8/5/2009I just received some information from PMI that announces the much-anticipated changes to the way in which PMI certificants (PMP, PgMPs, etc) report Professional Development Units (PDUs).
This process has been done by valiant vounteers from Oklahoma University for years. PMI is finally bringing it in house. If you need to report PDUs, but aren't registered at www.pmi.org, go online and sign up for a free account now.
Below is the text of the message sent to me with more detail:
Dear PMI Component Leader,
During the third quarter 2009, PMI will transition to a new system for managing Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) activities. The improvements in the new system were guided by recommendations from education providers and credential holders.
The new Continuing Certification Requirements System (CCRS) was designed to be easier to use and will offer enhanced capabilities for education providers to register courses, report PDUs, and perform other activities.
In order to enhance system security, we are requiring all individuals who manage PDU-eligible training and events on behalf of your component organization to register with PMI.org to create a unique username and password. This username and password can then be used to access any PMI system, including the new CCR System.
If you are not registered on PMI.org, please take a few minutes to register now. This will save you time during your first visit to the new system. If you already have a PMI user name and password, please do not register again.
Registration is easy! Visit PMI Homepage and follow the prompts in the “New User? Register Now” window in the upper left of the home page. If you would like a preview of the registration process refer to How to register online with PMI.
Once registered on PMI.org you will have access to the new CCR System when it is released in the third quarter. You will receive updates about the new system via Friday Facts, notices in PMI publications and websites, and when you sign in to perform CCR activities.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Customer Care at +1 610-356-4600 or customercare@pmi.org.
7/7/2009
Many projects start without a lot of definition or planning. It's usually not because of any malicious intent...people just want (or need) to start working. The result is that "extra" work on the project pops up at the last minute, which can cause schedule slips, budget overruns, and a lot of fire fighting.
One good way to reduce this phenomenon is to spend time up front defining the deliverables. "If you can't write it, you don't know it," a friend used to say to me quite often. It's true. We all have a great idea of what we are creating in our heads, but putting it on paper makes us articulate those thoughts so that other people can see them.
We need to involve other people in verifying those deliverables, and then outline the work required to acheive them. In formal Project Management we call this "decomposing the work" into a Work Breakdown Structure, but it's really just good common sense. The more clear you can be with the deliverables, and the more affected people you can share the information with, the more information you have about missing work, possible resistance, or other misunderstandings.
Identifying those misunderstandings or missing work early helps to create a more realistic picture of the time, cost, and resources necessary to accomplish the goals.
So, be sure to take the time to clearly define your deliverables, write them down, and keep them in front of everyone throughout the project. You'll be amazed at how much it can help you control the scope of your project. For more information, or for classes on other Project Management techniques, contact us at 888-272-4494 or visit The Solarity Group. 5/22/2009This just in from Jennifer at www.msprojectexperts.com. My Tasks Page Rocks with New Web Parts for Microsoft Project Server 2007! Download Free Trial Versions “Imagine your My Tasks Page in Project Web Access with summary tasks, a navigation tool that allows you to page by project and controls for the grid display. Picture a dashboard that displays your time entry totals by day, week and project as you type. This is music to the ears of a regular Project Server user,” said Gary Chefetz, CEO of MSProjectExperts, in announcing a new line of web parts and VSTO add-ins for Microsoft Office Project 2007 and Microsoft Office Project Server 2007. “Our web parts address the usability enhancements that people most often ask for when we talk with them in the Microsoft Communities.” “At our annual company retreat last year,” Chefetz continues, “the team brainstormed our recession realignment strategy for turning what we viewed as inevitable downtime into a new value stream for the company. In examining the market conditions, we concluded that the market would welcome easy to install shareware-priced add-ons that boost user satisfaction and, in some cases, remove obstacles to adoption. Filling the frustrating usability gaps in the application interface has always been on our product radar, but the downturn in the economy finally gave us the impetus to move forward with this program. ” The new software offerings constitute MSProjectExperts’ first entry into the software market. You can find the software on the company’s newly redesigned shopping portal, ProjectDaddy.com, along with the company’s renowned books, courseware and open-enrollment training. The new product line is also available through MSProjectExperts’ partners and affiliates. “Our first release wave includes web parts containing the most-asked-for enhancements to the Project Web Access interface with a distinct focus on the My Tasks page. We have a similar series in development for the My Timesheet page, and our near-future product pipeline includes timeless tools for Microsoft Project, custom event handlers, reports, services and web parts that you can plug into the Microsoft EPM Platform to quickly address popular user demands and deliver added value with only a petty-cash investment,” commented Chefetz. The first product wave includes the following web parts for Project Web Access for Microsoft Office Project Server 2007: My Tasks Tamer Give your users control over display elements of Project Server's My Tasks page. This web part allows you to: - Change the Page Header title
- Align buttons to the left
- Hide any built-in buttons
- Set a Shrink-to width for the grid
- Toggle between full width and custom width
- Change the label for all fields in the grid
- Toggle between normal display and show all rows
My Tasks Pager Make it easier for your users to locate projects across My Tasks pages in Project Server 2007 using the My Tasks Pager, a mostly hidden web part that you simply install and add to the My Tasks page in your Project Server instance. The Pager web part adds a new pick list navigational tool to the My Tasks display. This web part allows you to: - Easily navigate through many My Tasks pages by project name
My Tasks Summary Display Give your users the information that they need in the My Tasks page in Project Server 2007 with the My Tasks Summary Display, a hidden web part that you simply install and add to the My Tasks page in your Project Server instance. The Summary Display web part adds the full path of summary tasks to the My Tasks display. My Tasks Summary Display allows you to: - Add summary tasks and summary task roll-up information to the My Tasks display
My Tasks Constant Filter Give your users the information that they need without the information that they do not need in the My Tasks page in Project Server 2007 with the My Tasks Constant Filter, a hidden web part that you simply install and add to the My Tasks page in your Project Server instance. The My Tasks Constant Filter allows an administrator to filter the data on the My Tasks page by entering simple Transact SQL statements in the web part. The My Tasks Constant Filter allows you to: - Remove tasks from the My Tasks display based on project-level criteria
- Remove tasks from the My Tasks display based on assignment-level criteria
COMING SOON My Tasks Totals Provide your users a web part that displays totals in the My Tasks page for their timesheet entries as they enter them by daily total, weekly total and project total. The My Tasks Totals web part allows you to: · Display important timesheet totals as user enter their time in the My Tasks page Project Workspaces Filter Reduce the over abundance of project workspaces shown in the Project Workspaces web part by adding the Project Workspaces Filter to the My Tasks page in Project Web Access. The Project Workspaces Filter is a hidden web part that allows an administrator to build filters for the Project Workspaces web part that display as virtual views on the view selector in Project Workspaces web part. The Project Workspaces Filter web part allows you to: · Create virtual views for the Project Workspaces web part that remove unwanted Project Workspace information from the display. 4/7/2009 If you are unemployed, many organizations offer special deals for you. It never hurts to ask if someone will work with you to reduce your costs. Solarity, for example, provides a 25% discount on its classes for unemployed workers, or for people who pay out of pocket. Joining your local PMI chapter provides a lot of good networking and educational opportunities. PMI offers its long-term members amnesty on payment for one year so that, if you are between jobs, you can remain a member. This reminder just came in from the PMI SWOH Chapter: Are you looking for work but still want to maintain your PMI membership?
During these tough economic times, this comes as a reminder that PMI has always offered a 1-Year Hardship Membership FREE of charge for anyone who is unemployed.
To qualify you must be a paying member for a minimum of 3 years. For details contact the PMI Headquarters Customer Service Department at 610-356-4600.
Don’t hesitate to also ask your local chapter to extend the same offer. It benefits them by keeping you involved. 3/17/2009 A colleague asked me a question today about determining the number of Client Access Licenses (CALs) that are in place within their Project Server environment. “We are trying to determine the process for determining how many active CALs there are at the end of the year for our true up process against our enterprise agreement. Is there any built in view or report that shows active users? If so, how does it determine active users? We are just trying to determine best practice in this area...” The answer is that, in Project Web Access (PWA), you can navigate to a page that shows the number of users. To connect to the page and determine your CALs, follow these steps: - Log on as a Project Server administrator and connect to your PWA instance.
- In the Quick Launch pane, click on Server Settings.
- In the Server Settings page, click on the About Project Server link.
- This page will show you two values:
- Number Of Active Project Server Users: this value is determined by the count of all named Work resources (it does not include Material, Cost, or Generic Work resources); if you have any Work resources that do not represent users (e.g., forklifts, backhoes, and other equipment), you should manually reduce your CAL count when reporting your CAL requirements.
- Number Of Project Professional Users: this value is determined by all those Project Server users who are included in the following security groups (or any other user who has the Log On To Project Server From Project Professional permission set to Allow):
- Administrators
- Portfolio Managers
- Project Managers
- Resource Managers
For this reason, it’s important to ensure that you have only those accounts that truly need to either access Project Server through PWA, or who will use Project Professional. If you don’t you can end up spending unnecessary dollars, and goodness knows we don’t have many of those available these days! I hope this helps to clarify the question. Please don’t hesitate to email me (bud <at> solarity.com) or comment below for any additional questions or clarification. UPDATE 6/17/2009: For more information on licensing Project Server, see this link: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/FX101662321033.aspx. The economy these days is tough, and in order to help meet the needs of people who are wanting to increase their job skills, for a limited time The Solarity Group will provide a 25% discount on all its classes to people who are either unemployed, who need a job, or who will be paying for their training out of their own pocket to help maintain/reinforce their job skills. As companies are also challenged with the economy, please contact us to discuss special rates for onsite or virtual courses, and discounts for multiple attendees. We have several classes available at www.solarity.com. If you see a course in our Course Descriptions area, just email or call us (888-272-4494) to book an existing course, or request a web-based or on-site course. For more information, please contact Bud Ratliff at 888-272-4494. Technorati Tags: job, PMP, Training, Project Management, Job skills, employment, Lexington, Louisville, Frankfort, KY, Kentucky3/12/2009 Undoubtedly, this is the toughest year on record to land a new job. Reaching your career goal will take courage and nerves of steel. Are you up to the challenge? Here are three tips for job-search endurance that will keep you on the right track toward your employment goal. 1. Keep your career goal realistic. This is not the time to strike out in a risky career direction. Following your heart toward a career in which you have little qualifications could yield months of frustration as you find yourself competing against legions of candidates far more qualified. Unless you are in the position to hold out for a very long job search, concentrate on positions where you are best qualified. 2. Realize it will take longer to land your next position. If you've never experienced a lengthy job search, set your expectations out several months and practice patience. You will apply for many positions as the perfect candidate, and get no response. Expect that. You will conduct perfect interviews and hear nothing back. Expect that as well. Just remember that eventually the right company with the right job at the right time will come your way if you stay calm and focused and don't let discouragement keep you from moving forward. Just keep with it. 3. Write a better resume than your competition. Less jobs and more applicants equals extremely high competition. The quality of your resume has never been more important. For the best possible resume keep these guidelines in mind: Focus your resume. Avoid a one-size-fits-all resume. Showcase your best information in the top half of page one. Include accomplishments that illustrate your ability to solve today's business challenges. 4. Sharpen your interview skills. With employers interviewing only the best of the best, when you are chosen to interview be sure you are your competitive best. You CANNOT “just wing” an interview and expect to be called back for a second. Today it takes solid interview strategy to earn a second round of interviews. Interview books are helpful, but they usually fall short of teaching you how to read the interviewer's mind to understand his/her hiring motivations. A study in the art of selling is more effective to achieve great interview performance. A few basic selling strategies include: -
Asking the right questions to understand the interviewer's “hot button” motivations. -
Formulate answers around the interviewer's motivations. -
Know your accomplishments well enough to weave them effectively through your interview to achieve top candidate status. Throughout 2009, the best jobs will go to those who persevere and stay focused. Keeping your expectations and goals realistic will help prevent the emotional ups and downs. Prepare for your job search as if you were competing in a marathon. With patience, endurance and skill you will win your next job.
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Deborah Walker, CCMC is a career coach helping job seekers compete in the toughest job markets. Her clients gain top performing skills in resume writing, interview preparation and salary negotiation. Learn more about Deborah Walker, career coach at: http://www.AlphaAdvantage.com
10/20/2008
Many people have been asking me about the new version of the PMBOK®, and when it will be released. I received the official word at the recent 2008 Leadership Institute Meeting (LIM) PMI session in Denver.
On 31 December 2008, PMI plans to release updates to these four key PMI Global Standards:
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A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®; Guide)—Fourth Edition
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The Standard for Program Management—Second Edition
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The Standard for Portfolio Management—Second Edition
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Organizational Project Management Maturity Model (OPM3®;)—Second Edition
The exams for the Project Management Professional (PMP®) will be updated with ONLY questions relating to the 4th edition of the PMBOK on July 31, 2009.
So what's changed? The changes are not as drastic as the change from the 2nd to 3rd edition we saw in 2005. Here are just a few notable alterations:
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All processes now follow the verb + noun format, making them more consistent
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We now have 42, instead of 44, processes
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Gone are the "Develop Preliminary Project Scope Statement" and "Scope Planning" processes.
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Added are the "Identify Stakeholders" and "Identify Requirements" processes.
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Procurement Management is consolidated from six to four processes, which make more sense.
There are some additional changes. I'm trying to carve out time to put together a quick video outlining the changes. If I do, I'll let you know here. Until then, visit www.pmi.org or myself for more information.
All best wishes,
Bud Ratliff -- PMP, MCSE, MCT, MVP-Project
The Solarity Group
www.solarity.com
info@solarity.com
888-272-4494
8/27/2008
If you are interested in taking one of the Project-related certification exams from Microsoft, right now is a wonderful time to take a "shot" at it!
Microsoft announced the comeback of its "Second Shot" promotion, in which you can re-take a Microsoft certification exam for free if you fail the first time.
This offer is limited (though the site doesn't say when it will expire). For more information, follow this link:
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