From Film Student to Project Manager

    From Film Student to Project Manager

    Check out our interview with GWU MSPM graduate and former film student, Matthew Levy, as he shares his thoughts on his transition to project management, his Master’s Degree, and his favorite (and not so favorite films).

    Top Certificate Programs in Project Management

    Top Certificate Programs in Project Management

    Interested in obtaining a certificate in project management? Check out our list of the top certificate programs in the US and abroad.

    "Undercover Boss" - Key Lessons in Project Leadership

    “Undercover Boss” – Key Lessons in Project Leadership

    New prime time television show Undercover Boss provides some important lessons in project leadership.

    Blog

    There’s a Map for That – asapm Certifications

    Looking for an alternative to PMI’s certification offering? In keeping with my love for mind maps, I’ve created one for asapm’s certifications, from IPMA-D to IPMA-A.  asapm is the United States member association (MA) of the International Project Management Association (IPMA). This mind map outlines (at a very high level) the entire certification offering from asapm. I built this map using Mindjet’s Mindmanager 8 for Mac (which is absolutely amazing and slick!). I would encourage anyone that enjoys using mind maps to outline ideas to try Mindjet’s software. Click on “more” and then click on the image to see a larger version of the map.

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    Apr 28, 2010 | Categories: Blog | 2 Comments »

    Alternatives to Microsoft Project for Mac Users – Part 4

    This is part 4 in our 9 part series. We’re continuing our search for alternatives to MS Project by looking at our fourth project scheduling software option, Phoenix Project Manager.

    Phoenix Project Manager

    Company: Phoenix Project Management Systems

    Synopsis: Engineers and construction project managers will appreciate Phoenix Project Manager for its robust project plan and project scheduling capabilities.  Not only does Phoenix Project Manager provide a platform for developing cost effective plans (which we all know is important), but the software’s attractive graphics and powerful functionality enable streamlined communication.  It is available in two formats, Professional and Express, giving you the power to select the best option for your scheduling and project management needs. And of course, it’s touted as a Staff Pick on Apple.com.

    Key Features: You’ll find that the creators of Phoenix Project Manager were focused on ease of use, as the software is built on the “two clicks to complete” concept.  Equipped with a built in CPM checker, Phoenix Project Manager aims to inspect quality into schedule creation, and integrates with well with popular products such as Primavera and Microsoft Project.

    Cost: $599.00 for one license of Phoenix 2.0 Express and $1,599.00 for one license of Phoenix 2.0 Professional.  You can test drive the software free for 30 days here.

    Have you tried Phoenix Project Manager? Be sure to comment on this blog post and share your opinions!

    Mar 30, 2010 | Categories: Blog | Tags: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

    There’s a Map for That – PMI Certifications

    I’ve received a lot of questions from project managers, “green” and seasoned, that are looking for a snapshot of the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) certification offering, from CAPM to PgMP. I decided to create a mind map file that outlines (at a very high level) the entire certification offering from PMI. I’m a big fan of Mindjet’s Mindmanager 8 for Mac (currently using the trial since my copy is on back order, ugh!), and I would encourage anyone that enjoys using mind maps to outline ideas to try Mindjet’s software.

    If you’re interested in IPMA’s certifications, don’t fret! I plan to have a mind map of those available soon.

    After the jump, click on the graphic below to see the mind map on a larger scale.

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    Mar 11, 2010 | Categories: Blog | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave A Comment »

    IT Project Manager – One of America’s Best Jobs

    I came across an article this morning that discussed some of the top jobs available in America today. Focus.com recently published their list of the Best Jobs in America, with IT Project Manager ranking 5th out of 50. Rounding out the top 10 were the following:

    1. Systems Engineer
    2. Physician Assistant
    3. College Professor
    4. Nurse Practitioner
    5. IT Project Manager
    6. Certified Public Accountant
    7. Physical Therapist
    8. Computer/Network Security Consultant
    9. Intelligence Analyst
    10. Sales Director

    What are your thoughts about this list?

    Mar 10, 2010 | Categories: Blog | 3 Comments »

    Twitterview with Geoff Crane of Papercut PM

    We are excited to announce our inaugural Twitterview with project management expert and blogger Geoff Crane, owner of Papercut Project Monitoring. As our special guest, Geoff will be providing his thoughts on soft skills vs. the PMP, his blog, and more. This is certainly an event that you won’t want to miss!

    Join us on Sunday, March 7th at 3:00pm Eastern Standard Time to follow the Twitterview live!  Please use hashtag #thegreenpm to follow the discussion or to ask a question. We encourage you to submit questions to us ahead of time by sending an email to info@thegreenpm.com. Don’t forget to include your Twitter handle!

    We look forward to seeing you then. Feel free to check out Geoff’s website and blog and connect with him on Twitter.

    Mar 02, 2010 | Categories: Blog | Leave A Comment »

    Update on Tweetup in the Washington DC Metro Area

    We have made some changes to the Tweetup event in the Washington DC Metro area. Due to some crazy security constraints at the W Washington DC, we have moved the Tweetup to Thursday, February 18th beginning at 6:00 p.m. Come join us at the INOX Restaurant in Tysons Corner to sip cocktails, network, and chat about project management. Several #pmots have already confirmed their attendance (@TheGreenPM, @ProjectRecovery, and @josephgruber), and we’d love for you to come and join us.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at info@thegreenpm.com.

    Event: Project Managers on Twitter (#PMOT) Tweetup

    Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 6:00 p.m.

    Where: INOX Restaurant, 1800 Tysons Blvd Suite 70, McLean, VA 22102

    INOX Restaurant Website: http://www.inoxrestaurant.com/

    Twitter: @InoxRestaurant

    Feb 16, 2010 | Categories: Blog | 2 Comments »

    Alternatives to Microsoft Project for Mac Users – Part 3

    This is part 3 in our 9 part series. We’re continuing our search for alternatives to MS Project by looking at our third project scheduling software option, Projector.

    Projector

    Company: App4Mac (@app4mac on Twitter)

    Synopsis: If you’re looking for project management software that makes it easy for you to calculate project costs and keep track of individual tasks, Projector is your solution. Although Projector was designed with ease of use and simplicity in mind, even the largest projects can take advantage of the software’s power and versatility. You can monitor resources, tasks, milestones, and processes with a user-friendly interface that is familiar to Mac users. The software is available in English, French, and German, and was listed as a Staff Pick on Apple.com.

    Key Features: Some of the most important features of Projector are its slick, visual Gantt charts for project scheduling, crisp reporting, and “To-Do” list capabilities. You will also receive free technical support for 90 days with your purchase of Projector in case you need additional assistance. As a Mac user, we appreciate app4mac’s “free upgrades for a lifetime” feature, which allows users to remain up-to-date with new versions of Projector are released (WIN!).

    Cost: 69 euros or $94.47 US dollars for a single license by direct download. Get it on CD for an additional fee.  Want a test drive? Download a trial of the software on app4mac’s website.

    Have you tried Projector? Be sure to comment on this blog post and share your opinions!

    Feb 10, 2010 | Categories: Blog | Tags: , , , | 1 Comment »

    Top Certificate Programs in Project Management

    More and more leading colleges and universities are offering certificate programs and advanced courses in project management to address the growing demand for trained project managers on a global scale. These programs serve as an excellent resource for mid to senior level professionals that are looking for practical training in project management.

    I would encourage any professional that is exploring a career in project management to check out these programs. While formal education is only one component of many for success as a project manager, a project management certificate can help form a strong foundation in the basic principles and methodology.

    Top Project Management Certificate Programs in the US and Abroad

    1. INSEAD International Project Management Program (PROM): INSEAD offers executive education through the PROM program, a five-day program that would like to develop their skills in project management. The program focuses on improving team collaboration, building leadership skills, and assisting executives open to executives in mastering complexity versus uncertainty. PROM is offered from June 6-10, 2010 and you can enroll at http://bit.ly/74STUR. I would recommend speaking to your employer about corporate sponsorship, as the tuition is 8,200 € or approximately $11,234 USD.

    2. The University of Chicago Project Management Strategy Certificate Program: The University of Chicago offers a basic and advanced certificate in project management in response to emerging needs for trained project managers. Participants should already have familiarity with the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). PMP certified professionals can also earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) for the program. Courses are taught in downtown Chicago. Each course in the certificate program is $1350 for early registration.

    3. Stanford Advanced Project Management Program: The Stanford Advanced Project Management Certificate Program offers advanced education for project and program managers to execute business strategies. Participants will take 3 core and 3 elective classes, covering topics such as Converting Strategy Into Action, Financial Mastery for Projects, and Leading Effective Teams. Upon earning your certificate, you will be granted the Stanford Certified Project Manager credential. Online courses in the program are available for $950/course and $2600/course on campus.

    4. UC Berkeley Certificate in Project Management: If you are a current project manager or aspire for a career in project management, this program is for you. This program offers both an online and campus component for instruction. While there are no prerequisites for the program (bachelor’s degree is recommended), students will be required to complete 6 courses to earn their certificate. The estimated cost of the certificate is $4200 – $4700.

    5. University of Virginia Certificate in Project Management: At the University of Virginia, project and program managers can build their project management competencies while sharing best practices with fellow students.  The 8-course certificate is available online or at the Northern Virginia Center, and focuses on building a solid project management foundation while introducing courses such as IT systems project management and the PMBOK review. Cost information for this program can be obtained by contacting the Program Director, Russell Lentner, at rlentner@virginia.edu.

    6. Georgetown University Certificate in Project Management: Georgetown University offers the Certificate in Project Management as a Registered Education Provider with PMI. This certificate program is built upon the principles of the PMBOK while blending real-world practices required of project managers. If you are looking to take earn your PMP credential, this certificate will satisfy the 35 contact hour requirement for the application. Admissions to the program are available on a rolling basis. Cost information can be obtained by contacting the Program Director by sending an email to ccpeprojmgmt@georgetown.edu.

    Although we have highlighted a few of the available project management certificates available worldwide, we encourage you to research other programs and choose the one that is right for you. For more information on project management certificates and degrees, feel free to follow me on Twitter @TheGreenPM – Fresh Perspectives on Project Leadership.

    Feb 09, 2010 | Categories: Blog, Featured | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment »

    “Undercover Boss” – Key Lessons in Project Leadership

    Last night, I watched a fantastic new show on CBS called “Undercover Boss” where the boss of a major corporation goes “undercover” as an entry-level employee in their company to find out how things really work.  The pilot episode focused on the President and COO of Waste Management, Inc., Larry O’Donnell, as he navigated (and fumbled) his way through the most basic of employee tasks such as scrubbing toilets and picking up trash. At the end of the episode, Mr. O’Donnell came to realize and appreciate the day-to-day efforts of his employees, after having served in a variety of roles. I couldn’t help but take a few notes and extract lessons that I learned from this episode on how to be a better project manager and leader.

    Here are some of my takeaways from the show that I believe are directly applicable to successful project managers and leaders today:

    1. No job is too small or too big: Project managers can get their hands dirty too (literally in the pilot episode).  Sometimes to fully understand the level of effort required of your team members to get the job done, a project manager must step into their shoes.  On the flip side, wouldn’t it be interesting to have some of our project team members serve as project manager for a day? What would that look like?
    2. Recognize the work of unsung heroes: At one time or another, I’m sure every project manager’s had that one team member who always stayed late to help complete a deliverable, assisted other team members when they need help, or volunteered for less desirable tasks? Sometimes, recognizing the work of team members is more than just a hand written thank you note. Try to go above and beyond to show appreciation for those unsung heroes that continually exceed team member expectations. What I enjoyed about this episode was that Mr. O’Donnell had the opportunity to experience what his employees endure every day which gave him a holistic picture of real life at Waste Management. He was able to make commitments to change the culture at his company, and even offer a promotion and raise to those employees that deserved it. Employee engagement is the key to project success.
    3. Be visible and available: “I have a project manager, but I never see her.” I remember one of my co-workers complaining about how absent their project manager was and how her absence gave their project team a negative impression.  Responses to email requests from the project manager took up to three weeks and returned phone calls were impossible. As project leaders, there’s more to leading and managing than delegation.  Simply walking around your office floor and chatting with your project team isn’t enough, and certainly isn’t project leadership. Be available when your project team needs you, and vice versa.

    On the other hand, how do you think the CEO of your company would fare as a project manager on your project? What did you think about Undercover Boss? Comment on this blog post and share your opinions!

    Feb 08, 2010 | Categories: Blog, Featured | Tags: , , , , | 2 Comments »