Olympia
Washington ChapterOriginal Article - Spreading the Word
Article of the Month - Formal Risk Management
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Glenn Briskin, PMP, Chapter President
As I write this month's President's message, I'm thinking about palm trees and beaches. Next week I'm going to Honolulu to present to the PMI Honolulu chapter's Professional Development Day on "Consulting Skills for Project Managers." A few days sightseeing with Marcia are on tap as well. The longer I'm part of PMI, the more I realize how much it can help us expand our horizons and challenge us to get better at what we do.
Usually when I've given presentations, they've been to a local group and are a one time shot. After all, how often do you want to hear the same guy talk about "Estimating Software Development" or "Successful Procurement and Vendor Management." Yawn! But, when you just do a presentation once, you don't go as deep into the topic to get real clarity about your ideas. So, this time I decided that this presentation would become something I would do many times for many audiences.
Peggy Cooke at the Department of Personnel was wonderfully helpful as I started on this new journey of sharing an idea. She set up a first run through of my new topic last week. About 20 unsuspecting subjects showed up and we had some fun with my topic and approach. Their reactions and questions were immensely helpful. Unlike past one day stands, I could build on where I hit "Oooh, that's right!" Head Nodding button with the audience, and adjust where I hit the Yawn! button. Version 2 is looking pretty good as I pack for Honolulu.
Would I be doing all this if I were not part of PMI? Probably not. It's neat to be part of an organization where people all over the world are trying to apply similar skills to accomplish good things for their organizations and communities. Even better, if you have some energy, passion, ideas, or organizational skills to offer, it's not hard to plug into the network to give and get. You can plug in right here in Olympia and see where it takes you. Aloha!
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PMI Olympia Chapter marketing has been streaming right along. I had the pleasure last month of giving a brief five minute overview on the PMI at the IPMA's "Surprise, You're the Project Manager" event. The responses of interest from that event were phenomenal with half the audience signing up to receive emails and other information. I look forward to more opportunities such as this to help spread the word of the PMI. The next known opportunity will the IPMA Forum on May 23rd and 24th. The PMI Olympia Chapter will have a booth with volunteers on hand to meet current members and potential new members. We will have materials available on the PMI Olympia Chapter, PMI International, and the PMP Credentialing program. And no vendor booth at the Forum is complete without some promotional toys to give away.
I am also excited about the reception that is now in the plans to occur at the Forum. It will be from 3:30 to 5:00p on the Tuesday, May 23rd, in the Cheney Room. There will be a 20-minute presentation on what is the PMI and PMP credentialing program. After the presentation PMI members and Olympia Chapter board members will be on hand to answer your questions, network, and get to know. Light refreshments will be served.
You can help us spread the word. If you know of a group that would benefit from information on the PMI, or an event where we can fit in a quick "infomercial", please contact me at communications@pmiolympia.org and I will be happy to arrange it.
We have other plans in regards to communications and the chapter website. We have been exploring alternative email options and expect to move forward with an email service to better serve us, and you as the recipients. Our requirements for an email service to benefit you include:
We have the options narrowed down to two and should be making a choice and moving forward this month.
Project Web Development Volunteer Sought
This summer we plan on updating our meeting registration website and process to handle the registration and payments ourselves without third party intervention and associated fees. We are looking at developing our own shopping cart with payments to be processed through PayPal as an option. However, implementation of such a solution will be beyond our current webmaster's (my) technical skills. We are looking for volunteers for a short-term project to help choose, test, and implement our chosen solution for meeting registrations and payments. Planning and research activities on this project may begin anytime, but implementation will be no later than August, in time for our September meeting. This project is being lead by Brenda Rix, Vice President of Finance, with assistance of myself, the Vice President of Marketing. Please email us both to express your interest.
Webmaster Volunteer Needed
Do you have an opinion on what our website should look like? Do you have skills you are developing in web design and development? If so, we have the perfect volunteer position for you. The PMI Olympia Chapter is seeking a webmaster to help maintain and spice up the chapter website. This person will collaborate with the Vice President of Marketing and work in tandem to ensure timely updates to the website are possible. Please contact me at communications@pmiolympia.org and let me know when would be the best time for you assist. Please be sure to include contact information.
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This month's Article of the Month was discovered on goldpractices.com. It is a comprehensive guide on Risk Management and incorporates discussion of positive risks.
In a recent risk review meeting I had snuck in a "positive risk". This being an occurrence that would have benefits to the project, but that was still uncertain to happen and should be pursued. This prompted some discussion and debate on the team about risks. So I found this article that includes a section specific to "Positive Risks" to share with the team and thought I would pass it on to the Monthly Milestone readership as well.
http://www.goldpractices.com/practices/frm/index.php Please send you suggestions for articles to highlight in future Monthly Milestone editions to the Editor.
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The section is dedicated to congratulating and highlighting the achievement of our members who recently passed the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam.
Congratulations Jennifer McNamara, PMP
This month the PMI Olympia Chapter congratulates Jennifer McNamara on her achievement in attaining the PMP credential. Jennifer is a 2000 graduate of the University of Washington Certificate in Project Management program and has worked 23 years in state government, with stints at Department of Information Services, Department of Transportation, and Department of Health. She currently manages the new IT Project Resource Center for the Department of Health.
Why did you want to do the PMP?
As a charter member of the Olympia PMI chapter, I decided to pursue my PMP so that I could provide project management leadership and support in my agency based on professional standards and best practices.
Preparing for the exam gave me an opportunity to use those rusty memorization skills and challenged my commitment while juggling family, work, and study time. Everyone in my life was very supportive and enjoyed helping me celebrate achieving my PMP credential. I'd encourage any project manager to take their career to the next level and get to know themselves a little better in pursuing their PMP.
If you have recently achieved your Project Management Professional (PMP) credential or know someone who has, please contact the Editor to be recognized. This recognition helps promote project management as a profession, the Project Management Professional credential as a desirable item for any project manager, and gives the recipient proper recognition for a true achievement.
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Send and e-mail with link or original posting to the Editor to include in the next edition. Please keep in mind that publication is targeted for the fourth week of each month. In the meantime, job postings can be made and found in our Online Community.
Information Technology Project Manager at the Department of Labor & Industries
This is a project management position with responsibilities for leading a high priority project that will provide technology to enhance the industrial Insurance audit capabilities. The incumbent is responsible for the successful, planning, management, development, and implementation of the Employer Audit Technologies application a $1.3 million software development initiative that has been approved by the legislature for FY 07. The initiative will replace the existing software with an auditing application that will use current technology and incorporate auditing best practice rules and procedures. This project is scheduled to end in June 2007.
Please see URL: http://www.lni.wa.gov/main/findajob/bulletins/WMS06008.asp for additional information.
Project Office Team Coordinator at the Department of Natural Resources
The Department of Natural Resources is currently recruiting for a Project Office Team Coordinator. The incumbent will be responsible for leading other project managers and systems analysts in the IT Division Project Office, planning and managing application development or acquisition projects, and improving the organization's project
management and systems development life cycle processes.
The recruitment is open until May 10th. For more information and details on how to apply, follow the link below.
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/jobs/051006its6itd6742.pdf
Other Upcoming Events
Original Article - Spreading the Word
Vicki Rummig, PMP, Editor
Article of the Month - Formal Risk Management
Formal Risk Management
Meet our new Project Management Professionals
Project Management Job Announcements