Welcome to the Mindavation Australia online project management
newsletter.
Our commitment is to share news about events in the world of
projects, tips & tricks of the trade, recommendations for reference and
inspirational materials, and Mindavation course offerings.
The holidays have come and gone: You've over-eaten, and
cleaned up after that large BBQ. It is a new year; time to treat yourself
to some new and expanded skills in 2009! To help you continue to get
"gifts" after the holidays, we bring you the January edition of
the Mindavation newsletter.
Free Template of the Month - Project Managers Skills
Assessment Template |
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Each month Mindavation will offer a template from our
Project Templates CD free of charge. Don't miss out on this opportunity!
The theme of this newsletter is "a bit of reflection
and assessment". In our article we talk about what you need to
assess and change in instances when your project budget is cut. This
edition's book review asks you to read a book that cause you to reflect
on your and your companies impact on the planet. Here we are offering a
template to assist you in assessing the skills you bring to the table as
a project manager. The Project Managers Skills Assessment Template is useful as a means to evaluate other project managers as well. It is
healthy to take a step back and reflect on what we could or should be
doing differently - this template can help point the way towards that
improvement and growth.
Click to download |
Book Recommendation of the Month - Saving the World at Work |
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Saving the World at Work by Tim Sanders
This book may seem to be a bit of a stray from what we
normally review in this section, as it deals with things we can all do as
individuals and within our companies to reduce our negative impact on the
planet and its resources. We have two very significant reasons for doing
this. The first is quoted right from the book: "If you help your
company make a positive difference in the world, you'll feel your work
has meaning and you'll take pride in knowing that you're contributing to
something larger than yourself." The second reason: if we are to
make changes in our companies to reduce our carbon footprint and reduce
global warming, who better to lead these changes than PROJECT MANAGERS
and ANALYSTS!
It takes diligence and a bit of effort, but we all can do a
number of things to help the planet, and make a positive impact on the
world our children will experience. Saving the World at Work focuses on
the myriad of opportunities that exist for each of us to a) change our
own habits in a positive way (beyond just "print less paper")
and b) to influence our companies to improve their policies, and realise
the financial benefit of doing so. Like many things we discuss in this
newsletter, it challenges our leadership and takes a bit of courage, but
it can be done by anyone reading this review. Laced with real and
inspirational stories, Sanders has issued a lesson for all of us to
learn. Read this book, employ its principles, and watch the positive
results in the bottom line, and in yourself. |
Article of the Month - My budget is being cut - Oh My! |
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By Denise DeCarlo, PMP
All too often our project budgets are being slashed,
especially in the midst of our current economic crisis. This article will
provide some insights and ideas on how to best manage this not-so-fun
situation. Here are 13 succinct steps to help you get things back in
order after your cost target changes.
1) DON'T PANIC! If you panic; so will your team.
2) Understand why the project is being cut. If it is due to overall
corporate or department wide budget cuts vs. something specific to your
project delivery --- you will need to take a different approach to
addressing the challenge. If the budget cut is related to
corporate/departmental wide changes the best approach to take is to show
the value your project brings to the organisation. If the cuts are due to
project delivery issues - you still need to show the value your project
brings to the business - and you'll need to demonstrate how you're going
to get the project back on track. The key here is to demonstrate to
management that you have the capabilities to deliver the project
successfully.
Click to read the full article... |
Mindavation Project Templates CD Available |
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 Mindavation
offers more than 30 customizable project templates and tools to make your
life easier! The CD includes full project lifecycle templates and tools.
Documents are in MS Word, MS Excel, MS Project 2003 (and
Adobe). Modify each template to suit YOUR business and project needs.
Price (including shipping & handling): AUS$125. To Order
call (02) 6273 8749 or email info@mindavation.com |
Mindavation Instant Surveys! |
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As you read in our sidebar feature, Mindavation newsletter
subscribers had the opportunity to participate in a quick, one question
survey about online training tools. Be on the look out for future surveys
for your opportunity to comment on the trends and preferences of project
managers across the world. Take 10 seconds, answer our Instant Survey
email and ensure your voice is heard. Look to your inbox for our next
Mindavation Instant Survey! |
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Instant
Survey Results |
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Mindavation's first Instant Survey was a great success. We
received a lot of great comments and would like to thank all of those who
responded. Here is a sample of some of the comments we received:
"Online learning would also let me participate based on
my time schedule and let me start and stop if I have interruptions."
"A tool that adapts to my personal learning style sounds great...but
how would that work??? If possible all those options would be
great!"
"Great idea - no one ever seems to think that online learning can be
customised!"
Thanks again to all those who participated. Be on the look out for
upcoming surveys and if you have any ideas for questions you'd like us to
ask, send them to us at info@mindavation.com
"Your Personal Mentor" - a software based PM
training tool
Mindavation is proud to announce it's latest project management training
course, and it is driven by you! Your
Personal Mentor is a PC based self-paced project management training
course that can be worth up to 47 PDU's. This self-paced learning tool
can be shaped according to your own learning style. Presentation options
include visual "knowledge objects" such as Concepts,
Definitions, Examples and Processes, audio voice-overs, and text
narratives. This powerful and rich learning tool can be used over and
over again as a resource for years to come.
For more detailed information, including information on how to order,
send an email to info@mindavation.com. |
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