Each month Mindavation will offer a template from our Project Templates CD free of charge. Don't miss out on this opportunity!

This month’s download is the Template Project Change Request Log. A base tool that is a must for every project, a project change log allows the project manager to manage scope on a micro and macro level (see this month's article for more details). This log also reminds the project manager to track project complexity changes that occur as change requests are accepted. Scope modifications can be tracked from one centralized place with the use of this log - vital for effective stakeholder expectations management.

Charting Your Course for Effective Communication by Aileen Ellis, Peggy Wallis, and Susan Washburn

This book is a quick read; however it is packed with valuable information to better understand our communication styles and those of others we encounter at work as well as at home. Focus is given to the “filters” that have the most impact on our communications, which is our Motivational Value System (MVS). Our MVS constitutes the difference between what we mean to say and how others hear what we say. Once we gain an awareness of our own MVS and that of others our communications become more meaningful and involve fewer misunderstandings. This can be very powerful as we interact with others, especially in the field of Project Management.

In addition to the MVS, the authors take communication effectiveness to yet another level through use of the Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI). The SDI is a tool to gain further insight on our communications - not only under normal day-to-day encounters - but also when conflicts arise. This stems from the Relationship Awareness Theory, which helps us understand how to encode and decode our messages and the messages of others.

The SDI uncovers seven different Motivational Value Systems and assigns colors to each so that we can better visualize our communication strengths and tendencies. For example, Blue is assigned to those falling into the Altruistic-Nurturing category which tells us these types of individuals are protective and take great care in the welfare of others. This is a great tool to uncover what makes each of us operate in different ways and helps us gain a better appreciation for the uniqueness of each style of communication.

In summary, we recommend this book as a meaningful way to manage the people side of project management and learn to deal with conflicts in a positive mindset by increasing our communication awareness and effectiveness.

April 12-13, 2007 Denver, Colorado "Intelligent Disobedience"

May 9-11, 2007 Colorado Springs, Colorado "Complex Project Management"

July 19-20 Denver, Colorado "Critical Judgment"

Looking for a class to attend? Would you like to meet us face to face? If we are in your area, feel free to contact us to schedule a meeting.

By Bob McGannon, PMP

Many a well conceived project ends up in the scrap heap because of inadequate expectation setting, or sponsors and key stakeholders that become disinterested or impatient with projects that don’t produce deliverables quickly enough. These projects, after creating an initial buzz, appear to enter “a dark twisty tunnel” where the light from the tunnel entrance is no longer seen, the tunnel exit is nowhere in sight, and inadequate milestones exist to indicate forward progress. Avoiding this trap is no trivial matter, as it is more than just defining milestones for your project. Intense planning, extra care with estimating, and segmenting your product solutions into meaningful phases are critical to avoiding this “dreaded tunnel.” Here are our recommendations for keeping your project in “the light of day;” avoiding cancellation or a drop in priority due to the “dark twisty turn-filled tunnel syndrome.”

Mindavation offers more than 30 customizable project templates and tools to make your life easier! The CD includes full project lifecycle templates and tools.

Documents are in MS Word, MS Excel, MS Project 2003 (and Adobe). Modify each template to suit YOUR business and project needs.

Price (including shipping & handling): $100