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Some aspects of the Top 4 articles on program development surprised us.  What was your experience in 2023?
Some aspects of the Top 4 articles on program development surprised us. What was your experience in 2023?

What are our top ranked program development articles of 2023? Do they represent market trends? We were surprised at a few of the results. We think you will be surprised, too. Let us know what you think.


The Sources of the Articles

The 14 program development articles we posted this year are based on the most interesting people and topics we encountered in our travels. For the most part, travels include the consulting assignments of JD Solomon Solutions. In some cases, the source of the article is related to the follow-up conversations from a workshop or webinar.


No Particular Order or Predetermined List

JD Solomon Solutions is a lean, niche company. That means most of the content creation for the website falls on me and not our team. Time is precious, so everything comes from the wild. The golden rule is, “See it, write about it, and post it.”  That makes looking back on the previous year's content just as informative as the articles themselves.


14 Helpful Articles on Project Development from 2023 describe the types of articles and the range of topics we touched on over the past year.


Our Definition of Program Development

We summarize program development by the 3D’s – Decisions, Development, and Delivery,


Program development requires making quality decisions in the face of high levels of complexity and uncertainty. Our proven approaches and methods for program development are based on decades of practical experience in large infrastructure, facility, asset management, reliability, and risk management programs.


Visit our program development webpage for more information.


How We Ranked Them

The top articles were ranked by a weight-of-evidence approach using the following parameters:

  • Social media views

  • Social media likes

  • Comments, including social media, email, and conversations

  • Requests for additional information, proposals, contracts

 

The Top 4 Program Development Articles of 2023


Our mix of articles is approximately two-thirds planning and one-third implementation. It’s not surprising that the Top 4 is planning-related.


The Best of the Rest


Technology and forecasting dominate the top-ranked articles. However, there is a gap in where the social media interest lies and the source of revenues for our firm. We’ll talk about that next.


What’s Surprising from the 2023 Rankings

Four topical areas contributed to a high number of conversations and projects for our firm. However, the article(s) ranked relatively low in terms of social media views and likes.

  • Construction Costs and Inflation

  • Project Funding

  • Program Management Systems

  • Master Plans

Social media can be tricky. Perhaps the articles had the wrong titles, were in saturated topical areas, failed to catch fire because they were not good, or we promoted them in the wrong place or day of the week. Interestingly, two guest articles we did on project funding on the Communicating with FINESSE website were extremely popular.


Where Does Program Development Rank Overall

Program development articles comprised 20% of the top 10 articles in the past year and 20% of the top 20. Program development was about 25% of our overall revenue in 2023.


Looking to 2024

Do our top-ranked program development articles in 2023 indicate market needs and interests? Or are our results biased based on the niche focus of our company and the small sample size of articles? Some of the results surprised us. Please give us your thoughts.


 

JD Solomon Inc. provides solutions for program development, asset management, and facilitation solutions at the nexus of facilities, infrastructure, and the environment. Subscribe for monthly updates related to our firm.

 

Do our top 4 asset management articles match your perspective? JD Solomon Inc provides solutions for asset management.
Do our top 4 asset management articles match your perspective?

What are our top ranked asset management articles of 2023? Do they represent market trends? You will be surprised by a few of the results. Let us know what you think.


The Sources of the Articles

The 15 asset management articles we posted this year are based on the most interesting people and topics we encountered in our travels. For the most part, travels include the consulting assignments of JD Solomon Solutions. In some cases, the source of the article is related to the follow-up conversations from a workshop or webinar.


No Particular Order or Predetermined List

JD Solomon Solutions is a lean, niche company. That means most of the content creation for the website falls on me and not our team. Time is precious, so everything comes from the wild. The golden rule is, “See it, write about it, and post it.”  That makes looking back on the previous year's content just as informative as the articles themselves.


15 Helpful Articles on Asset Management from 2023 describe the types of articles and range of topics we touched on over the past year.


Our Definition of Asset Management

Asset management to JD Solomon Solutions encompasses everything in ISO 55000, the international asset management standard.


We include reliability, risk, and resilience in the asset management umbrella. Our systems-based approach and practical application of root cause analysis, criticality analysis, and business cases make us different than most asset management consultants. Visit our asset management webpage for more information.


How We Ranked Them

The top articles were ranked by a weight-of-evidence approach using the following parameters:

  • Social media views

  • Social media likes

  • Comments, including social media, email, and conversations

  • Requests for additional information, proposals, contracts

 

The Top 4 Asset Management Articles of 2023

 

The Best of the Rest

 

What’s Missing from the 2023 Articles

Four big topical areas that we did not write about in the past year but were key service offerings are:

  • Criticality Analysis

  • Strategic Asset Management Plans

  • System Assessments (Reliability and Risk)

  • Monte Carlo Forecasting

We have done a lot on the first three items in 2021 and 2022. Both criticality analysis and strategic asset management plans have articles coming in early 2024. Plus, a criticality article written in early 2021 continues to generate interest in the current year.


Monte Carlo analysis has also had many articles over the past few years. Most of those have been attached to program development and not asset management.


Where Does Asset Management Rank Overall

Asset management articles comprised 50% of the top 10 articles in the past year and 40% of the top 20. That’s about right when you compare it to JD Solomon Solutions' revenue by service category.


Looking to 2024

Do our top-ranked asset management articles in 2023 indicate market needs and interests? Or are our results biased based on the niche focus of our company and the small sample size of articles? Please give us your thoughts.


 

JD Solomon Inc. provides solutions for program development, asset management, and facilitation solutions at the nexus of facilities, infrastructure, and the environment. Subscribe for monthly updates related to our firm.

 

Framing the differences of project and program development is a key for driving success.
Framing the differences of project and program development is a key for driving success.

Projects and programs are often used interchangeably. Yet, they represent distinct entities in the realm of development and management. Understanding their differences is crucial for effective planning, execution, and resource allocation. Framing the differences correctly is a big factor in success or failure.


Defining Projects and Project Development

A project is a temporary endeavor designed to create a unique product, service, or result within specified constraints such as scope, time, and resources (Project Management Institute). Project development involves the phases of planning, execution, and closure aimed at achieving specific objectives. Projects usually have a defined start and end, distinct deliverables, and a fixed budget.


Defining Programs and Program Development

A program is a collection of related projects and other activities managed together to attain strategic objectives and benefits that are not achievable if managed individually (Project Management Institute). Program development involves aligning multiple projects and activities to support overarching organizational goals. Programs usually include projects with interdependencies and shared resources.


Size Differences

The distinction between a project and a program often hinges on size, scope, and timing. A project tends to be smaller in scale and address a single objective. A project’s scope is focused and delineated, aiming for specific outcomes.


Scope Differences

In contrast, a program is more extensive, encompassing multiple projects, activities, and sometimes ongoing operations. Programs operate across a broader scope, spanning longer durations and multiple objectives that are strategically linked.


Timing Differences

The timing aspect also distinguishes projects from programs. Projects have well-defined timelines. Programs often have a more extended and continuous timeline. Program timelines evolve and adjust as projects within the program are executed and completed.


Advantages and Disadvantages of a Name

Calling a bunch of projects a ‘program’ helps people see the connections between them, plan resources better, and manage risks together. But it might make things more complicated and invite too much-unneeded oversight.

On the other hand, saying a group of projects helps manage each task separately but might miss out on how they can help each other and share resources. Considering connected projects individually also limits risk mitigation when surprises occur.


A Case Example

Mount Pleasant Waterworks decided a few years ago that it wanted a more streamlined approach for its Asset Management Program. As a management system, asset management touches everything of value in an organization. MPW had fallen into the trap of over-managing and over-meeting to the point that leadership and staff were paralyzed.


Reducing the number of projects was the first step in re-framing the asset management program was reducing the number of projects. For example, it was determined that a series of new projects for improving inventory control could be developed and implemented as a single project that required minimal oversight from the asset management core team. The tradeoff meant less control by the core team but more time to focus on more important things. The same approach is being implemented for developing and executing a series of improvements for the geospatial information system (GIS).


Moving Forward

In short, knowing the difference between a single project and a bunch of projects (a program) helps manage things better and reach bigger goals, but it also adds complexity to how they're handled. Deciding which to use depends on how they connect and the goals they aim for.


 

JD Solomon Inc provides solutions for program development, asset management, and facilitation solutions at the nexus of facilities, infrastructure, and the environment. Subscribe for monthly updates related to our firm.

 

Experts
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