#PWWCBA Live: "Race Pace" and Collaboration

Don Mann, Former Member, Seal Team Six started off our final morning at PW&WCBA with some insights from his time with Seal Team Six and as a competitive athlete.

Don Mann signing books at PW&WCBA

Here are some of my key takeaways that can apply to the project management and business analysis world:

- be the quiet professional
- when a new member joins the team, your job is to train him to take over for you when you leave
- be confident and competent, but you won't be an expert in everything. Rely on subject matter experts
- Break macro goals up into micro goals
- Step out of your comfort zone and "train at race pace" (give it all you've got at all times)

Up next, Fredrick Redd, PMP, Director, Project Management Office, Port Authority and New Jersey Transit talked to us about "Developing & Leading an Innovative Approach to Creative, Forward-Looking Collaboration." Port Authority and New Jersey Transitis currently at a crossroads, having been in existence since 1875, there is a need for more collaboration and ultimately innovation. Organizational silos, a culture that is resistant to change and communication issues stand in the way of this. Four primary improvements challenged these silos for better collaboration:

- Public Private Partnerships
   - Reduces delays by increasing efficiency
   - Risks are weighed during all phases for better management
- Integrated Capital Management System
   - Integrate stand alone systems for better transparency of data
   - Standardize process and simplify access to data
- Net Point Scheduling Software
  - Allows intuitive view of project schedule
- BIM 4D Modeling Software
  - Used to model projects such as the World Trade Center Transportation hub, this allows the team to visualize conflicts, design changes and more.

By better communication of vision and strategy and measurement of benefits and lessons learned through these programs, the organization is continuing to break down silos and is more open to new ideas. More than the technical innovations, this transformation has also come from more "soft skills" approaches: using cross-functional teams and a stage gate process PMO.

Michelle LeBlanc is a Social Media Strategist at IIR USA and the voice behind the @Project_World twitter. She may be reached at mleblanc@iirusa.com

Live at #PWWCBA: Manipulate Your Way To Collaborative Culture

Harvey A. Robbins started us off at the first main conference day with three ways to develop a collaborative culture:
1. Select members of your team who have a natural tendency towards sharing information without the expectation of reciprocity
2. Teamwork and establishing clear expectations: Setting up goals, dividing up roles & holding people accountable
3. Manipulation: Use knowledge of personalities to build a team that works together

• "Drivers" - outcome driven, process oriented, feedback rich. Good to delegate to and task oriented. Want to hear the 'what?"
• "Expressives" - Creative, good for new product development. Want to hear the "why?"
• "Analyticals" - Will keep you from making mistakes by tracking information and details. Want to know the "How?"
• "Amiables" - People and friendship related, collaboration and communication focused. Want to know the "who?"

The question that Robbins recommends all managers keep in mind is "Who is responsible for what, by when, and how will we check with each other that we're on track?" When you are communicating with all personalities ("Broadcast versatility") you can speak to all potential readers by answer all questions and providing information on past events, future focus, details and the people that will be effected.

Michelle LeBlanc is a Social Media Strategist at IIR USA and the voice behind the @Project_World twitter. She may be reached at mleblanc@iirusa.com

One World Trade Center: Managing the World's Largest, Emotionally Charged Complex Project Build

With One World Trade Center recently surpassing the Empire State Building at New York's tallest structure and President Obama now scheduled to visit the construction site this week our thoughts here at the offices of ProjectWorld and The World Congress for Business Analysts in New York are turning to our upcoming keynote by Jim Durkin, SVP, WTC Transportation Hub, Tishman Construction Corp.

View of 1 WTC construction from the author's apartment

Durkin will be presenting "World Trade Center: Managing the World's Largest, Emotionally Charged Complex Project Build" this September at PW&WCBA For the thousands involved with the $18 billion redevelopment of the 16-acre WTC site, the common thread is patriotism, indomitable spirit and a collective will to succeed. Durkin will report on the complex overlapping infrastructure at the WTC and how it calls for mass collaboration and coordination.

According to the August 2011 issue of Engineering News-Record, "depending on who is counting, there are at least seven major projects currently under way, each with its own team and schedule but not its own site, at least not below grade. All the projects overlap in a four-level basement. Consequently, the work is also loaded with challenges"

Durkin was quoted as saying “It's all coordination—coordinating with PATH, the memorial, the streets, towers 1, 2, 3 and 4, and the vehicle security center.”

Beyond coordinating with the many entities involved with the project, there have also been various changes to the design over the course of construction.

This piece in the New York Times addressed one of the project's challenges: "As design moved to the testing phase, it became clear that the prismatic glass simply had too many technical problems to overcome and at a budget that was not cost effective,” said John Kelly, a spokesman for the Port Authority. “We have been finalizing a design that will be far more practical while being both distinctive and magnificent."

Despite challenges faced (and what project of this scale doesn't face challenges?), the project continues on and the structure is rising an average of 9.5 feet a week. Completion of the tower is anticipated in 2013. Join us for Durkin's session at ProjectWorld & World Congress for Business Analysts for some actionable insights from the process.

As a reader of our blog we'd like to offer you an exclusive 15% discount off the standard registration rate with code PW12BLOG. For more information on the ProjectWorld & World Congress for Business Analysts and to register, visit our webpage.

Michelle LeBlanc is a Social Media Strategist at IIR USA and the voice behind the @Project_World twitter. She may be reached at mleblanc@iirusa.com

Speaker Spotlight: Connie Steward, SVP Human Resources, Learning Systems and Organizational Development, Habitat for Humanity International

Recently, we looked at ProjectWorld® & World Congress for Business Analysts® keynote Don Mann of SEAL Team Six, but ProjectWorld® speakers come from many varied industries and all areas of the spectrum. Connie Steward, SVP Human Resources, Learning Systems and Organizational Development, Habitat for Humanity International faces an very different set of challenges in her day to day life, and yet the project management and business analysis insights you can take away from each of their stories have some similarities.

For example, Steward has embraced technology-enabled learning strong online distribution of tools and resources to keep her team up to speed regardless of their physical location. For a peek at the insights she has to share at ProjectWorld®, check out this feature in the Winter 2011 issue of Training Industry Quarterly.

Then, join us for "Overcoming Barriers: Finding Shared Purpose in Complex Projects" with Connie Steward & Lysa Ratliff, Senior Director Cause Marketing and Partner Communications, Habitat for Humanity International at ProjectWorld® & World Congress for Business Analysts® this September.

This hands-on session offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Habitat manages complex, multi-national events and projects. Examples show how leadership practices and project management processes can be combined to navigate in an international community project with thousands of tasks. Learn how leadership skills develop organically in experiential settings, outside the confines of a traditional hierarchy, and how creative leadership thrives in the planning, logistics and execution of wide-scale, hands-on projects.

As a reader of our blog we'd like to offer you an exclusive 15% discount off the standard registration rate with code PW12BLOG. For more information on the ProjectWorld & World Congress for Business Analysts and to register, visit our webpage.

Project World November Keynote: James A. DiMarzio, Mazda

James A. DiMarzio
Chief Information Officer
Mazda North American Operations

Since joining Mazda, DiMarzio has helped to set the strategy to implement a partnership with the business areas of MNAO to ensure alignment of information technology projects with the company's business strategy and goals. This strategy also promotes the search for opportunities to improve the efficiency of business operations through the use of cost-effective new technologies. Prior to working at Mazda, DiMarzio spent 12 years at Subaru of America in various information technology staff and management positions. Before working at Subaru of America, he spent five years with Land Rover as the general manager of information technology and two years with Agency Insurance Company as senior vice president and chief information officer.

DiMarzio has a bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Franklin and Marshall College, and an MBA from Rutgers University. He is married with three children and currently resides in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Biography courtesy of Mazda.

Project World June Speaker: Linda Jacobs Washington, Assistant Secretary for Administration, U.S Department of Transportation

On May 25, 2007, Linda Jacobs Washington was appointed as the Assistant Secretary for Administration. In this capacity, Ms. Washington serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary of Transportation on all matters relating to the organization and management of the Department and provides leadership in the delivery of centralized services to the Department's 10 operating administrations through a working capital fund. These services include human resources, security, transportation services, printing and graphics, mail, facilities, and procurement and grants programs. She was responsible for the planning and relocation of the Department to its new headquarters building in 2007. Ms. Washington joined the Department in May 2003 as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration.

Ms. Washington came to DOT after spending 9 years at the Library of Congress as the Director of Integrated Support Services (ISS). She began her career at the Library of Congress in 1994 as Chief of the Photo duplication Service, which provides microfilming services for the preservation of all of the Library's collections. As Director of ISS, she managed support operations, which included contracts and logistics, printing and mail operations, health and safety services, and facilities operations. She was the Library of Congress Designated Agency Safety and Health Official (DASHO) and the Library's Emergency Manager. As the DASHO, Ms. Washington managed critical incidents, including the 9/11 and anthrax emergencies.

In August 1997, she was asked to develop the Library's Internal University (IU) to provide training and education programs for the more than 4,000 employees of the Library of Congress. The IU's mission is to improve the Library's productivity, performance, and service to the Congress and the American public by developing management and work force knowledge and skills that promote individual and organizational excellence in support of the Library's strategic objectives. Since developing the IU, Ms. Washington implemented a Library-wide training program entitled "Facilitative Leadership", a methodology that empowers staff to work together to achieve common goals. She is also a trained facilitator and master trainer.

Prior to joining the Library of Congress, Ms. Washington spent 12 years with Xerox Corporation holding various sales and marketing positions, the last of which was in management with Xerox Business Services where she demonstrated skill at achieving customer satisfaction while meeting business goals. While at Xerox, Ms. Washington also received the President's Club Award and the Par Club Award. The team she led won one of the highest Xerox awards, "Team Excellence".

In 2003, Ms. Washington was appointed by Secretary Ann Veneman of the United States Department of Agriculture to the Board of the Department's Graduate School. Ms. Washington was honored by the Washington, DC, Chapter of the Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS), as the 2005 recipient of their Diversity Award, in Recognition of Outstanding Leadership in Transportation. The WTS, founded in 1977, is an international organization dedicated to the professional advancement of women in transportation. Ms. Washington is the Vice Chair of the Local Federal Coordinating Committee for the Combined Federal Campaign’s National Capital Region. Ms. Washington also represents the Secretary of Transportation on the Federal Council on Arts and Humanities.

In October 2007, Linda Washington was selected by the President as a recipient of the prestigious Presidential Rank Award for her leadership, professionalism and commitment to excellence in public service.

And most recently in March 2008, Ms. Washington was honored during Women’s History Month with the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Ms. Washington holds a bachelor's and master's degree from Morgan State University and the University of North Texas, respectively. She is a native of Annapolis, Maryland and has been married for 37 years to former Dallas Cowboy defensive back, Mark Washington. The Washington’s have one daughter, Lisa, who is married to David Noguera. They also have two granddaughters: Kaiya Alexis, and Reece Gabriella.

Thank you to the Department of Transportation for their gracious biography.

Find out more about our Project World 2009 June Event.

Keynote Speaker: Sunil Chandra

Sunil Chandra, Director HR Technology & Operations, GOOGLE

Accelerating Fast: HR Systems and Operations

Sunil is responsible for the technology and operations underpinning Google’s HR function. He is responsible for ensuring both the operational integrity of our people processes as well as partnering with our Engineering group to bring innovation in the way we use technology to attract, retain and grow Googlers worldwide. Prior to joining Google, Sunil was an executive responsible for large parts of Barclays Capital Global Technology Services unit and for operations at McKinsey & Co.

Business has always had to contend with change, but with the new millennium, the pace of change has increased exponentially. The availability of information on the internet and through wireless devices to an "always connected" generation has hastened the speed of innovation and removed geographic boundaries. So how do businesses deal with this rapid pace of change and build systems and scale operations in such a tumultuous environment? Google HR technology faces this paradigm everyday. Traditionally systems models thrive on incremental changes through the phases of development to launch a finished product. Today though, these models give way to a much more iterative development cycle. Rather than control information flows, we aim to liberate them. Traditional reporting gives way to real time analytics. In this session, Sunil Chandra will discuss how Google works in this atmosphere of rapid change and ambiguity and continues to achieve operational excellence in their systems and processes.