#PMChat

Denise Pate!! Denise was selected from a collection of hundreds of participants in the premier edition of the Prize Draw commemorating the latest monthly edition of the 10th Birthday Celebration from Arras People . As was the case last month, hundreds took part in the May contest, with several repeat participants from our opening contest in March and April. We just can’t thank all of you enough for the interest. As our grand prize winner , Denise wins a £500 voucher to be used toward a project management training course with one of our co-sponsors, IIL Europe . The event is also co-sponsored by PMI UK Chapter . Thanks to our co-sponsors this month, and as a courtesy to some of the IIL Europe courses, click here . Well done to Denise – many congratulations. Read More »

Note : This is an update to the article “10 Easy Ways to Earn PDUs” that was published in July 2010. The update is necessary because PMI changed the categories, structure and policies governing Professional Development Units (PDUs). Learn more here . PDUs we need and PDUs we want. Professional Development Units (PDUs) dominate our minds, our conversations, and our spare time in the last quarter before our Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) deadline. With a little proactive planning we can all make the PDU procurement process much easier. The bottom line is that we want the fast and consistent path to our PDUs… and we want them now! How do we accomplish this Read More »

PMD Pro Level 2 – come along to a special Launch Event   Following the successful launch of PM4NGO ’s specialist certification for Project Managers working in the development sector, PMD Pro Level 1, APMG is hosting the launch of a higher qualification – Level 2. The launch takes place at the NCVO in London on 29 th May 2012 from 2.30 – 5pm. The qualification is helping project managers working in the development sector get recognition for their skills. NGOs like World Vision and RedR have helped develop the qualification – which has already certified 2000 people. Some of the NGOs which have already benefited from PMD Pro will be there.   Agenda 2.30      Welcome from Richard Pharro, CEO, APMG-International 2.45      Background onPM4NGOs and LINGOs by John Cropper, PM4NGOs 3.00      Current training around the world – John Cropper & Charlie Dalrymple, RedR 3.20      How PMD Pro is benefiting our organization – Don Sucalit,  World Vision Int’l. Read More »

Back in February I was delighted to find out that I’d been selected as a Project Management Influencer from an organisation called GetApp. I’m in there with some great people – all of whom I’ve met through social media so take a look and connect with them. GetApp.com also interviewed me and we had a chat about my top five concerns for project management . They’ve also been working hard on pulling together guidance and help specifically for smaller organisations who are turning to project management to help them get ‘stuff’ done. The result is a free e-book – Simple Project Management in Six Easy Steps , which I’d recommend to anyone looking to keep it simple and real. I shared some of my own thoughts on project management in smaller businesses; Why is project management important in small business? Who should own the role of PM in a small business? Read More »

I’m looking to make a move in 2012 and ideally I’d like to move from my current sector which is IT services. I’m a Project Manager with a number of years experience, how can I go about making this change? Having a project management career which features a variety of different types of projects managed is something a lot of project managers would welcome. There has been much debate about whether project management skills are transferable from sector to sector and whilst the debate carries on the true test for practitioners is the market. Research from Arras People in 2012* shows that organisations value ‘experience’ first, the ability to deliver projects followed by ‘domain experience’, delivering projects within a certain sector. Your personality and delivery style is a close third.  Organizations are very reluctant to hire project managers from different backgrounds primarily because a proven track record within an industry tells the organisation a lot about potential future performance. Project managers with delivery experience in the same sector are more likely to be successful in a new organisation with similar projects. Read More »