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CAPM

Project Management Knowledge Areas

project managementProject managers are responsible for the completion of projects during a given time period ad with limited resources.  Projects are temporary endeavors creating a unique product, service, or result.  The work may be tangible as in a construction project with a new building as the result.  Other projects create value through less tangible outcomes by creating software code or other services.

The 5th edition of the PMBOK™ (Project Management Body of Knowledge) identifies ten (10) knowledge areas that help a project or engineering manager ensure that all aspects of a project are covered.  Proficiency in each of these areas can make the difference between a smoothly run project and one in which change and chaos rule.

1.       Stakeholder Management

Stakeholders are all parties with a vested interest in the project.  They may positively support the product, service, or result of the project or they may actively oppose the effort.  Regardless, a project manager should have a plan in place to understand all stakeholder needs and how to best communicate with them on a regular basis.

2.      Project Scope Management

The scope of a project explains what work needs to be done and why.  Much of the upfront planning work of a project focuses on the development and understanding of the project scope.  A key artifact, called the work breakdown structure (WBS), decomposes the high level expectations of the project (scope) into smaller, more manageable work tasks.  The WBS includes all of the work, and only the work, of the project.

3.      Project Time Management

Sometimes, the schedule of a project is the most important element of success.  Delivering a product on-time to meet a narrow market window is crucial to success for innovation and new product development projects, for instance.  In other cases, when a project misses deadlines, there are contractual or financial penalties.

Project Time Management translates the WBS or scope of work into a reasonable schedule of work.  The schedule will take into account resource availability, capacity, and capability.  Time or schedule trade-offs often must be balanced again budgetary concerns.

4.      Project Cost Management

Even internal projects have a cost associated with them.  Project resources may be assigned to one project over another, so an opportunity cost is naturally incurred by choosing a specific project.  Moreover, the cost of a project must be measured against its expected benefits.

Getting the costs right is one of the biggest challenges for project, product, and engineering managers.  Check out our course on Cost Estimating at www.Simple-PDH.com to learn more and earn two (2) professional development units (PDUs).

5.      Human Resource Management

No project work is done without humans doing the work.  Most projects require a set of skilled and talented knowledge workers to design and develop the systems and sub-systems required of a project.  Laborers and tradespeople are necessary to build and manufacture the tangible outputs of a project.  Project Human Resources Management encompasses the tools and techniques that a project manager can use to assemble, train, and manage a project team throughout the execution of a project.

6.      Communications Management

commManaging stakeholders and team members requires a set of communication tools to effectively balance project work and convey project status or needs.  Communications management includes an analysis of who needs what information when and how often.  Managing communications for a project is a key responsibility for the project manager and s/he needs to be aware of the different styles and types of communication that will effectively express the right messages at the right time.

7.      Risk Management

Project work always involves some degree of risk or uncertainty.  Understanding risk triggers and potential responses is an upfront planning activity for the project team.  Yet, risk management is also required throughout the life of a project as uncertainties become specific events and as other risks pass without occurrence.  Project managers should develop a flexible risk management plan that is supported by the project schedule and cost management plans.

8.      Quality Management

No project can be deemed complete if it does not meet the requirements of the customer or client.  Quality Management is integrated throughout the project.  A high quality project plan can lead to better results.  Mastering quality during construction or implementation leads to a satisfied customer.  There are seven traditional quality tools to help project, product, and engineering managers plan, design, and execute effective and efficient projects to deliver quality results.

9.      Procurement Management

In today’s complex world, no project is self-contained.  We must procure equipment, parts, and services in order to complete the work.  Procurement management interfaces with all other project management knowledge areas to describe what and how vendors are selected, which sub-systems they will provide, and how much the procured products or services will cost.  Procurement includes managing a variety of contracts and agreements.

10.  Integration Management

Perhaps the most important knowledge area in project management is Project Integration Management.  This is the place where all project management plans and limited resources come together.  The project manager coordinates work across the many functions and teams through Project Integration Management.  The project manager also makes decisions for project changes within project integration management by evaluating the impact on each arena of the project, especially focusing on the scope, time, and cost of the project.  A successful project requires successful integration and synthesis across all knowledge areas and activities of the project.

Project Management Knowledge

To learn more about the project management framework, please contact us at [email protected] for a free course on Project Management Professional fundamentals.  (Please put “Free PMP Demo” in the subject line.)  To learn more about project and product management activities, please join us for a PMP Boot Camp or NPDP Workshop.  You may also be interested in quick refresher course to earn PDUs or PDHs.  It’s quick and affordable.

Every course at www.simple-pdh.com includes study guides, videos, practice tests, and expert instruction.  It’s simple to study, earn, and learn!  Understanding and applying the ten (10) knowledge areas is a must for successful project planning and execution.  Good luck in your project adventures!

 

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

© Simple-PDH.com

A division of Global NP Solutions, LLC

Equalize and Edit in Learning

Learning is a lifelong activity.  Almost daily, we read about studies demonstrating that continuous learning helps to defy the effects of aging.  Learning increases socialization and creates motivation.

Learning_ModelProject and product managers use lessons learned reviews and post-launch reviews to learn about the success of implementing a new project or product.  Agile leaders conduct frequent retrospectives to learn about activities in a recent sprint in order to improve the next phase of project execution.

Likewise, we learn about our skills and effectiveness as employees, managers, and suppliers with performance feedback.  In all of these situations, the commonality is that in order to improve we must continue learning – learning technical skills and leadership in execution.  We also must learn to improve our performance and behaviors in teams and other organizational structures.

A Learning Model

In a two-phase learning model, we must equalize desired behaviors and edit the less desired behaviors.  This learning model aligns with well-known performance science, such as B.F. Skinner’s operant conditioning theory.

Operant Conditioning Theory

Skinner’s operant conditioning theory states that a behavior that is rewarded will be repeated, and behaviors that are not rewarded will be extinguished.  Behaviors that are punished will result in a negative, fragmented response.

As managers, we want to encourage continuous and lifelong learning among ourselves and our staff.  Thus, we will reward positive, team-oriented behaviors and attempts at skill-building by employees.  Rewards vary from simple, positive feedback (saying “thank you”) to monetary awards for successful new product launches, for example.

Many managers struggle to provide employee feedback on projects when a negative behavior has been exhibited.  Jimmy, for instance, promises to deliver new data at each team meeting.  Yet, when the next meeting rolls around, Jimmy delivers a list of excuses and no data.

Since Skinner’s operant conditioning theory informs the manager that punishment or scolding would result in a fragmented, negative response, what can Jimmy’s manager do?  How can the team learn from this to improve their own behaviors and to increase cross-functional integration as a team?

Margaret, on the other hand, has prepared a mini-report detailing her contributions to the project since the last team meeting.  She also volunteered to help Roger with some extra tasks as she waited for work in progress to clear the queue and advance to her workstation for analysis.

Equalize

In the two-phase learning model, a manager will strive to equalize tasks and skills among team members.  In addition, s/he will provide feedback to top performers (like Margaret) to keep on doing what they’re doing.  Future performance should equal past performance.

Most control mechanisms function in the same way.  If the automatic cruise control in the car senses the speed is set to be maintained at 60 miles per hour (mph), there is no change in the output if the car continues along at 60 mph.  Performance is as expected, so keep on doing what you’re doing.

Edit

On the other hand, if the vehicle begins to climb a hill, it will be difficult for the cruise control to maintain 60 mph editwithout an adjustment.  The control mechanism sends a signal requiring a slight increase in power so that the car can maintain 60 mph in the more difficult and changing environment (climbing a hill).

Jimmy’s manager also must encourage him to edit his behavior.  Overall, Jimmy is a good employee – he would not have been hired unless his technical skills were highly appreciated.  His values align with the purpose and mission of the firm and he possesses deep knowledge of the firm’s technology.

Effective managers are coaches that encourage small tweaks in performance to improve the overall output of the team.  Instead of waiting for the weekly staff meeting for status updates, Jimmy’s manager begins checking on the data on a daily basis.  By making a small change in his/her own behavior, the employee’s performance improves as well and Jimmy, for instance, can begin meeting promised deadlines.

This second step in the two-phase learning model is called “edit” because we are seeking slight moderation instead of radical change.  Small steps can create large outcomes in team performance, just as the placement of a comma can make a huge difference in the meaning of a sentence.

Learning Model Applied

Most of us have worked hard to earn professional certifications to demonstrate our skill sets.  Yet, over time, some areas of professional certification get rusty without use.  Moreover, new trends and emerging theories evolve to help us become even more effective project, product, and engineering managers.

One way to refresh basic skills and to learn new ones is by gaining Professional Development Hours (PDH).  At Simple PDH, we offer affordable and convenient online courses to help you gain professional certifications, such as Project Management Professional, New Product Development Professional, Scrum Master Certified, and Professional Engineering Manager.  We also offer PDH courses, such as the popular Disruptive Innovation course, to help you maintain your certifications.  It’s simple to study, learn, and earn.

For more information on online or customized face-to-face courses, please phone us a 281-280-8717 or email us at [email protected]

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

© Simple-PDH.com

A division of Global NP Solutions, LLC

What is Project Management?

What is a Project?

Recently, my husband and I spent a few hours over a weekend with caulk and a ladder resealing all of the expansion joints on our house.  Over time, sun, wind, and rain had done their damage and the material had become cracked ladderand warped in places.  It was particularly difficult to work on these areas where the garden bushes needed trimming to prepare space for the ladder and to reach the expansion joints with a full bead of caulk.

There are other chores that we perform on a regular basis.  For example, I clean the floors in the house, do laundry, and wash the dishes.  My husband takes out the trash twice a week and puts out the recycle for pickup every other week.

In the first instance, we worked on a project.  Projects have a particular set of activities to conduct with a start and end time.  Caulking the expansion joints was a temporary task in nature and accomplished a specific outcome.  This is the definition of a project.

My weekly chores, however, are routine work.  The activities are on-going and do not necessarily accomplish a unique result.  After all, it seems that the dishes need washing every time they get used!  Similarly, routine work can be contrasted with a project because chores are not temporary – except that that the floor, too, will need sweeping as soon as it gets dirty again.

One approach to managing a project is very different than the approach to managing day-to-day work.  Projects require planning, scheduling, and acquisition of special materials and talents.  We needed to buy the caulk and set up the ladder.  On the other hand, dishwashing soap is always at hand and the mop and bucket are stored for frequent use.

Project management is the set of skills used by a leader to accomplish the work of a project including initiation, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing of the project.  The project will produce a unique product, service, or result.

Project Management Skills

Project managers need to master a number of important skills together with the activities involved in successful implementation of a project (planning, scheduling, and budgeting) and in leading the people in a project (team members, stakeholders, sponsors, and customers).  Many of these skills are learned on the job and with experience, while others are quite specific and require transfer of knowledge based upon observed best practices.

For instance, planning for a project requires a set of skills that can be transferred from one project or project manager.  Planning for a project should consider:

  • Stakeholder requirements,
  • Scope of work,
  • Schedule,
  • Budget,
  • Human resource requirements,
  • Communication,
  • Quality, and
  • Risk.

These plans must be in place regardless of the type of project that is undertaken – from major construction or new service development, and even for a simple home maintenance project.  Without successful integration of project plan elements, the outcome can be delayed, cost more than expected, or fail altogether.

Learning Project Management Skills

Learning project management skills is just like learning any new skills.  It requires observation, training, and practice.

Observation

skillsWatching and questioning those that are skilled in a behavior helps us to learn.  Observing how a weight lifter positions his body for a dead lift demonstrates proper form.  We can then mimic his actions as we try to perform the same maneuver and learn a new behavior.  We can ask him how he positions his feet and hands to gain deeper insight into the task as well.

Observing an experienced, respected project manager is a great way to learn new project management skills.  Watch how s/he interacts with team members.  Inquire how s/he develops the schedule and budget for a specific type of project.  Study the documentation and artifacts produced by the project in the planning stage and in a lessons learned review.  You can use these as templates to plan another project in the future.

Training

Education and training formalize best practices and yield supporting theory to our observations.  Project Management Professionals (PMP®) require 35 hours of formal training and education in order to become certified.  This training covers best practices from a variety of industries and validates your observations of what makes a successful project manager.

Training for project management is fulfilling in that PMP candidates learn to apply theory and practice in several knowledge areas, including:

  1. Project Integration Management,
  2. Project Scope Management,
  3. Project Schedule Management,
  4. Project Cost Management,
  5. Project Quality Management,
  6. Project Risk Management,
  7. Human Resources Management,
  8. Project Communications Management,
  9. Project Procurement Management, and
  10. Stakeholder Management.

PMP training is offered in a variety of formats to fit your needs:  self-study, facilitated on-line, face-to-face, and customized for your firm and industry.  Check out the schedule for upcoming PMP training opportunities.

Practice

Observation and training provide the backbone or foundation of skills development.  The only way to really learn is to try it.  Most organizations will assign small projects of limited risk to new project managers.  This allows the candidate to determine if s/he likes project management and provides a mentor to observe and give feedback.  Growing beyond small and medium-sized projects often takes time for a project manager to establish a reputation as a skilled practitioner.  PMP certification is often required to be appointed as a project manager of large, complex, or higher risk projects.

Project Management Skills

Project managers are adept at balancing a number of different tasks, priorities, and people issues at the same time.  They must understand the technical challenges of the project as well as be able to manage the scope, schedule, and budget.  Project managers are skilled leaders and communicators, and are flexible in environments defined by uncertainty and complexity.  In short, project management is a fun

To learn more about PMP certification, please review eligibility requirements here, or phone us a 281-280-8717.  You can check out our PMP training schedule here to study, learn, and earn.   It’s simple!   Good luck in your projects

 

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

© Simple-PDH.com

A division of Global NP Solutions, LLC

Learning is a Hobby

hobbyDo you have a hobby?  I have several hobbies and my favorite is scrapbooking.  I love the different colors and textures of paper used to highlight photographs.  I actually have an entire room in my house dedicated to my hobby.  It’s “my space” and I completely lose track of time when I am engrossed in making a new scrapbook page to capture happy memories.

When I’m not in my space creating a scrapbook page, I still enjoy my hobby.  I subscribe to several blogs and magazines on the topics of scrapbooking and cardmaking.  I receive emails about scrapbook events and new products from different vendors.  I spend a lot of my hobby time studying the magazines for ideas and to learn the latest techniques in scrapbooking.

I also spend time reading blogs and journals learning about my favorite management topics.  In fact, sometimes “Harvard Business Review” gets interspersed with “Cards & More” magazines!  I enjoy reading about the latest theories in project, product, and engineering management almost as much as I devour scrapbooking information.

Passion in Learning

I have a passion for my hobby – scrapbooking.  When I have free time (when is that again??), I go to my scrapbooking room to create memory pages or greeting cards.  My friends and family love to receive my handmade greeting cards and praise the craftsmanship.

It is sometimes harder to say we have a passion for our work, but if we don’t enjoy what we’re doing to make a living, it is just work.  I meet a lot of people who have a passion to plan and organize work activities and to create new products to make other peoples’ lives better.  These passions for project and product management are demonstrated in work we do, including a dedication to learning more about our chosen profession.

Continuous lifelong learning demonstrates commitment to our careers.  We want to know the latest and greatest tools in project management so that we can meet the budget, deliver on schedule, and please the client.  We want to satisfy customer needs with new product features and add value to their portfolios.

Continuous Learning

As we go through our lives, our passions become more focused and refined.  I used to scrapbook everything, then just vacations, and finally now I focus mostly on making greeting cards and small scrapbooks.  Smaller projects fit my personality and desire to finish quickly.  And, they fit my limited “free time” better as well.

In my professional life, I’ve learned that project and product management fit my strong desire to plan and organize work and to see a project idea through to completion.  I’ve also found that in management and coaching, I can make a difference in people’s lives.  Of course, I’ve had to learn new skills along the way.

One of the best ways to demonstrate new skills is through professional certification.  I have had at least two friends whoProfessionalDevelopmentGraphicOrg had such a passion for gardening that they became Texas Master Gardeners to further their education and to support their continuous learning.  I want to take Copic marker certification to improve my art and learning for scrapbooking and cardmaking.  Professionally, you can validate your passing with certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP®), New Product Development Professional (NPDP), or Professional Engineering Manager (PEM).

We are now offering a variety of PMP and CAPM® (Certified Associate in Project Management) training options.  Project managers learn how to initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control, and close projects.  The certification is recognized around the world and is often required on job applications to demonstrate professional experience and training.  PMPs generally command higher salaries than their uncertified counterparts.

The best certifications (like PMP, NPDP, and PEM) require continued learning so that professionals stay abreast of new ideas and new concepts in the field.  Here at Simple-PDH, we offer affordable and convenient online courses to earn your professional development hours (PDH).  Check back often as we are adding both full certification and PDH courses monthly.

Your Passion

Follow your passions.  You should enjoy your hobbies and expand your skills by reading and learning.  Have passion in your career and expand your professional skills, too, with professional certification and continuous learning.  Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

If you have questions about existing or upcoming PDH courses, please contact us at [email protected] or by phone at 281-280-8717.  We also offer PMP boot camps and a 2-day NPDP workshop as well as a variety of online prep courses so you can earn your certification quickly and easily.

 

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

© Simple-PDH.com

A division of Global NP Solutions, LLC

Welcome to Simple-PDH

logo-3Welcome to Simple-PDH. Our mission is simple – we want to help you maintain your professional credentials with on-line learning.

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

Lifelong learning is the keystone for any successful professional. In today’s competitive job market, certifications are what differentiates standout candidates from the rest of the crowd. Professional certifications – like New Product Development Professional (NPDP), Project Management Professional (PMP®), and Professional Engineering Manager (PEM) – demonstrate mastery of skills, practice, and theory. Further separating these valuable credentials are the requirements for continued learning in one’s chosen field. Many of these programs require up to 60 hours of continuing professional development every three (3) years.

That’s where Simple-PDH comes in. It’s difficult to get away from our busy day-to-day jobs to attend expensive conferences. Internal corporate training often focuses on regulatory requirements with no time for technical education and growth. Simple-PDH offers affordable on-line courses so you can earn your required professional development hours (PDH) and continuing education units (CEU) quickly and easily.

Study

Simple-PDH offers learning materials in a variety of formats to make maintaining your professional credentials easy. Courses include an assortment of study methods to best fit your needs: reading, audio downloads, video, and practice exercises. You can download or print study materials for later reference as well.

You can study the course materials as much as you like during the course registration period. Depending on the course content and number of PDHs, courses are available for 30-, 60-, and 90-days. Members may choose to bundle several courses for a discount or subscribe to annual access to all courses. Members will be the first to know about new courses, too!

With Simple-PDH offering a variety of learning packages, you can study, learn and earn continuing education units simply and easily.

Learn

The goal of the professional credentialing bodies (like PDMA, PMI®, and ASEM) is to maintain elite candidates growing the body of knowledge in their respective fields. Continuous learning enhances our professional careers as we continue to accomplish new skills and applications.

Simple-PDH recognizes the special qualifications of professional associations and offers specific course content to validate subject matter expertise. For instance, the Project Management Institute (PMI) has recently released Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) to meet the elements of the Talent Triangle™. Our courses are designed to meet these expectations for continued education in Strategic and Business Management, Technical Project Management, and Leadership. Simply search on the class categories to find related courses.

Earn

In addition to study materials, every course at Simple-PDH includes a practice exam and a final exam. You can take these exams as many times as you want throughout the duration of the course. Upon completion of the course with a passing score (usually 70%) on the final exam, you can simply download and print your completion certificate verifying your PDH or CEU credits.

Normally, a one-hour course will have a 10-question exam and longer courses may have a 20-question exam. Don’t worry, though. We keep it simple and after reviewing the study materials and practice exams, the final exam should be a cinch!

Simple-PDH

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple. It really is that easy. Our affordable on-line courses make maintaining professional certifications quick and easy. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or by phone at 281-280-8717.

 

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

© Simple-PDH.com

A division of Global NP Solutions, LLC