•CPA CPE: How to Survive Continuing Professional Education
Let's face it. Continuing Professional Education is work. And it is required to stay current and to raise your skill level. So what is an ideal strategy for approaching continuing education requirements for CPAs? Can it be easy, enjoyable, strategic, and even fulfilling?
In my opinion, thinking strategically about CPE is the key. Like any small business owner, you are in charge of your career and need to come up with a strategy. And strategy starts with answering some basic questions,...
•PMP Exam Prep Strategy: Learn By Distinction
There are lots of strategies for preparing for exams, and PMP exam prep is not exception. However, more often than not, the strategy stressed is to learn prepare for the PMP exam by looking at the subject from different angles. However, another approach is to learn by seeing contrasts, or learn by distinction. Here is a look at these 2 similar yet different strategies for PMP exam prep, or preparation for any exam. The best best idea is actually combine both strategies! #1 - The "Multiple...
•Now You're a PMP! What Next?
? Now You're a PMP! What Next? Congratulations! You have earned your PMP certification and reached a career milestone. While it is an accomplishment worth celebrating, after a short time, the question becomes "What's next?"
What's next?
Yes, high achievers especially experience this "What's next?" urge. I recently heard a podcast in which the author talked about the challenges and experiences of the astronauts who had walked on the moon. After years of preparation and intense focus and...
•The Ups and Downs of Strategies for Earning PDUs
Many of us PMPs struggle with just how to earn our required 60 PMP PDUs (Professional Development Units) every 3 years. I will not repeat the strategies for personal PDU management as listed in prior articles by me - see Earning PDUs and Maintaining PMP PgMP Status Is Easy and 6 Things to Consider in Your PDU Planning - and others, but I will talk a bit about aligning your current career strategy with your PMP PDU strategy.
Efficiency, Competence, and...STRATEGY As busy professionals, we...
•Project Management Training: So Many Options!
Project Management Training comes in many types, sizes, and flavors. Project Management is very popular topic at the organizational as well as professional level today, and thus PMT has become ubiquitous to support both the organizations and individual professionals. Choosing the right PMT among the plethora of options has thus become a challenge - and project - unto itself! This article provides information to help professionals concerned with choosing PMT at the organizational level. It...
•Project Management Training Courses: So Many Options!
Choosing the right PM courses among the plethora of options, however, can be daunting! This article provides some guidance to help project managers more easily sift through the myriad of options and find the ideal set of PM training courses for their situation.
Here are some steps a project manager can take to identify the most beneficial PM training courses for their situation:
1. Match Training to Current Challenges
A great place to start is to first look at current challenges and...
•Project Management Courses: So Many Options!
Choosing the right project management courses, however, can become a bit daunting because there are just so many options! This article provides some guidance to help project managers take some first steps in running the gauntlet of options to find the ideal set of PMC for their situation, and get the most out of them.
Here are some steps a project manager can take to begin to identify the most beneficial PMC for themselves:
1. Look at Current Challenges
One way best ways to start is to...
•Effectively Selling Feature, Function and Benefit To Project Stakeholders
As project managers, we often "inherit" projects once they have already been sold to and accepted by stakeholders. A sales force in a consulting organization, for example, typically sells a project that is later assigned to a project manager. A similar situation exists within organizations, where a project has been "sold" to upper management and other stakeholders.
The concept here is that the selling to the stakeholders actually continues once the Project Manager takes over. Because of this...
•Certification Crazy?! Check the 'Other Side of the Coin'
Certification Crazy?! Check the 'Other Side of the Coin' I recently encountered a woman who was repatriating back to the US, having spent much of the past 15 years in Europe. She had extensive project management experience and had her own consulting company in Europe. She said that, as part of her 're-integration' to the US market, she needed a certification, a credential that would carry some weight and open some doors, as many people she was meeting were asking her. We discussed the...
•Project Management as Related to Task Management
Project managers manage...projects! Or, do they? Actually, I put forth that, at the end of the day, all project managers do is manage tasks. In fact, in a final analysis, all any manager does ultimately is manage tasks. This premise is based on the idea that, again in the final analysis, all that matters is action -- and action comes in the form of performing tasks. What various levels of management - i.e. project, department, organizational, and the like - do is simply manage more complex...
•Redefining Oneself in Turbulent Times: Whitewater Or Ocean Liner?
? As times change, professionals need to adapt. This is relatively easy for some, but very difficult for others. So the challenge for all is to determine the most appropriate strategies for dealing with turbulent times. One framework for consideration is to think in terms of the "whitewater" approach versus "ocean liner" approach, as these can provide good analogies for work environments today. Arguably, the whitewater approach is more in tune with today's environment, but not as much so with...
•Barack Obama's Impact On the Project Management World
With the election of Barack Obama as president of the United States and his coming inauguration in January, many are predicting his impact in specific areas. While his priorities are shifting, and will probably continue to in the face of current critical needs, there are likely to be some continuing themes that remain consistent throughout his time in office, and they can provide some guidance as to what to expect. This is a good opportunity to think through what some of the impacts will be...
•6 Levels of Understanding: Evaluating Readiness to Take the PMP or CAPM Exam
When preparing for the the PMP or CAPM exam, or any certification exam for that matter, the top challenge that everyone faces is evaluating personal readiness to take the exam. How does one assess readiness? Most people have experienced various levels of confidence, and have utilized various techniques and discovered what does and does not work from trial and error. This article discusses a cognitive framework for evaluating readiness to take the PMP, CAPM, or any other certification exam....
•Putting the Short Term and Long Term in Perspective
In these lean times, cutbacks, scarcity of funding, and the need to streamline are symptoms of a tough environment. However, many of these management practices should really be occurring in both good times and bad. In portfolio management, especially, it is important to manage a healthy balance between short term and long term considerations. It is all a balancing act, and the equation really only changes slightly during a downturn, such as we are currently experiencing. Actions may be more...
•10 Goals for Advanced Project Management Training
Often professional project managers find that when they go for a certification, such as the PMP certification, they are surprised at how much they learn in the process. While experience is very valuable, especially in feeling more than comfortable with the basics, there is always a great deal of improvement available to studying a structured and comprehensive approach. Often, then, after earning the certification, the big question is how can more experienced and certified project management...
•Environmental Consciousness For Project And Program Managers
For many years, the debate over global warming and environmental consciousness has raged. This debate has become deeply embedded into the political consciousness, in most places around the world. This debate will surely continue for a long time to come, and it will be a long time before any claims are proven to be indisputably accurate. However, when the rhetoric and debate is all cleared away, what is it that Project Managers and Program Managers can do now to incorporate environmental...
•4 Ways for Project Managers to Build Stronger People Skills
It has been said many times that people skills are the most important to career success. However, we do see a great emphasis on "tools", whether it is in project management frameworks, or MBA programs, or Six Sigma, or any other approaches. More often than not, there is a noticeable lack of people skill development embedded in these programs, as people skills are usually not at the core of these. How can a project or program manager hone these skills, as they are so important to continued...
•Surpassing Customer Expectations Without Gold-Plating
If one were to undergo project management studies, they will initially tell you that you must avoid gold-plating. Overall, it is not of the company's best interests.
Whenever you establish a company or organization, one of the first steps to take is establish a set of standards. This will serve as the barometer when meeting customer needs and services provided by the company. However, the idea of gold-plating causes several issues surrounding the whole idea of project management to arise....
•Start a Project and Find Inspiration From Within
Starting a project entails quite a few dilemmas. One either lacks the idea or has an idea but has no clue on how to get it started. In professional situations, more often than not the professional project manager is simply handed a project. In any case, having a good level of conviction about the project is a key enabler at the outset of a successful project.
Starting A Project
It is inevitable that when working on a project, one will encounter a few obstacles that prevent the realization...
•Leverage Upper Management Perspective To Survive Tough Times
In times of crisis, such as the current worldwide recession , the role that project or program managers perform is critical. The dramatic changes in the economic situation has led to quite a few people losing jobs as companies cut costs or restructure their organization. Many projects and programs have been canceled due to severe crisis. How can project and program managers cope with this crisis?
Coping With Crisis
This dilemma might shake up the stability of many organizations. However,...
•7 Tips Toward a More Effective Virtual Team
Virtual teams, software program outsourcing, and projectization are fast becoming quite common in organizations. With new advancements in technology, these have enabled companies to broaden opportunities and create more possibilities for some people to work remotely. At the same time, these offer special challenges for both project managers and members of these virtual team.
Knowledge of Project Specifics
One essential question to ask when tapping non-project managers to handle your projects...
•ITIL and Project Management: Where's the Fit?
? It is always good for professionals to combine the right sets of expertise. For someone involved with IT infrastructure projects, ITIL is a great complementary certification. What I find is that often the specialty knowledge drives the PRODUCT of efforts, but the project management skills drives the PROJECT that produces the PRODUCT. On solid technical teams, that second mindset is often missing.
Background When you get any level experience in the workplace, you realize that the world is...
•Documenting Your Project Management Experience for the PMP Application
One of the challenges in becoming a PMP is successfully filling out the PMP application! The most time consuming part is documenting the experience required at professional project management, leading and directing project tasks. The minimum requirements are:
-3 years/36 months and 4,500 hours with a bachelor's degree -5 years/60 months and 7,500 hours with a bachelor's degree
The challenge is digging up all of the information on that past experience and getting it into the right format for...
•Making a Plan to Pass the PMP Exam
Passing the PMP exam is challenging, but several hundred thousand people have done it! What is the secret? One of the keys is to put into practice the discipline, practices, tools, and frameworks that are the subject of the exam! Make a plan based upon the many structures, terms and concepts that are part of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). These are the things that experienced Project Managers will learn that takes them beyond their project management experience base. This...
•Lean versus Six Sigma: What's the Difference? What's the Controversy?
Lean versus Six Sigma: What's the Difference? What's the Controversy? Many professionals ask "What is Lean?", some ask "What is Six Sigma?", and of course still others ask "What is Lean Six Sigma?" As it turns out, these approaches address similar problem sets but attack them differently. Here is a look at what they are, the difference, the similarities, and the synergies.
The difference between Lean and Six Sigma can be summarized as follows:
Six Sigma = Reduced process variation...
•How to Satisfy 35 Hours of Project Management Training for the PMP
Project Managers who aspire to take the PMP exam need to have 35 hours of documented training in the area of project management. However, there is some level of misunderstanding around just how they can achieve this. Many believe they must take specialized and expensive courses, and some are not aware that some of the training and education they already have may qualify. Others think they need to acquire a single 35 hour certificate. Here is a survey of the ways PMP aspirants can satisfy...
•Earning PDUs Is A Breeze
Many Project Management Professionals (PMPs) seem to find it challenging to earn the 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) required of them every 3 years. This does not have to be so challenging or daunting as many think! It is actually quite easy, and it can (and should!) fit into the regular routine as well as professional and personal goals that most professionals have. Here are some ideas on how PMPs can easily gain the required 60 PDUs in the natural course of business.
Having...
•Portfolio Management and Six Sigma Projects
Six Sigma projects are derived from organizational strategy, in the same way that organizational strategy drives the selection of all projects and programs in an organization's Portfolio. So, how do the business drivers that are at work result in some projects being Six Sigma projects, and others not?
Business Drivers and Project Selection Business drivers are the starting point for any project selection process because of their close relationship to organization strategy. Business drivers...
•Which is Better: PMP or MBA?
? I have seen many posts out in the forums and blogs wondering whether it is better to go for a PMP or MBA. I think there is great value in both, but I think they serve 2 different purposes. Having earned both a PMP and an MBA, I have some definite thoughts on this, but of course in the end it is a personal decision.
Many people may remember the movie "The Wizard of Oz", and how The Great Oz described a university education to the scarecrow, who lamented "if I only had a brain". He was...
•Projectization and Project Management Essentials for Non-Project Managers
Professional Project Management is becoming more pervasive. Like "electrification" occurred during the era of proliferation of electricity, "projectization" is occurring throughout the workforce and organizations. Most of the emphasis I have seen is on professional project management. However, most people will not be professional project managers, but rather will be team members, support personnel, subject matter experts, department managers, C-level executives, and the like. This article...
•Project Management Intersects With Business Analysis
Business Analyst skills are important to have on the project team, and not a bad thing for a Project Manager to have! In either case, the business analysis function is one that needs to be managed with care and the wisdom of experience. This entails putting the business analysis function into perspective.
Consider the roles that business analysts typically play: requirements management, systems analysis, business analysis, requirements analysis, or consulting. One key concept within the...
•Distinguishing Portfolio Management, Program Management, and Project Management
There is often a misunderstanding, and hence a mixed and overlapping use of terms, when it comes to program management. Sometimes a program is called a project. Sometimes a project is called a program. In addition, sometimes project portfolio and program are mistakenly used interchangeably. This article is intended to clarify the main differences and to distinguish the unique aspects of project portfolios, programs, and projects.
A great way to start to think about these is to think in...
•2 Keys to Reduce Project Risk in the Requirements Process
Gathering and managing requirements are important challenges in project management. Most projects succeed or fail based upon the quality of the project requirements. Projects can fail due to poor requirements at the beginning, or at any time throughout the lifecycle if the continuously evolving baseline of requirements is not managed effectively. Projects are like snowflakes; no single project is exactly the same as another. The Project Manager needs to assess and understand the uniqueness...
•Driving Project Success with Effective Project Integration Management
Project Management involves a great deal of discipline in making sure that "all the i's are dotted and t's are crossed'. Project Integration Management is a knowledge area of the PMBOK that the project manager can leverage to drive the required results and effectively manage the process. This article explores the keys to driving the required results, and also how to effectively manage the project management process using the Project Integration Management framework.
Driving Results - the...
•How to Projectize People and Adopt a Project Culture
Many organizations are "projectizing" and developing a strong and effective project management infrastructure. There are challenges along the way, and a number of approaches. However, regardless of the approach, changing the culture to be aligned to formal project management will involve aligning people, one by one, by empowering them with formalized project management knowledge. To accomplish this, organizations can do well to develop a granular approach to empowering their people through...
•Use Organization Strategy to Drive Project Portfolio Management
Business or organizational strategy is intended to drive all decisions within an organization. It provides a direction, a rallying point, and a litmus test for decisions at all levels. Hence, it only stands to reason that strategy would drive the projects, programs, and the project portfolio management process. Good projects map well to organizational goals. In fact, the best organizations make sure their initiatives are in alignment with their strategic plan. Whether for project initiation...
•Project Portfolio Management: Close the Loop!
Project Portfolio Management takes place in between strategy formulation and implementation of the actual projects. Projects are supposed to arise out of Organizational strategy is intended to set the general direction and lay out the guidance for determining the types and which projects to implement. Project Management resides in the realm of implementation and comes onto the scene after the strategic direction has been set, and after the project portfolio has been determined and...
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