Sunday, September 15, 2013

5 Critical Factors for Project Manager Success

By June R. Jewell, CPA

Succeeding as a project manager (PM) is a tough job these days. When you consider all of the tasks that the typical project manager has to perform, it is no wonder that many project managers get frustrated or even fail! I did an analysis of the typical duties of the PMs that work for our clients, and here is a comprehensive but not necessarily complete list of the responsibilities that get thrown at PMs on a daily basis:
  • Responding to RFPs and creating proposals
  • Estimating project fees
  • Business development and networking (including events, social media, etc.)
  • Budgeting and planning projects
  • Project financial management
  • Project quality control
  • Management of the project timeline
  • Reviewing and approving employee time and expenses
  • Reviewing and approving client billing
  • Collecting Accounts Receivable (AR)
  • Managing subcontractors
  • Scheduling and using resources effectively
  • Maintaining high utilization
  • Solving client problems
  • Nurturing client relationships
  • Recruiting and interviewing new hires
  • Mentoring and training staff
  • Managing staff performance, and dealing with performance and behavior issues
  • Managing contractual requirements and deliverables
  • Preparing for and attending internal and external meetings
  • Documentation of work product

Monday, July 22, 2013

The Human Factor Formula for Project Managers

The Human Factor Formula for Project Managers
Kevin Ciccotti is a Certified Professional Coach/Speaker/Trainer who has written an e-book specifically to help Project Managers to more effectively lead their teams. He is an authority on creating empowered, sustainable relationships within organizations that lead to increased engagement, higher productivity, and overall greater success while also reducing stress and conflict.

In his first e-book, "The Human Factor Formula for Project Managers; What the PMBOK Doesn't Tell You About Working With People," Kevin brings to light some of the foundational elements of his work as a Coach and Trainer. This e-book provides Project Managers with the ability to more deeply understand themselves and how they respond to the circumstances and challenges of their day-to-day work, and tips on how they can make meaningful changes to help them become more effective in leading their teams to success. If we are to become more effective leaders within our organizations, our communities, and our families, we must first learn to lead ourselves better. This e-book will give you the ability to do just that.

If you're looking for a new approach to leading project teams, one that doesn't rely on "the way we've always done it" and truly offers the most forward-thinking, cutting edge tools and strategies in personal development and human behavior, then this is the e-book for you. Read it, practice it, and use what you've learned to redefine your personal leadership style.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Project Management Book Club Shut Down

It saddens me to announce that after two years I have decided to shut down the Project Management Book Club. I think the club was a good idea, but I just wasn't able to figure out a way to get the level of participation that I desired. As a result, I've decided to direct my efforts elsewhere.

I'd like to thank the authors that allowed us to feature their books in the early studies:

Peter Taylor--The Lazy Project Manager
Elizabeth Harrin--Social Media for Project Managers
Todd Williams--Rescue the Problem Project
Gary Nelson--Gazza's Guide to Project Management

We also had about a dozen other authors and booked lined up. To you I am also greatful.

Finally, thank you to those that participated in the studies. I wish I had of come up with a way to make the experience more collaborative for you. I will continue to think about this and maybe someday come up with a 'round two' version of PMBookClub.com. If you have any suggestions, please leave your comments below.

Until then,

Thomas Kennedy, PMP

Saturday, April 27, 2013

PMP or PRINCE2? Which Is Right for You?

Certification in the Project Management sector has long been associated with improved employment opportunities and increased salaries. If you need proof, check out the latest Project Management Salary Survey from PMI taking feedback from more than 30,000 Project Management professionals.

If you’ve been following the news regularly then you’ll also know ‘the Global Economic crisis’ and ‘a shrinking job market’ appear to be the current order of the day. With that in mind, it’s no surprise Project Managers are increasingly turning to certification to get the edge over their competitors for that promotion they are looking for, or even just to hold onto their current role.

The Big Two

Those considering a certification will most often turn to the two globally recognized Project Management certifications:
  1. The Project Management Professional (PMP) - is the flagship certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). PMP is based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK) guide which is about to move to its Fifth edition. 
  2. Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE2) - split into Foundation and Practitioner certification is the leading offering from APMG
As the title suggests this often leads to the question “PMP or PRINCE2?”