PMI Atlanta Chapter - Announcements Test

Technology Forum

Overview

The Technology Forum was formed to create awareness of the latest state-of-the-art technologies and use of best industry practices. It is designed to not only help IT Project Managers improve technology management projects by using technology and tools to manage the projects, but to share success stories to improve innovations. The goal of the Technology Forum is to create more successful leaders in the Technology arena.

Value Statement 

The Technology Forum was formed to create awareness of the latest state-of-the-art technologies and use of best industry practices. It is designed to not only help IT Project Managers improve technology management projects by using technology and tools to manage the projects, but to share success stories to improve innovations. The goal of the Technology Forum is to create more successful leaders in the Technology arena.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor

HPE New Logo 

Industry Resources

Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)

Healthcare Forum

Overview

The PMI Atlanta Healthcare Forum promotes the art and science of the project management industry best practices. This Forum provides continuing education with cutting-edge project management topics specific to the Healthcare industry, with emphasis on improving the delivery and efficiency of health services. The ultimate goal of this Forum is to share ideas, thoughts and concepts, while promoting leadership opportunities with the Healthcare project management discipline.

Value Statement

The PMI Atlanta Healthcare Forum promotes the art and science of the project management industry best practices. This forum provides continuing education with cutting-edge project management topics specific to the Healthcare industry, with emphasis on improving the delivery and efficiency of health services. ​

The ultimate goal of this forum is to share ideas, thoughts and concepts, while promoting leadership opportunities with the Healthcare project management discipline.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor

Philips Logo

Industry Resources

TAG Health

Twitter

@PMIATLHealth

Governance Forum

Overview

The PMI Atlanta Governance Forum provides an opportunity for project managers to learn about governance and advanced topics, including program management and portfolio management in a small group setting of similar minded professionals.

This Forum has established a premier collaboration and networking experience for Project/Program Managers and those involved with PMOs – to share challenges, trends, leading practices, and thought leadership.

Governance practitioners typically include members from strategic, corporate, and operational management. Attendees will find this forum beneficial and should gain invaluable, just-in-time insight for existing business challenges. Please find some helpful links below for additional guidance related to governance.

Value Statement

The Governance Forum provides value to the PMI Atlanta community by offering participants:

  • Decisions frameworks to assess culture and apply optimal strategy
  • Key takeaways to “take to work tomorrow”
  • Discussion of field-tested best practices in the oversight and execution of projects, programs, and portfolios

 Special Thanks to Our Sponsor

Genuent-Logo

Frameworks

Calder Moir
COBIT 
Agile/Lean Path

Certification 

ISACA.org

Standards

ISO.org

Industry Resources

Disciplined Agile Delivery
OECD Principles of Corporate Governance
Gartner Webinars

Twitter

@PMIATLGov

Creating a Leader: An American Story: May 2025 Chapter Meeting Summary

By Mike Ososki, PMP

ATIt’s a gigantic topic, pervasive and powerful throughout the millenia: leadership. So Dr. Abhay Trivedi and CEO Andrew Russell wrote a book about it, sourcing from the specific perspective that leadership is to bring out the best in others. And to achieve this, you must be selfless, have integrity, and maybe most important of all, “raise your inner self.”

Most organizations want to do well, to serve stakeholders, be lean, innovative, and efficient. To serve community, create smart products and services, and deliver value for customers. To be high quality, serve employees well, and of course, be successful.

But the reality for many organizations is not so pretty: too many changes in top management, rigid corporate policies, short-term perspective, and money focus vs. human value all contribute instead to commoditization and mediocrity.

article-2Leaders are responsible for vision, strategy, change management, talent acquisition, perception, integrity, and principles—so much! In Dr. Trivedi’s opinion, “leaders need to create a culture of complete transparency.” This includes openness, with everyone feeling free to share and collaborate, discuss any ideas with peers and supervisors, openly offer construction criticism. And no criticizing behind people’s backs.

Abhay is all about innovation and fresh thinking, always encouraging positive disruptors and discouraging groupthink. He asserts that good solutions can come from anywhere/anyone, and that “smart” people are not always right. Leaders should strive to build a culture of innovation, which does not necessarily require lots of money or resources. And of course, risk is part of achieving success. 

Being challenged can help leaders lead well. Nick Saban says, “Mediocre people don’t like high achievers, and high achievers don’t like mediocre people.” To excel, we must be challenged: set goals, get mentored, understand long-term risk/reward, have discipline and focus, and learn from experience and failures. 

Change management is essential. To change from current to needed states, proactive leaders know how to morph individual and organizational resistance into buy-in. They’re familiar with the Kubler-Ross model of stages, moving from denial, anger, and resistance to exploration and negotiation, and finally to acceptance and commitment. 

article-3The power of human vision is especially apparant in technical realms. Science fiction becomes more real every day. Transformational leadership makes this happen, the kind that challenges status quo to dream the formerly impossible. Another type is servant leadership, where top management prioritizes employee needs. Finally, there is the traditional transactional type of leadership, ensuring equal give and take fo expectations and effort.

Want to do all or some of this? Back to “raise your inner self.” Analyze your knowledge, beliefs, experience, values, and surroundings. Strive to convert barriers and obstacles into opportunities and achievements. Focus on value. Live in the present. Be relevant and empower your resources.

One Exceptional PM Life Story (So Far): April Virtual Chapter Meeting Summary

By Mike Ososki, PMP

“This wasn’t in the PMBOK,” is what Teresa Durham said. And it shouldn’t be, because the perspective of her presentation was the much bigger picture, encompassing more of the whole person package and her personal journey.

MOuntainsEarly on, Teresa decided that she wanted in to project management, and specifically PMI Atlanta. Part of her method was to be a super-volunteer, offering help pretty much anywhere and everywhere. Naturally, this endeared her to many, and soon she was on the high road, elevating into more and more responsibilities to drive success for PMI Atlanta.

All of that was on top of her full-time jobs, year after year, with plenty of big name companies. With her hyper-can-do attitude, it eventually began catching up with her emotional/spiritual side, to the point of overwhelm. So in October 2021, Teresa pulled the plug. She resigned and left the country, embarking on an adventurous sabbitical, traveling in Europe, North Africa, and the Caucasus, for cultural immersion and creative exploration.

Returning a year later, Teresa has been reinventing herself as a self-employed entrepreneurial “Fractional Director of Transformation” for Teresa Durham LLC.

And what wisdom can she share now? Always the Project Manager, Teresa goes for Lessons Learned:

Chapter One

  • Start where you are
  • Look for opportunities
  • Get in the room
  • Learn the language
  • Don’t be afraid to follow people around (nicely)
  • Don’t underestimate what you already know. You’re more ready than you think.
  • A PMP doesn’t make you a great PM, but it shows you’re serious about the craft.
  • Sometimes, it’s the credential that gets you in the door—or gives you that edge over the competition.
  •  And never judge a mentor by their cover.

Chapter Two

  • Don’t underestimate what you already know. You’re more ready than you think.
  • A PMP doesn’t make you a great PM, but it shows you’re serious about the craft.
  • Sometimes, it’s the credential that gets you in the door—or gives you that edge over the competition.
  • And never judge a mentor by their cover.

Chapter Three

  • Project Management is a ‘good’ job.
  • Adaptability is key and that is powerful in a world of constant change.
  • Don’t let layoffs shake your confidence - they're about business, not your worth.
  • Versatility = Value.

Chapter Four

  • Burnout is real. And it’s not weakness—it’s your body/soul asking for change.
  • You are not your job. You are more than a PM.
  • Prioritize your health, your joy, your peace.
  • You can always rebuild—but only if you’re still here.
  • The most important project you’ll ever manage… is yourself.

Chapter Five

  • You’re never too old to pivot.
  • Reinvention is a project worth managing.
  • Your next move is up to you.
  • You can define—and redefine—success.
  • Flexibility, freedom, and fulfillment are valid goals.
  • Don’t wait for permission to choose you.

Chapter Six

  • Project management is evolving—but it’s not going anywhere.
  • AI can support you, but it can’t replace you.
  • Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and leadership will always be in demand.
  • Learn to use AI as a tool to get stuff done effectively and strengthen your human skills.

TeresaAnd finally, here are Teresa’s Take Aways:

  • There’s no one right way to become a PM. Start where you are. Say yes to opportunity. Don’t wait until you feel ready. You’re probably already doing more than you realize.
  • Generalist or specialist – both are valuable. But adaptability is true gold. Business is business. Know your worth and demonstrate your value.
  • Burnout isn’t failure—it’s a sign. Listen to it. Pivot if you need to. But don’t wait to make yourself the priority.
  • You’re never too old to recreate yourself. Never too experienced to learn something new. Don’t let AI scare you into paralysis. Learn it and use it to enhance your human-ness.
  • Project Management - It’s still relevant, still powerful, and yours to shape.