Project Management Essentials

Distilling Data Into Information

auchamore — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:41:00 +0000

Gantthead posted an excellent guest post by Claire Schwartz, Optimal Decision-Making: Turning Data into Actionable Information. Schwartz points out the difference between data and information and our role as project manager in distilling data into usable, actionable information.

Great topic for my current Project Execution and Control students. During project execution, Project Managers are bombarded with data in the form of status, test results, projections to name a few. Project Managers review this data and process it to determine its usefulness, how to present the data and ultimately figure out what the data means and how it will affect the project. Schwartz refers to the 4Cs in her post.

Check it out. It is a quick read and very useful. Your thoughts?

Project Execution – A Graphic Overview

auchamore — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:33:23 +0000

Came across this document in my travels and thought it was worth sharing with the group. Interestingly, it was initially released in 1997. I tried to find a more current version of it on the California Government site, but honestly the site is a bit hard to navigate. After reviewing the document, it seemed to stand the test of time, so without further delay, here is the State of California’s Project Execution – PM Elements. Let me know what you think.

EvCC Students – Inclement Weather Notification

auchamore — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:14:06 +0000

Update: It’s Official – The School is closing at noon today – no class tonight. We will reschedule class – bring your calendar next week so we can discuss when we have our make up session. Stay warm and safe!

Hello all. Hope you are not stressing too much over the weather. Right now EvCC is still open, but that could change as the day progresses. For information about EvCC closings due to inclement weather – check the website http://www.everettcc.edu/. You can also sign up for email and text alerts.

If the college closes, all campuses close unless otherwise noted. If the college closes, we will make up the class so relax, stay warm and be careful out there!

Get Certified – Next PMI Certification Study Group Kickoff Meeting February 19th

auchamore — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 07:15:00 +0000

Students past and present, we will meet February 19th, to kickoff the next PMI Certification Study Group. If you have completed the core courses and plan to take the certification exam in the near future, a study group is an excellent way to stay focused and study for the exam. Contact me for details.

A Different Perspective on Team Ground Rules – The Team Operating Agreement from Gantthead

auchamore — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:09:49 +0000

How we set up the basic team operating principles at the beginning of the project greatly influences the project outcomes. By determining and communicating how the team will communicate, make decisions, resolve conflicts and interact with one another at the beginning of the project, we establish a firm foundation for developing an empowered and successful team. Whether we call these operating guidelines a team charter, team ground rules or Team Operating Agreement, as Gantthead suggests, we need to discuss these issues with our teams and get their commitment at the beginning of our projects or programs.

Gantthead is an excellent resource for Project and Program Managers. Many great tools and resources are available with free registration.

Check out the Team Operating Agreement and see if meets your team needs.

Developing Mindful Leaders – HBR Post by Polly LaBarre

auchamore — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:15:03 +0000

We have all heard the stories of “Leaders Gone Wrong” and the damage they can do to their organizations, our economy and our world. How can we learn from their mistakes and lead our organizations ethically, effectively and efficiently?

Organizations spend time and energy, as well as many resources, developing leaders. Why do we continue to see examples of catastrophically bad judgement from those in leadership positions? LaBarre’s post in HBR, Developing Mindful Leaders, suggests that leadership training must be grounded in developing the inner leader; ensuring that leadership development is based on a “successful inner life”. In her post, LaBarre offers some excellent suggestions for developing our own “successful inner life”.

Keeping the Team Motivated During the Holidays

auchamore — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 20:47:36 +0000

While the attached link, Motivating Staff Over Christmas Project Management Tools, is about keeping staff motivated during the Christmas holidays, it is equally pertinent for other holiday times. Before, during and after holidays can be challenging times to manage projects or programs. Our teams have multiple competing priorities. As Project and Program Managers we can help reduce our teams’ stress and improve outcomes by anticipating and addressing these competing priorities with foresight and planning. Holidays and vacations should be a time for our teams and us to recharge our batteries and maintain good work/life balance. How do you motivate your teams during the holiday season?

Project Managing Christmas Day

auchamore — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:48:49 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

The holidays can get away from us – huge to do lists, too many activities, competing requirements from a variety of stakeholders. Christmas, or any holiday or special occasion, is an excellent time for us to practice our Project Management skills. Prospect MX has a cute post, Operation: Christmas Day, which applies Project Management principles to planning a more enjoyable, less chaotic Christmas Day.

In Praise of Libraries

auchamore — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:25:40 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Project and Program Managers need a variety of information to lead successful projects. Most of the effective Project and Program Managers I know realize that their profession requires Lifelong Learning and a conscious effort to pursue their professional development. Libraries offer a variety of resources to support Lifelong Learning and Professional Development. We are very fortunate to have amazing library systems in our area. Our local libraries provide the following services:

1) Books, magazines, DVDs, CDs and other media for check out. These items can also be ordered online for pickup.

2) Digital books, movies, audiobooks for electronic download.

3) Online databases.

4) Magazines online.

Libraries are supported by our tax dollars and donations. Libraries are a convenient way for us to learn and grow in our profession.

I have listed the local area libraries below. If you do not already use your local library, check it out. Support your local library!

Sno-Isle Library

King County Library

Seattle Public Library

Power and Politics in the Workplace

auchamore — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 07:23:37 +0000

Image by Alex E. Proimos via Flickr

Our effectiveness as Project and Program Managers is evaluated on a variety of skill sets. One very important skill set is our ability to understand and successfully navigate the political landscapes of our organizations. Organizational politics are a reality that we cannot ignore. I have listed a few resources below that discuss how we can improve our political abilities in a positive way.

Don’t Dismiss Office Politics – Teach It!

http://www.officepolitics.com/

7 Habits to Win in Office Politics