PMI Atlanta Chapter - Announcements Test

"Run Towards Change" by Kashif Choudry: March 2024 Healthcare Forum Summary

Mrs. TANA ALICE GLASSFORD-SAMUEL Forums Summaries May 03, 2024

Written by: Rishea Johnson, MHI, CAPM

In the dynamic realm of project management, the rise of AI (Artificial Intelligence) presents both challenge and opportunity. Project managers and organizations are recognizing the transformative potential of AI integration, strategically leveraging it to streamline operations and elevate focus towards critical thinking and relationship building.

Presentation Overview

As AI becomes increasingly relevant to project management, both project managers and organizations are seizing the opportunity to adapt and remain pertinent in the evolving landscape. They recognize the need to strategically plan for the integration of AI by considering several key factors. Firstly, AI offers a valuable tool to enhance effectiveness by accelerating mundane tasks such as reporting, data analysis, and research, allowing project managers to focus more on critical thinking, communication, and relationship building. Moreover, by harnessing AI appropriately, organizations can align their efforts more effectively with overarching goals, thereby maximizing the potential for success. However, it's crucial to acknowledge not only the opportunities but also the limitations, as well as ethical and regulatory considerations surrounding AI implementation. Leveraging their unique position of end-to-end visibility, project managers can play a pivotal role in orchestrating how AI is leveraged to fulfill organizational objectives responsibly and effectively.

Takeaways

Servant Leadership and Embracing Change:
- Core Principles of Servant Leadership:
  - Includes centered behaviors and practices that prioritize the growth and well-being of those being served
- Approaching Change:
  - Embrace change as an opportunity for growth
  - Find avenues for the community's advancement amidst change
- Run Towards Change Exercise:
  - Activity: Reflect on the opportunities presented by AI in project management
  - Discussion: How servant leaders within PMI Atlanta could identify and leverage such opportunities for the community's benefit
  - Results: The exercise encouraged participants to embody servant leadership principles by proactively seeking opportunities within change, particularly in the context of AI's impact on project management. Through collaborative discussion and reflection, PMI Atlanta's servant leaders identified actionable strategies to harness AI for the community's growth and advancement

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Healthcare forum on Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Keynote Presentation: "Practical Program Management Frameworks and Strategies" by Maya McNeese-Hargett

"Understanding the Job Market in a Period of Big Tech Layoffs" by panelists Holly Bail, Jackie Flake, and Spencer Shick: April 2024 Joint Healthcare/Technology Forum Summary

Mrs. TANA ALICE GLASSFORD-SAMUEL Forums Summaries May 03, 2024

Written by: Rishea Johnson, MHI, CAPM

Amidst record-low unemployment and waves of layoffs in big tech, the job market stands at a crossroads. What's truly shaping today's employment landscape? A panel of industry experts were on hand to unravel the mysteries behind this paradoxical trend.

Presentation Overview

This month’s Joint Healthcare and Technology forum event provided valuable insights into navigating today's dynamic job market. The extended engagement with panelists and recruiters indicated the attendees found the discussions worthwhile. Overall, the event provided attendees with actionable advice to traverse the evolving job market and stand out amidst competition.

Takeaways

Employment Landscape: The panelists covered the current employment landscape, highlighting the impact of technology on professionals and the lower unemployment rate compared to pre-COVID times.
Lengthy Interview Processes: The panelists addressed the trend of longer interview processes, lasting 6-9 months due to multiple layers of interviews. Job seekers and applicants are encouraged to evaluate if positions align with their purpose, even if it means enduring a lengthy process or potentially taking a pay cut.
Setting Yourself Apart: Strategies discussed include optimizing LinkedIn profiles by showcasing problem-solving skills, leveraging artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT for resume development, networking, volunteering, and targeted research on desired employers and job openings.
LinkedIn Services: Holly Bail offered services in coaching, resume building, job searching, and interviewing, while Jackie Flake specialized in reevaluating life purpose, drawing from her experience as an entrepreneur.

Next Event

"Aerial Photography: An Essential Tool for Construction, Planning, and Management" by William Brown III: March 2024 AEC Forum Summary

Kendra Denmark, PMP Forums Summaries April 09, 2024

Written by: Catherine Binuya, Ed.D.

Presentation Overview

William Brown, PMP, has a background in civil engineering technology. He has real-world field experience of 20 years as owner and owner representative in project construction across Georgia and Tennessee.

William Brown is the CEO of Plan View Drone Aerials (PDVA), founded in 2020. “PDVA has its sights on further supporting the surveying and engineering industries through photogrammetry, quantity surveying, mapping, asset documentation, and project management services.” – PDVA Statement of Qualifications (SOQ).

Takeaways

Business value in Architecture, Engineering, Construction:
- Construction, Engineering, and Inspection (CEI) observations
- GIS and surveying
- Design and Digital Twin 3-D modeling
- Able to document progress with same vantage point
  - Work with client to integrate schedule
  - Focus on phase gates and milestones
  - Improve communication from linear to horizontal
- Monitoring and Controlling
  - Document control—mobile applications built specifically for construction field
  - Customizable daily reports with annotations
  - Lower and manage mitigation claims with detailed information about build site and progress
  - Communicate with stakeholders, align with construction baseline schedule
- Managing cost considerations and cost proposal budgeting
  - Manned-team observations vs. subscription drone services
Requires management of risks
- Known Risks: airspace, anticipated weather, site conditions, overhead obstructions, delayed/rescheduled flights
- Unknown Risks: actual field progress, actual weather, temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) such as for emergencies or national security

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta AEC Forum on Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Keynote Presentation: “Impact of SEC’s Climate Disclosure Rules on PMI Professionals” by Elba Pareja-Gallagher

Event Pictures

Lights, Camera, Action! PMI Atlanta’s Entertainment Forum highlights Georgia Film Industry Boom

Mrs. Jessie Stanton Forums Summaries April 26, 2024

By Karen Jacobs, PMP

PMI Atlanta Chapter brought its Entertainment Forum back into the limelight on March 28. Craig Dominey, manager for Camera Ready Georgia in the state Film Office, and location specialist Ben McIver took the virtual stage to discuss the meteoric rise of Georgia's film industry. They painted a vivid picture of Georgia's journey from a humble backdrop for films to a thriving hub for cinematic productions.

Dominey reminisced about the roots of the state's film industry. "We owe our existence to the movie 'Deliverance' with Burt Reynolds," he declared. The film, shot in Rabun County in northern Georgia, sparked the 1973 formation of a state Fim, Video, and Music Office by former President Jimmy Carter, who was then Georgia’s governor. Since then, the state has blossomed into one of the top three US production markets alongside LA and New York, distinguished by its diverse range of landscapes and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

The industry’s investment has been bolstered by the state’s tax incentive program, which grants income tax credits for up to 30% of the cost of TV or film production.

The city of Senoia has been a key beneficiary, crediting its growth to “The Walking Dead” that was filmed there. As a result, many local businesses have opened, and the city is a popular tourist spot. “It’s kind of a poster child for the impact film and tourism can have on a community,” Dominey said. The city of Covington, site of the shows “The Vampire Diaries” and “In the Heat of the Night,” has also gained fame and fortune from the film industry.

Ben McIver, senior location manager with Entertainment Partners in Atlanta, said Georgia’s stage space for shows is now comparable to that of Southern California, and the state has drawn film crews to relocate from other film hub cities. “That tax incentive dollar multiplies in ways that people don’t really think about,” he said. He also said the growth of Atlanta’s airport played a role in the entertainment industry’s success in the state as well.

McIver acknowledged the benefits of project management expertise in his job, particularly in communication, organization, and stakeholder management. However, he cited challenges of fitting formal project management structure into the fast-paced world of film production. Agile practices, retrospectives, and daily standup meetings are other project management activities McIver said he finds helpful in his job.

See a list of upcoming events on the PMI Atlanta Chapter website.

Georgia Tech & PMI Atlanta Announce Essay Scholarship for Summer 2026

Jessie Stanton Forums Summaries April 04, 2024

The Atlanta Chapter of The Project Management Institute (PMIAtlanta.org), the world’s leading professional membership organization for project managers, announced today that it will be offering five $2,000 scholarship awards for essays to engineering, computing & business students enrolled with our university partner, The Georgia Institute of Technology. The essay topic is focused on project management as a value-delivery system.

About The Scholarship

We have created an essay-based scholarship of $2,000, to be awarded to each of the top five students for the 2026 academic year, who are interested in pursuing project management studies and making a difference in our profession. Scholarships will be awarded in the Spring, prior to Summer/Fall semester start.

Scholarship Award Requirements

Applicants must be a Georgia Tech undergraduate or graduate student who is enrolled full-time and planning to take CLL 6803 or Georgia Tech’s Project Management or AGILE Leadership Certificate in Summer/Fall 2026. In addition, applicants must be someone who has an interest in project management as a related career option upon graduation. Proof of residency will be required on submission.

The winning applicants must be someone:

who has at least a 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average
who is a Georgia resident or who has a guardian who is a Georgia resident
who completes the application and submits it by the deadline
who submits a high-quality essay on project management that meets the application format and content requirements

Deadline for Application

The deadline for applications is a postmark, or email mark of March 30th, 2026, midnight.

Application Format and Submission

Applicants must complete and submit an application along with an original essay of no more than 2,500 words and no less than 1,500 words. The length includes the title, notes, and any other text and footnotes. The essay should answer the question:

“How can project management best deliver value systematically?”

Sources must be properly cited.

Essays will be reviewed for plagiarism, grammar, and writing quality.
We will not award scholarships to submissions using AI applications to assist in writing.

All essays will be initially reviewed by:
PMI Community Partnerships Vice President and GT Project Management Academic Director,
and anonymized before evaluation to a separate review committee.

Applications must be submitted by email to Kim West and Georgia Tech.

All applications must include proof of residency (copy of drivers’ license, or state ID, or copy of utility bill), along with a copy of transcripts from the most recent semester enrolled. Essays must be submitted in PDF format.

About PMI

PMI stands for The Project Management Institute. We are an international organization. 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 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.

About GEORGIA TECH:

Georgia Tech’s mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. Its mission and strategic plan are focused on making a positive impact in the lives of people everywhere.

Tech's engineering and computing Colleges are the largest and among the highest-ranked in the nation. The Institute also offers outstanding programs in business, design, liberal arts, sciences, and lifetime learning. With $1.37 billion annually in research awards across all seven Colleges and the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), Georgia Tech is among the nation’s most research-intensive universities. It is an engine of economic development for the state of Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation. For more than 139 years, the people of Georgia Tech have dared to imagine and then create solutions for a better future. The innovative culture and leadership continue, for Progress and Service for all.

Visit us at www.PMI.org, and www.pmiatlanta.org,LinkedIn, Facebook, and on Twitter @PMInstitute.