Next Meeting
December 19, 2006
PMI Olympia Holiday Networking
PMI Olympia Chapter Board of Directors
Introducing the new
Contact Tina Edwards for more information
Current Sponsors
Olympia
Washington ChapterNext Meeting
December 19, 2006
PMI Olympia Holiday Networking
PMI Olympia Chapter Board of Directors
Introducing the new
Contact Tina Edwards for more information
Current Sponsors
Article of the Month - When a Risk is not a Risk?
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Sharon Sikes, PMP, Chapter President
As the holiday season approaches, I become even more aware of the PMI nine project management knowledge areas. It was probably 20 years ago, when I realized my entire holiday season was run like a project. Remember, a project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result. I must admit that the retail business has come close to treating the holidays as a 12-month continuous, on-going effort, but there still is a start and a stop. Now for me, my holiday project starts mid-November and usually ends on Super bowl weekend. Out of scope is the six-foot wreath that stays up until my garage is finally cleaned out of boxes that have been sitting there for the last 18 months.
Integration Management
A good charter helps me to remember the important aspects of the holiday; gift giving, card sending, get-togethers, volunteering, donations, worship, and gratitude.
Project Scope Management
I take my charter and create more detailed lists of activities and actions to be accomplished. I am the post-it queen.
Project Time Management
Scheduling activities with effective time and resource estimates can be a challenge for me. I always forget I have a real job and have to include that in my time estimates. LESSONS LEARNED: don't forget quiet time or time to relax and enjoy. It will make the holiday a lot more enjoyable.
Project Cost Management
The easy part of cost management is the estimating portion. I love planning, the budgeting part becomes a little more challenging and cost control portion reminds me why I work through the holidays. Remember as good project managers we need to try to bring in all our projects on or under of budget.
Project Quality Management
If you are like me, you probably have to ship gifts to family and friends; this is especially true for military families. Final check on wrapping, proper packing of shipping box and making sure all the right gifts are in the right box. LESSONS LEARNED: put destination address on sealed boxes immediately…it is really tough to explain why a shipped and opened box reveals gifts with names for someone else.
Project Human Resource Management
Bless the sales force out there. Most of them deserve an 'Outstanding Team Member" award. This applies to local sales force, telephone sales force, etc. My team is mostly virtual and my project would not be successful without their commitment to my project's success.
Project Communications Management
Between the card lists and correct addresses this can be crucial for family and work relations, including clients. I have been known to send cards out the week after Christmas; I found the lines at the post office are much shorter. Of course, when I do that I have veered off my Time Management goal…but I try not to have cards on the critical path.
Project Risk Management
I consider my risks minimal during the holiday season; this is where change control really comes into play. In other words, I have been known to change my mind in a second to make plans work. My biggest risk is not getting packages to the post office in time to arrive on the all important day. LESSONS LEARNED: being late in shipping will have a direct impact on your project cost management. Trust me, I know this from experience.
Project Procurement Management
I consider this the execution portion of my planned charter. It takes a while to browse all the great catalogues, to wander every aisle in your favorite store, selecting the right gift to purchase from the gift tree and working on hand made gifts at home.
So you can see why I think like a project manager during this time of year. Just remember to take time for yourself, make time with family and friends, and have a SAFE, SERENE AND PEACEFUL HOLIDAY. Project completed within scope, on time and slightly over budget.
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The Olympia Chapter of the PMI works hard to provide benefits to our members. I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight some of the offerings we have that you may not be aware of so that you can get the most out of our chapter.
Stay tuned as we develop more programs and benefits to support the local project management community!
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This month's Article of the Month was discovered on Risk-Doctor.com. This article describes the difference between risk and uncertainty and what it can mean to your project.
http://www.risk-doctor.com Please send your suggestions for articles to highlight in future Monthly Milestone editions to the Editor.
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This section is dedicated to congratulating and highlighting the achievement of our members who recently passed the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam.
The PMI Olympia Chapter is especially pleased to announce that one of our own board members has recently achieved her PMP. Tina Edwards, PMP, has been on the Olympia Chapter Board since October of 2005 serving in the position of Vice President of Professional Development. Tina has many ties to the local project management community. Tina is working with Sierra Systems on the OMNI Project with the Department of Corrections. Her recent success in acheiving the PMP puts Tina is a unique position to have a fresh understanding of the process and the exam to help develop more PMPs in the local community.
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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Project and Portfolio Management Specialist, Department of Labor & Industries - http://www.lni.wa.gov/Main/FindAJob/bulletins/06357.asp
Send an 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.
Other Upcoming Events
2006-07 PMI Olympia Monthly Dinner Dates
PMI Olympia Benefits
Vicki Rummig, PMP, Editor
Article of the Month
When a Risk is not a Risk?
Meet our new Project Management Professionals
Project Management Job Announcements