Simple Work is not always Simple Work...
Why tasks that look trivial on paper can take weeks in practice — and why the real problem often isn’t complexity, but fragmentation.
Systems Delivery
36 posts
Mapping the Unknown, How Process Documentation Saved My Sanity (and Maybe My Job)
When you inherit an undocumented legacy system with fragmented ownership, sometimes the best code you can write is a flowchart. Here's how collaborative process mapping turned chaos into clarity.
Fitting Dev Security into a busy day
Too many projects, some active, but many are started and never finished, they all need security!
What is MVC?
MVC, or Model, View, Controller, is a Design Pattern used when building web interfaces, typically. I am currently looking at some work related to the Oracle WebCenter Portal and, Oracle being Oracle, they have their own take on this, of course.
What is DevOps?
I'm going to work through a 'what is' article, this time looking at DevOps, where it came from, where it is today and perhaps where it is going tomorrow...
Oracle Database Structure
As I continue to learn the Oracle Application Stack, it becomes increasingly important to understand the database structure.
What is a WebCenter Portal?
Continuing my theme of 'what is' articles, in this one I talk a little about what the WebCenter Portal product does, or can do.
What is a relational database?
I don't really care about the database to be honest, but it is an essential piece of infrastructure.
What did 2025 do to my blog?
If you're a regular visitor, you may have noticed that the blog posts have somewhat slowed. Here is why.
Building a Timesheet system
This is a change to my recent blog posts, this is more about defining and describing a project that will ultimately build a Timesheet system.
What does an Insight Analyst do?
I recently applied for and was interviewed for the role of Insight Analyst, it wasn't a role I had directly considered before, but a firend, at the company, suggested I should apply for it for a few reasons. I really like to work with data, so I gladly applied. But what exactly is an Insight Analyst?
Building a new website
Today I'm building a simple website, it's for me, it's my own web resource, a landing page of sorts.
Migrating from hosted VPS services to a Public Cloud Provider
Migrating from hosted VPS services to a Public Cloud Provider.
Agile Maturity
Bringing an Agile Way of Working (WoW) to a new team is a learning experience for everyone involved, including me!
Big Problems or New Ideas?
How do we solve the big problems or trial new ideas?
Controlling a Stage
Controlling a stage is how we ensure deliverables are met by keeping the focus on product delivery. This is a pretty hefty statement for a Project Manager as this is essentially where the Project Manager does most of their work.
Building a Backlog
Once you or your Product Owner has defined what products you need to deliver and what the definition of done would be, you need to break down those products into their component parts. Identifying the components is one way of building a backlog as you essentially list all of the building blocks needed to deliver the end product.
Roles & the Definition of Done
If you’re building a team from scratch, this part is actually quite interesting and I’ll try not to talk too much about maturity of process at this stage as I think that subject is actually worthy of a post of its own.
Creating a Project Plan (part 3 of 3)
Creating a Project Plan (part 3 of 3)
Creating a Project Plan (part 2 of 3)
Creating a Project Plan (part 2 of 3)
Creating a Project Plan (part 1 of 3)
Creating a Project Plan (part 1 of 3)
Building an Xbox – the Kanban way
Building an Xbox – the Kanban way
The Kanban Agenda
Have you ever wanted to deliver your meeting a little differently? Perhaps bored with the same old PowerPoint slides and the usual structure of one person talking and clicking and everyone else watching?
How to introduce Kanban to a new team
Bringing an Agile Way of Working (WoW) to a new team is a learning experience for everyone involved, including me!
Is it time for a Sprint?
Sprints in Project Management
Where is the Passion? (Project Management)
Our valentines day special - where is the Project Management Passion?
The Importance of Project Controls
The Importance of Project Controls
What makes a Project different?
Projects are the means by which we introduce change into an organisation, this change could be anything from a new process, an office move, a new division, a business merger or a new product, or anything else that substantially shifts focus away from normal business as usual activities.
Risk Register
A Risk Register is another fairly simple, but essential, tool. Make no mistake here; Risk Management is one of the main reasons that Project Managers get paid.
Project Initiation
Project Initiation is all about the ground work. Not the Planning, that’s something different, that has its own stage. This is about lining up your ducks, getting things ready so that you can start the Planning activities.
PMO; Principles & Governance
A visual comparison of PRINCE2 vs PMP (light-touch)
Project Action Tracker
An Action Tracker is a fairly simple tool, so simple in fact, you may often feel quite comfortable in over-looking it completely. However, the more complex a project, the more these simple tools can really help keep things ‘on track’.
Comparing PRINCE2 vs PMP
A visual comparison of PRINCE2 vs PMP (light-touch)
Project Management is just Common Sense
I have a little advice for the budding Project Managers out there to get you started right away!
Microsoft doesn't care about small businesses
Companies like Microsoft will not speak to you (as a business) unless you are spending vast sums of money with them.
Cognitive Diversity
Back in 2017 I saw a presentation by Michael Davis (MBA, MAPM) on a subject known as Cognitive Diversity.