Written by NoriYah Yisrael, MS-PM, PMP, CPPM, FAAPM

Presentation Overview

On February 10, 2022, the Clinical Research Forum of the PMI Atlanta Chapter hosted the “Retooling Project Management Competencies for Post-Pandemic Project Success” presented by Dr. Yaw Amponsah Adoo. The purpose of the event was to discuss how the current post-COVID pandemic business environment prompts Project Management Professionals (PMPs) to attune their competencies and skillsets to remain relevant, in their respective industries. 

During today’s forum, Dr. Adoo expounded upon those competencies a successful project manager would need to embody to survive in today’s COVID environment, as it relates to the Clinical Research and other industries. Those recommended project management competencies are partly based on Bloom’s Taxonomy and include:

1. Cognitive - Knowing how to apply the most appropriate concepts when evaluating and making judgments while faced with new situations
2. Psycho-motive - Adapting and modifying skillsets and patterns to meet specific requirements
3. Affective - Being aware and attentive to different phenomenal
4. Applicative - Applying those strategic and business management, technical, and leadership skills most notably present within the PMI Talent Triangle™

Dr. Adoo also described how COVID is perceived to have impacted the business of running projects including on-time delivery, cost, resources, and the future landscape of project management in general. The VUCA framework (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) can be applied to help PMPs assess how much they know about a particular situation (e.g., COVID influences on projects) and those approaches they can take to potentially help overcome or decrease negative outcomes.

Takeaways

• PMPs must ensure they remain well-trained, competent, and skillful at running projects, as the nature of the working environment can change without notice.
• High performing PMPs (and their projects) are expected to not only survive, but to succeed, during uncertain times and market variability.
• During and after the COVID pandemic, or other seemingly disruptive environments where causal relationships are unclear, PMPs can apply the VUCA framework to assess their situation and apply various approaches aimed at eliminating or minimizing negative outcomes.

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Clinical Research forum on Thursday, May 12, 2022.

Register at www.pmiatlanta.org/events/event-calendar

Written by NoriYah Yisrael, MS-PM, PMP, CPPM, FAAPM

Presentation Overview  

On November 18, 2021, the Clinical Research Forum of the PMI Atlanta Chapter hosted the “Natural Way to Boost Immunity and Heal Depression” Special Interest Forum Event presented by Dr. Makeba Moring, PhD. The purpose of the event was to present scientifically proven, natural ways to lead a healthy lifestyle while boosting immunity and lowering one’s risk to developing many of the common physical ailments known today, such as obesity and heart disease, and mental conditions such as depression, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.

During today’s forum, Dr. Moring spoke about the inherent power we have over our health, body, and mind. The “placebo effect” provides scientific proof of just how powerful the mind is over the body. People have become increasingly concerned and aware of those things that most influence their health during this dispensation of time called the “Information Age”. People are holding manufacturers accountable for the products they sell and how they directly impact the lives of the consumer. The demand for food and other manufacturers to produce products that are more eco-friendly, continues to increase.

The environment inevitably changes and anything that is not in sync with the environment will breakdown and not survive. There is a direct correlation between our food habits, entertainment habits and our health. It is no coincidence that all industrialized nations have the highest incidences of obesity, heart disease, and depression. The key to improving our health lies in our food consumption and absorption.

Takeaways

• Our body mimics the earth; over 75% of our body is made of water. Therefore, humans should drink more water; even more than the recommended amount and increase our oxygen intake to help heal the body and increase performance.
• Avoid digesting food that is prepared, sold, stored, or heated in or on plastic containers. Use glass containers and materials as a safer alternative.
• Go Vegan, as it is proven to be a healthier diet for humans and will aid in boosting one’s immunity.

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Clinical Research forum on Tuesday, February 10, 2022.

 Register at www.pmiatlanta.org/events/event-calendar

Written by Kay Abikoye

Presentation Overview 

On October 27, 2021, the PMI Atlanta Governance Forum hosted speaker Ebenezer Ikonne, self-proclaimed practitioner-academic (pracademic) who serves as a product and engineering leader at Cox Automotive. Mr. Ikonne delivered a presentation centered around effective followership within the presence of organizational change and fostering positive work outcomes.

Passionate about fostering positive work spaces, Mr. Ikonne discussed the importance of leaders providing healthy spaces that allow followers to thrive. During the presentation Mr. Ikonne highlighted the importance of executive leadership treasuring the ideas and input from their followers. Organizations should be responsible for training leaders and ensuring that leaders are well equipped for the task of taking care of their followers.

Another element of the presentation centered on how individuals can become better followers. Individuals can become better followers by embracing that fact that they are followers. Effective followers focus on creating value and adapting to their leaders. They constantly contribute value  to the goals set by leaders and offer mechanisms of support that lead to meeting and exceeding key objectives.

Takeaways

• Authentic leadership is a leadership approach
• Followers contribute to the goals of the organization and ensure the goals are aligned with integrity.

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Governance forum on February 23, 2022.

Register at www.pmiatlanta.org/events/event-calendar

Written by Cesar Montoya

Presentation Overview 

On October 19, 2021, the PMI Atlanta Agile Forum hosted speaker Alan Zucker, Instructor and Consultant and Founding Principal of Project Management Essentials. Mr. Zucker delivered an introductory presentation on the benefits of the Disciplined Agile tool kit and its practical applications with other agile methodologies.

Disciplined Agile is a toolkit and not a methodology. It brings an agnostic enterprise approach to Agile. Disciplined Agile helps to implement a Guided focus on effective continuous and predicable improvement. As an Enterprise toolkit DA can be applied from the smallest of projects up to enterprise portfolio management, and departments other than IT, such as HR, Legal or Finance.

DA focuses on meta roles, not specific goals, that can be adjusted to the type of project and team configuration needed. It is a valuable tool for any manager and company seeking to increase the number of successful projects.

Takeaways

• Disciplined Agile is a toolkit that can be applied to all methodologies.
• When executing projects, it is important to understand the broader context of what is going on. It is a more tailored approach to agility based on the specific needs and context.
• DA can be applied at the enterprise and specific project delivery.

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Agile forum on November 16, 2021
Register at https://pmiatlanta.org/events/event-list/agile-forum-211116

Written by Linda Staten, PMP

Presentation Overview 

Gregg Burkhalter was the presenter for the PMI Agile forum in September. He spoke on LinkedIn; how important it is to networking, personal branding and job search success. He did not disappoint! Gregg gave a dynamic flow of how and why you should keep LinkedIn updated. This is a powerful resource and we are living in a digital world.

Gregg informed us how useful hashtags can be in helping to increase brand exposure. Furthermore, he demonstrated within LinkedIn tools that are available to find jobs and secure the interview.  It was a pleasure to have Gregg Burkhalter as the presenter. He has helped many professionals around the world to define and grow their Personal Brand using LinkedIn. He is known to many as “The LinkedIn Guy”.

Takeaways

• LinkedIn is the home of your personal brand
• LinkedIn creates the persona of what people think, feel, or say when they hear your name or see your face
• LinkedIn is the place you can have an unspoken conversation with someone you may never meet

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Agile forum on Tuesday, October 19

https://pmiatlanta.org/events/event-list/agile-forum-211019

Keynote Presentation: “Welcome to Disciplined Agile” presented by Alan Zucker, Instructor and Consultant

About PMI

Atlanta Chapter serves the Project Management Community in Metro Atlanta, and we're an active resource to corporations, community and government agencies throughout north Georgia. With over 5,000 members, PMI Atlanta is among the top 5 chapters in the world. Our professional expertise span across industries; we’re the professionals building healthcare information technology systems, the engineers developing smarter public transportation, and the planners growing our communities more efficiently