PDH

A Growth Mindset for Learning

Posted on 06.02.17

Product development, like all other types of engineering projects, requires taking risks. Sometimes new products fail. In fact, statistically, more products and services fail than are successful in the marketplace. But not many leaders would readily agree that failure can have a positive outcome.

A Growth Mindset

Failures should be viewed as learning opportunities. We improve our behaviors, skills, and technical capabilities when we understand the gap between current performance and our desired level of accomplishment. Failure allows us to grow.

A recent article in Harvard Business Review (November 2015) describes failure as the ability to tap into a “growth mindset”. In contrast, a “fixed mindset” is one that assumes outcomes are pre-determined through innate skills or through good luck. People with a fixed mindset do not always recognize learning opportunities since they assume they cannot add to their own talent pool or development.

The “growth mindset,” on the other hand, is one in which people recognize they can get better through effort and practice. Years ago, Tiger Woods famously changed his golf swing (apparently before he needed a lot of prescriptions for back pain…). When we make radical changes in our training and execution of a skill, sometimes our performance declines temporarily. We may fail. Yet, seeking the challenge and sticking with a plan for improvement will lead to better performance in the end.

Thus, a person with a growth mindset accepts that a failure has occurred and will work to improve performance next time. These people will practice, practice, and practice. They recognize that the payback is proportional to the effort they input. Managers can support performance improvement by accepting failure and learning from it.

In new product development (NPD), for instance, a failed product launch may be related to the technical functionality of the product or may be due to a poor marketing message. Learning the root cause of the failure will help all future NPD efforts. You just also might be able to profitably salvage the current product!

Acting without Action

While a crucial step in learning requires acknowledging failure and taking steps to practice and improve, we sometimes get bogged down in action for the sake of action. Let’s look at an ordinary golfer, Tom, instead of Tiger Woods. Tom goes to the driving range weekly and hits a couple of buckets of balls. He chats with his buddy about practicing at the range. Yet when they play a full round of golf on Saturday, Tom’s score doesn’t really improve.

What’s going on? Tom has been practicing at the driving range – just like Tiger Woods, right? Wrong. Tom is just going through the motions. He is acting without action. Tiger’s practice was focused, deliberate, and detailed. He worked through every motion of his golf swing. He worked at it day and night. He studied golf swings of the masters and he was coached. The coach provided feedback on his performance so Tiger could learn how to close the gap between his current skill level and the desired future state.

Tom, on the other hand, was not focused. He spent half his time at the driving range chatting with his buddy. He golfed as a hobby, not a passion. More importantly, Tom just hit the golf balls. He did not have a picture in his mind of how a perfect golf swing should look. He lacked coaching and feedback to close a gap between his current and desired performance. Tom was simply acting without action.

We do the same thing with our business projects. We might tweak the advertising campaign of a new product. We will add features and functionality to “improve” or “enhance” its technical capabilities. Yet, these are unfocused actions – doing something just for the sake of doing something. Without proper customer and market feedback, we might just be acting without action.

NPD projects should learn from failure by shadowing and querying customers. Products are successful when they deliver an affordable and convenient solutions that address customers’ specific issues.

Growth and Action for Learning

Failure happens. Projects are cancelled, new products don’t make sales, and we face professional setbacks. Yet the key to success is learning from failure. Continuous improvement comes from evaluating failure and taking deliberate steps to learn from any real or perceived defect.

First, you must equip yourself with a growth mindset. Outcomes are not a result of bad luck or only because of in-born talent. We can improve our own performance through deliberate practice and applied effort. Recognizing the gap between current and desired performance allows us to design a path forward. In NPD, we must fully understand the customer in order to design, develop, and launch an effective product solution.

Next, as we accept failure and recognize that defeats introduce learning opportunities, we must take focused action to address the performance gap. Acting without action is just stirring the pot. Or as Einstein is quoted as saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results.” In NPD we must carefully survey markets and customers to understand their needs and how existing product solutions meet or don’t meet these needs.

Professional skills development also requires focused practice and deliberate actions to improve performance. Many individuals seek to demonstrate learning and continuous improvement through professional certification. We offer new product skills development with industry best practices in innovate coupled with certification training in New Product Development Professional (NPDP) workshops. You can demonstrate continuous learning through an affordable self-study course or in a customized face-to-face training session. Contact me at info@simple-pdh.com or 281-280-8717 for information on new product development training or professional management coaching. At Simple-PDH, we want to make it simple for you to study, learn, and earn and maintain your professional certifications.

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

A division of Global NP Solutions, LLC

Work-Life Balance

Posted on 03.23.17

Depending from which generation you hail, your definition of “work-life balance” probably is quite different than your co-workers of another age. Baby boomers stereotypically report to the office daily and value work above many other pursuits. Gen X-ers (myself included) put as much energy into our time off work as we put into work. Finally, Millennials are struggling to find out where the line is that seems to blur work and social life.

Regardless of your age and approach to work-life balance, it is true that all of us spend more time than ever connected to technology. You know, that annoying habit of pulling out your smartphone to check a fact in the middle of a conversation. Or asking Siri to identify the artist playing the background music at the coffee shop while you meet with an old friend. And, of course, constantly checking email to see if the project work was done correctly while you were out of the office. We certainly do rely on technology!

Technology for Learning

A second aspect of work-life balance is that we often stay connected in our off-hours so that we can get ahead. While it is probably fruitless to imagine digging out from under the gigantic heap of bits and bytes that make up our cluttered inboxes, we can use technology to better manage our work tasks. The calendar function is a great way to parse the day and schedule important activities. In addition to project team meetings, you can use your calendar to block time for in-depth, quiet, strategic thinking and for personal growth. My calendar is blocked Thursday starting a 3 pm for a networking event which will cover both items (quiet time for thinking during the drive to and from the event location, and personal growth by meeting new people at the event).

We also can use technology for learning. Block time on a regular basis for building skills that will advance your career. The amount and frequency of learning events will be a function of your educations and knowledge-building goals, but the time commitment needs to be regular and long enough to complete a new activity in each session. Five minutes normally won’t cut it! For new product development professional (NPDP) training, we recommend one hour per day for six weeks, with one day off each week. Committing to learning new skills for a professional credential will reap huge rewards for personal and career growth.

Learning for Work-Life Balance

Learning a new skill can help us better balance work goals and find joy in our personal lives. Career-oriented objectives often are only met through demonstrated commitment to our chosen profession. Without a doubt, professional certification is rapidly growing and demanded by employers to show that you are absolutely dedicated and knowledgeable in the field. Many job openings today require certification, such as Project Management Professional (PMP), to even apply for open positions.

Unless you let your certification lag (and we hope you don’t!), professional certification is yours. You are equipped with the demonstrated education, knowledge, and experience regardless of your current job. Professional credentials are portable and show your commitment to learning in the industry. Most valuable certification require continuing education and your professional development hours (PDH) expand your skills to include emerging topics of interest and new best practices. Learning is truly a lifelong endeavor.

As you learn and master new skills, you will find that it enhanced the work-life balance. Your passion for your chosen career cannot help but spill into your personal life as you grow. Leadership and team management skills are not limited to on-the-job implementation. You can use leadership skills as Boy Scout Troop Leader, to organize a community garage sale, or to head a medical mission in Africa. We all need continued improvement in our team skills to better manage new product development projects, engineering teams, or even sensitive family decisions. Learning for career growth does not stop at the office door.

Using Time Wisely

While many of us check our work email as often as we check Twitter or Facebook, it is important to unplug. Studies (CEP, March 2017) shows that the best workers actually take their annual vacation time, get enough sleep every night, and exercise regularly. I tend to combine these pieces of advice and go hiking on vacation which leads to very restful sleep.

But, of course, we are not always on vacation. In fact, most of the time we’re not. Most of the time, we are striving to get better at what we do. So, using the calendar function discussed above, along with the benefits of continuous learning, schedule time to gain or maintain your professional credentials.

For those that are already New Product Development Professional (NPDP), PMP^©, or Professional Engineering Manager (PEM) certificates, you will need to commit at least two hours per month to on-going learning. Some of that will occur during network meetings designed to bring together like-minded professionals. However, re-certification for many candidates requires 60 PDHs every three (3) years. You can supplement network meetings with easy-to-use online learning.

The advantage of online learning is that you can block one hour in your schedule every month for quiet time. You can use downtime at the office, during your commute, or time at home. Because online learning is easy to access on any platform, you can choose when and where to learn. If you are seeking a new credential to advance your career, you will probably balance your home life against attaining new skills. If your current employer actively supports educational initiatives, you can block one hour per day for six weeks to gain the necessary knowledge to back-up your work experience. Online learning gives you flexibility to manage your own time against your own work, family, and leisure commitments.

Check out any of our online courses at Simple-PDH.com. We know that work-life balance is important so we want to make it simple for you to study, learn, and earn your professional certifications. For more information, please contact us at info@simple-pdh.com or 281-280-8717.

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

A division of Global NP Solutions, LLC

Components of Learning

Posted on 12.01.16

Learning is a lifelong activity. An article in the newspaper relays information from recent studies documenting links between physical exercise, learning, and mental health in the elderly. Lifelong learning bridges our knowledge and experience from the vast array of times and events in our lives. Learning prepares us for the next step in our careers and in our lives.

For learning to be effective, it must contain and deliver three aspects: content, access, and technology. Professionals who gain certifications and credentials master these three perspectives of learning. To maintain a professional certification, learning again engages through these three arenas so the candidate can earn PDHs or CEUs (professional development hours or continuing education units).

Content

You’ve probably heard that the volume of information and data doubles at an astounding rate – faster than ever in the history of mankind. In just two years, they say, the amount of information ever created doubled from the beginning of time. Consequently, for a busy professional, knowing where to find information, that is meaningful knowledge, can be a challenge. Studies also show that knowledge retention decline precipitously if the information is not delivered when and how it is needed.

Today, anyone learning a new skill or refreshing basic competencies expects compelling content. That content should be delivered so learners engage as many of their senses as possible. This includes seeing (reading, viewing video), hearing (podcasts), and touching (writing, sketching). As more senses are involved in the learning activity, the retention will increase.

All of our online courses at Simple-PDH.com include lessons to engage these different learning styles, such as reading, watching videos, listening to podcasts, and taking quizzes. Online learning can be supplemented by face-to-face workshops where professional have opportunities to practice their skills in a non-threatening environment. Often, busy professionals cannot find time during a typical workday to test new management theories. An offsite training course provides the chance to apply knowledge in a risk-free environment with other like-minded individuals.

Access

Online learning has huge benefits for students and professionals. Content is available 24/7 and is accessible in whatever format a candidate needs. Learners can switch from a laptop to a cell phone and then to a tablet to complete an online learning module. Having lessons available on digital devices, like smartphones, offers a quick reference in the field as well; thus supporting learning when and where knowledge is needed.

Maintaining professional certification is simple when the information is broken into small chunks. A lot of people are too busy to book two hours per period for continuing education. But, these same people can fill 10 minutes of waiting time with learning. Online PDH courses break the content into small tasks on lessons, typically less than three (3) minutes each.

For candidates that require a deep dive into a new topic, labs and workshops offer access to knowledge and experiences shared in a classroom setting. Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, known as “social learning,” is an effective way to increase knowledge retention. We remember the stories we hear and share in the classroom.

Technology

Finally, learning has been irrevocably changed by technology. Just 20 years ago, when I was in college, the professor wrote on a chalkboard and students took laborious notes in spiral binders. Advanced technology at the time included overhead projectors.

Today, technology assists learning in many ways. As indicated above, online learning delivers content to a candidate on his/her mobile device, transferring seamlessly between computer and classroom. Technology allows us to access the different learning modalities – seeing, hearing, and touch – in order to improve knowledge retention.

Yet, technology can be a hindrance to learning. We are easily distracted by ads and instant messaging while viewing internet content of any kind. Our attention spans have shrunk as we expect to be entertained and we quickly make that decision within a couple of seconds of loading a new web page. Consequently, technology can assist learning but it is not learning in and of itself.

Learning Components

If you want to learn a new capability or refresh an existing skill, you must consider three components to increase your knowledge. First, the content must engage as many senses as possible. Many subject matter experts possess great knowledge and experience in their trade but cannot adequately translate that information. Candidates for professional certification should look for courses (online or face-to-face) that provide opportunities to see, hear, and interact with learning materials. Particularly important to earning and maintaining professional credentials is an opportunity to practice the new skills.

Next, knowledge must be accessible. At Simple-PDH, our online course materials are available on your laptop or mobile device. Our classroom workshops provide reference material to check when you are back in the office facing a new situation. And, we are available to answer questions and share our experiences from the School of Hard Knocks.

Finally, technology can enhance the learning experience but it is not a substitute for well-built lessons. Our knowledge base is supplemented by carefully selected videos and podcasts to encourage multi-modal learner engagement. While our online courses rely on technology as a primary means of delivering information, our labs and workshops still ask you to use pen and paper, role-playing, and active discussion among other simple exercises to cement new concepts into your behaviors as a manager.

Lifelong learning is an adventure. We need to continue to learn to preserve our mental health as we age and to be successful on the job right now. Learning new skills presents challenges to advance our careers and professional performance. At Simple-PDH, learning is convenient and affordable. It’s simple to study, learn, and earn!

information on project management certification. At Simple-PDH.com, we want to make it convenient and affordable for you to study, learn, and earn your professional certification.

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

© Simple-PDH.com

by Global NP Solutions, LLC

Geyser Projects

Posted on 10.06.16

Recently I visited Yellowstone National Park. The geological wonders are so impressive that in the 19^th century no one believed them to be real. Instead, reports of boiling water, geysers shooting 200-ft high and petrified trees were considered the fantasies of mountain men alone too long in the wilderness.

Yet, the fantasies are actually true and we can witness the predictable eruptions of Old Faithful Geyser, for example. Water and steam build and the surface begins to churn and bubble. Soon a plume of water and steam rise above the land, higher and higher. Then, the geyser slowly drains its power and the plume begins to shrink until the pool is generally left still and languid despite being steaming hot.

Projects are often managed like geyser eruptions. The drama is almost predictable as the project falls behind schedule and costs begin to exceed the budget. Clients and senior management begin to bubble and churn. If nothing is done to correct the problem, the deviations in schedule and budget become larger and larger until a major eruption occurs. Then, the project is re-baselined, tempers cool, and the project proceeds as before. That is, until the next, predictable deviation starts the cycle of churning, boiling, and eruption again.

Project Controls

Project controls are designed for a project manager to recognize the early warning signs of scope, schedule, cost, or quality deviations. Early recognition of problems allows the project team to address deviations before they result in catastrophic consequences.

Traditional project management uses Earned Value Management (EVM) to monitor and control project constraints. A similar measure is also used in Agile project manager to ensure project progress is acceptable. Most Agile projects increase the focus on scope by introducing a product owner role in which the customer is highly integrated into team activities.

What is EVM?

Earned value management (EVM) is a technique that is used by project managers to detect deviations from the project plan. Early detection of variability in predicted project outcomes allows for earlier and better resolution of problems in executing the project. EVM focuses on the schedule and budget, using deviations from the plan to trigger actions by the project team.

Variables in EVM

The key variables in EVM analysis are:

PV = planned value,
EV = earned value, and
AC = actual cost.

Schedule variance is indicated by a difference in planned value and earned value. Hence, planned value represents the amount of work expected to be completed by a certain point in the project timeline. Earned value, one of the more convoluted concepts, is the actual amount of work completed at that point in time. Consider what the customer would be willing to pay for the product at that juncture as the earned value.

So, if a project is planned to be 25% complete after 16 weeks of work but is found to be only 20% complete, the schedule variance (SV) is negative and the project is behind the plan (SV=EV-PV). A project hat is behind schedule will lead clients, customers, and senior management to begin bubbling and churning.

Cost variance (CV) is calculated by comparing the actual cost to the earned value (EV-AC). In other words, the project manager will monitor how much money was spent to complete the work to date regardless of whether the quantity of work meets the plan or not. Thus, if the actual cost was just 90% of the cost to create the objectives of the earned value (work completed), then the project is running ahead of its budget. Senior management can cool down without an eruption!

Using EVM for Control

Of course, the project manager will need to troubleshoot and understand why the project has deviations. During an initial ramp-up phase to get a project underway, small deviations in schedule and budget are anticipated. However, once a full staff is assigned to the project, deviations from plan should be minor. Trends indicating slippage of schedule or budget overruns must be addressed immediately.

When a project runs behind schedule, the project manager should evaluate staff skill sets and use training or hiring to improve project performance. When a project runs over budget, the project manager should examine variable project costs and minimize overtime work. In some cases, a trade-off between schedule and budget priorities will be necessary to deliver the project results within a quality framework.

Avoiding Project Eruptions

Project eruptions can be avoided and do not need to be predictable like Old Faithful Geyser. A skilled project manager will use EVM tools to detect early deviations in schedule and variations in cost. Early problem detection leads to faster and less costly resolution of issues allowing a project to deliver its scope on-time and on-budget.

You can learn about EVM and project cost management in a special online course with two professional development hours (2 PDUs / 2 PDHs). See more at www.Simple-PDH.com under the course title Project Cost Estimating. The course includes tip sheets and a downloadable certificate for you to maintain your credentials as a Project Management Professional (PMP®), New Product Development Professional (NPDP), or Professional Engineering Manager (PEM). Online PDHs are affordable and convenient. It’s simple to study, learn, and earn!

In the meantime, practice using early detection of problem areas in projects. EVM is one tool and frequent communication with team members is another. Good luck!

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

© Simple-PDH.com

by Global NP Solutions, LLC

When is the Right Time for Learning?

Posted on 09.08.16

Learning a new skill or creating a new product from a nascent idea seem like complicated efforts. There have to be a lot of roles and responsibilities identified, we have to spend significant time with books and teachers, and the market must be just right. True, isn’t it? Well, maybe not.

Creating new products and learning new skills share some fundamental basic concepts. Fortunately, these concepts are pretty simple and don’t require lots of time and resources.

Curiosity

First, projects and learning share a foundation of curiosity. We have to be curious to learn how customers are using existing products, what problems they currently face, and which trends influence their decisions. Likewise, we must have a sense of curiosity to understand how we can improve our own skills, productivity, and efficiency. Learning starts with curiosity and wondering how to do a task better.

They say “curiosity killed the cat,” yet if you’ve ever watched a favorite pet approach something new, you understand curiosity for learning. Years ago, my kitten was curious about a big, stuffed bear I had set out as a Christmas decoration. He studied the bear from a distance. He didn’t get too close to the bear because he was unsure if the stuffed animal was friend or foe. Eventually, he lowered his body to look as small as possible and again studied the fuzzy, stuffed bear. Suddenly, he dashed out from behind a chair, whacked the bear solidly with his right paw, and ran back to safety behind the chair.

Of course, curiosity didn’t kill my cat and he finally made peace with the stuffed Christmas bear. He had to study and experiment to learn the bear was non-threatening. He also had to act on curiosity in the first place.

Timing

In both new product development and learning, timing is everything. New products can become superstars in a market if the timing is perfect or launch as an over-priced dud if the timing is wrong. Consider the recent rage for Pokemon Go, a huge hit because the timing was right. Yet, interest in golf as a sport today is waning. Society and trends favor some product trends while leaving others to wither.

Similarly, learning new skills must occur when we need the new skill. Our need for developing a skill may be driven by our curiosity of how something works or how to improve a product or service. When we show the curiosity to improve our productivity or efficiency, we need to have learning tools available at the right time.

We may learn from a trusted leader or mentor showing us how to conduct a new activity or task. We may also need to pursue learning a new skill through other means if we don’t have access to a skilled expert. Or, we may learn (like my kitten did) through study and experimentation.

Today, online learning is a convenient and affordable way to satisfy our curiosity about a subject. Online courses deliver quick instruction, including the fundamentals, to help someone get up to speed at the right time. We are also blessed with learning through a variety of devices and methods so we can not only learn a new skill at the right time but also at the right place.

Experimentation

The last element of commonality between a new product launch and learning a new skill is experimentation. Remember my cat? He tested to see if the bear was friend or foe by whacking it with his paw. When the bear did not cry out, respond in kind, or even move, my cat conducted further experiments. He again ran to the bear and whacked it. After a few trials, he realized he didn’t need to retreat behind the chair. He stood a few feet away and observed the bear. After a few more (hilarious) whacks with his paw, my cat laid down a few feet in front of the now innocuous bear and took a nap. Though, he still did not trust his safety completely, he napped with one eye open, affixed to the stuffed Christmas bear in case of a future threat.

Cats might make laughable subjects of viral YouTube videos, but we can understand experimentation as a learning tool. Certainly, in new product development, we must experiment and test features and functions within a variety of potential customers. Trial of a minimally viable product can validate customer need and inform the new product development team of required design enhancements.

Learning, too, is informed by experimentation. We might try a specific task with our existing skill sets. If it doesn’t work, we will adjust and adapt our approach. Exercises, case studies, and formal tests all validate learning of a specific topic. Professional certifications, like New Product Development Professional (NPDP) and Project Management Professional (PMP®), allow for experimentation by applying industry-wide theory and best practices to your specific situation.

Learning at the Right Time

Learning, like the commercialization of a new product, requires the proper timing. Timing of the learning event is preceded by curiosity to improve and to gain knowledge. Learning tools deliver the skills at the right time so that the new information can be applied on-the-job to enhance productivity and efficiency. And, learning requires experimentation to address specific problems with the tools and techniques assembled from practice and education.

If you’d like to learn more about new product development or NPDP Certification, please take a free class or join us for an in-depth, 2-day best practices workshop. We also offer on-demand learning that is quick, convenient, and affordable and is especially geared toward busy professionals that need to earn professional development hours (PDHs) to maintain their existing certifications. It’s simple to study, learn, and earn!

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

© Simple-PDH.com

by Global NP Solutions, LLC

Leadership in Learning

Posted on 08.25.16

I am huge believer in the strength of lifelong learning. Learning allows us to connect with the new ideas born into the world on a daily basis and learning allows us to stretch our imaginations beyond any known boundary. Without lifelong learning, our brains and bodies stagnate. We will rot away in the muck of sameness and predictability.

Organizations need learning as much as do individuals. There are new theories to test that may (or may not) improve productivity and efficiency. Learning new ways to execute projects can save resources and motivate the workforce, for example. Like individual learning, organizational learning must be a continuous passion. However, organizational learning must be exemplified by leaders.

Leadership

Leaders are very different than managers. Most of us are familiar with the old adage that “managers manage things and leaders lead people.” Yes, that’s true. Yet leadership is more than directing the people on a team. Leadership involves inspiring others to achieve greatness. It involves helping your team members to stretch beyond their capabilities to create bigger and better solutions to age-old problems. Leadership demonstrates a vision and the pathway to reach faraway goals.

Leaders don’t just dream about a different future. They also put in place mechanisms and tools to build that exact future. A leader doesn’t have the technical solutions in his or her back pocket but he or she can encourage and motivate the team to find designs and to develop solutions that create a better world for all of us. Leaders inspire, motivate, and encourage even when the chips are down.

Leading by Example

Leaders are just managers if they don’t have natural followers. Often, leaders can be compared to managers by their actions. A manager dictates work by command and control. She will tell her team members what to do and check to see if it gets done.

Leaders, on the other hand, will stand beside the team member to learn the task and to identify a solution. He is not afraid to get his hands dirty seeking a better way. Leading by example is a fundamental characteristic of successful and inspiring leaders.

Leading by example includes lifelong learning. Leaders that read and share new information, concepts, and theories demonstrate that learning is important. Team members will follow that example and also read to share new information, concepts, and theories that they encounter. Shared experiences are a key to successful team growth as the team members collectively find new solutions to project problems or technical challenges.

Learning Together

Leaders also demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning through continued professional development. In today’s busy world, many careers demand that workers hit the ground running when they are hired for a new job. Professional certifications like Project Management Professional (PMP®), New Product Development Professional (NPDP), Scrum Master (SCM™), and Professional Engineering Manager (PEM) also demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning. Professional certification demonstrates education, experience, and subject matter knowledge exemplifying technical and market leadership. Many jobs today require applicants to hold such professional credentials to validate their skills and capabilities as well as to demonstrate the candidate’s leadership competencies.

Teams can learn together to expand their skills in these fields. PMP exam prep training and Scrum Master training are great classes for teams to take together to learn a common vocabulary and approach to problem-solving. Simple-PDH.com offers a company discount for PMP Boot Camps, next scheduled for 26-30 September 2016 in Houston, Texas. You’ll earn 35 professional development hours (PDH) in this course as well as be prepared to pass the PMP exam on the first try!

NPDP training is also well suited for innovation teams. The course presents a common framework and best practices for teams engaged in radical innovation and applied R&D. Our next NPDP face-to-face class is scheduled for 12 & 13 October 2016 in Houston, Texas. You’ll earn 16 PDHs during this intense learning workshop.

Leadership in Learning

Leaders exemplify the behaviors they want their teams to demonstrate. Lifelong learning is foundational to long-term organizational success. Great leaders not only encourage and share learning with their teams, they also practice lifelong learning through professional development. For more information on gaining and maintaining professional certifications, please contact us at info@simple-pdh.com or by phone at +1-281-280-8717.

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

Simple-PDH.com

by Global NP Solutions, LLC

Cost Estimating

Posted on 07.28.16

Product, project, and engineering managers are faced with many tasks on any given day. We must manage people, technologies, and the project itself. Stakeholders need to be frequently updated on the status of the project including utilization of resources, progress toward deliverables, and tracking of the schedule and budget.

Yet, many project managers are appointed to the position based on a strong technical background or because they are effective in leading complex teams. Most project managers have not been directly exposed to managing a budget or schedule. Of course, the client and the sponsor measure success through meeting project goals, including the plan for on-time and on-budget delivery of project results.

Budget Skills for Project Managers

Project managers can learn how to prepare a budget in several ways. Sometimes, senior management will assign a specific budget for the execution of given project work. In this case, the project manager is doomed. There needs to be significant input, give-and-take, and understanding of tasks and deliverables in order for an appropriate budget to be determined. Frequently, senior executives will underestimate the required work – and cost- of a project because they are far removed from day-to-day operations.

In other, more favorable cases, the project manager will work with the assigned project team and sponsor to formulate a viable project budget. While estimating project costs is iterative by definition, sponsors and clients will often hold the budget to the first number they hear. Naturally, project managers are in a difficult position. Project work is often not detailed enough in an early stage to give an accurate cost outlook but padding the number could cause the project to look too expensive and lead to its cancellation.

Learning about Cost Estimates

Many product and engineering managers have not been formally exposed to budgeting and accounting practices in their technical or educational background. One way to gain skills in planning projects is to understand basic project management principles. Project Management Professionals (PMP®) are certified by the Project Management Institute and learn industry-wide best practices in initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing projects. Cost and schedule estimating tools and techniques are described as part of the detailed planning process. Product and engineering managers will also learn flexible and agile methods for lean product development, including how to estimate the cost of a specific project while the work is still not fully determined. Iterative and rolling wave planning are tools that can help a project manager optimize and balance detailed cost estimates for the near term with longer term forecasts. PMP Boot Camps and New Product Development Professional Workshops will help project, product, and engineering managers learn these tools for the first time or provide a timely refresher to continue to build career skills.

For those that just need a refresher on cost estimating, Simple-PDH is offering a new, two-hour course on Cost Estimating. We start with the basics of creating a plan that balances scope, schedule, and budget. Specific types of cost estimates and types of costs (direct, variable, etc.) are described so you can immediately jump into the budgeting process. The Project Cost Estimating course will earn two (2) Professional Development Hours (PDH, PDU, CEU) for you to maintain your PMP, Scrum, NPDP, PEM certification(s).

Learn More

To learn more about integrating cost estimating techniques into project and product management activities, please join us for a PMP Boot Camp or NPDP Workshop. You may also be interested in the 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! Contact us at info@simple-pdh.com for more information.

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

A division of Global NP Solutions, LLC

Time Blocking for Lifelong Learning

Posted on 07.21.16

All of us understand that the world is moving at an ever faster pace. Knowledge, as measured by the number of word TimeBlock_resize and pictures committed to the worldwide web is increasing exponentially. Our jobs are becoming more complex and the demands on our time are increasing as well.

How do you manage to balance daily requirements with the ever-pressing need to continually learn and adapt to a changing environment? One tried and true recommendation is to use time blocking. Time blocking allows our brains to focus intently on one – and only one – activity at a time. No multi-tasking allowed!

Time Blocking Basics

What is time blocking? The simplest answer is to look at your calendar. While our calendars are often filled with meetings, we can also use our calendars to block out periods of time to use for intensive, strategic thinking and “real work”. Many studies show that people need about 15 minutes to “get into the zone” in order to generate focus and concentration for the task at hand. So, for a one-hour task, you will want to schedule at least one hour and 15 minutes. In fact, you may want to schedule a minimum of 1.5 hours in case the task is more complicated than your initial assessment as often occurs.

Eliminate Interruptions

Human beings are very poor at multi-tasking. In reality, even computers are bad at multi-tasking; they are just very good at switching between tasks at an extraordinary rate. Humans, however, need to have our brains rest between tasks so that we can create a plan of action and evaluate options.

Remember the “flight or fight” mechanism we learned about in high school? When we are constantly switching tasks, our primeval brain is busy trying to assess the risk and hazard of each task. Should we stay to fight or should we turn and run? This assessment mechanism prevents us from actually concentrating on accomplishing the task. However, once we have committed to an action – fight or flight – we can concentrate and focus on that specific activity.

In addition to conquering the myth of multi-tasking, we also must eliminate interruptions. During intense periods of focused work, we need to have a quiet environment – free of interruptions – to focus on the task. In most cases, this means turning off the audible notifications on cell phones and laptops, sending the office phone to voice mail, and closing the door to prevent drop-in visitors.

Note that “quite time” may not mean silent time. Many people can “get into the zone” with soft music playing in the background or even in a public library where the constant buzz of voices offers a steady, but not disturbing, background. I recently stayed at a hotel across the street from a popular bar and outdoor music venue. The music definitely permeated the hotel’s walls. They kindly placed a white noise generator next to the bed. I selected “ocean” setting and the rolling of waves and squeals of seagulls covered the band’s loud music so I could concentrate on the computer tasks I need to complete and then drift off to sleep.

Lifelong Learning

online-learning While these tips to eliminate multi-tasking and to focus on the task work well for any task, time blocking is essential to lifelong learning. Using time blocking, you can schedule an hour a day or a few hours per week to focus on building skills and gaining knowledge. This time should be scheduled on your calendar so you can prevent interruptions and you should treat it as sacred.

For example, I spend an hour a day focused on learning. Usually, I drink my morning coffee while I read emerging literature in the fields of product, project, and engineering management. This time of day works well for me because I am most focused first thing in the morning and the rest of the world won’t be up and running for another hour or so. My time is quiet, away from distractions and multi-tasking. In fact, my reading area is in a separate place than my office computer to eliminate the dings and buzzes of email, text, and other day-to-day task notifications and reminders.

In studying for a professional certification like PMP® (Project Management Professional), SMC™ (Scrum Master Certification), NPDP (New Product Development Professional), or PEM (Professional Engineering Manager), you should set aside at least one hour per day for focused learning. (It’s okay to take weekends off because you do need to spend time exercising, relaxing, and with your family.) With our NPDP self-study classes, you can use that time to watch an instructional video, review the study guide, or take a practice test. Most of the Professional Development (PDH) courses at www.simple-pdh.com are an hour in length but you may want to schedule 15 minutes more to “get into the zone” and fully concentrate on learning the material. You will study, learn, and earn you PDHs quickly, affordably, and conveniently.

Put It Into Action

Time blocking is an effective method for learning and for accomplishing difficult tasks. Start by scheduling a couple of hours per week to expand your knowledge in a new arena. Our Disruptive Innovation course is just one hour for you to practice lifelong learning, time blocking, AND to earn professional development hours. Call 281-280-8717 for a special 50% discount code. For more information on online or customized face-to-face courses, please email us at info@simple-pdh.com.

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

A division of Global NP Solutions, LLC

Equalize and Edit in Learning

Posted on 07.14.16

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.

Project 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 without 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 info@simple-pdh.com.

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

A division of Global NP Solutions, LLC

Learning is a Hobby

Posted on 06.30.16

Do 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 who 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 info@simple-pdh.com 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.

A division of Global NP Solutions, LLC