PMI Atlanta Chapter - Announcements Test

"Project Managing Product Management": November Technology Forum Summary

Mrs. Ann-Marie Shanks, PMP Forums Summaries December 10, 2023

Presentation Overview:

Written by Rishea Johnson, MHI, CAPM

Though Project Management and Product Management are two different disciplines, their processes have many similarities. Expand your skillset by reading and understanding how to develop a product from idea to launch through the perspective of a project manager!

Neil Rivenburgh's, Director of Product Management and Operations at Honeywell, presentation focused on the concepts and skills required to lead product teams and own a product throughout the lifecycle. These are ideas and ways of looking at the work that you are be able to apply, in many instances of your own work, and broaden horizons to cover new aspects.

Neil also examined how to align strategically to the business goals, set accurate pricing, and understand your customer mark.

Takeaways:

• Products are continuous: ever-evolving cycles that don’t have a defined end.
• Products are circular: continuously learning and adapting to the environment.
• Products are systems: Product thinking allows teams the ability to adjust to unpredictable consumer needs and market demands as each variable occurs.
• Effective product strategy flows from and aligns to the company strategy
• Setting the right price is the difference between having a hit product and a bomb.
• Marketing is about helping people make decisions they already want to make.

Next Event:

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Technology Forum: Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

Event Pictures:

PMI Atlanta Announces 2023 Fall Scholarship Award Winner

Jessie Stanton Forums Summaries January 16, 2024

The Atlanta Chapter of The Project Management Institute (PMIAtlanta.org), the world’s leading professional membership organization for project managers, announced tthe award winner for the Fall scholarship offered to undergraduate majors enrolled with our university partner, University of North Georgia. Submitted essays were based on the topic “Powering my career with project management skills."

The Atlanta Chapter chose the essay “Where will I be in five years?” written by student Hugh Pruitt, a freshman at University of North Georgia. Pruitt shared how he thought applying the PMI Talent Triangle would impact his work as a student and his future plans.

“No matter if I am working on an engineering task, volunteering at my local Humane Society, or holding a club activity at UNG, these PMI Talent Triangle skills are universal to ensure a tremendous result,” remarked Pruitt in his essay.

About The Scholarship

PMI Atlanta created an essay-based scholarship of $2500 to be awarded to two students each academic year who are interested in pursuing project management studies and making a difference in our profession. One scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate student at University of North Georgia this Spring.

About PMI

PMI stands for The Project Management Institute. PMI is the world’s leading project management organization with over 600,000 Global Members and over 300 Local Chapters Internationally. The organization supports professional growth and development of project managers through education, professional development, certification, networking and other initiatives. The PMI Atlanta Chapter celebrated 40 years in 2021! The PMI Atlanta chapter is one of the largest and most dynamic chapters in the world with a leadership team that is diverse in origins, experience, expertise, and thought. Our chapter values are inclusiveness, volunteerism, and servant leadership. We have approximately 6,000 local members.

Visit us at www.PMI.org, and www.PMIAtlanta.org, LinkedIn, Facebook, and on X @PMInstitute.

"Change is Only Another Word for Growth": November Healthcare Forum Summary

Mrs. Ann-Marie Shanks, PMP Forums Summaries December 10, 2023

Written by Rishea Johnson, MHI, CAPM

Presentation Overview:

Change is inevitable, and believe it or not, it doesn’t have to be painful! Continue reading to begin building a change management plan designed for success!

For this month’s forum Anshu Siwach, a Change Management Leader on the North America Business Excellence Team at Philips, discussed why we need change management, how it integrates with Project Management, and what’s required to lead change successfully. Topics that were covered include: types of change, change curve, case for change, stakeholder engagement and empathy.

Anshu described the different types of change, the cases for change, and how stakeholder engagement early on can help drive change. Finally, she drove the evening home with explaining what empathy really is and how it impacts change. The take-home point to remember is to not try walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, but try to understand what it’s like for them to walk a mile in their shoes.

Takeaways:

Change is anything but linear, and can follow a path of:
• Stability -> shock -> denial -> anger/blame -> depression -> dialog/bargaining -> exploration -> acceptance

Stakeholder engagement
• What gains or benefits will the change initiative deliver to stakeholders?

Empathy
• Empathy involves being present and trying to understand the other person’s emotions.

Next Event:

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Healthcare and Technology joint forum on Wednesday February 21st, 2024

EVENT PICTURES:

"Stakeholder Management Roundtable": November Governance Forum Summary

Mrs. Ann-Marie Shanks, PMP Forums Summaries December 07, 2023

Written by: LeDerrick Bouknight, PE, PMP

Presentation Overview:

After a brief opening and introduction, the roundtable panelists (Lee Jordan, Joe Sisto, Diem Huynh, & Dana Moore) began the discussion with the stakeholder(s) definition and expectations.

A stakeholder is a person or group that can affect a project currently in progress. The panel advised to seek to understand stakeholder’s expectations, establish a positive working relationship, complete a stakeholder assessment, and heat map at project initiation.

The next discussion topic centered around how to identify stakeholder(s). Techniques such as reviewing the project charter, obtaining referrals from other stakeholders, and discussion with the project sponsor were discussed.

The last topic of discussion was how to manage stakeholder(s) who are not supportive or seek to sabotage the project. Project managers (PM) should use their political savvy and collaborative skills to understand/address the dissenting members needs and wants. The PM should understand and adapt to the type of organizational structure (matrix) to properly leverage resources with minimal disruption.

Overall, this was an informative meeting discussing stakeholder management along with tips for doing so.

Takeaways:

o Stakeholder is a person/group that can affect a project currently in progress
o Techniques to identify stakeholders
o Techniques to manage unsupportive or disruptive stakeholders

Next Event:

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Governance forum in February!

Empowering the Next Generation Through Project Management: Insights from the Latino Youth Leadership Conference

Jessie Stanton Forums Summaries December 08, 2023

Dear PMI Atlanta Community,

Reflecting on our recent participation in the Latino Youth Leadership Conference hosted by Emory University fills us with immense pride and gratitude. The event, graciously made possible by the Latin American Association and the PMI Atlanta Social Impact Committee, provided an invaluable platform to share our project management journey and insights. The presentation at the Carlos Museum on November 11, 2023, featured PMI Atlanta Social Impact presenters Robert Montgomery, Cyntia Jones, and guest presenter Luis Pradillo. Each shared their unique experiences, emphasizing the blend of challenges, triumphs, and invaluable lessons encountered on their personal project management journeys.

Our interaction with high school students and college mentors within Emory's inspiring Carlos Museum setting was genuinely enriching. The exchange of ideas and knowledge amongst this diverse group was profoundly inspiring and reinforced the significance of empowering the next generation. Among the impactful insights shared were strategies to navigate challenges in project management and the importance of seizing opportunities for professional growth. We emphasized the need to encourage ambitious aspirations while underscoring the diligent work required to turn dreams into tangible realities.

As we collectively shape the future, fostering empowerment in the next generation becomes pivotal. Witnessing these future leaders' enthusiasm and potential was humbling and inspiring. We eagerly anticipate the positive impact they will create in their respective spheres.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the organizers for providing this exceptional platform. Through such initiatives, we collectively champion #LatinoLeadership #ProjectManagement and pave the way for a unified journey toward success. Let's celebrate the power of career journeys while emphasizing the profound significance of youth empowerment through endeavors like PMI Atlanta Social Impact.

Warm regards,

PMI Atlanta Social Impact

written by Cyntia Jones