Here are 20 reasons why customer satisfaction is the most important metric in project management:

1. Customer Perception of Project Success or Failure Dictates Future Work Opportunities
2. Closely-Tied to Economic, Financial and Regulatory Fortunes of your Company
3. It is More Important Than Other Metrics such as Cost, Schedule and Scope because it Reflects a Unique Perspective from Client’s Customers, Partners and Owners
4. Because a Large Portion of PMOs Budget Expenditures on Surveys that Measure Customer Satisfaction but Are Not Directly Linked to Financial Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as Leads generation, Sales Assignments and Contract Changes
5. Because Companies Spend Millions on Efforts to Improve their Customer Satisfaction Performance but Do Not Have Single Standard Method of Measuring it
6. Because Customer Satisfaction is a Precursor Measure Which Predicts the Success or Failure of the Company’s Business Units, All Projects, Programs and Portfolios Managed by That PMO
7. Because No Project Manager Can Override His/Her Organization Overall Perception about his/her Project based on the Data Collected about Level of Customer Satisfaction Those Customers Have With Projects in that Organization
8. Because Having Clear Understanding of Your Customer’s Needs Adds Up to 50% to Your Revenues from New Contracts Compared to Projects Where there was No such Work
9. Because High Levels of Satisfaction Are Associated with Shift From Cost to Fixed Fee Pricing
10. Because High Levels of Customer Satisfaction are Associated with Increased Number of Projects, Programs and Portfolios Managed by That PMO, Which In Turn Increases the Size of Contracts and Number of Customers Serviced by that PMO
11. Because there is No Project Manager Who Can Override Data Regarding Degree of Customer Satisfaction Provided by His/Her Own Customers
12. Because High Levels of Customer Satisfaction Are Linked to Lower Cost Per Project, Program or Portfolio Work Performed for a Specific Client
13. Because Close Ties With Clients Increase Your Revenues Due to Stronger Competitive Positioning as well as from Additional Multi-Year Contract Extensions that Provide for Start-Up Funds on New Projects
14. Because More and Better Projects Are Awarded to Companies with High Levels of Customer Satisfaction
15. Because Greater Degree of Customer Satisfaction is Associated with Higher Project Budget Compared to Projects Where there was Lesser Degree of Satisfaction
16. Because When Completed on Time, On Budget and With High Quality, High Degree of Customer Satisfaction Should Be the Result in Most Cases So It Was Properly Executed (Otherwise it should be Prioritized as an Exception)
17. Because Close Ties With Clients Generate New Sales Opportunities Which Overcome Lost Revenue from Cancelled Contracts Which were Previously Supported by On-Going Activities
18. Because Close Ties With Clients Increase Your Company’s Market Share Leading to Avoidance of Competitors’ Fees
19. Because Long Term High Levels of Customer Satisfaction May Overcome a Company’s Historically Abnormal Performance in Other Budget Expenditures or Projects Failures
20. Because High Degree of Customer Satisfaction Is Associated with Greater Opportunities for Growth in Revenue and Market Share Thanks to the Favorable Perception about Your Company

Mold growth on decks or concrete surfaces can be a challenging problem to solve. Mold has the ability grow anywhere moisture is present and a food source for mold is available. Mold spores are microscopic so it is difficult to see them growing unless you have a magnifying glass or microscope as well as a trained eye for what mold looks like.

For information on your particular type of deck surface, try searching the internet for “mold-resistant” [product name] to find out if that material can help protect against mold growth. Alternatively, you could test one small area with distilled vinegar which will kill most types of mold within 2 hours if applied directly onto the affected area (see below). If no signs of mold growth appear after 3 more days, the area is probably not contaminated with mold.

If you already have a surface that allows for mold to grow, it’s best to prevent mold growth from occurring by minimizing or eliminating any possible source of mildew-causing moisture. Below are some tips on how to do this:

Make sure all deck boards and trim are sealed tightly so no water seeps underneath them into the wood itself where it can cause damage and eventually lead to mold growth.

Examine all caulking around your deck annually during fall/winter months when temperatures are cooler and less likely to condensation issues occur. Replace or repair any caulking that is cracked, peeling, missing, deteriorated or has become discolored (typically brownish in color).

Be especially careful to examine caulking around the perimeter of your deck and any area that gets lots of water runoff from rain or snow melting off your roof. Always wash down/clean up any leaves, dirt or other debris which may have accumulated on your deck in a timely fashion so they do not rot and become a food source for mold. Water left standing on decks can also lead to mildew/mold growth so it’s best to keep things dry whenever possible.

If you live in an area with high humidity levels during hot summer months, think about installing a whole-house ventilation fan as this will help bring more fresh outside air into your home (as opposed to moist inside air). In addition, you could open windows and doors throughout the house while the fan is on to further promote air circulation.

Always try to keep your house well-ventilated in general, especially during winter months when you’re not able to open windows as much because of cold weather and high energy costs. If installing a ventilation fan is not possible or if outside humidity levels are still too high despite the use of a whole-house fan, have door & window screens installed on all windows (if this hasn’t been done already).

Take 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar and pour into spray bottle that has been filled with water until no air remains inside the bottle (do not use tap water). Spray solution onto affected areas until wet but not dripping wet. Let solution sit on affected area for at least 10 minutes before you wipe clean with a lint-free rag/towel.

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