PMI Today—April 2019

A Supplement to PM Network

Share to0

Article1 April 2019

PMI Today

How to cite this article:

PMI Today—April 2019: A Supplement to PM Network (2019). PMI Today (0)
Reprints and Permissions – opens in a new tab

Monthly magazine with news and events of importance to PMI members

APRIL 2019

A SUPPLEMENT TO PM NETWORK® PUBLISHED BY PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

Come Join Us at PMI® EMEA Congress

Learn How Project Managers Like You Make Modern Marvels Possible

img

Join us for PMI EMEA Congress 2019 in Dublin, Ireland

13–15 MAY
PMI EMEA Congress

16–17 MAY
SeminarsWorld® in Dublin

PMI.org/emea-congress

INSIDE

Addressing the Talent Gap

In Memoriam: Lois Zells

Events Calendar

Project Management Promotes China's Software Industry

PMI-ACP® Certification Now Available Online

PMIEF Announces Refreshed Strategic Direction

Chapter Links

Meet Our New President and CEO

img

PMI® EMEA Congress 2019 will give you the concepts, skills and behaviors you need to make things possible—for your career and for your projects. Over three days, you'll hear innovative and cutting-edge global perspectives on your fast-moving profession. You'll share experiences with your peers from around the world. And you'll leave with skills you can apply straightaway to solve your challenges and develop your career.

The TED Experience

New this year will be a TED Session. PMI and TED are working together to produce a curated session of TED Talks tapping into the ideas and innovations of TED speakers from around the world. The goal is to give attendees new perspectives on the bold and daring individuals working to make innovation possible in today's constantly disrupted world. The broad range of TED speakers' content will produce an eclectic and compelling mix that will spark the interests and imaginations of the audience.

What Is PMI EMEA Congress?

As a project, program or portfolio management practitioner, it's your job to make things possible. But it can be challenging to do that when change is constant—and you're expected to pivot at a moment's notice.

PMI EMEA Congress 2019 can help. It brings together hundreds of your colleagues from around the world for three days of top-quality, cutting-edge education, knowledge sharing and networking. And with the focus on building skills you can apply immediately, you'll leave being able to make more things possible.

If you're still looking for more, you can also deepen your knowledge on a specific topic and earn additional professional development units (PDUs) by attending a two-day course at SeminarsWorld® in Dublin (16–17 May. Separate registration fees apply).

Why Attend?

Join us in Dublin and you will:

  • Earn up to 17 PDUs across the PMI Talent Triangle® (more if you stay on for SeminarsWorld);
  • Benefit from a range of formats, including traditional podium sessions, offsite learning sessions, immersive workshops and an open forum discussion;
  • Reinforce core skills; learn new skills;
  • Hear from inspiring speakers and experts in your field, who can help you “think outside the box”;
  • Discover the latest trends and best practices of the ever-changing project management world;
  • Learn from other people doing your job in the same or different industries;
  • Uncover opportunities for personal and professional advancement from peers, mentors and business partners; and
  • Increase your visibility by sharing your ideas and experiences to help make a positive impact with experts and leaders in your industry or role. This will enable you to position yourself as a key component in the success of your organization.

Customize Your Learning Experience

Create a schedule based around your interests. Multiple educational sessions are available each day in a variety of topics and skill levels. Broaden your knowledge and deepen your expertise in areas of your choice.

You'll also be able to share what you've learned with your colleagues and wider organization when you get back to work. So you'll get a lot of value from a single ticket.

Who Attends?

PMI EMEA Congress attracts professionals from leading organizations in a wide range of industries and sectors from across the globe. With participants from more than 70 countries, and a blend of traditional and nontraditional sessions, this year's event will also suit professionals who put a high value on networking and “learning by doing.”

Make you part of the “who.” Empower yourself and your organization with the knowledge, skills and connections required to stay competitive in an ever-changing global environment!

Visit Dublin

Named as a vibrant capital that moves at an easy-going pace, Dublin has a rich history that dates back to the 13th century; it has been listed as one of the world's most visited tourist destinations.

Join us at PMI EMEA Congress 2019 in Dublin, Ireland and gain practical experience by participating in project-based, off-site learning sessions and interactive workshops, all while immersing yourself in the diverse culture that Dublin has to offer.

For more information and to register, go to PMI.org/emea-congress.

Keynote Speaker: Jamil Qureshi

Jamil Qureshi's knowledge in the area of optimizing human potential comes from his experience working with top performers in the world of sports and business, many of which have been in the top ten in the world in their chosen profession.

In 2006, he was appointed the first-ever official golf psychologist to the European Ryder Cup team. The team made history in winning by a record-equaling margin. Since then, he has worked with more than 22 of the world's top 50 golfers.

His work with business leaders in many different countries has helped executives and their teams fulfill their potential by orchestrating change and performance programs. He is one of the few external experts chosen to work with astronauts in the NASA space program. Mr. Qureshi has developed and delivered management and leadership programs at board level for Coca Cola, Hewlett Packard, Emirates Airlines, Serco, Orange and Royal Bank of Scotland.

During his keynote session, Mr. Qureshi will help you break old thinking habits so you can optimize the talents on your team and in your organization. He will also lead an immersive workshop titled “Turning Ambition Into Achievement.”

img

Editorial and Advertising Offices

Address manuscripts and other editorial submissions, mailing list rental queries, requests for reprints, bulk copies, submissions, letters to the editor or reprint permission to:

Project Management Institute

Publications Department, 14 Campus Blvd., Newtown Square, PA 19073-3299 USA
Tel: +1 610 356 4600 Fax: +1 610 356 4647
Editorial: [email protected]
Website: PMI.org

Unless otherwise specified, all letters and articles sent to PMI are assumed for publication and become the copyright property of PMI if published.

Vice President, Global Solutions

Michael DePrisco
[email protected]

Publisher

Donn Greenberg
[email protected]

Editor In Chief

Dan Goldfischer
[email protected]

Publications Production Supervisor

Barbara Walsh
[email protected]

Product Editor

Roberta Storer
[email protected]

Advertising Sales

[email protected]

PMI Today Design and Production

Cetlin Design Group

Publication and Membership

PM Network® (ISSN 1040-8754) and PMI Today® are published monthly by Project Management Institute. PMI Today is a supplement to PM Network. Canadian agreement #40030957. Postmaster: Send address changes to:

PMI Today, 14 Campus Blvd., Newtown Square, PA 19073-3299 USA
Tel: +1 610 356 4600 Fax: +1 610 356 4647

PMI Today's mission, as the official membership news publication of Project Management Institute, is to provide a forum for communication among Institute membership and about volunteerism and policy. All articles in PMI Today are the views of the authors and are not necessarily those of PMI.

PMI is a not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing the state of the art of project management. Membership in PMI is open to all at an annual dues of US$129. For information on PMI programs and membership, to report a change of address or for problems with your subscription, contact PMI at the addresses listed.

img

Project Management Institute

14 Campus Blvd., Newtown Square, PA 19073-3299 USA
Tel: +1 610 356 4600; Fax: +1 610 482 9971
Email: [email protected]
Website: PMI.org

PMI Asia Pacific Service Centre

Singapore

Tel: +65 6496 5501

Email: [email protected]

PMI Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Service Centre

Dundalk, Ireland

Tel: +353 42 682 5610

Email: [email protected]

PMI India Service Centre

New Delhi, India

Tel.: +91 124 4517140

Email (membership-related queries):

[email protected]

Other Locations

  • Beijing, China
  • Bengaluru, India
  • Brussels, Belgium
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • London, England
  • Mumbai, India
  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • São Paulo, Brazil
  • Shanghai, China
  • Shenzhen, China
  • Sydney, Australia
  • Washington, D.C., USA

See PMI.org/AboutUs/Pages/Customer-Care.aspx for contact details.

© 2019 Project Management Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. “PMI,” the PMI logo,” “CAPM,” “PMP,” “PMBOK,” “PM Network,” and “Project Management Institute” are registered marks of Project Management Institute, Inc.

For a comprehensive list of PMI marks, please refer to the PMI List of Marks found on our website at pmi.org/~/media/PDF/Media/PMI_List_of_Marks.ashx or contact the PMI Legal Department.

PMI GLOBAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

PMI and members of the influential Global Executive Council believe that project, program and portfolio management deliver a strategic advantage that helps organizations do more with less. The elite organizations selected for participation in the Council are well-positioned to have the most direct influence on the direction and future of the project management profession.

To learn more, please visit PMI.org/Business-Solutions/PMI-Global-Executive-Council.aspx.

2019 PMI Board of Directors

Chair

Randall T. (Randy) Black, P.Eng., PMP

[email protected]

Chair, Audit Committee

Teresa A. (Terri) Knudson, MBA, PMP, PgMP, PfMP

[email protected]

Chair, Strategy Oversight Committee
Roberto Toledo, MBA, PMP

[email protected]

Chair, Compensation Committee
J. Davidson Frame, PhD, PMP, PMI Fellow

[email protected]

DIRECTORS

Tony Appleby, MBA, PMP

[email protected]

Margareth Carneiro, MBA, MSc, PMP

[email protected]

Caterina (Cathy) La Tona, BCS, PMP, PfMP, Immediate Past Chair

[email protected]

Beth Partleton, PMP, PMI Fellow

[email protected]

LuAnn Piccard, PMP

[email protected]

Tejas Sura, MS, MBA, PMP, PfMP

[email protected]

Jennifer Tharp, PMP

[email protected]

Galen Townson, PMP

[email protected]

Thomas Walenta, Dipl.Math, PMP, PgMP, PMI Fellow

[email protected]

STAFF EXECUTIVE

President and Chief Executive Officer
Sunil Prashara

[email protected]

img

from the Board

img

J. Davidson Frame, PhD, PMP, PMI Fellow

Chair, Compensation Committee

Addressing THE Talent Gap

PMI Today: How critical is the talent shortage? What industries are suffering the most from shortages in project talent?

Dr. Frame: Let me answer this question in the context of the PMI Talent Triangle®, which focuses on three broad areas of talent: possessing classic and emerging project management skills needed to carry out project work, holding a solid business and strategic perspective when selecting and implementing projects, and possessing leadership capabilities to get people to do extraordinary things. When we look at these areas taken together, we see that fully meeting the talent needs of organizations is daunting and covers an enormous amount of ground.

Are there particular industries that suffer acutely from a shortage of project talent? That's a tough question to answer, because if we employ the Talent Triangle perspective, the answer is that all industries face a talent gap. However, some industries are more aware of the value of managing the gap than others.

Consider the finance sector, for example. About 15 years ago, leaders in this sector recognized that effective project management was important to them because their industry is largely driven by IT, and IT, in turn, is completely project based. So financial firms recognize the value of the project perspective, which is good—but they still encounter a talent gap, because overall, their project staff does not have strong business, strategy or leadership capabilities. On the other hand, I believe that most consumer-oriented businesses, such as retailers and restaurants, have absolutely no awareness of how employing a project orientation could dramatically boost their productivity and profits and strengthen their strategic posture.

PMI Today: What can organizations do to anticipate a talent gap and try to bridge the gap?

Dr. Frame: They need to conduct a “talent inventory” that looks at the extent to which they face gaps in mastering project management methods, in understanding the business in its strategic context, and in leading teams and organizations to function superlatively. The easiest gap to fill is the one that addresses mastery of project management tools and methods. For decades, smart organizations have nurtured these skills through training and mentoring. As new people enter the talent pool, there is an ongoing need to develop their basic project management skills, so project management training and mentoring remain important to fill the tools-techniques gap. Regarding bridging the business-strategy and leadership gaps, the key is to have super-highly qualified project managers who score strongly on the three dimensions of the Talent Triangle and who, through their example, inspire project team members to adopt their approach.

img

PMI Today: What can project professionals do to anticipate a talent gap and build their careers by matching their skills to market needs?

Dr. Frame: It probably sounds self-serving coming from a member of the PMI Board of Directors, but I truly believe that acquiring certifications that provide evidence of an individual's mastery of project management foundational knowledge is important in providing new players a career boost. This is especially true of the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification. Increasingly, possessing the PMP® is an entry ticket to getting interviews for project-related work. However, while the certifications may open doors, ultimately career growth requires the new hires to demonstrate their superior talent.

PMI Today: What do you see as the most essential skill sets for project professionals in the near and distant future?

Dr. Frame: It goes without saying that they need to master fundamental and emerging project management tools, techniques and perspectives. People hiring project staff have an expectation that the staff they need already has a strong familiarity with them. From day one of their jobs, new staff need to hit the ground running. Beyond this, we want to hire people who can think strategically, have good business sense and show strong leadership potential.

PMI Today: Is the need for more strategic management skills among project managers one component of the talent shortage?

Dr. Frame: Definitely. As mentioned earlier, a solid business and strategy perspective is an important element of the Talent Triangle. Over the years, I have hired many men and women to work on projects, and when I come across individuals who display business acumen, think strategically and demonstrate leadership skills, I make sure their careers are fast-tracked. Sadly, the number of people who can fill the complement of skills embedded in the Talent Triangle is quite limited.

PMI Today: How about disruptive technologies and the need for organizational agility—how do they figure into the talent shortage?

Dr. Frame: The relatively recent attention focused on disruptive technologies and agility drives home the point that executing projects in a mechanical fashion is not a way to be really successful on projects. Template solutions may enable project-oriented organizations to demonstrate minimum project capability, but for an entity to shine, agility and handling disruption are the hallmarks of high-impact entrepreneurship that enable them to sparkle.

PMI Today: What about age? Is the retirement of older project practitioners a factor in the talent gap?

Dr. Frame: Definitely. Consider the following example. About 20 years ago, the U.S. federal government did a survey of the retirement status of senior program management staff and they were shocked to discover that 40 percent of their employees were eligible to retire in fewer than five years! These are the men and women who were instrumental in managing the largest, most complex projects on earth. They developed their special talents over a period of decades. Now they would be gone. In the early 2000s, the federal government's solution to dealing with the impending talent chasm (gap is too tame a term here) was to undertake what they called “acquisition reform,” which entailed creating a leaner approach to managing gargantuan projects, strengthening the career track for government project professionals and recognizing that the entire “acquisition process” (which links contracting to managing programs) needed to be revamped to increase the accountability of contractors and to stimulate them to become creative problem solvers.

img

PMI Today: How do you, as a busy project manager, prioritize the necessary professional development needed for your career?

Dr. Frame: I consciously keep track of what my PMI colleagues tell me works—and what does not work. For example, understanding the value of project management to implement the organization's strategy is super hot these days, and I learned about it through PMI. Now I consciously view all of my projects from a strategic perspective. It is also helpful that I am a university professor who has been teaching project management and writing books on the subject for more than 30 years. My classroom experience has enabled me to tap into the collective knowledge and experience of my students. My writing forces me to keep up with current practice and to make sense of where project management is headed. Otherwise, no one will read my articles or buy my books!

Sunil Prashara Is Named President and CEO

The PMI Board of Directors has named Sunil Prashara president and CEO. Mr. Prashara will be the lead advocate for PMI's global organization, serving more than three million professionals in nearly every country in the world.

He is charged with advancing PMI's updated strategic vision across the wide variety of industries we serve, supporting our team of volunteers and members around the world and advocating for the profession of project management more broadly.

“Building on its legacy of 50 successful years of advancing the practice of project management globally, PMI is setting an exciting new course for the next 50 years and beyond,” said PMI Chair Randall T. (Randy) Black, P. Eng., PMP. “Sunil's global leadership, expertise in digital transformation and passion for PMI's purpose made him a natural fit as our next CEO.”

Mr. Prashara brings more than three decades of leadership experience to PMI, with a solid track record of setting strategies, delivering large-scale transformation agendas, and meeting growth and profit challenges for international organizations.

Prior to joining PMI, he served as CEO of i1too Ltd in the U.K., a sales accelerator for digital start-ups, which he founded in 2016 and grew internationally. He previously was CEO of Expereo International, and also held numerous executive leadership positions throughout the IT and telecommunications industries. Mr. Prashara's extensive multi-functional, multi-cultural, multi-geographic experience includes managing sales, operations and digital transformation for companies such as Vodafone, Nokia, Accenture and Perot Systems (NTT). He has developed an appreciation for project management expertise, and understands from an “outside-in” perspective how PMI can expand its reach globally.

img

“As a global business leader for large and complex companies around the world, I have seen firsthand the power that professional project management brings in making individuals and their organizations successful,” Mr. Prashara said.

Passionate Global Leader

In a note to PMI staff, Mr. Black said, “We believe that his broad global and digital transformation experience will be an excellent fit to advance PMI's updated strategic vision and transformation. As a passionate and results-oriented global leader, Sunil will further globalize and digitize PMI—putting his business experience to work for a respected association that is supporting the lifelong career paths of millions of members and certified professionals around the world.

“Just as important, he is a transparent, engaging and thoughtful leader who we believe will be an excellent fit to lead the organization in celebrating our last 50 years of accomplishment... and kicking off the next 50 years of excellence,” Mr. Black continued.

Mr. Prashara speaks Punjabi and Hindi. He is a graduate of the University of London and resides in the U.K. with his wife, Kavita, and two sons, Kamran and Raghav. He enjoys golf, boxing, martial arts and traveling.

Learn more about Mr. Prashara at PMI.org/about/leadership-governance/executive/sunil-prashara.

In Memoriam

Lois Zells

img

PMI is saddened to report the death of longtime PMI volunteer Lois Zells. Ms. Zells was very active in the PMI Los Angeles Chapter and was a co-founder of the Information Services Specific Interest Group (ISSIG). With Julie M. Wilson-Muhindi, PMI Fellow, she sponsored the Wilson-Zells Scholarship.

Ms. Zells graduated summa cum laude in data processing management from the University of Baltimore and did her master's studies in computer sciences at Johns Hopkins University. She was an international lecturer and business consultant, specializing in strategic planning and project management. Her presentations for the PMI chapters in Los Angeles and Orange County, California, USA, and Houston, Texas, USA were popular.

Because of her acknowledged expertise in software engineering and project management, she frequently served as expert witness in multimillion-dollar software litigation. According to Ida Harding, another longtime PMI volunteer and friend of Ms. Zells for 25 years, “One of the projects she always liked to mention was that one of her clients was the Queen of England when she served as an expert witness for a lawsuit between the Crown and a software development company.

“Lois was indeed a kind and supportive friend, but she was more that,” continued Ms. Harding. “She was a brilliant woman who researched everything and helped her friends make difficult decisions by thinking through the facts objectively.”

Ms. Harding said Ms. Zells “guided me through my first global PMI conference in 1995 in New Orleans [Louisiana, USA], putting a face on PMI for me, by introducing me to many PMI friends who also became my friends. She got me involved immediately by taking me to the meeting in which she and her cohort Julie Wilson began what was to be the wildly successful 20,000-member specific interest group for information systems project managers.

“She was one of the superstars at PMI because she had written the best-selling book Managing Software Projects: Selecting and Using Personal Computer-Based Project Management and had published many articles in major periodicals in the industry,” noted Ms. Harding.

At Ms. Harding's request, Ms. Zells led a series of strategy planning sessions in 2007 for the PMI Los Angeles Chapter, which is the basis for the chapter's strategic plan.

Barbara Cooke, PMP, who was chapter president at that time, said “Whenever the conversation turns to the chapter's strategic plan, I can still hear Lois' voice saying, ‘Above all else, we must ... focus on what should be the top priorities of the chapter.’”

Ms. Wilson said “I will always treasure our time together in PMI and our accomplishments made in advocating project management for informational systems professionals. Rest in peace.”

Events Calendar congresses | conferences | seminars | symposiums | e-Learning

PMI® In-Person Events

Take part in PMI in-person events where you can participate in top-notch learning and have access to product and services solutions, PDUs and networking. Wherever you practice project management, our in-person events are an invaluable resource to hear from high-energy presenters and build a powerful global network.

Attending a PMI in-person event is a valuable asset for your career. Make sure you're signed up today.

PMI members receive significant discounts on registration for most events.

PMI® EMEA Congress 2019

Dublin, Ireland • 13–15 May

PMI.org/emea-congress

Registration is still open!

Over three days, you'll hear an innovative keynote and cutting-edge global perspectives on your fast-moving profession. You'll learn and share experiences with your peers from around the world. And you'll leave with skills you can apply straightaway to solve your challenges and develop your career. New this year—benefit from the TED experience.

img

PMI® Global Conference 2019

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA • 5–7 October

PMI.org/global-conference

Registration is open!

This is our flagship event, attracting thousands for three days of top-notch learning, networking and fun! New this year—benefit from the TED experience. Come help PMI celebrate its 50th anniversary.

img

PMO Symposium® 2019

Denver, Colorado, USA • 3–6 November

PMI.org/pmo-symposium

Registration is now open for this unique event aimed at PMO leaders. Learn how PMOs can bring benefits above and beyond completing projects on time and on budget. Share your experiences, build valuable connections and develop practical solutions with PMO leaders from around the world.

img

PMI Today Deadlines:

JUNE 2019....................................... 15 APRIL

JULY 2019.......................................... 15 MAY

Free listings in the PMI Today® Events Calendar are reserved for activities organized by PMI, its communities and its cooperating organizations. For information on how to purchase a paid advertisement in this calendar, email [email protected]. Please see PMI's online Events Calendar at PMI.org/events/calendar for more events.

APRIL 2019

6 April

PMI Metrolina Chapter

Third Annual Veterans' Transition and SkillFest Event

Spring Lake, North Carolina, USA. Event is open to all branches of the military. Ideal for those learning to network with hiring companies and nonprofits that help veterans in the job hunt. Lt. Col. (ret.) Jay Hicks, author of a series of books on the transitioning military project manager, will speak. pmi-metrolina.com.

MAY 2019

13 May

PMI Upstate New York Chapter

Professional Development Day

Latham, New York, USA. Carl and Nancy Pritchard will speak on the strategic and business management side of the PMI Talent Triangle®. pmiuny.org.

27–28 May

PMI Chapters in Australia

PMI Australia National Conference 2019

Benowa, Queensland, Australia. The PMI Australia chapters have collaborated to present an annual national conference. You will gain insights from industry leaders, influencers and scholars to deep dive into the areas impacting our profession and changing business landscape. Our theme for this year is “Change the Game,” and will showcase the latest thinking on project management. pmiaustraliaconference.org.au.

SEPTEMBER 2019

8–10 September

PMI Africa Conference 2019

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Bringing together hundreds of project, program and portfolio managers from around the world, this event provides two and a half days of professional development and networking. The conference will enhance your personal skill sets and empower your drive toward strategic organizational objectives through the advocacy and advancement of the profession. Peer-driven content will offer real-world insight into today's evolving project and business challenges. pmiafricaconference.com.

27–28 September

PMI Romania Chapter

International Project Leadership Conference (IPLC) 2019

Bucharest, Romania. Come attend the leading project/program/portfolio management event in Romania. We are committed to bringing together the hottest topics of our profession and we invite you to take part in the IPLC 2019 journey! pmdays.ro.

NOVEMBER 2019

7 November

PMI Budapest, Hungarian Chapter

Art of Projects Conference 2019

Budapest, Hungary. Save the date for this seventh annual conference. pmi.hu.

23–24 November

PMI MENA Conference 2019

Kuwait City, Kuwait (23 November) and Manama, Bahrain (24 November). Join the third edition of the Middle East–Northern Africa (MENA) Conference. The event will have a keynote speaker from the PMI Board of Directors and other international project management experts sharing the latest topics ranging from project excellence and strategic PMO to business analysis and much more. Whether you are a seasoned project professional, starting your career or returning to the profession, there are unique learning and networking opportunities that await you! pmimenaconference.org.

Live Webinars From ProjectManagement.com

As a valued member of the ProjectManagement.com community, you can access webinars that provide insight from the industry's most respected voices on the most relevant and important topics today—and earn PDUs.

img

3 April, 12:00 p.m. EDT (UTC–4)

Stop Making and Breaking Teams and Watch Enterprise Agility Flourish

How can you structure your large, in-house software developers to make agility flourish? Project delays often create lags that ripple across multiple teams, creating inefficiencies and frustration. In contrast, “product teams” are assembled for the long haul. Product owners manage requirements while project managers oversee projects across product teams. In this way, the focus shifts to managing the work—not the people—creating self-empowered teams who foster agility across the enterprise. Presented by Phillip George, CAPM, and NK Shrivastava, PMI-RMP, PMI-ACP, PMP.

5 April, 9:00 a.m. EDT (UTC–4)

The Agile Enterprise: The Role of the PMO in Agile Transformation

Scaling agile practices beyond software development teams and IT departments is a growing trend, and the agile enterprise is a reality rather than a goal. However, the transition from a planned approach to agile can be a painful change, and the PMO can provide support. This webinar is a summary of the presenter's experience in organizations transitioning to agile. Presented by Stelian Roman, PMI-ACP, PMP.

9 April, 12:00 p.m. EDT (UTC–4)

Better Project Outcomes by Communicating for Understanding

You may have heard that 90 percent of a project manager's work is communication. Modern communication theory is based upon creating shared understanding—the coordinated management of meaning. The presenter gives practical tools and methods for creating understanding with your project team and stakeholders. Presented by Bill Brantley, PMI-ACP, PMP.

For more information and to register, visit ProjectManagement.com/Webinars.

Interested in having a FREE PMI Today® event listing? Please go to PMI.org/events/calendar and click on the link for submitting events. Your listing will be considered for both the PMI.org online calendar and the PMI Today calendar.

img

SeminarsWorld® Events

Leading subject matter experts share their experience and deep knowledge on a variety of topics. Whether you are looking to build your leadership skills, work on soft skills such as communications and collaboration, or dive deeper into agile, these events provide unique opportunities to learn and connect with the project management community.

Learn more about SeminarsWorld courses being held in these locations and throughout the world. Use PMI's search tool for project management training matched to your specific needs. Visit learning.PMI.org.

img

8–11 April
Seattle, Washington, USA

6–9 May
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

13–16 May
Washington, D.C., USA

16–17 May
Dublin, Ireland

24–27 June
Mega SeminarsWorld Orlando, Florida, USA

15–18 July
Chicago, Illinois, USA

PMI China News

Project Management Promotes China's Software Industry

A half-day forum themed “Software Knowledge Accumulation and Project Management” was held in Beijing in January 2019. It was hosted by China Software Industry Association (CSIA), organized by Winnersoft Co., Ltd. and supported by PMI China.

Nearly 260 project management practitioners and experts, most of them from the software industry, attended this forum. Distinguished guests included leaders of national ministries, Beijing government, and representatives from a local software association, Japan-China Economic Association, as well as CSIA and well-known enterprises such as IBM and iFlytek.

The highlight of the forum was the inauguration ceremony of CSIA-Project Management Specialization Committee (CSIA-PMSC), which marks the formal establishment of this committee. The committee aims to promote the development of project management in the software industry in China. The committee will work on its benchmark and case study in the software industry. The ISO 21500-2012 Standard on Project Management and PMI's A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) will be referenced.

Following the inauguration ceremony of CSIA-PMSC, Mr. Bob Chen, managing director of PMI China, delivered a keynote speech on “Project Management and Software Knowledge Accumulation,” which introduced the status quo of project management development in China and abroad and looked ahead to the positive role that project management would play in China's software industry.

Dr. Chen Xinxiang delivered a speech on “The Development of Software and Project Management,” in which he reviewed the history of the software industry, and elaborated on the role of project management in software practice. In addition, keynote speeches by enterprise representatives of iFlytek and IBM were well received.

This event was a good start to further accelerate the development of China's software industry and create greater value for social change. And this represented significant progress for PMI to penetrate and influence the China software industry directly. At the same time, it was an opportunity for PMI to promote awareness of agile approaches in the software industry.

img

PMI China Managing Director Bob Chen delivering keynote talk.

img

Inauguration ceremony of the China Software Industry Association-Project Management Professional Committee.

PMI-ACP® Certification Now Available Online

For those who are looking for a more flexible way to take the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® certification exam, we are pleased to announce that, starting 1 April 2019, you can take the exam from the comfort of your home or office through online proctoring.

Online-proctored exams may be scheduled 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and exam appointments are offered Tuesday through Saturday every week. The exams are offered in English, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish. Please note: Although the exams are available in multiple languages, the proctoring software, greeter support and proctor support are only available in English.

The popular certification will now be offered exclusively through the testing vendor Pearson VUE, which has more than 5,000 testing centers worldwide. Our Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification has been offered through Pearson VUE with online proctoring since 2017.

What Is Online Proctoring?

Online proctoring is a system by which test candidates can make use of their computer's webcam and microphone in order to simulate the testing-center environment. A representative (or “proctor”) from Pearson VUE will access the webcam and microphone and will monitor candidates while they take the exam, the same way that a proctor in a testing center would. This ensures fairness and accountability for all candidates who take the exam, regardless of whether they take the exam through online proctoring or at a testing center.

img

Most recent computers will work with the Pearson VUE online proctoring system. However, a downloadable app is available in order to ensure that your computer will work before signing up to take an online-proctored exam. If you are considering taking the exam online, you will also need to ensure that you have access to a quiet space where you can have several uninterrupted hours to take the exam. Once the exam starts, candidates will not be allowed to leave the view of the online proctor, and if anyone enters the room, the exam will be terminated.

Learn More

If you are interested in learning more about online proctoring for the PMI-ACP® exam, visit PMI.org/acp-op. Start by ensuring your computer meets our requirements by downloading and completing the required system test. We also strongly recommend you review the online proctoring video before you decide to take the online proctored exam. If you have any doubts or reservations, we recommend that you schedule your exam at a test center.

Please note that the price of the exam will not change whether you take it through online proctoring or at a testing center. When signing up for your PMI-ACP exam, you will have the option to simply select “Online Proctoring” on your application form.

PMI Educational Foundation

Helping Youth Reach Their Goals

PMIEF Announces Refreshed Strategic Direction

Since its founding in 1990, the PMI Educational Foundation (PMIEF) has, at times, modified its strategy. The year 2019 marks the beginning of a new phase and focus in PMIEF's evolution. Initially geared toward scholarships and academic research, the Foundation's perspective has grown to recognize the power of project management and how it can transform lives and be a force for social good. This progression resulted in the Foundation's driving aspiration: to be a global force for changing lives and communities through project management education.

Over the past 10 years, PMIEF has tested ways to impact lives in three major areas:

  1. Building project management into both formal and informal youth educational programs and systems;
  2. Exploring how to help nonprofits operate more efficiently so their programs have a greater social impact; and
  3. Experimenting with how to help unemployed and underemployed populations gain differentiating workplace competencies.

PMIEF's experimentation has shown project management is an appreciated skill in all three areas. However, the sweet spot for greatest impact clearly emerged in one.

Finding the Focus

After much reflection, research and discussion, the PMIEF board decided to narrow its strategic focus in order to make a greater impact and provide increased value for youth by working with nonprofits that serve youth. The 2018 strategic analysis led them to sharpen the strategy around three primary approaches:

Youth—Sustain our emphasis on young people, creating generation after generation of adults who fulfill their own goals and are prepared to shape their world;

Nonprofits—Amplify our ability to reach and influence youth by emphasizing the global delivery of our services through engaging, experience-based project activities offered through nonprofits; and

Volunteers—Leverage volunteers to help deliver the benefits of project management to youth.

Figure 1: PMIEF Service Delivery Model

img

How Will PMIEF Deliver This Youth-Driven Strategy?

Based on the new vision and mission statements:

Vision—Inspiring youth to achieve their goals, making dreams a reality.

Mission—Enable youth to realize their potential and transform lives through project management.

PMIEF will deliver “wrap-around services” to youth-serving nonprofits to maximize their ability to transfer project management knowledge, skills and competencies to the youth they serve (see Figure 1).

The Foundation will continue to deliver its current scholarships and awards program. Over the next two years, it will also seek to create new scholarships and awards that align with the revised strategy.

Help Us Use Project Management to Inspire Youth

Young people are tomorrow's global leaders. The youth who learn to think critically, collaborate and make confident decisions are better equipped to become those leaders. PMIEF's experience and research proves project management is a conduit for acquiring and applying these crucial skills. Whether the task is to complete a school project, find a job or improve communities, project management can open young minds, put dreams within reach and ultimately change lives.

PMIEF's goal is to forge partnerships with the nonprofit organizations that support and prepare youth for success by offering project management expertise, resources and volunteers to aid them in their missions.

img

You are part of PMIEF's strategy. Whether you are a volunteer, donor, interested nonprofit, project management training organization or researcher, your skills, enthusiasm and financial support can help make PMIEF's vision a reality.

“I call on all with influence to prioritize youth in development plans, strengthen partnerships with youth-led organizations and involve young people in all decisions that affect them. By empowering today's youth, we will lay the groundwork for a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

—Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Learn More

To better understand and communicate PMIEF's evolving strategy, go to pmief.org to review the Strategic Overview. We hope you'll become an informed advocate to help PMIEF use project management to inspire youth around the globe to reach their goals!

If you have any questions, email [email protected].

Chapter Links news | people | projects

PMI Mile-Hi Chapter pmimilehi.org

Chapter 40th Anniversary Celebrated With a Three-Month Outreach to Community

The PMI Mile-Hi Chapter turned 40 and marked the occasion with a celebration and outreach.

The celebration of the project management profession featured a highly anticipated and inspiring keynote presentation by Jim Snyder, a founder of PMI and Fellow of the Institute.

The outreach, which spanned October through December of last year, included the fourth annual Project Management (PM) Week, the launch of PMI Mile-Hi's inaugural Project Management Day of Service, and the second annual Holiday Party and Charity Fundraiser/Official 40th Anniversary celebration.

img

Celebrating PMI Mile-Hi Chapter's 40th Anniversary are Alexandra Falticeni, PMP, an event organizer, and Jim Snyder, PMI Fellow, a founder of PMI.

PM Week, held the last week of October, was a series of mostly two-hour, after-work events to encourage networking in a casual, interactive small-group format. Events ranged from a half-day job skills workshop with hiring managers and recruiters, on-the-spot interviews and job search tips, to a tour of a MEDPHARM, a medical marijuana dispensary, with discussion on the topic of project management in the marijuana industry.

Other events were the PM Week panel on putting more EQ (emotional quotient) into your projects, a professional development workshop on PMO governance, and project management career management.

“PM Week is such a great opportunity for us to reach out to the business and project management community and to connect multiple generations of project managers,” said Krishna M. Anantharaju, the chapter's vice president of professional development. “Attendees especially enjoy the convenience of being in a variety of locations and having opportunities to make connections in a relaxed, small-group format.”

img

The inaugural PM Day of Service was the chapter's commemoration of International Project Management Day.

As PMI Mile-Hi Chapter's commemoration of International PM Week, the chapter launched its inaugural PM Day of Service on 1 November. Approximately 55 chapter members were paired with eight nonprofits for a day of planning on upcoming projects. Examples of challenges commonly facing the community groups are fundraising and capital campaigns, building campaigns and system implementations.

“I truly cannot express how grateful I am for your tremendous work and help,” said Krista Klingus from Urban Service Corps. “It is such a generous gift and we are lucky to have you all on our team. I felt your investment in our conversation right away. Many thanks for your creativity and commitment of time.”

Zoe DeVito from VIA On Demand concurred. “Thank you for a memorable and fulfilling event. We are grateful for your support, ideas and organization, and are feeling confident in moving forward with this opportunity,” she said.

The 40th anniversary concluded with a rousing celebration at the end of 2018, with Mr. Snyder speaking on the history of PMI and the project management profession. “To understand the professional in project management of 2019 and beyond requires an understanding of how we have matured and changed from the project schedulers and planners of the 1960s,” Mr. Snyder explained.

img

A tour of MEDPHARM, a medical marijuana dispensary, was a highlight of PMI Mile-Hi Chapter's fourth annual PM Week.

It was an elegant evening with a gourmet dinner, dancing and a DJ, and included donations of toys for children and a fundraising event for Food for Thought, a local charity providing meals for children. More than US$4,000 was donated to Food for Thought.

Jana Axline, PMP, PMI Mile-Hi Chapter president, said, “Reaching out to our various communities and different generations with the message of project management and the bottom-line difference it makes in business is foundational to who we are at PMI Mile-Hi. We are so appreciative of all the volunteers who made these months of celebration a great success and to Mr. Snyder who is such an inspiration for all of us.”

img

Like what you just read?

Log in or register for a free PMI account to get access 
to even more articles like this one.

Offer from our training partner

Advertisement

Offer from our training partner

Advertisement

Related Content

Offer from our training partner

Advertisement