allPM Today August 2010, Issue 120, Frank P. Saladis, Editor

August 2010, Issue 120, 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: I was just assigned my first project! Now what?

Twenty Common Mistakes Made by New or Inexperienced Project Managers
By Harold Kerzner, Ph.D., PMP

*The Green Project Manager
By Jacqueline Dennis, PgMP, PMP

*Starting Your New Project on the Right Foot!
A New Project Manager’s Interview with their Mentor
By George Bridges, PMP

*I was just assigned my first project! Now what?
By Giancarlo Duranti, PMP

*Ask Harry: Ten Book Recommendations
To Help You Become a Better Project Leader
By Harry Rever, PMP – Director of Six Sigma

*Black Belt Chronicles: A Better Measure:
It’s Hard to Change if You’ve Always Done it This Way
By Harry Rever, PMP – Director of Six Sigma

*Positive Leadership in Project Management – Positive Leadership in Project Management – Lessons Learned From The Last Lecture
By Frank P. Saladis, PMP

*Aplicación de la Técnica del Valor del Trabajo Realizado
(Earned Value Management) a programas que incluyen elementos de operación continua
Ing. Luis M. Arroyo Yllanes, PMP, Consultor Senior, IIL México

*Risk Doctor: Risk Process Basics
By Dr. David Hillson, PMP, FAPM

*PM Crossword Connections™: Oh No! It’s a Project!
By Frank P. Saladis, PMP

Past Issues- Archives

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Theme of the Month: I was just assigned my first project! Now what?

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

I was just assigned my first project, now what? I am sure many first- time project managers have asked that very question. Seasoned project managers may have asked a similar question; “Oh no, another project, now what?” Most people, when stepping up to a new assignment, especially one that involves some complexity and a sizable number of people and other resources will experience some anxiety.

Read more >>

June/July Poll Results

What percentage of projects can be directlyconnected to the organization's strategic goals?

a) 100% - 24.14 % (21)
b) 75-95% - 37.93 % (33)
c) 50-75% - 19.54 % (17)
d) Less than 50% - 18.39 % (16)
The August poll question is:

How well does management support newly assigned project managers?

1. Significant support with adequate PM training
2. Adequate support, some training in PM fundamentals
3. Some support to start, some on the job training
4. Minimal support, no training, learn as you go

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.

Twenty Common Mistakes Made by New or Inexperienced Project Managers
By Harold Kerzner, Ph.D., PMP

You’ve read the PMBOK® Guide several times, taken the certification exam for project managers, passed, and you are now a PMP®. Yet you still persist in making mistakes. Project managers are not infallible. Most project management training courses, even those focusing on the PMBOK® Guide, stress “generally accepted best practices.” What is not taught are discussions on what not to do as a project manager.

The Green Project Manager
By Jacqueline Dennis, PgMP, PMP

Often times I have a vivid imagination. When I thought about the focus of this month’s publication and what to write to help project managers who are managing projects for the first time, my attention was turned to the works of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known by his pen name “Dr. Seuss.” Perhaps you are familiar with Dr. Seuss’ books written for children: “Green Eggs and Ham,” “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish” and “The Cat in the Hat.” The “Cat in the Hat” is my favorite.

Starting Your New Project on the Right Foot!
A New Project Manager’s Interview with their Mentor
By George Bridges, PMP

New Project Manager: I was just assigned my first project! Now what?

Mentor: Well congratulations you are now a project manager so what do you need to do? Perhaps you need to get yourself organized as a project manager.

New Project Manager: Ok, I think I am organized so what do you mean?

I was just assigned my first project! Now what?
By Giancarlo Duranti, PMP

When project managers accept the responsibility for all aspects of project performance, including the technical quality, costs and schedule performance, they in effect put their careers on the line. If things go well, management knows precisely whom to credit. If things go poorly, management also knows precisely whom to blame.

Adapted from Earned Value Project Management (Quentin – Koppelman) pg. 152

Ask Harry: Ten Book Recommendations
To Help You Become a Better Project Leader
By Harry Rever, PMP – Director of Six Sigma

There’s nothing like a good book list. We all have our favorites; books we find interesting, helpful, or simply good for reference. I’ve read my fair share of snoozers as well as some that were just “ok.” Whether you are a project manager, a Six Sigma Green or Black Belt, or a supervisor, the following ten book recommendations can help you become a much better, and more effective, project leader. Sure, there are many others that could easily be added to the list. These ten, however, are definitely worth checking out.

Black Belt Chronicles: A Better Measure:
It’s Hard to Change if You’ve Always Done it This Way
By Harry Rever, PMP – Director of Six Sigma

An internal Six Sigma Black Belt, Will, talks with a seasoned Area Manager, Karen, about changing one of her popular back office measures. An interesting discussion ensues.

Positive Leadership in Project Management – Lessons Learned From The Last Lecture
By Frank P. Saladis, PMP

Several years ago at PMI® Seminars- Symposium (before they were renamed World Congresses) I attended a keynote presentation offered by Bob Ross. He wrote a book entitled “Lead, Laugh, and Profit- Building Productive Workplaces With Humor. (Arrowhead Publishing). It was a particularly enjoyable presentation and was filled with lots of good advice and, of course, tasteful humor. As with many presentations we attend, we sometimes pick up a gem or two of wisdom that stays with us and is never very far from our daily conscious thoughts.

Aplicación de la Técnica del Valor del Trabajo Realizado
(Earned Value Management) a programas que incluyen elementos de operación continua
Ing. Luis M. Arroyo Yllanes, PMP, Consultor Senior, IIL México

Resumen.

El presente trabajo presenta una aplicación de la técnica para medición de desempeño conocida como Earned Value Management en inglés (EVM) y Valor del Trabajo Realizado (VTR) en español para medir el desempeño de programas integrados por un grupo de proyectos que se administran simultáneamente y que tienen un elemento de operación continua como la fabricación de un producto o la explotación de un mineral.

Risk Doctor: Risk Process Basics
By Dr. David Hillson, PMP, FAPM

What should a good risk management process cover? Anyone undertaking a risky or important venture should ask themselves eight simple questions:

PM Crossword Connections™: Oh No! It’s a Project!
By Frank P. Saladis, PMP

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

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