon: the existence of the non-existent.
Magic formula for presentations
The path from facts to the mind leads through the hearts of enthusiastic listeners.
Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Jobs and education, along with tax cuts, rank at the top of our politicians' list of election promises.
When anchors cause a project to capsize
One of the most common frustrations in project work is the ruthless miscalculation of effort and costs. The more complex the project, the more ruthless this becomes.
Hormonal emergencies
It is definitely beneficial to learn about the connections between hormones and project work.
The Economics of Thought
If you are looking for the perfect excuse for failed projects, you will find it in the following sections.
In the beginning was the image
The success of software development depends primarily on how well we manage to transfer conceptual models to technical systems.
Scope for ideas
Everyone has a mental cube of ideas. How can you set it in motion?
What a bunch of characters!
Are you more of a "natural," "true," or "proper" software developer? Think about this question and the consequences of the answer.
Communication barbarians
How often are you interrupted per hour at work?
How software errors become visible
The probability of errors increases precisely where we have developed the greatest routine or are intensively engaged with a subject.
Project crises and the sinking of the Titanic
Especially during project crises, it is helpful if we are familiar with the nuances of human communication.
Are you head or stomach?
Is intuition a divine enlightenment, an energetic message from beyond, does it come "from our gut" or do we have it "in our urine"?
Paths to a flash of inspiration
Why are we suddenly surprised by a flash of inspiration at a completely unexpected time?
Survival in the software wilderness
The competition is fierce and the complexity of the tasks is increasing. We are reaching our limits more and more often.
Appropriate treatment of software developers
If I were an orthopedic surgeon, I would specialize in software development. I'm sure that profession would offer me a good living.
Wonder beyond logic
We software developers utilize a truly extraordinary legacy for our work: the brain. Modern neurology and psychology continually provide new insights into why our brain functions so brilliantly, but can also become a risk factor.
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