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Welcome to the Mindavation online project
management newsletter. It's "Back to
School" time for the kids. Are you sharpening
your skills as well?
Are you ready for a refresher or in need of some
new concepts and tools?
Our commitment is to share news about project
management upcoming events, tips & tricks of
the trade, book recommendations, inspirational
materials, and Mindavation course
offerings.
| Free Template of the Month - Project Team Framework |
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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
our Project Team Framework template. This 25-page document provides an
overview and general roles and responsibilities for
teams on an extensive project or program involving
significant organizational change. It is intended as a
model of potential responsibilities to be covered on
any project, and a proposed project team structure
to accommodate those responsibilities.
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| Book Recommendation of the Month: The Goal - The Process of Ongoing Improvement |
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The Goal - The Process of Ongoing
Improvement by Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox
Many project managers have never heard of this
book, and yet it has sold over 2 million copies! It's a
novel, a very practical discussion of the theory of
constraints, and a discussion of critical chain
management.
The story follows Alex, an up-and-coming manager
who finds himself struggling as he tries to determine
why his manufacturing area is underperforming. He
discovers an unusual and somewhat mysterious
mentor, who, through a series of questions and
(correct) assumptions, sends Alex on a pathway to
discover and understand the theory of constraints
and how he can leverage it to improve his
manufacturing operations. With this theory well in
hand, Alex significantly reduces the number of "shoot
from the hip" decisions he and his team makes,
and....well, read the story and you will see for
yourself!!!
Reducing the number of "shoot from the hip
decisions" is certainly a good tool for any project
manager. Although this book addresses a specific
scenario - manufacturing - the understanding of the
theory of constraints will assist many project
managers in handling scheduling hiccups and
variations from the baselined plan. It is worth the
read - as you will not find a more practical way to be
exposed to, and ultimately understand the theory of
constraints and how it may affect your projects.
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| Coming Soon to a City Near You... |
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Mindavation has many public offerings on the
horizon. Reserve your seat now by calling
1-866-888-MIND (6463) or sign-up via the web at www.mindavation.com
September 20-22, 2005 Richmond, VA "Complex IT Project
Management"
September 29-30, 2005 Oklahoma City, OK "Recovering Troubled
Projects"
October 8, 2005 - 1/2 day workshop Colorado Springs, CO "When Is a Schedule
Good Enough?". Sign-up via the PMI Pikes Peak
Chapter website www.chapter.pmi.org
October 11-13, 2005 Denver, CO "Complex IT Project
Management"
October 20-21, 2005 Boise, ID "Intelligent Disobedience - The
Difference Between Good and GREAT Project
Managers". A soft skills course for experienced
project managers.
November 7-8, 2005 Madison, WI "Intelligent Disobedience - The
Difference Between Good and GREAT Project
Managers". A soft skills course for experienced
project managers.
Looking for a different class to attend? Feel free to contact us to discuss a corporate onsite
course offering.
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| This Month's Article - Ethics and the Project Manager |
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By Bob McGannon, PMP
The average project manager probably isn't running a
project or a company as large as an Enron, WorldCom
or others that are beleaguered with accounting
practice questions and investor doubt, however, the
project manager's reputation is a critical element to
success. Your team members, peers and
sponsor's positive perception of your
character and integrity are essential. This article
shares tips and thoughts on nurturing and enhancing
that perception.
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| Mindavation Project Templates CD Available |
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Mindavation offers 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
(and Adobe). Modify each template to suit
YOUR business and project needs.
Price (including shipping & handling):
$100
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Mindavation Current Events |
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Denise DeCarlo and Bob McGannon have both been
selected to present at the 2005 Lavacon
Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii on September
25-28, 2005. Treat yourself to this action packed
conference for technical project managers in a
beautiful location! Sign up via the web at www.lavacon.org.
Bob McGannon will be presenting the keynote
address Intelligent Disobedience at the PMI
Southern Alberta Chapter Professional Development
Conference in Calgary on October 12-13. Sign
up now for this excellent PMI conference at www.pdc.pmisac.com
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