Do you really need to pay big bucks to get your PMP?

Every couple of months someone will contact me about my opinion on fulfilling the requirements before signing up to take the PMP exam, and these are my thoughts on it.

Per PMI you need at least 3 years of managing projects or at least being on a project with 4500 documented hours.

Next, you need at least 35 hours worth of documented, PMI certified, classes/training time.  

One option is to take a boot camp where you may pay up to $2000 for a 3 day boot camp.  This is the choke and puke method.   

Or you can take a 6-8 week class that your local PMI may put on for under $1000 

Or for $130 you can order up +35 hours of podcasts from PM PrepCast.  This will also let you watch the videos again and again.  I have reviewed many of these podcasts and think they are the best value out there. 

Next you need some reading materials.   

Make sure you review the PMBOK multiple times, and then find another supplemental book to help out.  I would recommend the following book Link. 

Read up, study and then start to take some online practice tests. 

Once you feel you are scoring well on your tests then sign-up for the real test.

Hopefully the end result is you passing the test!  

So, as you can see there are some low cost options out there (under 500 for the PM PrepCast and paying for the exam) to get you to the next step of obtaining your PMP status.  

This post was inspired by a recent post by the PM Student Blog:

http://pmstudent.com/do-i-have-to-spent-2000-to-get-pmp-certified/

Knowing When to Kill a Project

This is a hard topic because every project starts as an idea and someone with that idea had the passion to get the ball rolling in the first place.  Project management tools help us to see which projects are at the bottom of the bucket.  The tools typically are a ranking system and also allowing us to see what was the original baseline of the project and where we are today.  In some cases projects are killed due to the market place; there is no reason to keep developing something that no one is going to buy.

The last thing we want to do is to toss the project out with the bath water, but in some cases you have to, because it may be destroying your whole organization.

I’ve seen this before and it is sad sad thing.  A project that is deemed a must have to keep future clients at the organization because competitors already have a solution in place.  The project had no timeline and no tracking of what was spent (I know you are thinking, well it isn’t a real project then, right?), it was the Cadillac of all solutions with everything you could want.  As the months turn into years the clients give an ultimatum, do it or I walk.  So a side project is started to come up with the quick fix with a short timeline.  The quick fix works and the client is happy so the original project (Cadillac) keeps chugging on for future clients.

Two more years pass.  The original project with no timeline and no tracking of what was spent is still ongoing.  The plan now at year four is to reduce scope.  In the meantime business has dried up as their clients go elsewhere.  The organization slides further and further into the red, but the project keeps moving on, still with no timeline and no budget.

This is pretty sad, because they used no tools to show them what reality is and the end result could be some pretty drastic measures to help them get out of the red.  The real question is will they kill the project?

Don’t let this happen to your projects or your organization!  Have a plan and stick to it.  Have a schedule to review all ongoing projects and keep your resources on the right projects and have some serious discussions about the ones that need to be killed.  It is hard to kill someone’s pet project, but when that pet is literally killing your organization you need to let it go.

Lesson Learned:

Have a plan and stick to it ...

Sh*t Project Managers Say

Watch this youtube video and count how many phrases you have used in the last month ...

The 3 A's of awesome

Neil Pasricha is so inspiring that I have watched this multiple times over the past year.  Take some time to check it out.

How do your team members see each other?

Recently http://quantmleap.com posted a funny photo about how our project team members see each other (note this is for a software development  project).

Check it out and laugh a bit …  

Your Project Management Knowledge Cloud

Have you ever attended a meeting or discussion that someone gives a presentation, uses a cool tool or ice breaker and you think to yourself, “I’m going to use this someday too!”  Then months go by and that thought leaves your head, or that extra handout or copy of the presentation you took somehow found its way to the trash can.

Early in my career I started a project management binder with copies of articles, presentations and so on, that I may want pull out later (like an ice breaker game).  Recently I moved away from the paper binder to using box.com (in the cloud) to house my PM knowledge.

First I just used it to store my resume online and I installed the box.com Linkedin app on my Linked in profile (now others had easy access to a Word copy of my resume).  Now as I find those interesting PDFs or presentations I can toss them into my box.com site. 

Box.com offers 5 gigs of storage for free, and it allows file sharing links and access to your files via their mobile app.  If you upgrade to a business account you can then use it with your project team members as a common location for project files.

"Reliability and high performance is key, and our enterprise solution with Box delivers." — MTV Networks

Technology changes so fast and we must keep up with the latest trends and monitor them to see if they are a good fit for our organizations.  The same goes for the knowledge you gain as a PM, you need a place to store it or it will be forgotten.

Here is a  great example … A Norwegian company has built a USB thumb drive sized computer that has a dual core processor, runs Android, a slot for a memory card, Wifi, Bluetooth and you can connect it to any computer or TV (if TV then you need a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse).

Entire Computer Built Into USB Thumb Drive

A pretty amazing piece of technology!  So where will you store your PM knowledge?

A new Tool for your PM tool box

For the on the go PM they need a box full of tools.  From laptops, to smart phones to various software packages to help manage the project and even for communication.

There is a growing trend for PMs that travel a lot to use Skype to call into meetings.  As long as you have a decent internet connection it works great, so no more dropped cell phone calls as you are sitting in your Vegas hotel room.  Most laptops have a built in microphone, but a headset with a built in microphone seems to be the best thing to use.

If for some reason you would like to record a call there is a product out there made by Jiteco titled Riviera for Skype, which offers a free 14 day full use trial, or $9.99 for the full product.

Why might you want this?  Maybe you are listening in on a meeting and you need to take a call on your cell phone (or run off to the bathroom). Or maybe you want to record the meeting and upload the MP3 to your project page to allow members to listen to the meeting at a later date.  Or use it for creating interview podcasts!

Let’s take it for a spin …

It is super easy to download and install.  After it is installed launch the program and Skype will prompt you to authorize it to connect.

Then when you send or receive a call it asks you if you want to record the call.

After you are done your MP3s are ready to listen to or move them to your project site or webpage.

This is a super tool to have in your PM tool box and at only 10 bucks it is a super deal!

PMP Project Management Professional Practice Test

Recently I had a chance to check out the full version of the PMP Practice Test that UCertify offers.

It was very easy to install and easy to just jump right in and start using it. 

Pros:

1.           The interface is simple and intuitive

2.   One click dashboard makes it easy to find what you need

3.   Guided learning steps you through the process of learning

and test preparation, including crucial information about

the exam format and test preparation tips

4. Numerous study aids, including study notes, flash cards,

pop quizzes and more

5. Customize your tests – decide how many questions,

combine one or more topics of your choice, quiz yourself

on a study notes, increase the level of difficulty based on

your performance at any point in time

Cons:

1.    The study aids are very short and to the point.  It is basically set-up with each section with the definition of the words in each section

2.    There are only 3 technical articles included

Overall if you all looking for +800 PMP exam questions that is setup like taking the actual test, then this might be for you.  If you want lots of learning material you may be better off buying a book and make yourself read the PMBOK.

I have a Zombie in my Project!?!

It is the season for Zombies and unfortunately they make their ways into our projects.  Zombies feed on processes rather than brains.   They think project management and organizational processes are like a cook book and they need to be followed.  The Zombies drag others down with their one way ideas.

Zombie protection kit:

1.        Get input from all team members on projects they have been on in the past that were successful and determine why it was sucessful

2.       Define what done means, or your project may never die

3.       If you have a process that is not working well change it

4.      Don’t feed the Zombie, point it in another direction to get it away from your project

 

From PM 4 Girls Blog

So, what is Zombie PM?  Does this sound like someone you know?

• They do exactly what they are told without challenging anything
• They don’t come up with original ideas
• They don’t suggest ways to improve the project management processes
• They don’t follow up on actions – they simply assume they will get done
• They update and issue the plan in a format that most of the team can’t read or understand
• They work on projects that deliver no business value
• They go through the motions of being a project manager but without any critical thinking applied

If this sounds like someone you have worked with – you know what Zombie PM is about.

Box out your resources!

Currently I have 3 projects I'm managing.  One is the in initiation stage.  One in controlling.  And one in the closing.

For each of these projects I have different concerns with my resources.

For the project that I'm initiating I'm working with the resource managers to make sure I'm on their plan to have the resources I need based on my project requirements.  I keep them in the loop if things slip a little or if it looks like we may be adding scope.

For my project that is in the the controlling phase I have to box out my resources as others try to "get a little of their time".  There is a fine line with this, because many times you need to trust your resources to manage their own time so they can help out on other projects too.

In my project that I'm closing out I've kept the resource manages in the loop as to when I was going to release the resources so they could be assigned elsewhere.

This is a delicate yet complicated dance that we do as Project managers.  The key to this is communication with the project team and the resource managers.

Look ahead for your needs or you will be behind before you know it ....

SharePoint Document Library Setup?

There are multiple ways to setup document libraries in SharePoint and you need to consider what is the best approach for your organization.  Here are some examples:

1. Using folders in SharePoint.  Since the days of DOS we have used folders for separating out our files.  You can do this in SharePoint, but the intent of SharePoint is to have enough meta data tagged to your file so you can search or filter for the file you are looking for (just like you search for something on Google) instead of having them in folders.  The other downside of folders in SharePoint is that it makes security of libraries more complicated.

2. The second option is to have multiple libraries.  An example of this is having a library for each department in your organization.  Again you can get into the issue of folks using folders again (you need to train people on what SharePoint is and can do, before you set them free using SharePoint).  If you can get them to not use folders, they need to get use to entering in a description for each file, and/or add your own columns of data you would like to capture (kinda like folder names, but now you can filter for those documents).  The issue with this is that we are so use to doing a save as, and drag and drop to a folder that this new step of adding meta data is a hard one to get folks to get use to.

3. Next, taking the concept from above you can create “views”, which is nothing more then a filter.  At a previous organization I worked at we had 45 SOPs but not every person needed to read and understand all of them.  So we added a column to the library to indicate which job titles needed to review each SOP.  Then we created a View for each job title so they can see just their SOPs.  The nice thing about views is it really just ends up being a link to a webpage to the specific data you want to view.  So you can email this link or embed it in another webpage (so if we add SOPs to your link, it is okay, no need to update the link the new SOPs will just show up).  If you have files in folders within this library, you can forget using views to try to pull files from the folders.

4. When creating a document library you need to keep security in mind (who needs access?) and do you want version control turned on? For those sensitive HR documents you can only allow a few key folks access to that part of our library or you can drill it down just to one document.  Version control, if it is on with 2007 every time you save the document it will create another copy of it once you check it back in (for some organizations they may have space concerns).  And with 2010 (I think) it will only save the new piece you updated (so, taking up less space then resaving another copy of the document).

5. Alerts.  If you want you can set up email alerts be sent out when a new document is added and or changed.  Example: you have a project with a library and a view named Meeting Minutes.  When you add minutes to that view it will automatically send out an email to let your team members (you setup the users) that a new set of minutes has been added.  Or you can be that controlling person that wants to make sure no one is monkeying around with your files (so you receive and email when anything changes).

6. Document Library template.  Yes, if your organization agrees to a new methodology for document libraries you can create a template for all to use.

Final thoughts …

So it is up to the users on how they want to use SharePoint, but you need to make sure they are aware there are other ways to do things in SharePoint than using folders.

A Beginner’s Guide to Document Management and Workflow in SharePoint

7 ways to effectively use a SharePoint document library

 

 

Top 10 Reasons IT Projects Fail

Several months ago I started a new job and at my desk I found this top 10 list from Price Waterhouse Coopers:

1. No clear objectives or benefits
2. Lack of user commitment from business community
3. Not managing the project proactively
4. lack of coordination across change initiatives
5. Optimistic deadlines and lack of contingency plans
6. Not testing thoroughly
7. Too many package software modifications
8. Expecting people to develop and use a new system without adequate training
9. Resource constraints
10. In appropriate software and hardware selection

So what do you think is missing?

What is in a Project Charter?

Recently I gave a short talk about project charters and I thought I would post my presentation here.

All projects, big or small, need to have a charter. It functions as a summary document at the start of a project.  If you cannot summarize things at the start you could be headed down the path to failure ...

Project Chater

More PowerPoint presentations from Ryan Endres

Some other good links on charters:
http://www.brighthub.com/office/project-management/articles/5161.aspx
http://blog.method123.com/2009/06/03/create-your-project-charter/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J7urtEex6c

Project Management Forums:

If you are looking for a good list of project management forums check out the following link:

http://mastersinprojectmanagement.org/top-30-web-forums-for-project-management-professionals.html

Career Development as a PM

About a month ago my company sent out an email looking for employees to submit short 5 minute videos about what they did to develop their career.  So I thought I would record one!

Here it is below:

Other links on PM career development:

http://pmstudent.com/how-to-focus-your-project-management-career/

PMI Madison Professional Development Day 2011

Recently I attended the Madison PMI Professional Development Day at the Monona Terrace. The theme was Great Leaders Building Strong Teams.

I attended many excellent talks and here are my thoughts on them.

The first keynote speaker was Barry Alvarez, Athletic Director at the University of Wisconsin.  Barry told many stories from his career as the Head Football coach starting with the challenge of changing the culture of a losing team to moving the mind set of his team to see it was not just Ron Dayne going for the Heisman Trophy but the whole team.  Finally he mentioned how he kept his team focused on achieving the WIN (What’s Important Now).

Lesson Learned:  If you are tossed into a loser ongoing project gather the troops and focus on what done is.

Next I attended at talk titled: Positioning Your PMO as an Organizational Alignment Engine by Terry Doerscher

Terry is the author of Taming Change with Portfolio Management (checkout my book review) and he started out his talk with some stats from a survey he has conducted a couple of times over the past couple of years.  The biggest eye opener in the survey was that organizational alignment was the biggest issue.  

Lesson Learned: If you don’t focus on alignment your organization and projects will continue to flop around.

Then I attended a talk titled: Implement a PMO – Lessons Learned by Mark House

Mark went over two examples of PMOs that he created.  He came from a very structured PMO with State Farm and then he moved on to take on a job with the state of Illinos to help one of their departments create a PMO.  Mark came in with a tool box full of templates, policies and how to’s, but quickly found out it wasn’t going to work.  He stepped back and slowly rolled things out like an agenda template and status reports.  Also he found out the super formal way that worked for all projects at State Farm wasn’t going to work, so they came up with a PM Light version of their PM process and trained all project members on project management.

Lesson Learned: Adapt project management to the organization, then adapt the organization to project management.

Then I attended a talk titled: Dynamic Scheduling with Microsoft Project by Ted Barth

Ted went over the basics of using Microsoft Project.  From setting up a calendar to making sure you build your timeline like a network diagram (you need a start task and an end task).

Lesson Learned: If you stick with the basics your timeline work correctly.

Then I attended a talk titled: Influence and Persuasion skills for Project Leaders by Chris Hinrichs.

Chris reviewed his views of project leaders which included those who know how to inspire, influence and impact others in a constructive and supportive way often go the furthest and the highest.

Lesson Learned: Practice the fundamentals of leadership and you will be in a better position to excel.

Finally the second Keynote speaker Mark Johnson spoke.  Mark was on the 1980 US hockey team is the current UW Women’s hockey coach.  Mark Reviewed his career in Hockey and told some stories on how he motivates his team.

Lessons Learned:  Even if you are a coach, sometimes you need to be a cheerleader.

Review of Planning Force Project Planner …

It has been awhile since I reviewed a project planner so I thought I would take Planning Force for a spin.

On their main page there is an 8 minute video that gives a nice overview of the product and there are several other short videos on their YouTube page (I’m not sure why they want you to register to view their youtube videos on their own webpage or why many of their videos have no sound just a person clicking around in their application, or why you have to register to review their forums).

Their express planner is a free download (100 meg file).  Many other applications like these are cloud based.  The main issue I have with stand alone products are updating them.

After I had it installed I started clicking around and checking it out.  Overall it is a very very basic project planner with resource allocation capability.  The planner is pretty straight forward to use and the resource planner is too.   It also will allow you to see the resources from multiple projects saved in one file (they must assume companies only have 1 PM running all of their projects?).

It has a resource leveling function that will give you options before you move forward with their suggestions.  No clue as to how it works, but most projects I have ever worked on the resources don’t have the knowledge to jump in if they have some free time. It does have a calendar feature so you can track your staffs vacation (or holiday) time.

At the task level you can do some very basic things, number of days (or 0.5 for 4 hrs), start and end dates, predecessors (lead, lag if needed), percent completed, add notes to the task and the resource name.   What it is missing from this section … costs for the task planned and actual (not all projects track this… but if you are looking to do a little earn value analysis…) and how about I can create a column and let me name it myself?

Pros to Planning Force:

1. Free
2. Resource tracking so you can see if you are over allocated across all projects (keep in mind all of your projects are in one file)
3. Basic project planning
4. has some basic KPIs

Cons:

1. Very very very basic
2. Probably not that useful for projects with staff that work outside of your office (all projects have some basic documentation (SOW, charter, WBS, requirements, Risk log, budget info …)  and this application doesn’t allow you to store that type information.
3. No communication tracker … message board, or a newsfeed type of feature (@task has this and you will see more and more PM software adopting this soon).