http://pm411.org project management internet radio show, templates, and webtools Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:37:46 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 The pm411.org Project Management Podcast is dedicated to help you at your job as a Project Manager or Program Manager, regardless if you have years of experience, or if you are just starting on your journey in Project Management. pm411.org is a place where you can come to find the latest in PM tools, PM Templates, PM tips, and PMI (PMBOK) methodologies that have been found to help others. It is a place where discussions can be had with project managers from around the globe and in every industry where project management permeates in our Project Management discussion forums. It is a place where you can find the best Project Management links to other sites dedicated to our wonderful profession. Ron Holohan, MBA PMP no Ron Holohan, MBA PMP show@pm411.org show@pm411.org (Ron Holohan, MBA PMP) 2007-2012 Ron Holohan Project management internet radio show, discussion forum, methodology, templates, and webtools project, management, pm, prepcast, management, manager, pmi, pmp, team, management, schedule, budget http://pm411.org/wp-content/uploads/pm411logo_itunes.jpg http://pm411.org/category/pm-tools/templates/ http://pm411.org/2010/11/27/podcast-episode-066-5-myths-of-weekly-status-reports/ http://pm411.org/2010/11/27/podcast-episode-066-5-myths-of-weekly-status-reports/#comments Sun, 28 Nov 2010 01:31:09 +0000 Ron Holohan, MBA PMP http://pm411.org/?p=1756 http://pm411.org/2010/11/27/podcast-episode-066-5-myths-of-weekly-status-reports/feed/ 10 myths,PDU Podcast,project,status report,Templates Usually when I talk with project managers struggling with team communication, I get a litany of excuses why weekly status reports won't work on their team. - So, today I do my best to help debunk 5 of the myths around publishing weekly status reports ... Usually when I talk with project managers struggling with team communication, I get a litany of excuses why weekly status reports won't work on their team. So, today I do my best to help debunk 5 of the myths around publishing weekly status reports and provide you with some tips on how to get the most out of them. There is even a free template available to get you started! Ron Holohan, MBA PMP no 15:38 http://pm411.org/2008/09/21/podcast-episode-036-mindmapping/ http://pm411.org/2008/09/21/podcast-episode-036-mindmapping/#comments Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:10:02 +0000 Ron Holohan, MBA PMP http://876225498 http://pm411.org/2008/09/21/podcast-episode-036-mindmapping/feed/ 5 mindjet,mindmapping Today I speak with Jagdish Mirani, the Product Marketing lead for Mindjet Corporation. His professional experience spans the areas of Development, Product Management, and Marketing over a twenty-five year period. - Today I speak with Jagdish Mirani, the Product Marketing lead for Mindjet Corporation. His professional experience spans the areas of Development, Product Management, and Marketing over a twenty-five year period. Prior to Mindjet he was VP of Product Management and Marketing at Business Objects (acquired by SAP). Before that, he was responsible for positioning and marketing Oracle’s Enterprise Performance Management Applications and Oracle’s future Enterprise Applications Product Line (Project Fusion). Prior to Oracle, Jagdish held various positions at Sybase, Tandem Computers and Hewlett-Packard. Jagdish holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Santa Clara University and an MBA from UC Berkeley. A mind map is described in Wikipedia as is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged radially around a central key word or idea. Mind maps are used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, decision making, and writing. Today Jagdish and I talk about how mindmapping can be used by project managers to help plan, execute, and monitor their projects.  We also discuss: What is mindmapping, and as a project manager what can it do for me? How is mindmapping different than flowcharting or using Visio? Is mindmapping only used for planning activities like brainstorming? What mindmapping tools does Mindjet offer and what are some of its features. Mindjet offers a new web service called Mindjet Connect.  What are some of its features? Mindjet also offers a new version of their Project Management Solution, JCVGantt 3. Listeners can findout more about mindmapping and download project management mindmapping templates at www.mindjet.com. Key Links Mindjet:  www.mindjet.com Mindmanager Pro:  http://www.mindjet.com/products/mindmanager_pro/default.aspx The Mindmanager Project Manager JetPack:  http://www.mindjet.com/products/jetpack/default.aspx JCVGantt Pro:  http://www.mindjet.com/products/jcv_Gantt/default.aspx Free Giveaways! Finally, we have a special giveaway on the show today!  On October 30th, 2008 we will pick the names of 2 lucky winners that will receive a free downloadable copy of Mindmanager 7 and the Mindjet Jetpack for Project Management.  Simply sign up through the pm411.org website for the free pm411.org Project Management Newsletter or click here before October 30th and you will be automatically entered into the contest. Get the pm411.org Project Management Podcast Newslestter delivered by email for free! - Your email address and personal information are confidential and will never be sold or rented.   Ron Holohan, MBA PMP no 23:41 http://pm411.org/2008/08/07/the-bigg-success-show-five-tips-for-more-effective-status-reports/ http://pm411.org/2008/08/07/the-bigg-success-show-five-tips-for-more-effective-status-reports/#comments Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:49:15 +0000 Ron Holohan, MBA PMP http://pm411.org/?p=300 http://pm411.org/2008/08/07/the-bigg-success-show-five-tips-for-more-effective-status-reports/feed/ 1 Communication,PM Podcasts,status reports,stoplight reporting,Templates Recently I was interviewed on one of my favorite podcasts, The Bigg Success Show, and I provided George and Mary-Lynn with 2 Tips for More Effective Project Status Reports. - Below I provide three additional tips for a total of five tips that will hel... Recently I was interviewed on one of my favorite podcasts, The Bigg Success Show, and I provided George and Mary-Lynn with 2 Tips for More Effective Project Status Reports. Below I provide three additional tips for a total of five tips that will help you write status reports that people will actually read! Tip #1 - Know your audience! Ask yourself these questions: Who will be reading your status report?  Team members? Management? Your customer? What level of detail does your audience require?  Don't make your audience dig through lots of details to get the information they really want. How frequently does your audience need updates - Daily, Weekly, Monthly? Tip #2 - Focus only on the exceptions! Look at just those issues that have changed since your previous report.  This will give your audience just the information that has changed since last report.  This will also help keep your report short and concise. Tip #3 - Make your report easy to read! Allow your audience to easily scan and find those details that interests them the most Use "Stoplight Reporting" on bulletpoints to communicate progress: - Green means everything is going according to plan. - Yellow means this particular item needs to be watched. - Red means that action is required. - Use Blue to indicate a particular issue has been resolved since the last report. Use short bullet points instead of paragraphs of prose to communicate information. Use tables to list the status of items like milestones, budget information, or product material cost. Tip #4 - Stay consistent! This means staying consistent in how you present your information as well as when you distribute your status reports. You want to stay consistent in how you present your information so your audience knows exactly where to find the information they need each time they read your report. Keep the sections in your report consistent. - Use a table of Project milestones with Planned completion dates and actual completion dates. - Provide a bulleted list of accomplishments since last report. - Provide a bulleted list of upcoming events and goals for the coming week or month. - Provide a bulleted list of current issues or risks - Provide a a table or list of links to other project documents like previous status reports, your project charter, your project budget, and project background information. Publish your status report consistently - Send it out on the same day by the same time every time. - If you send it out on Friday's by 4pm, always send it out on Fridays by 4pm. - With many mail clients, like Microsoft Outlook, you can even schedule the exact time when your status report is sent out.  However, mail clients have not figured out how to time travel, so you can't send out a status report in the past.  So if you are going to be late publishing a status report, send out a short email to your audience letting them know when they can expect it. Tip #5 - Ask your audience for feedback! Ask how could your status reporting be improved? Are your readers satisfied with the information you are providing? Could you provide any additional information? Is the frequency in which you publish your status reports adequate? Or Is it published too frequently and your audience has added you to their spam filters? You can download a free Status Report template, along with some other great templates, from www.pm411.org/templates. And be sure to check out The Bigg Success Show - it is published daily and provides some really great motivational ideas and techniques for your personal and professional life! Get the pm411.org Project Management Podcast delivered by email for free! - Your email address and personal information are confidential and will never be sold or rented. Ron Holohan, MBA PMP no 5:38 http://pm411.org/2008/05/27/podcast-episode-031-pmos-and-portfolio-management/ http://pm411.org/2008/05/27/podcast-episode-031-pmos-and-portfolio-management/#comments Wed, 28 May 2008 04:10:25 +0000 Ron Holohan, MBA PMP http://pm411.org/?p=212 http://pm411.org/2008/05/27/podcast-episode-031-pmos-and-portfolio-management/feed/ 3 pmo,portfolio management Recently I interviewed Nayan Patel, PMP, who works as a Corporate Manager of Portfolio Management for a major Healthcare Network.  I talked to Nayan about his role in creating and supporting project management, project management reporting tools, Recently I interviewed Nayan Patel, PMP, who works as a Corporate Manager of Portfolio Management for a major Healthcare Network.  I talked to Nayan about his role in creating and supporting project management, project management reporting tools, and ... Ron Holohan, MBA PMP no 19:07 http://pm411.org/2007/12/28/podcast-episode-020-e-projectmanagers-website/ http://pm411.org/2007/12/28/podcast-episode-020-e-projectmanagers-website/#comments Fri, 28 Dec 2007 08:11:55 +0000 Ron Holohan, MBA PMP http://pm411.org/2007/12/28/podcast-episode-020-e-projectmanagers-website/ http://pm411.org/2007/12/28/podcast-episode-020-e-projectmanagers-website/feed/ 0 In today's episode I talk with Dora Tarver of the e-ProjectManagers website, a great website for Project Management templates. - Dora began her career as a Programmer / Analyst, soon becoming a technical leader and eventually a Project Manager. In today's episode I talk with Dora Tarver of the e-ProjectManagers website, a great website for Project Management templates. Dora began her career as a Programmer / Analyst, soon becoming a technical leader and eventually a Project Manager.  She is a member of PMI, has published papers, and has spoken across the country for PMI including at PMI Annual Seminars & Symposium.  Dora has over 17 years expereince in planning, building and buying software and hardware for medium and multimillion-dollar projects. Her experience includes infrastructure management, project procurement, change management, risk management, team development, time & cost analysis, business analysis, project plan development and maintenance following PMBOK and Corporate methodologies. Show Notes: http://www.e-projectmanagers.com/ - Dora's project management website where her free templates can be found. doratarver@e-projectmanagers.com - Where to contact Dora. http://www.dharmakaya.com/ - The Dharmakaya Meditation Center. http://www.freewebsitedesign.org/ - Where you can go to get your website created for free. http://www.enlightenedsource.org/ - Dora provides some internet business product reviews. Finally, be sure to look for the bonus year-end pm411.org podcast episode next week on the topic of things you and your team can do to make sure you get off on the right project management foot for 2008!  Get the pm411.org Project Management Podcast delivered by email for free!  - Your email address and personal information are confidential and will never be sold or rented.    Ron Holohan, MBA PMP no 14:41 http://pm411.org/2007/09/18/podcast-episode-013-how-i-became-a-pmp/ http://pm411.org/2007/09/18/podcast-episode-013-how-i-became-a-pmp/#comments Wed, 19 Sep 2007 02:52:20 +0000 Ron Holohan, MBA PMP http://pm411.org/2007/09/18/podcast-episode-013-how-i-became-a-pmp/ http://pm411.org/2007/09/18/podcast-episode-013-how-i-became-a-pmp/feed/ 0 Sorry - I am reposting this episode since there were some link issues with the original posting... - I am happy to announce that on September 7th, 2007 I passed the Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification Exam. Sorry - I am reposting this episode since there were some link issues with the original posting... I am happy to announce that on September 7th, 2007 I passed the Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification Exam.  In today's show I talk about...   Why I chose to become a PMP® What I did to prepare for the exam and how long it took me What sections of the exam I felt were especially difficult What I would do differently if I were to take the exam over again And finally, how I believe being a PMP® will help me at my current job I also created a template (PMP® Practice Exam Answer Sheet Template) that I used while taking practice exams which you can use yourself.  Also, here is the link to the PM PrepCast.  Thanks for listening!  Ron Holohan, PMP®  Get the pm411.org Project Management Podcast delivered by email for free! Full Disclosure:  We are an affiliate of the PMP® PrepCast™ and earn a referral commission in exchange for actively testing and promoting this beneficial project management tool to our readers and listeners.  The commission earned helps to offset our hosting, equipment, and publishing costs and allows us to continue to provide our readers and listeners with valuable free content. Ron Holohan, MBA PMP no 18:08 http://pm411.org/2007/05/01/project-budget-template/ http://pm411.org/2007/05/01/project-budget-template/#comments Tue, 01 May 2007 18:20:18 +0000 Ron Holohan, MBA PMP http://pm411.org/2007/05/01/project-budget-template/ http://pm411.org/2007/05/01/project-budget-template/feed/ 2 http://pm411.org/2007/04/01/podcast-episode-002-managing-effective-meetings/ http://pm411.org/2007/04/01/podcast-episode-002-managing-effective-meetings/#comments Mon, 02 Apr 2007 02:25:49 +0000 Ron Holohan, MBA PMP http://pm411.org/2007/04/01/podcast-episode-002-managing-effective-meetings/ http://pm411.org/2007/04/01/podcast-episode-002-managing-effective-meetings/feed/ 0 When creating meetings for your team it is important that you: Determine if you need a meeting Determine the goal of the meeting Prepare for the meeting in advance Run the meeting effectively and follow up after the meeting - When creating meetings for your team it is important that you: Determine if you need a meeting Determine the goal of the meeting Prepare for the meeting in advance Run the meeting effectively and follow up after the meeting Although most of us already have way too many meetings, effectively managed meeting can mean the difference between success and failure for a project team.  In this podcast (Part 1 or 2 on Effective Meetings) I describe some techniques that I use in my own team meetings to insure success.  I have also provided an effective meeting minute template that allows minutes to be captured easily into 4 critical Key Information Buckets:  Action Items, Decisions Made, Discussion Points, and Open Issues.  Next week's podcast will continue on the topic of effective meetings and I will discuss the use of standup meetings. Enjoy, Ron Meeting Minute Template (Right Click and choose "Save Target As" to download .xls file)   Get the pm411.org Project Management Podcast delivered by email for free!    Ron Holohan, MBA PMP no 14:36