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-topics/organization/ http://pm411.org/2011/09/12/podcast-episode-078-the-value-of-your-pmo/ http://pm411.org/2011/09/12/podcast-episode-078-the-value-of-your-pmo/#comments Tue, 13 Sep 2011 02:16:51 +0000 Ron Holohan, MBA PMP http://pm411.org/?p=2517 http://pm411.org/2011/09/12/podcast-episode-078-the-value-of-your-pmo/feed/ 2 create a pmo,pm network,pm solutions,pm value,pmi,pmo,pmo failure,pmo successes,project management office,project management solutions,shure,sm7b You can't just create a PMO and expect everyone to jump on board to support it. Especially when 50% of PMOs fail the first time around. So, In order to get the resources and budget necessary for the PMO to be successful, You can't just create a PMO and expect everyone to jump on board to support it. Especially when 50% of PMOs fail the first time around. So, In order to get the resources and budget necessary for the PMO to be successful, you need to show the value that a PMO will bring to your organization. Ron Holohan, MBA PMP no 15:23 http://pm411.org/2010/03/28/podcast-episode-057-tom-peters-speaks-out-about-toyota-recalls/ http://pm411.org/2010/03/28/podcast-episode-057-tom-peters-speaks-out-about-toyota-recalls/#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2010 02:21:41 +0000 Ron Holohan, MBA PMP http://pm411.org/?p=1117 http://pm411.org/2010/03/28/podcast-episode-057-tom-peters-speaks-out-about-toyota-recalls/feed/ 5 al dunlap,apple,authors,auto manufacturers,chevrolet,Chrysler,Ford,GM,google,Honda,ibm,in search of excellence I was recently joined by best selling author and Management guru Tom Peters to discuss his perspective on the Toyota recalls. Tom and I also talked about where other major companies such as Dell, Starbucks, Nike, Apple, Google, GM, IBM, I was recently joined by best selling author and Management guru Tom Peters to discuss his perspective on the Toyota recalls. Tom and I also talked about where other major companies such as Dell, Starbucks, Nike, Apple, Google, GM, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, and Honda fall on that elusive spectra known as "Excellence". By the way, if somehow you have not heard of Tom Peters: Simply put, Tom Peters is the last of the still living and truly great 20th Century management thought leaders and, incidentally, is more relevant in today's business environment than ever before. Ron Holohan, MBA PMP no 31:36 http://pm411.org/2010/01/16/podcast-episode-052-its-okay-to-be-raci/ http://pm411.org/2010/01/16/podcast-episode-052-its-okay-to-be-raci/#comments Sat, 16 Jan 2010 06:19:18 +0000 Ron Holohan, MBA PMP http://pm411.org/?p=870 http://pm411.org/2010/01/16/podcast-episode-052-its-okay-to-be-raci/feed/ 5 Accountability,consulted.ram.responsibility assignment matrix,raci,responsibilities,responsibility,roles,team If you like us, give us a 5 star review in iTunes! - In Episode 004 and Episode 051 we discussed the Work Breakdown Structure and how it can help you as a team to clearly document your project’s deliverables.  But once you have completed your WBS, If you like us, give us a 5 star review in iTunes! In Episode 004 and Episode 051 we discussed the Work Breakdown Structure and how it can help you as a team to clearly document your project’s deliverables.  But once you have completed your WBS, what’s next? Well the next step is to develop a Responsibility Assignment Matrix, or RAM, using the RACI process.  I think you are going to find this to be a valuable tool to help clarify ownership to various parts of your project.  Soon your entire team will be RACI! Define Activities Process After you identify your deliverables in your Work Breakdown Structure, you will need to define those actions and activities that need to be done to produce the lowest level deliverables.  This is the first process in the PMBOK Time Management Knowledge Area and is known as the Define Activities Process. In Episode 004 on Work Breakdown Structures we provided an example of a project of doing laundry.  A lower deliverable could be “clean dark clothes”.  Decomposing the activities under this deliverable could be “sort laundry by color,”, “select cold setting,” measure laundry detergent, add detergent to washer, add dark clothes to washer, check clothes once the cycle completes, unload washer, add washed clothes to dryer, select regular drying setting, check clothes once dryer timer goes off, fill laundry basket, sort laundry to iron, Iron laundry, Fold laundry, and Put laundry away. Note that the order of the activities doesn’t need to necessarily be in order at this point, and additional activities can be added such as “add dryer sheet to dryer.”  However, once you have your list of activities for each deliverable, you are ready to use the RACI process to assign them to folks associated with the project. Basically, RACI is a method to assign activities to resources by name or by function. RACI is an acronym that stands for four types of task assignments: Responsible Accountable Consulted Informed So, let’s talk about the four types of assignments. Responsible [R] The first type of assignment is “R” that stands for “Responsible.”  The person assigned as “responsible” for a task is the person, or role, that is responsible for actually performing the work for the task. A few guidelines to keep in mind…  When no one is assigned as responsible for the task, chances are that it won’t get done. Also, when many people are assigned to completing the work, it requires a lot of coordination and usually means further decomposition is required to make sure everyone is clear about what specifically they need to work on.  Finally, if a specific person is assigned as the “R” to multiple tasks they may become overloaded.  In this case, you may want to see if someone else can fill in as the “R” on some of the tasks. Accountable [A] The second type of assignment is “A” that stands for “Accountable.”  This is the person who is held accountable for the task getting completed.  One guideline to keep in mind for the person assigned as “Accountable,” insure only one person is assigned as accountable for each task being performed.  If you end up trying to assign multiple people to a particular task you will end up with a lot of finger pointing and confusion when issues occur. Consulted [C] The next type is Consulted – the “C’s.”  These are the people involved and consulted prior to a task being performed. Essentially, their input is sought after and factored in prior to action taking place. As the number of people consulted increases, the speed with which action can be taken decreases. Conversely, too few and improper decisions and actions may be made without those whose buy-in is required being assigned as a “C”. Informed [I] Finally are the “I’s” who are those that need to be Informed on the status and completion of a task. If necessary parties aren’t informed, Ron Holohan, MBA PMP no http://pm411.org/2009/08/03/the-pm-podcast-pmo-roundtable/ http://pm411.org/2009/08/03/the-pm-podcast-pmo-roundtable/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:12:39 +0000 Ron Holohan, MBA PMP http://pm411.org/?p=562 http://pm411.org/2009/08/03/the-pm-podcast-pmo-roundtable/feed/ 2 cornelius fichtner,pmo,shawn futterer Cornelius Fichtner, PMP, host of The PM Podcast, once again invited Shawn Futterer, PMP, of The ICPM website, and myself to a roundtable project management podcast discussion. In this roundtable discussion we focus on the Project Management Office (PMO). Cornelius Fichtner, PMP, host of The PM Podcast, once again invited Shawn Futterer, PMP, of The ICPM website, and myself to a roundtable project management podcast discussion. In this roundtable discussion we focus on the Project Management Office (PMO). Ron Holohan, MBA PMP no 47:51 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/2008/08/31/podcast-episode-035-managing-small-projects-part-2-of-2/ http://pm411.org/2008/08/31/podcast-episode-035-managing-small-projects-part-2-of-2/#comments Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:27:53 +0000 Ron Holohan, MBA PMP http://pm411.org/?p=352 http://pm411.org/2008/08/31/podcast-episode-035-managing-small-projects-part-2-of-2/feed/ 1 Organization,small projects Finally the Olympics are over and I can get back to producing podcasts again on a more regular schedule.  Today's episode is part 2 of a roundtable discussion held not too long ago with Cornelius Fichtner of the Project Management Podcast ( www. Finally the Olympics are over and I can get back to producing podcasts again on a more regular schedule.  Today's episode is part 2 of a roundtable discussion held not too long ago with Cornelius Fichtner of the Project Management Podcast ( www.thepmpodcast.com) and Shawn Futterer of the International Community of Project Managers (www.theicpm.com) on managing small projects.  Cornelius, Shawn, and I continue our discussion from part 1 with topics covering how to effectively use part-time or inexperienced team members, our experience using Critical Chain Project Management, or CCPM, with small projects, and which is more critical for businesses, small or large projects. Show Commentary When sharing project team members with other project managers, Cornelius would work with other project managers within his organization to share resources.  They would work together to meet both their individual project goals, but also with a focus on their company goals.  This is better than those situations when the functional manager makes the decision for you on your project priority.  Unfortunately, this prevented the project manager from being able to deliver to plan. In those situations when the functional manager can redirect team members to another project, Shawn states that it is extremely difficult to maintain a project schedule. Cornelius recommends a good relationship with resources to help reduce the effects of other projects taking resources away.  Although this is always a concern. Both small and large projects influence the success of a business.  You may have a smaller amount of large projects, you probably have a larger amount of smaller projects.  Both influence the way the strategy of the business is accomplished.  In some cases smaller projects are a way to realize revenue faster.  Shawn feels you really can't delineate between smaller projects that achieve revenue faster and larger projects that may take more time to achieve a larger amount of revenue as long as they both fit within the corporate strategy. An example of a smaller project having a great impact is the iPod for Apple versus its computers and OS systems. Shawn believes that if you give a new project manager, or even someone without a lot of project management experience, a framework or methodology to work within they will be more successful in their execution of the project.  Cornelius agrees that it is better for a new project manager to start off small.  Even occasionally seasoned project managers prefer multiple small projects over a single large project to prevent boredom of managing a single project. Shawn recommends getting your scope and your deliverables on paper upfront to get a good result.  Cornelius recommends that regardless if it is a small or large project, you need to take the necessary steps to plan your project and to execute against a formalized methodology to insure success.   And Shawn points out that regardless of the scope of the project that communication is key. Please do me a favor, if you enjoy this podcast and find it valuable please help to spread the word about it.  Leave us a review in iTunes by searching for pm411.org in the iTunes store directory.  Also be sure to signup to automatically receive The free pm411.org Project Management Podcast Monthly Newsletter which will automatically register you to receive future project management product giveaways.  As, Matter of fact we will be interviewing Jagdish Mirani, Sr. Director of Product Marketing for Mindjet, the makers of the Mindmanager Mindmapping software on the next episode and we are going to hold a drawing September 30th, 2008 for free product for just those folks that are signed up to receive our free newsletter.  So be sure to sign up today! 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 25:52 http://pm411.org/2008/08/10/podcast-episode-034-managing-small-projects-part-1-of-2/ http://pm411.org/2008/08/10/podcast-episode-034-managing-small-projects-part-1-of-2/#comments Sun, 10 Aug 2008 22:07:36 +0000 Ron Holohan, MBA PMP http://pm411.org/?p=289 http://pm411.org/2008/08/10/podcast-episode-034-managing-small-projects-part-1-of-2/feed/ 0 managing,PM Methodology,small projects Today's post is part 1 of a roundtable discussion held recently on managing small projects.  I am happy to welcome back to the show Cornelius Fichtner of the PM Podcast at www.thepmpodcast.com.  Congratulations to Cornelius who recently celebrated ... Today's post is part 1 of a roundtable discussion held recently on managing small projects.  I am happy to welcome back to the show Cornelius Fichtner of the PM Podcast at www.thepmpodcast.com.  Congratulations to Cornelius who recently celebrated ... Ron Holohan, MBA PMP no 31:54 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/2008/03/31/podcast-episode-027-12-steps-to-better-team-organization/ http://pm411.org/2008/03/31/podcast-episode-027-12-steps-to-better-team-organization/#comments Tue, 01 Apr 2008 02:30:26 +0000 Ron Holohan, MBA PMP http://pm411.org/2008/03/31/podcast-episode-027-12-steps-to-better-team-organization/ http://pm411.org/2008/03/31/podcast-episode-027-12-steps-to-better-team-organization/feed/ 0 Organization,PM Podcasts,Teams In today's podcast we talk with Suzanne Babb of the Let's Talk Organizing podcast to find out how project managers and their teams can become more organized. - For over 20 years, Suzanne has been helping people organize their lives so that they can sp... In today's podcast we talk with Suzanne Babb of the Let's Talk Organizing podcast to find out how project managers and their teams can become more organized. For over 20 years, Suzanne has been helping people organize their lives so that they can sp... Ron Holohan, MBA PMP no 26:51