Time management is a critically important skill for all team members, especially if that team is working remotely. As a team lead or project manager, you must plan how to use the time you have available and that of your resources more effectively. This is an important part of managing your projects. Managing time well means that deadlines will be met, the quality of work will improve because work is not being rushed to meet a deadline, you and your team know which activities are a priority and what needs to be worked on when, and you avoid panic and feel more in control of the project. In this article, we wanted to give you several techniques to help improve time management skills among remote teams. However, just like everything else in project management, time management must be tailored to the team and the individuals on the team. Essentially, each team member needs to find the technique that works for them. It’s all about Communications Communication is important in any environment but even more so for remote workers. Make sure the following are communicated clearly and often to your team. Working Hours – Some organizations expect remote employees to follow a strict schedule, while others may be more flexible. Be explicit about what you expect from your team. Be sure to tell them what shared hours you expect them to be working and available and clarify the expectation as to whether they are to inform you if they need to step away from their computers or if an exception to the schedule needs to be made. Team Goals – Ideally, your team will have clearly defined goals that contribute to your organization’s overall mission. Ensure your team is aware of these goals and help them set their own goals and ground rules. Then help them stick to them! Project Assignments – During each project team meeting, make sure that there is clarity on who is doing what task and why you are completing the project (project vision and value). It may be beneficial to get feedback from your team on how long they think their tasks will take so that you can estimate the deadline more effectively. You may consider a daily stand up or huddle for each team member to discuss what they are working on and if they need any help with tasks. Accountability – Lastly, make sure everyone on your remote team understands how you are tracking progress and the consequences of missing project deadlines. This reduces miscommunications and helps ensure the entire team stays in communication about their contribution to the project. Use Meetings Wisely If there is anything we should take away from the mass-remote corporate workforce in 2020 due to Covid, it is that virtual meeting fatigue is real. This is why when you manage a remote team, you need to help everyone understand how to use meetings and meeting time wisely. When deciding whether a topic is meeting worthy, consider context, duration, and frequency of the meeting. For example, a daily stand-up meeting is great if your team has troubling logging in on time in the mornings. The context of the meeting is necessary, as it will kickstart their productivity. However, if you look at an hour long meeting every single day, it may end up being less productive than you had originally anticipated. Every meeting should have a purpose and should be timeboxed. Support Your Team with Technology Technology is a big part of remote working. As a project manager, you need to tailor the technology to your remote team. Some things to consider include: Video Conferencing – You probably already have a virtual meeting solution, but make sure that it fits your team’s needs, and they know how to use it. File Sharing – Remote teams need cloud-based file sharing systems like Dropbox or Google Drive. Make sure your team can easily access each other’s critical documents in real-time. Instant Communication – Make sure your team has a way to instant message each other. This is much quicker and more efficient than the standard email and makes it easy for team members to ask questions or share files quickly. Time Tracking – If you expect your team to report on the hours they spend on each task, then having an easy way to do so is important. Even a shared spreadsheet will make it clear who is doing what and will give you measurable data to use if changes need to be made. Project Management Software – It is worth investing in a browser- or app-based project management solution to track everything your team is working on. Microsoft Project, SharePoint, and Teams are all viable options. Collaborative Software – Finally, make sure your team can easily collaborate with each other on their specific responsibilities. Time Management Training We offer customized time management training to you and your team. Chances are, we will never get to 100% productivity, we are only human after all, but this training will help you have more control over your time and produce more results. Successful time management will help you and your team to become more effective in completing project activities so there is more time available for everyone to spend on the things that are most important to them. This course is meant to give you foundational knowledge, tools, and techniques to help you manage your time efficiently and effectively, and if you are a certified project manager, you can earn 4.5 PDUs. Let us know how we can help you!

November 18, 2022 As project managers, we know there are the triple constraints that are used to determine project success: cost, schedule, and scope. So why would a project that met all constraints be considered less than successful? The answer to this is expectations. Objective measurements were met, but stakeholder expectations were not. Most stakeholder expectations are never disclosed to the project manager. This leads to another question, if stakeholder expectations are important enough to determine a project’s success, then why are we not paying more attention to them? The simple answer is expectations are not necessarily rational and usually do not have tangible metrics associated with them. Project managers are skilled at following processes to deliver the final results a stakeholder asked for (tangible) but it does not necessarily equate to what the stakeholder felt they actually needed (mostly intangible). Stakeholders view the project team as a problem-solver and expect the right problems to be solved even if the stakeholder cannot articulate the right problems. They do not see it simply as getting what they asked for. In any case, a project manager would see the projects as a success if it was delivered on time, and within budget and scope. But if the solution does not meet the stakeholder’s expectations, is it really bringing the value it was undertaken to bring? We all have expectations. There is a biological basis for expectations Expectations are linked with the release of dopamine and the reward circuitry, which provides a pleasurable feeling. Perception filters filter out information that does not fit with our present situation. The perception filter also interprets non-verbal communication and can be wrong and manipulated. Stakeholders could assume the project team knows their expectations because of how they perceived an interaction with the team. When an expectation is not met, the dopamine levels fall steadily which leads to a very unpleasant feeling. Therefore, if you perceive something good is going to happen, or that something that is going to happen will be good, your dopamine levels go up. When that expectation is not met, your dopamine levels go down. So, when we talk about meeting expectations, it does not always mean that we have to do exactly what the stakeholder expects, but we do need to recognize the expectation and address it accordingly. How can we better meet expectations? You simply cannot meet an expectation that you are unaware of. The best way to make sure that you can address ALL expectations is to take steps to determine ALL expectations. Get to know your stakeholders, ask questions to determine the real problem the need solved even if the real problem is not specifically known by the customer. Once you know what the real problem is, determine the customer’s vision once the problem is solved. What do they see as the outcome. A vision is defined as a description in as much detail as possible of a scenario that occurs in a problem-less domain. By asking how they are going to know their problem was solved typically helps expose expectations that otherwise may have not been realized. In general, complaints are unmet expectations. This can be resolved by simply removing the expectation, even just pointing out that an expectation is unrealistic can help negate or reduce the negative flow of dopamine. To some degree, you may be able to control the occurrence of expectations. The longer an expectation continues to be unaddressed, the harder it is to address it. In Conclusion…even if you work with your stakeholders, talk about their expectations, and deal with any unrealistic expectations, there may still be unstated expectations. Stakeholders do not always know what they expect. We, as project managers, need to do our best to catch all expectations as early as possible and deal with them immediately.

August 27, 2022 Reference: “3 ‘recession-proof’ skills that are in-demand even during a downturn, according to economists” by Morgan Smith published July 21, 2022 There is currently a debate between economists as to whether a recession is coming, and if so, how bad it will be. Though it is too soon to predict when or if a recession will hit the U.S., senior economist Kory Kantenga says, “it’s very clear that we’re in an economic slowdown right now.” What results from an economic slowdown? Lost jobs, employers seeking specific skills, and job seekers needing more specialized skills. Economists claim that flexibility, project management, and communication are the most “recession-proof” skills that employers will be looking for in the near future. Flexibility has been a key skill for many years but has been more important recently during the Covid-19 recession of 2020. Flexibility is shown by navigating different roles and responsibilities throughout an organization, overcoming a problem on an important project, volunteering your time to assist with tasks that are not included within your scope of responsibilities, or collaborating with a new team. As a job seeker, it is important to highlight your ability to “operate in times of uncertainty” when completing your resume. Solarity offers a Time Management course and other leadership courses that can give you the tools to effectively balance your time and prioritize what is urgent and important. Project managers certified in project management is and will continue to be a highly sought skill, especially as new obstacles will inevitably arise. Employers are looking for potential employees “who can identify new problems, articulate solutions, and drive that plan forward,” according to chief economist Julia Pollak. Solarity is an Authorized Training Partner with the Project Management Institute (PMI) and offers a Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam Preparation class. This class prepares you for the PMP Exam which, when passed, gives you a nationally recognized PMP certification. This certification shows current and potential employers that you are well versed in the project management processes. Clear and effective communication is a critical skill in all industries. Being able to give presentations, feedback, and negotiation are skills that employers are always looking for. While those skills are important, it is crucial for future job seekers to pay attention to the news and follow which industries are making long-term investments in hiring. Costs and benefits of jobs will change during a recession, so it is important to put yourself in a position to succeed through the recession and in the recovery. Solarity offers a Communications Management course that will help you brush up your communication skills and give you tools and techniques that can immediately be put to use back at the workplace. Having these three crucial skills can make you an invaluable team member across all industries and “recession-proof” yourself for the future. At Solarity, we would love to help you reach your full potential in these areas!

May 2, 2022 “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” Change is inevitable, a certainty, but even knowing this change can still be intimidating – and today, change is constant. To help project professionals navigate and adapt to our rapidly changing world, keep pace with effective practices and strategies, and implement the smartest solutions available, PMI updated its Talent Triangle® to reflect a diverse skill set of different disciplines, practices, and more highly sought skills. The PMI Talent Triangle® was originally developed for project professionals to stay competitive and challenge the notion that project management is a technical-only skill. Using a skill set combining Technical Project Management (now Ways of Working), Leadership (now Power Skills), and Strategic and Business Management (now Business Acumen), the PMI Talent Triangle has helped project professionals master essential, diverse skills since it was first introduced in 2015. As of April 2022, the sides of the PMI Talent Triangle shifted focus to the categories below. Ways of Working: Today’s myriad methods for getting work done encourages professionals to understand as many ways of working as possible to apply the appropriate technique for any situation. Power Skills: From effective communication and collaborative teams to empathy and emotional intelligence, ensuring that project teams broaden social skills is critical to maintain influence with a variety of stakeholders. Business Acumen: Developing business acumen allows professionals the function-specific or domain-specific knowledge for effective decision-making inside their organization and out. Are PDUs Affected? The criteria for mapping PDUs will not change. Those taking a course that earns PDUs for Technical Project Management, those PDUs will map to Ways of Working, existing Leadership credits will map to Power Skills, and PDUs for Strategic and Business Management will map to Business Acumen. More information on the PMI Talent Triangle, including guidance for classifying PDUs, can be found here.

April 15, 2022 In today’s workplace, lots of us are project managers, even if we don’t have that specific title. Our jobs often include balancing budgets and schedules with work that has to be done to achieve a specific outcome. That’s more or less the definition of project management. A natural question to ask then is, “If I’m already managing projects, why should I get a project management certification?” That’s a fair question. After all, if you’re already doing the job of a project manager, it can seem like certification is just a formal way to say so. But a project management certification does a lot more than that. Let’s talk about some of the benefits of becoming certified. We’re going to focus on the Project Management Professional Certificate (PMP) from the Project Management Institute, since it’s the best-known and most widely respected project management certification in the world. Here are some of the ways a PMP project management certification can help you: Become a Stronger Employment Candidate as a PMP: Being a certified PMP helps set you apart from other project managers when you’re looking for your next job. Earn More as a PMP: Project managers with a PMP certification earn more than those who aren’t certified Get access to Project Management resources: A PMP certification combined with a PMI membership gives you access to loads of project management resources Keep your Project Management Skills Current: Being a certified PMP ensures you’ll keep your skills up to date Become Part of a Project Management Community: PMPs belong to a community of practitioners who can provide support and guidance Let’s take a look at each of these reasons in more detail to help prove how a PMP certification can help your career. Become a Stronger Employment Candidate as a PMP A PMP certification stands out on your resume. It tells employers that you have the legitimate training and experience to understand project management practices as a professional. Imagine a hiring official wading through a stack of resumes to find a project manager. The job title of “Project Manager” can mean virtually anything, from a person responsible for processing client invoices to someone whose primary job is to post content to social media. But a PMP certification stands out as the mark of a professional project manager who knows how to balance the demands of today’s fast-moving, complex projects using current, proven practices. Your PMP certification can help hiring managers cut through that stack of resumes and identify you as a project management professional. Earn More as a PMP PMI’s research shows that PMP-certified project managers in the United States earn an average of 25% more than project managers without a PMP certification. The median salary of a PMP in the US is $23,000 higher per year than a project manager without the certification. That means that over the course of a 20-year career, certified project managers can earn over $400,000 more than those without a PMP. Get access to Project Management resources When you become PMP-certified, you get more than just a piece of paper. When you also join PMI as a member, you get access to project management templates, free webinars, and more. PMI provides articles and other content you can use to support your project management work. In addition, you get free access to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, which is the most comprehensive overview of the project management discipline (and important study material for the PMP exam!). On top of all that content, you’ll also get discounted access to certification exams and PMI events. Keep your Project Management Skills Current Being a certified PMP ensures you’ll keep your skills up to date. You’ll need to renew your certification every three years, which requires continuing education that you can gain through taking more classes, reading, participating in webinars, and by just practicing your craft as a project manager. Beyond keeping your project management skills sharp, you’ll also have access to a ton of project management content from all different industries and across the world, allowing you to expand your project management understanding well beyond your field of employment Become Part of a Project Management Community Quite possibly the best part of becoming a PMP-certified project manager is the amazing connections you can make with project managers around the world. From local PMI chapter meetings to online groups on LinkedIn to networks like projectmanagement.com, your standing as a PMP helps you make connections with all sorts of project management communities. There you’ll find friendly, expert advice, support, and even opportunities to give back to the project management community. How to Become a PMP Certified Project Manager As you can see, the benefits of becoming a PMP can help you land good jobs, earn more money, gain more knowledge, and join a thriving community. If you’re passionate about project management and interested in the next step, check out our article: “How to Become PMP-Certified.” If you’re already convinced, but want to complete training to prepare you for the PMP certification exam, read more about our Project Management courses.

Submitted by: Anita Marshall, P.E., PMP®, Principal Civil Engineer, Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) February 16, 2021 I currently work at the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) in the Materials section. I formerly worked in the Highway Design section at RIDOT and have been a Project Manager for over 28 years. In November, the Training Department notified some of us that there were four (4) openings left in a class offered by Solarity for the PMP® Exam Preparation, so I signed up. I didn’t have any knowledge of the PMP® or the Project Management Institute. The Solarity class was excellent and covered a great deal of material in a short time. I wanted to take the exam and try to get certified, even though it is not a requirement of my employer. I signed up for the virtual exam at the end of December 2020. We were told that in 2021, the exam would be changing so I decided to take the exam in 2020. I only had about 4 weeks to study. I took the first practice exam that Solarity offers (there are 2 exams), and ended up with a 59 after only a little bit of studying. I then proceeded to read every chapter and answered the questions at the back of each chapter in the PMP Exam Prep book (by Rita Mulcahy). I read portions of each chapter of the PMBOK® Guide but didn’t have time to read the entire book. I also created flash cards for the major terms that were in the slides from the Solarity Class, including the formulas. I ended up spending the last 2 days before the exam going through all the modules in the Solarity online supplemental course. The modules go over every knowledge area and have several exercises that are fun and help you to remember what’s important. The exercises have matching, buckets for putting the correct terms into Inputs, Tools, and Outputs, Flashcards, Vocabulary game, a Game Show, crossword puzzles and Practice Questions. Each module contains a few short videos on each topic from project management professionals. Since the questions on the exam are situational,  I had to really think about what would be the best choice of the four options. As I was taking the exam, in my mind I didn’t think I got enough questions correct and I said to myself, “I will have to study more and take this exam again”. Much to my surprise, as soon as the clock ran down to zero, a message came up on the screen immediately congratulating me and stating that I was certified as a PMP®! I highly recommend the Solarity class and the supplemental online materials as a key tool for preparing for the PMP® exam. My advice is never give up!

December 7, 2020 I’m the office manager and bookkeeper at Solarity. And while I know they love me, there was a time a few years ago when I felt a bit like a gosling in a duck pond. See, all of my project manager colleagues were throwing around words and phrases I just didn’t get. Things like project charter. A process is not a procedure and a procedure is not a process. Even scope creep. Scope creep? Sounds like something from Stranger Things. (It’s also called feature creep, as if that makes it any better.) So rather than suffer in ignorance, I decided to take Solarity’s Best Practices in Project Management course (I took it twice, actually). Let me tell you how it went. First of all, I learned what project charter, process, procedure and scope creep mean. (Scope creep refers to how a project’s requirements tend to grow over time, not unlike a blob in a sci fi movie. You’re welcome!). And I learned so much more than lingo. Here are a few highlights from my time in the Solarity classroom. I learned how to organize and coordinate not just work-related projects, but any project. From a birthday party to a church function to a plan for reaching a life goal, it was all laid out for me in a way that my brain could understand and tied up with a neat little bow. I took away actionable principles that I could use right away. In fact, I got so good at coordinating that my church asked me to organize an annual women’s conference, which I did. After a few years, when I tried to step back, they said, Okay, Sarah, but can you still at least take notes and tell us what to do? I learned about communication, and I can tell you it’s kind of like one of those unfortunate images that comes across your computer screen that you can’t unsee. Now that I understand how effective communication works, I can see how really poorly most people around us communicate. What a difference it makes when you start a meeting by talking about your goals and your vision and deliverables instead of jumping right to how you’re going to pull whatever-this-is off. Accompany that by timely, appropriate interactions and wow, it’s a whole different ball game. Or women’s conference. Or work project. I had fun, too. Let’s address the obvious here– training is not always fun, is it? I’ve signed up for courses that were snooze-fests and I bet you’ve experienced something similar. But when training is done with interactive segments, group work and games, by talented, passionate, and energetic trainers, it’s a blast! We worked on real-life projects. That’s right. It wasn’t all practice exercises. During portions of the course we were invited to pull out actual projects we were working on in our actual jobs. We brainstormed together, worked through issues as a group, and with guidance from our trainers (who, by the way, don’t only train students but also actively manage projects of their own), we moved our projects forward during class time. And there was a bonus– I got to meet so many awesome people from different industries all coming together to help one another overcome challenges. I know I’m making it sound corny, but it wasn’t. It was really cool. I’m glad I took the courses for so many reasons. And even now when I’m in my office working, sometimes I can hear training classes going on in the comfy, roomy training space, and I smile. People are laughing, people are having a good time. It brings me back to the classes I took, the energy in the room and the best practices in project management I still use. Getting me out of my office, sharing snacks and coffee with my fellow classmates… Sigh. Maybe I need to go get a refresher on scope creep.