Olympia
Washington ChapterNext Meeting
March 20, 2007
Ken Hartley
Project Management in an International Environment
Program Information - stay tuned
Take a short survey to tell us what you think about your Monthly Milestone.
Introducing the new
Contact Tina Edwards for more information
Current Sponsors
PMI Olympia Sponsorship Recognition
January 2007 Book Review - The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make
[To Top]
Sharon Sikes, PMP, Chapter President
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! My wish for you is a productive, healthy and happy 2007.
I know you all took the time to write down your new year's resolutions and you are well on your way to successfully achieving those resolutions. Okay now…let's get really honest. I thought about my resolutions, I did not write them down (that way I don't have to feel guilty not completing - laughing) and I have honestly forgotten what I was originally thinking about. I hope that made some of you feel better.
Seriously, one item I did have on my resolution list this year was to quit procrastinating about several things. Top of the list was to actually hook up my external hard drive and start doing daily backups from my laptop. I have had a brand new Seagate (external hard drive) sitting next to my laptop since mid-November last year, but had not yet connected this wonderful hardware to my laptop. You have to understand that I am not the most literate IT person around. I am a disciple of Best Buy's Geek Squad and continue to be in awe of those people around me who can make hardware perform miracles and software sing. You are probably wondering why I am sharing such a personal weakness with you…WELL…Now, the rest of the story (for those Paul Harvey fans).
I get paid good money to help my clients bring their projects in on time, within budget and scope and I am quite good at it. Team member hardware/software issues are addressed quickly and efficiently and their computers are backed up daily.
HOWEVER, when was the last time you backed up your home computer? Hmmm? Well, for those of you, like me, who have been thinking about buying a backup device or actually have a backup device but don't use it….STOP RIGHT NOW. Do not pass go, do not hesitate any longer…get that computer backed up.
Procrastination. It had been 8 months since my last backup…my business files with new marketing materials, my PMI Chapter files, my TPSIG files, my personal files and over 3000 emails were patiently waiting to be backed up on my new Seagate. That fateful Saturday arrive when things started out well and I was pumping out several documents when suddenly the black screen of death appeared with a little nasty message in the center of the screen…"hard drive corrupted". My computer life as I knew it ceased to exist at that moment. I immediately loaded up my dead computer and made a beeline for the Geek Squad. After talking to the young man behind the counter trying to help me allay my fears of having lost everything…I had to move quickly to implement my risk mitigation plan. I still had client work to do. Before the day was over, I had to purchase a new laptop, load necessary new software, set up all my required emails accounts and contacts, activate software and try to re-create deliverables due by Monday.
Procrastination. My dead laptop was eligible for a free hard drive replacement…but with a 4 week turnaround. I got three separate estimates to recover data from the corrupted hard drive that ranged from $300 to $1800 (another new laptop) depending on complexity of backup while still looking at 3-5 week turnaround.
Procrastination. It turned into an immediate project with a definite start (Now!) and a definite finish (Somewhere between 5-6 weeks). Total cost was in excess of $3000 for new equipment, software, fixes, and successful file recovery…ALL BECAUSE…I procrastinated about connecting an existing piece of hardware on my desk to begin daily backups.
So what is my point? Try to remember to implement your good project management skills at home. I am happy to say, my panicked-initiated project ended ahead of schedule, although out of scope with purchase of new equipment and definitely over budget. Most importantly…all files recovered. By the way…the Seagate is connected and backup occurs daily now.
If you did not have "backup hard drive" on your new year's resolutions…consider this a friendly nudge.
Have a great new year and I hope to see you at our Chapter meetings.
[To Top]
Chapter PMP Prep Course
A team of Chapter members has been busy working on the preparation of our first Chapter offered PMP Prep Course. Planned start date for the first PMP Prep Course is April 20. Look for more information in future newsletters and on our Chapter website. Professional Development Seminars (Stay tuned for registration information)
August 18, 2007 - Sheilina Somani from London England is an internationally known speaker and presenter; an independent project management consultant, offering consultancy, facilitation, instruction, support and development across all levels of experience and status for private and public business sectors. Her company promotes positive communication development, cultural diversity and harmony through enhanced understanding. She is an international project and program manager with over 19 years of experience. She has a range of management, facilitation and mentoring experience across a broad range of sectors including petroleum, banking, consulting, and pharmaceutical and information technology. As a senior instructor she has led and facilitated more than 150 training programs in over 38 countries, across five continents. She has sustained a high level of excellence through blending practical management skills with project management tools and techniques. [To Top]
PMI Olympia wants to recognize all the great organizations that have sponsored our chapter this year. Half the sponsor fees ($300 for the year) help cover meeting costs, and half is socked away to help fund PMI Professional Development Days starting fall of 2007! Thanks to these great sponsors:
We are working on finding more sponsors for chapter meetings and events throughout 2007. If your organization would like to sponsor PMI, please contact Glenn Briskin, VP Sponsosorship, at glenn@briskinconsulting.com
[To Top]
I grabbed this book off the shelf, based solely on the title, thinking I would read it when I had more time or on my next business trip. I am always looking for new information that may relate to lessons learned that I can share with our membership. This book is a quick read at 200 pages and full of very good information. If interested in enhancing your leadership knowledge, I would recommend this read. Here is a brief outline of the information you can find in this book.
This book can be purchased from www.amazon.com for $9.59 - $11.99
Please send your suggestions for articles to highlight in future Monthly Milestone editions to the Editor.
[To Top]
This section is dedicated to congratulating and highlighting the achievement of our members who recently passed the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam.
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.
[To Top]
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
IPMA Forum 2007 May 22 & 23, 2007. St. Martin's University
PMI Olympia Sponsorship Recognition
Glenn Briskin, PMP, Vice President of Sponsorship
January 2007 Book Review - The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make by Hans Finze
Sharon Sikes, PMP
Meet our new Project Management Professionals
Project Management Job Announcements