Written by: Adam Gazaleh

Presentation Overview

Zorina Alliata, Senior Global Machine Learning Strategist at Amazon, introduced the AEC Forum to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) and provided tips for bringing AI and ML projects and products to any company. Zorina started as a programmer and moved into the world of project and program management and became interested in AI and ML later in her career while working for Nasdaq. In her role at Amazon, she finds new and innovative ways to bring value to companies through AI based products. In her presentation, Zorina went over the basics of AI and ML. AI is the broader umbrella under which ML sits. She also emphasized the importance of using Agile or another flexible methodology when starting a project or developing a product that incorporates ML. The main point that she drives home is that AI and ML based products are only as useful as the value that they provide to the business.

Takeaways

• One must be flexible when developing an AI/ML based product and be prepared to throw away work and start over.
• Identifying the needs of the business, having sufficient data to start with, and being prepared for scope and schedule changes are key in AI/ML product development.
• Staying up-to-date with the latest in AI and ML requires constant research as it is a cutting-edge field that is ever changing.

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta AEC Forum on Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 featuring Tom McDonald, Consultant at Sherlock Resources; Peter Dumont, CEO of PrairieDog; and John Josserand, Partner Manager at Data Gumbo.

Written by: Janine Whiteman, PMP

Is there room for Project Management in Agile?

Overview      

Enterprise Agile Transformation Consultant / Agile Coach / Trainer Leon Sabarsky, made a case for how Project Managers can exist and bring value within agile transformations and agile organizations. Project management skills are still needed; some Project Managers may become great Scrum Masters (with training and coaching), while others may have success at the program or portfolio level. The most value comes in blending Agile and traditional, plan-driven project management principles and practices in the right proportions to fit the situation. For example, consider a Team facing Scrum Master paired with an external facing Product Owner/Project Manager. There is a lot of project management going on even though you might not find anyone with the title “Project Manager

Takeaways

• The Project Management functions still exist but must be taken care of with a different approach. Allow for distributed project management if you divide roles and responsibilities depending on internal and external functions to the dev team
• Consider a PM/SM blend with Project Managers external to the team or teams and Scrum Masters internal to the team
• PMs can work at many levels including at the Program and Portfolio levels
• Project Managers and Scrum Masters can complement each other, they are not competitive roles
• Embrace coaching and training

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Agile Forum on Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Keynote Presentation: "Leading Agile Transformations by aligning everyone on a 3-step approach" presented by Maximilian "Max" Ekesi, Whole Foods (Amazon subsidiary) / Enterprise Agile Coach

Register at https://pmiatlanta.org/events/event-calendar

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.

Written by: Adam Gazaleh

Overview

Francina Price, Founder and CEO of Champions Integrated Facilities Management, delivered a thorough and informative overview of how the coronavirus pandemic has affected commercial real estate management and how her company has adapted and thrived in this unprecedented environment. Price talked about the challenges that she faced leading commercial construction projects for her clients across over 30 states, many of whom are Fortune 100 and 500 companies. She says that her goal is to leave clients with a facility that they can efficiently maintain once the project is complete. She recounts how the pandemic has forced project managers to be more flexible when it comes to schedule and budget and think about germ safety, an area that many project managers did not have to consider before. In addition, with many companies implementing stricter health and safety protocols, the way companies maintain facilities has had to quickly evolve. Francina Price’s presentation gave a unique perspective, and left participants more informed about the world of facilities management.

Takeaways

• Schedules are not linear. When everything is in flux with constant changes, a PM needs to introduce more flexibility into the schedule and be willing to move things around as many times as necessary.
• Procure materials early and locally whenever possible; be sure to build in incremental increases in the cost of materials into your project budget and plan for longer than usual delays.
• Remember that your team is made up of people, and we are all facing new challenges that we may have never encountered in the past.

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta AEC Forum on Tuesday, March 9th, 2021.

Keynote Presentation: "Managing Delivery for Machine Learning Products" featuring, Zorina Alliata, Sr. Global Machine Learning Strategist at Amazon.

Register at https://pmiatlanta.org/events/event-list/architectural-engineering-construction-aec-forum-210309

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.

Written by: Megan Gamble, PMP

Do you want to know how to convey your Career Story and connect with your interviewer? If you answered “yes” then, this is for you! 

Overview

In these unprecedented times due to the pandemic, countless professionals are seeking new employment, looking to grow within their existing company, or want to transition into a new career industry/role. To help professionals in the beginning of 2021, Ryland Leyton delivered an engaging presentation, sharing key tips and techniques, on how to connect with your interviewer by developing your career story using STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Results) answers.

In order to develop a strong career story, there are four important areas to evaluate: What you love, what you are good at, what you can be paid for, and what the world needs. At the intersection of these four areas, your “Awesomeness” is representative of your skillset and expertise to convey during your interview.  Focus on your truths, passions, strengths, and how your path has prepared you to be here making you the right person for the job. Your career story should be between 5-10 minutes in an interview.  

It’s important to understand the types of interviewers/interview. While interviewing is negatively perceived as intimidating, try being approachable, interesting, positive and consider the interview as a collaborative engagement, not adversarial. Leyton recommended to have 3-5 STAR answers prepared and practiced for any interview.  Several examples shared during the presentation on the types of STAR responses focused on: Collaboration, Leadership and Problem Solving.

Takeaways

• Three parts of your toolkit: Resume (creates interest), Career Story (hooks them for more), and STAR Answers (supports validity in resume) 
• Your career story should be between 5-10 minutes in an interview.
• Your STAR answers should take between 3-5 minutes in an interview.
• Practice your career story and STAR answers with a friend, colleague or mentor
• Be approachable, interesting, positive and consider the interview as a collaborative engagement.

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Agile Forum on Tuesday, February 16^th, 2021

Keynote Presentation: "Project Management in Agile" presented by Leon Sabarsky, Healthy Agile / CEO

About PMI

Atlanta Chapter serves 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.

Written by:Mike Ososki, PMP

Overview

Everyone continues adjusting to life with COVID. Despite nearly universal challenges, overall, people seem to be doing well. We’re maintaining a positive mindset, looking forward to a post-pandemic future, whenever it may be.

Beth wears many hats and has a good overview of Nashville and fundraising. She feels that gamification and hybrid events will increase, especially with the enhanced ROI of virtual events vs. costly, high-touch, in-person gatherings of the past.

Along these lines, Eric has reduced spend by doing more online conferences. While TV production has been very slow this year, ads and commercials are still going strong. He states that, “We can deal with whatever challenges happen.”

Nick handles athletics for one of the largest high schools in Georgia. While the going’s been tough, (eg: less attendance and scholarships), he’s learned lots of beneficial new tech, like live streaming and all-electronic ticketing.

Todd’s organization had big plans for large events this year, so it’s been catastrophic. They now mitigate with extensive safety treatments of any indoor venue. He says that, “the pandemic has caused people to change their habits, the holy grail for sales and marketing.”

While Coley asserts doing only online acting is super-frustrating, she echoes a common theme from many that now we have more time to learn and do other things. But like the entire planet, she “looks forward to being with people again and not being afraid we’ll hurt each other.”  

Takeaways

• Online virtual meeting and events continue for now as the #1 way for people to safely interact.
• Humanity is strong and resilient, able to adapt and flex impressively more than we may have previously believed.
• We’ll get through this. Meanwhile, let’s make do as best we can.

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Entertainment Forums in 2021.

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

About PMI

Atlanta Chapter serves 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.