The Daily PM Blog
6 Reasons to Pursue Certification in Project Management
December 31, 2012
The pursuit of the Holy Grail, the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper, is a story full of lore, legend, and intrigue. The vessel was given to Joseph of Arimathaea, and reportedly sustained him for years with fresh drink and food every morning while he was imprisoned.
The Grail was eventually lost. The search for it became the seed from which many legends were born, the most famous of which was King Arthur and the Knights of the Round-table’s pursuit of the precious artifact.
Their story concludes with Sir Galahad gazing upon the Holy Grail and he and the cup being lifted to heaven never...
The Top 10 Project Software Development Mistakes
December 28, 2012
David Letterman is a funny guy. I especially look forward to his talk show’s Top 10 List, an irreverent commentary on current events. For example, he’ll countdown the top ten reasons why a certain politician did or said something, culminating with the top gaffe for biggest laughs. Or, he will spoof the top ten unsafe toys or ten least popular Broadway shows. Whatever the topic, the biggest joke is saved for last.
We’re going to offer up our Top 10 List today, a countdown of top Project Software Development Mistakes. They aren’t terribly funny but undoubtedly will resonate if you’ve b...
There’s No Such Thing as Responsibility Free Project Management
December 27, 2012
Do you remember your first job? I mean your first job EVER, not the first job after you got out of school or the first step on the career path you currently enjoy. Maybe you worked at a restaurant, movie theater, skating rink, or somewhere else perfectly suited to you as a teenager.
Whatever it was, you punched the clock and got to work doing exactly what they asked you to do. You really didn’t have to put too much thought into it, because you always had someone telling you what you were doing right or wrong.
Your biggest concern was making sure you were there on time and where you were go...
What Online Project Management Software Can’t Do
December 26, 2012
Let’s take a moment and go WAY back in our time machine to the early to mid-70s. Close your eyes and think about where you were the first time you heard the expression, “It slices, it dices, it even makes Julienne Fries.” These iconic words were used to promote the (still available) Veg-o-Matic.
This piece of remarkable culinary engineering allows you to select different sized blades and blade configurations, add the food you want to chop, and then simply press down. As simple as this device is to operate, the original version is featured in the Smithsonian as a breakthrough time-savin...
Managing Multiple Projects
December 25, 2012
Watch this video to learn project management tips and techniques for managing multiple projects at the same time.
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Using Your PMP Training to Influence Others
December 24, 2012
It takes all kinds of people to make the project management world go ‘round. Think about the different types of people you work with as a project manager, and you can testify to the fact that all resources are not created equal. There’s a type of resource that is eager to please.
I think back fondly to the first time I was introduced to a new resource on the project team. He had come up from the bowels of the organization, the shipping department, where he wore slacks and a tie to work every day even though no one else did. He stood out and it was clear he wanted the opportunity to do a re...
6 Facts about Project Planning Micro-Managers
December 21, 2012
We all have horror stories of micro-managers to tell. Like kids sitting around a campfire, we tell our ghostly stories of atrociousness to try and scare the wits out of each other. We compare notes about micro-managers we have worked for in the past, saying to someone who just finished their micro-manager story, “That’s nothing. I used to work for a guy who would put the conference call on mute and tell people exactly what to say.” [True story, by the way]. Here’s a story to tell the next time you get around the project management campfire:
It was a dark and stormy afternoon. The te...
Why the Digital Prayer is Not in a Project Manager Job Description
December 20, 2012
Today is the big day: a meeting with the new Client at their location. It’s been on your calendar for two months and you’ve spent weeks carefully crafting the presentation with handpicked visuals and precisely orchestrating words that would flow from your lips.
Your entire goal has been to leave the senior level people in attendance in awe, respect, and appreciation for what your company was about to do for them. The night before, you were unable to sleep as you played the presentation over and over again in your head.
You arrive at the client’s location and begin setting up. Every...
What is PMP Code of Professional Conduct?
December 19, 2012
The Hippocratic Oath is one of the oldest binding documents in history, dating back to the 4th century BC. It captures the essence of beliefs held sacred by doctors: treat the sick to the best of one’s ability, preserve patient privacy, teach the secrets of medicine to the next generation and “do no harm.” Nearly 100% of US medical schools administer some form of the oath today, and it is the primary code of conduct by which doctors regulate themselves in their professional lives.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) has authored a similar code of conduct for project managers, calle...
How to Be a Great Leader
December 18, 2012
Check out this project management training course video to learn how to become a great leader.
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