4 Things I’m Thankful This Year!

As a PMP and CBAP Certification holder - here’s my list of 4 things I am thankful for this year from a professional standpoint.

1.     ‘Problem’ Projects

Challenges excite me. When anything becomes too simple for me, I rapidly become bored. These are the times when I need to stop whining and realise that I wouldn't have it any other way. How can I be innovative and progress as a project manager if I'm not given 'interesting' scenarios to manage?

2.     ‘Problem’ People

I'm not a people person. At least not in the natural world. It's extremely possible that I suffer from a high-functioning version of autism spectrum condition. Working successfully with others has been a 20-year quest for me (still ongoing). After many years as a leader and manager, it's the 'problem' people who have provided me with the challenges I needed to improve my communication, facilitation, and motivation skills with others. They've pushed me to create mechanisms to deal with a variety of circumstances involving people and conflict. Dealing with challenging people has given me the opportunity to create mechanisms for offering direct feedback, enhanced listening skills, and facilitation tactics.

3.     Not Knowing Everything

I am really grateful for my current position as a project manager and senior system engineer, as well as my PMP and CBAP certification, which allows me to oversee two project teams. I haven't done much genuine system engineering work in a long time, but there are so many parallels to excellent project management that it's uncanny. Glen Alleman, I believe, made a comment here once, predicting that people will figure out that project management is a subject of system engineering. In any case, NASA and INCOSE are teaching me a lot about good system engineering principles right now. At the same time, I'm implementing Kanban with both of my project teams, which has proven to be a valuable learning experience. All of this is helping me become a better project manager. It's wonderful not to know everything!

4.     The Internet

Over the last year or so, social media has completely transformed my life. I can't even put a number on how much I've learned from folks I've met through social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. There are numerous links to excellent content. Do you have a question? Inquire among your Twitter followers or Facebook pals. I've met a lot of new people, shared a lot of useful information, and had a lot of fun. I'm quite sure it's a total of 3 tonnes.

Want to learn more about the same? Take on professional credentials such as ECBA, PMP, CBAP, or Agile Certification today!

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Becoming successful at implementing scrum!

As an Agile certification holder, I've been considering how to assist a colleague with a Scrum implementation that appears to be out of control and filled with "Scrum Buts," as my buddy Ken Schwaber refers to them.

Several times during our talk, I cringed when they mentioned their "version" of Scrum and their version of "TDD."

Yikes

When trying to modify their company culture to become more "Agile," I believe this is a common pitfall that managers fall into. The bottom line is that if you're adopting Scrum for business value motivators like profitability, product turn rates, cost control, or to compress/reduce feature release windows, I'd say your heart isn't in the right place, and you should re-evaluate what the value proposition is for implementing Agile software development methodologies/techniques. Being effective at Scrum, in my opinion, necessitates more of a shift in personal and managerial mindset than any technical or procedural change.

Because it's not really a methodology, nor is it a technique — framework – technique – bleh, I have a hard time using the term "methodology" in the same sentence as Scrum. At the same time, it's all of them and none of them.

Scrum is a Philosophy

It's a world-view relating to managerial engagement with those involved in production, as read while studying for the Agile certification.

I propose that you start by reading Ken Blanchard's book "The Servant Leader" if you want to learn how to adopt Scrum successfully. Once you've got your heart in the right place, abandoned the "command and control" mentality, embraced the TPS/Lean concepts of empowering and allowing the team to make "management" decisions, and finally resolved to give them that power, you're ready to take on Scrum.

Now it's time to tackle the tough stuff, like finding, training, and aligning with the Product Owner(s) so you can really move down the Scrum Road. If you can't put these fundamental beliefs and opinions about people, roles, and responsibilities aside, or if your organisation isn't structured to let you put them aside, you should abandon the idea of implementing Scrum/Lean/Agile until you can come to terms with what it means to lead people versus what it means to manage them.

Need more insights on the same? Take on a professional credential such as PMP, Agile, CBAP Certification etc., today!

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5 Steps to effective study the PMBOK guide

The nomenclature in the PMP Exam Content Outline and the PMBOK guide vary, as acquired in the PMP and PfMP course. Domain is referred to as "tasks" in the PMP Exam Content Outline, while domain is referred to as "process groups" in the PMBOK guide. The PMP exam adheres to the terms outlined in the exam's standard guide and book. Many other reference books utilise distinct lingo, which causes confusion among aspirants. As a result, reading the PMBOK guide and comprehending its terms will assist you till the very finish.

How To Study the PMBOK Guide?

This is an excellent question for new entrants. Many hopefuls begin reading the PMBOK guide when they are just about to begin studying for the PMP test. Several aspirants choose to skim over some topics in order to finish the guide.

So, if this is your strategy to reading the PMBOK guide, or if you're considering about adopting it while preparing, stop. You need to evaluate your approach to reading the guide. So, before you begin reading the tutorial, I've compiled a list of key topics.

1.     Understand and not memorize

You must use this strategy from the first chapter until you have completed all of the chapters. If the question is conceptual, you will be able to grasp and answer in this manner.

2.     Read Process Group-wise

Because the PMBOK guide is based on the knowledge area methodology, many of us believe that this is the best way to prepare. However, this is not the case because the Process Group is followed in the real-world project. As a result, adhering to the Process Group will assist you to a much higher extent.

3.     Read it along with a reference book

Of course, referencing to other books is vital as well. Along with the guide, you should consult other sources. This manner, you'll have a different viewpoint on a task. As a result, completing this PMBOK guide will make it easier to read. Meanwhile, who wouldn't want to pass the PMP test on the first try and feel confident about it? Right!

4.     Determine the relationships between processes

We all know there are five process groups and 49 sub-processes, as we learnt in the PMP and PMP CERTIFICATION. As a result, each process has an input and an output. These inputs and outputs are now intertwined to the point that one process' output becomes the input for another. As a result, all of the processes are interconnected and in a relationship with one another.

5.     Relate it to your projects

For you, this point will prove to be a win-win circumstance. How? I'll explain everything to you. When you first start reading the PMBOK guide, think about your current project or previous projects. This manner, you'll have a better grasp of the PMBOK guide, which will aid you in passing the exam and completing your project. I believe you have a good understanding of how to read the PMBOK guide up to this point. Let's take it a step further and figure out how many times the guide should be read.

Ready to take on the professional certification exam? Enrol in a PMP, CAPM, or AGILE CERTIFICATION program today!

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