allPM Today August 2009, Issue 111, Frank P. Saladis, Editor

August 2009, Issue 111, Frank P. Saladis, Editor

President and Chief Executive Officer
of IIL
E. LaVerne Johnson

Senior Executive
Director of IIL
Dr. Harold Kerzner

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In this Issue:

*allPM's Letter from the Editor, Frank P. Saladis, PMP

*allPM June/July Poll Results and New Poll Question

*Theme of the Month: Project Management and Organizational Culture

Managing Transversality and Transparency in Organizations
By Ian Stokes, PMP

*Maneuvering the Common Organizational Culture Roadblocks
By Karen Quagliata, PMP

*Brainstorming Your Team to Happiness
By Laura B. Moore, PMP

*Kicking It Off
By Steven P. Blais, PMP

*Positive Leadership In Project Management – Developing “Connectic- Energy”
By Frank P. Saladis, PMP

*If You Think You Can Do Without a Business Analyst… Think Again!
By Maureen McVey, PMP and George Bridges, PMP

*PMI-SP®: Here is How We Cracked It
Part 1 – Explore the Credential
By Cindy Lewis, PMP and Prakash Vaidhyanathan, PMP

*Claves para alcanzar la tan valiosa “eficiencia” en los proyectos
Por Francisco Ambriz, PMP

*Risk Doctor: Prioritising Risks as Simply as Possible
By Dr. David Hillson, PMP, FAPM

*PM Crossword Connections™: Culture Connection
By Frank P. Saladis, PMP

Past Issues- Archives

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From the Editor's Desk— Frank P. Saladis, PMP

Imagine an organizational culture where being on time, within budget, and according to specifications is the norm. Think about a culture where conflict is solved through facilitation, effective listening, idea generation, and respect for each person’s point of view. A culture where leadership is clearly demonstrated at every level and the focus is on organizational performance and well-being and where the customer is considered the top priority.

Read more >>

June/July Poll Results

How can you tell if your PM training has been successful?

a) Pre and Post Course Testing - 2.00 %
b) Manager sees improved Job Performance - 4.00 %
c) Previously challenging tasks are now easier to perform - 4.00 %
d) Delivering Projects on time and within budget - 12.00 %
e) All of the Above - 78.00 %

The August poll question is:

Using Deal & Kennedy’s definition, how would you describe your company’s organizational culture?

a) Tough-Guy Macho – fast paced, big rewards
b) Work Hard / Play Hard – few risks, rapid feedback
c) Bet your Company – unknown results, high stakes
d) Process Culture – consistent results, red tape

If you have not already done so, please stop by allPM.com and add your opinion today.
Test your PM knowledge. allPM will be posting sample PMP test questions and answers daily. Don’t miss out - visit allPM today.

Theme of the Month: Project Management and Organizational Culture

Managing Transversality and Transparency in Organizations
By Ian Stokes, PMP

You could say that project management is faced with a kind of ‘triple whammy’:

Projects are important for companies, because they are all about investing in the future, innovations and change.
Projects are difficult because, by definition, projects involve doing something that has not been done before; this poses a learning challenge.
Most companies underinvest in projects, compared to investment in other processes such as payments, logistics and customer relations. This is now due for a change, surely.

Maneuvering the Common Organizational Culture Roadblocks
By Karen Quagliata, PMP

While an organization’s culture can provide a solid foundation for its success, it can also inadvertently put up unnecessary roadblocks when it comes to managing and implementing projects. This article examines some of the more common culture-based roadblocks and how project management professionals can address them.

Brainstorming Your Team to Happiness
By Laura B. Moore, PMP

Activities that promote fast thinking can make people feel good. At least that’s what researchers at both Princeton and Harvard Universities found in a recent study highlighted in Scientific American Mind. (Carpenter, S., 2009, “Think Fast,” Scientific American Mind), After conducting their study, the researchers concluded that thinking fast resulted in feelings of elation and creativity and, to a lesser degree, increased energy and feelings of empowerment.

Kicking It Off
By Steven P. Blais, PMP

In American football, the game does not start until the ball is kicked. The kickoff marks the end of the planning and preparation and signals the start of the real business of winning the game.

Read more >>

Positive Leadership In Project Management – Developing “Connectic- Energy”
By Frank P. Saladis, PMP

The truly effective leader knows that organizational success or project success depends on the motivation and commitment of the employees or the team. The leader is the enabler and creates the environment for success. Project managers who believe that they must control the team through orders, disciplinary measures, and formal authority are missing the point.

If You Think You Can Do Without a Business Analyst… Think Again!
By Maureen McVey, PMP and George Bridges, PMP

In this article, we will introduce you to how the Business Analysis (BA) discipline can contribute to strategic, project, and organizational success. In other words, how does Business Analysis add value to the organization? In addressing and answering this question, we will cover the following topics: growth in interest in the business analyst, The International Institute for Business Analysis (IIBA®), the role of the Business Analyst, required skills of a Business Analyst, and how the Business Analyst works with the Project Manager (PM) and the business community.

PMI-SP®: Here is How We Cracked It
Part 1 – Explore the Credential
By Cindy Lewis, PMP and Prakash Vaidhyanathan, PMP

If you are looking to complement your Microsoft® Project certification or begin or enhance a career in scheduling or even project management, you may want to consider earning the Project Management Institute’s (PMI®’s) Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP®) certification. This new credential was introduced in May 2008 to offer a path toward a professional-level certification to anyone who wants to demonstrate knowledge in the skill area of scheduling.

Claves para alcanzar la tan valiosa “eficiencia” en los proyectos
Por Francisco Ambriz, PMP

El éxito de los proyectos no sólo radica en que se logren los resultados, también es importante que estén alineados con la estrategia empresarial y que sus resultados se vayan alcanzando conforme se planea a lo largo de su ciclo de vida.

Risk Doctor: Prioritising Risks as Simply as Possible
By Dr. David Hillson, PMP, FAPM

A lot of effort goes into prioritising risks, so that an appropriate level of attention can be devoted to dealing with them. Several different parameters can be used to rank risks, although it is common to use just two: probability and impact. Other relevant factors might include urgency, manageability, or response cost etc.

PM Crossword Connections™: Culture Connection
By Frank P. Saladis, PMP

(Click here or the image above for a crossword in a new window. )

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