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 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/2008/10/05/podcast-episode-037-the-role-of-the-project-manager/ http://pm411.org/2008/10/05/podcast-episode-037-the-role-of-the-project-manager/#comments Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:06:08 +0000 Ron Holohan, MBA PMP http://pm411.org/?p=362 http://pm411.org/2008/10/05/podcast-episode-037-the-role-of-the-project-manager/feed/ 0 cornelius fichtner,pm prepcast,pmp,project manager,roles Today we preview another one of the PM PrepCast episodes that we offer through The pm411.org Project Management Podcast!  Today's episode is on the role of the Project Manager according to the PMBOK guide. Today we preview another one of the PM PrepCast episodes that we offer through The pm411.org Project Management Podcast!  Today's episode is on the role of the Project Manager according to the PMBOK guide.  You will definitely need to know your role and understand it well in order the pass the PMP exam. During this episode, Cornelius Fichtner, of the PM Podcast, walks us through some situational questions that you may face on the PMP exam like what to do when your project does not have enough funding or what to do if you find yourself with not enough resources.  By understanding the role of the project manager, as stated by the PMBOK guide, you can better answer the questions on the PMP exam. And if you are studying for the PMP, or if you are simply interested in learning project management best practices, we offer all 89 episodes - a total of over 35 hours of material that covers the entire PMBOK section by section.  Simply go to www.pm411.org/prepcast to learn more and to start downloading all episodes today for only $49.99 $99.97 (for the 4th edition of the PMP Exam).  That is hundreds of dollars less than many other resources that help you prepare for the PMP.  I can tell you that I bought these episodes and found it to be a great way to study while commuting, walking the dog, and exercising.  The PM Prepcast made sure I had the background knowledge of all the PMBOK processes to pass the PMP exam on the first try.  So, check it out at www.pm411.org/prepcast today. Ron Holohan, MBA PMP no 20:08