PMs & BAs Learn New Skill Sets for the Future

Have you had a chance to look over the agenda, and see why ProjectWorld® &World Congress for Business Analysts® is the can't miss event of the year for project managers and business analysts?

We are excited to invite you to join us November 8-10 in Orlando, FL Take a look at all the new content and networking opportunities.

The chance to network with over 200 professionals in the project management and business analysis insights industries.

Visit www.projectworld.com to see a snapshot of the types of people you'll meet and get to know.

The latest and greatest for all your hot buttons.
The agenda covers: Project Management Office, Agile, Business Rules, Project Portfolio Management, the PM/BA Partnership, the Future of IT, Building Project Management and Business Analysis Skill Sets for the Future, Collaboration, Communication & Leadership, Tools, Techniques & Trends, and much more.

Earn up to 36 PDUs/CDUs with just one conference investment.
It's important to keep up-to-date on your professional education credits, and we're making it easier for you - earn almost half of the necessary credits in one place. (That's more than half of the PDUs/CDUs needed to maintain your certification!)

Face time with counterparts in your industry.
Enjoy an interactive environment where you can discuss issues with your peers that are privy to your own industry.

Your Space & World Café Collaborative Activities.
Participate in brainstorming and conversation with your peers to ask and answer the critical questions you have about your PM and BA needs.

Official Event Executive Summary.
Get a wrap up of all the key topics and deliverables revealed throughout PW&WCBA's sessions in a document you can take back and share with your colleagues.

NEW for 2010! We're offering a NEW year-round comprehensive learning experience. Within one conference package you'll receive exclusive access to the 2010 on-demand Web Seminar Series PLUS, access to the live PW&WCBA conference in November. That's up to 36 PDUs/CDUs in just one package!

The industry's leading companies will be attending- don't get left behind- gain the skills, insights and techniques you need to be more valuable to yourself and your organization.

We hope to see you in Orlando this November!

ProjectBest Practices: It's a Small World & the Value of PMO

This Newsletter has been brought to you by ... ProjectWorld® & The World Congress for Business Analysts USA®

I have conducted a significant amount of international business this year. While spanning the globe, I realized it is a small, small world.

Countries, cultures and landscapes may differ, but project management challenges in business today seem eerily similar.

Here are some common trends I observe:

• PMO's continue to get a bad rap
• Project managers like to collect tools and templates with little thought to their value in supporting project needs or improve project practices
• Project teams are difficult to manage
• Project managers don't receive the respect they deserve
• Executives still don't get it

Beginning today and throughout future issues, I will provide my thoughts on each of these topics. Let's start with #1. In spite of increasing evidence showing direct correlation to project/business results when a PMO exists, organizations continue to have a love/hate relationship with PMO's. I believe there are five business values you can expect with a PMO:

1. Speed as a competitive advantage. An easy-to-use project management methodology enables people to move from vision to completion quickly.
2. Customer Satisfaction. Organizations that adopt project management see improvements in customer satisfaction. Because many projects are focused on product development, operations and process improvements, they directly improve the experience of the customer.
3. Proven Results. Monitoring project activities can improve overall project performance. Having "big brother" monitor project progress keeps people focused and driven.
4. Optimize Resources. Balancing resources between project needs and operational demands is tricky. Organizations that have project offices are better at managing limited resources to meet both needs.
5. Knowledge is Power. By capturing best practices and knowing what is and isn't working, companies can turn that information into insight and continuously improve project results supporting business success.

Declaring PMO value and sustaining it must mean relating back to business value. Does your PMO have a value proposition?

Now its time for you to join the conversation - Share your ideas, suggestions and thoughts on what the successful project manager looks like on our LIVE discussion on LinkedIn.

Contributor: Lisa DiTullio (Lisa DiTullio & Associates)

Earn up to 36 PDUs in one ticket. Register today.
ProjectWorld® & The World Congress for Business Analysts®
November 8-10, 2010 | Walt Disney World Swan, Orlando, FL
Be sure to visit www.projectworld.com for tools, articles, templates and event updates.

Interested in sponsoring? Contact Melissa Ashley, mashley@iirusa.com mashley@iirusa.com.


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Resolving conflicts within your team

No matter the project size, when the going gets rough, conflicts seem to rear their ugly heads. As a Project Manager, its your responsibility to ensure that the projects get through on time and on budget, and sometimes the only barriers to this success is your team. Blame egos, blame bad reporting structures, blame whatever you'd like - conflicts are unavoidable. Thankfully, we have a reminder today on how to resolve these conflicts with Gina Abudi of ProjectSmart.co.uk. Abudi writes, that a great starting point is to sit down with the team members and listen to their complaints.

Check out Abudi's outline for the discussion:

Schedule a first meeting with the individuals who are having the conflict to discuss:

• What is (are) the issue(s)? Get it all out on the table - let them vent.
• What are their perspectives?
• Work with the parties to develop criteria for solutions to their conflict.
• Ask them to think about what they can do to get past the issue, or put it aside, based on the criteria for resolution they agreed to, in order to move forward with working together. What alternatives exist? This should happen overnight - let them sleep on it.

Abudi offers that subsequent meetings may be needed in order to resolve this conflict within your team. Be sure to check out the article for details.

Resolving Project Team Conflicts

How do you handle conflicts within your team? Let us know on Twitter @Project_World

Are you using Agile on personal projects?

Great article today from Michele Sliger who asked her Twitter followers whether or not anyone was using an agile technique to help them plan their individual efforts and if they were, what were they using. Sliger found that many of the respondents were using Personal Kanban. Find out more about Personal Kanban here. What is interesting about Sliger's piece is that she showcased a very practical, very "old school" way of organizing our personal time. As project managers, we are inundated with the next software, planning system or meeting style to get our project done on time and on budget. But how awesome is it to have something as simple as a Personal Kanban to keep track of all of the little projects that may not fall into the digital sector? What other techniques to you use to keep your personal projects going?

Be sure to check out Michele Sliger's blog for more information.

Complimentary Webinar: Proud's and Sorry's for Agile Project Management and Business Analysis

Date: Wed, Sep 22, 2010
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
Register: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/332931945
Priority code: M2220W1Blog

Get a preview of the new Agile Summit taking place at the Project World® & World Congress for Business Analysts® when some of our Agile Summit speakers share a taste of their journey to agile. In a matter-of-fact roundtable style, your Summit speakers-- representing a cross-industry managers and analysts on the front lines-- share their “prouds” and “sorrys” of transitioning to agile.

The roundtable discussion cover four unique themes:

• Delivering Value
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Technical Practices
• Communication and Change

Facilitated by agile coach and requirements expert Ellen Gottesdiener, join us to learn essential kudos and regrets from your industry peers who are in the midst of making agile work in their organization. Don’t miss this freewheeling yet frank exchange.

Roundtable Participants:

• Manoj Vadakkan, Agile Coach/ Release Manager, CGI Federal
• Susan Block, Lead Business Systems Analyst, The Vanguard Group
• Janet Bartz, Head of Section, Information Technology, Education Support Systems, Mayo Clinic
• David Grabel, Director, Applications Development, Monetrics

Moderated by Ellen Gottesdiner, Founder/Principal Consultant, EBG Consulting, Inc.

Register for the webinar below
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/332931945

Soft skills development is crucial for project managers

It's no surprise that many project manager's fall a little short when it comes to soft skills. Busy working on the needs of the day, these purveyors of process often find their communication and leadership skills fall by the wayside. Soft skills, including leadership, team management, stress management, facilitation, coaching/mentoring, and conflict resolution are equally important to technical skills of the savvy project manager. Writes Rupen Sharma, PMP regarding client-side project managers, "As a client-site project manager, your main responsibility is to understand the client’s requirements, build relationships, and spot opportunities that’ll provide greater client value. You will also probably handle client escalations and ensure client satisfaction."

Learn more about soft skills development by visiting the Brighthub.com article.

What soft skills of yours need a bit of help?

Learn more: Project Management Soft Skills Development

Good collaboration is key within project planning teams

Method123.com has a nice article on the importance of collaboration within project planning teams and we'd like to share it with our blog readers. The article showcases how project planning teams no longer work in one office and brainstorm project requirements in the large conference room. Project teams have become global, with many team members working across the globe - this is where project management software and consistent reporting become key to project success. Method123.com writes, with project planning in teams by digital means, input can be received from any point on the globe where an important team member is located. This allows for companies to hire the best employees no matter what their location is.

What is your strategy for project planning with teams across the globe? What software and process work best for your work?

Learn more: Project Planning In Teams Takes a Good Collaboration Effort

The Future of IT Isn’t What It Used to Be

Did you know that 75% of business leaders view IT as critical to success but only 25% of business leaders consider themselves “smart” about IT? As a result of this competency gap, existing IT assets are not fully exploited. IT capacity constrains innovation, and the potential of emerging “anytime-anywhere” technologies is difficult to realize. Join Susan Cramm, author of 8 Things We Hate About IT, for a provocative discussion about increasing the IT-smarts of your organization. "The Future of IT Isn’t What It Used to Be" live at Project World & World Congress for Business Analysts Conference 2010, November 8-10, 2010 in Orlando.

• The future of corporate IT
• The “Gentle Slope” of IT-Smarts
• IT-Smarts Initiatives and Implementation Strategies

Find out more about PW&WCBA 2010 - visit the event's website for complete event details.

Complimentary Webinar: Proud's and Sorry's for Agile Project Management and Business Analysis

Date/Time: Wed, Sep 22, 2010 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
Register: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/332931945

Get a preview of the new Agile Summit taking place at the Project World® & World Congress for Business Analysts® when some of our Agile Summit speakers share a taste of their journey to agile. In a matter-of-fact roundtable style, your Summit speakers-- representing a cross-industry managers and analysts on the front lines-- share their “prouds” and “sorrys” of transitioning to agile.

The roundtable discussion cover four unique themes:

• Delivering Value
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Technical Practices
• Communication and Change

Facilitated by agile coach and requirements expert Ellen Gottesdiener, join us to learn essential kudos and regrets from your industry peers who are in the midst of making agile work in their organization. Don’t miss this freewheeling yet frank exchange.

Roundtable Participants:

• Manoj Vadakkan, Agile Coach/ Release Manager, CGI Federal
• Susan Block, Lead Business Systems Analyst, The Vanguard Group
• Janet Bartz, Head of Section, Information Technology, Education Support Systems, Mayo Clinic
• David Grabel, Director, Applications Development, Monetrics

Moderated by Ellen Gottesdiner, Founder/Principal Consultant, EBG Consulting, Inc.

Register for the webinar below
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/332931945

Steps to follow when making a tough decision

Making the tough decisions can be a hard road and we all could use a refresher when it comes to a particularly difficult decision. The folks over at Silicon Beach Training offer a few great tips on decision making and how individuals can organize their thoughts and their team for a better decision outcome.

Here are their top eight tips for decision making:

1. Be clear about what outcome you want
2. Consider what appears to be the most appropriate course of action
3. Look at the alternatives; consult your peers, team, colleagues for ideas
4. Explore the consequences of each alternative
5. Choose one
6. Implement it
7. Review it
8. Make any appropriate changes for next time

Sounds far too easy, right? But as project managers know, making the process streamlined and clear will help to avoid problems and keep the projects and decisions in line. But what if making the decision isn't completely up to you? Group decisions don't have to be a pain, check out the Silicon Beach Training post for more information.

What tips can you share with us for making tough decisions? We'd like to hear your thoughts.

Complimentary Webinar: Proud’s and Sorry’s: Agile Project Management and Business Analysis A Preview of the Agile Summit at Project World

Join us for a Complimentary Webinar on September 22, 2010
12PM - 1PM EST
Space is limited.

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/332931945
Priority code: M2220W1Blog

Get a preview of the new Agile Summit taking place at the Project World® & World Congress for Business Analysts® when a some of our Agile Summit speakers share a taste of their journey to agile. In a matter-of-fact roundtable style, your Summit speakers-- representing a cross-industry managers and analysts on the front lines-- share their “prouds” and “sorrys” of transitioning to agile.

The roundtable discussion cover four unique themes:
• Delivering Value
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Technical Practices
• Communication and Change

Facilitated by agile coach and requirements expert Ellen Gottesdiener, join us to learn essential kudos and regrets from your industry peers who are in the midst of making agile work in their organization. Don’t miss this freewheeling yet frank exchange.

Improving meetings when you're not in charge

EstherDerby.com's recent post, "How to Improve a Meeting When You're Not in Charge" is a helpful list of ways that you can improve a meeting even before you accept the invitation in your Outlook.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Ask for an Agenda Ahead of Time
When you receive a meeting notice, ask for an agenda. Make your request in the spirit of the best use of everyone’s time: “Knowing the agenda will help me come prepared to participate.” You can also say, “Knowing the purpose of the meeting will help me determine whether I can contribute.”

Facilitate from Where You Sit
A well-timed question or comment has saved many a meeting. Here’s a sampling of tactics that I use to facilitate from the back of the room. One word of caution about facilitating from the back of the room: Do this only if you genuinely want to be helpful. If you’re feeling snide, it will come across in your voice.

Help Others Participate
You can help the meeting when you help others participate. If you see a quiet person trying unsuccessfully to break into the conversation, say “I think Jennifer has something to say.” Don’t force her to speak, but make an opening if she wants to take it. You can also help when a speaker is interrupted: “I think we may have cut Josh off before he had a chance to finish. Josh?” Then Josh can finish his though if he wants to, and the interrupters will be a bit more aware of their behavior.

The article offers a number of other ways that you can help a meeting to be a success and ensure that you're work doesn't pile up at your desk. Check the article and pass it along - this may be a new era for meetings.

What other tips do you have for improving a meeting? DM us @Project_World

How do you organize Compile Times?

Llewellyn Falco released an excellent video on how he organizes compile times on his blog. He offers that businesses can save thousands and even millions of dollars by paying attention to compile times and using them efficiently and correctly. We've re-posted his video here, but we encourage you to check out Llewellyn's blog. What tips do you have for compile times? DM us @Project_World