How do leaders get to where they are? Getting to a leadership position takes a mixture of grit and determination, as well as having a range of technical and field-specific knowledge under your belt. Did you happen to notice anything missing from that list? You guessed it: it also takes soft skills. It is all […]
6 Reasons Soft Skills Are Vital For Leaders Read More »
Introduction Small business owners are the lifeblood of the global economy. Their enterprises create jobs, stimulate innovation, and foster community growth. As such, the role of a small business owner is one of immense responsibility and requires a diverse skill set. Among these skills, effective leadership is paramount. To navigate the complexities of running a
Mastering Success: 5 Key Leadership Skills Required by Small Business Owners Read More »
“I’m not a carrier pigeon!!!”
These are words that you don’t expect to hear from a Project Manager.
We laugh about it now, but when exasperated PM Marcus blurted this out after leaving a meeting, it was a cry for help.
When Project Managers Become Project Messengers Read More »
he Procurement Act 2023 came into law on 24 February 2025, promising:
“a simpler and more flexible, commercial system that better meets our country’s needs”
To “open up public procurement to new entrants such as small businesses and social enterprises so that they can compete for and win more public contracts”
“embed transparency throughout the commercial lifecycle so that the spending of taxpayers’ money can be properly scrutinised.”
In this blog we take the pulse of The Procurement Act and ask if the benefits promised are being delivered.
Benefits Realisation: Is the Procurement Act delivering for SMEs and the Public Sector? Read More »
Over three quarters (77%) of project professionals say business acumen improves strategic decision making, yet less than a fifth (18%) are highly proficient in it.
That gap is costing organisations more than they realise. Especially in I.T. projects, where the line between delivery and business value is thinner than ever.
Mind Your Own Business: How Commercial Impact Is The New IT Project Super-Metric Read More »
Straight Talk on Project Management is Stoneseed’s eBook, your go-to resource for practical, no-nonsense project and programme management anecdotes and advice!
It’s perfect summer holiday reading!!
At Stoneseed, we write at least 48 blogs a year covering everything from agile transformations to stakeholder engagement, always with our trademark passion and a light-hearted touch that gives you a fresh perspective on project management. The hope is that they’re never too technical, sales-pitchy or high-brow – we’ll save that for when we work together on your project!
8 is the magic number Read More »
AI continues to shape conversations across IT project management, increasingly augmenting and assisting project delivery.
PMs and BAs etc who have successfully integrated AI into their work now tell me it feels less like a tool and more like a colleague!
Interesting!
The other day I read a very funny article which defined the “human personalities” of various AI engines – as if the AI’s were real people.
This got us thinking: could the way these AIs handle information “mirror” how our Business Analysts, Project Managers, PMO analysts, and Change Managers tackle their roles? Also, what could we learn by mapping these AI traits to the roles that drive successful projects at Stoneseed?
GPT vs KPIs! AIs vs PMs!! OMG!! When Artificial Intelligence meets project reality Read More »
IT Project Management can be a bit like a theme park of rollercoaster rides – thrilling at first, but quickly full of twists, sudden drops, unexpected loops, and that one terrifying moment when you realise the track ahead looks … er … unfinished.
One minute you’re cruising through planning, and the next you’re free-falling through shifting priorities, budget changes, or surprise stakeholder input. That’s why you need someone riding beside you—steady, experienced, and holding your hand.
Roller coaster delivery: Managing IT projects with theme park energy Read More »
If I were to ask you what skills, presently, your IT project team has, could you open a skills matrix and show me?
Could you articulate which skills your IT projects will need in 6 or 12 months? Could you align these with your current inhouse talent?
Do you know how frequently your organisation will need specific skill sets?
Taking stock! How to identify and fill IT project talent skills gaps Read More »
With the UK facing rising employer NICs, against a backdrop of other rising costs, most businesses and organisations are tightening their belts
Whether it’s seemingly small changes (like reviewing janitorial products you purchase) or larger, strategic decisions, like staff layoffs, each of the choices you make now has an impact.
IT projects: postpone or press ahead? Read More »
