PDUs2Go Course Catalog   describe the image  describe the image

5-free-pdus-5-out-of-5-pmpslove-free-pdu

failing-projectsstop-the-madnesswith-4

Let's Connect!

call pdus2go.comLoading...

Current Articles | RSS Feed RSS Feed

How to Unleash Your Next Great Project Management Idea

 
project manager

by Lakecia Carter, PMP

One thing that I am learning every day is that there is no shortage of great ideas. As PMs, we play a significant role in driving change. We can leverage our role to drive innovation and creativity in so many ways. I often wonder though, why some of us hold back from pursuing our ideas?  One possible reason is fear:  fear of rejection or fear of failure. We can easily get stuck in “What-if” wonderland and become paralyzed in our thinking. Maybe we think the idea is too small or insignificant, so we don’t bother. Maybe we leave it up to someone else to come up with all the ideas and we execute on the vision.  Regardless of the reason, the time is now to unleash those ideas!  Here’s what you need to do to bring  those great ideas to life!

How To Get Over the Ramp Up

 

By Lakecia Carter, PMP

Do you remember how It feels to start a new project? New faces, new places, new issues, new challenges! Change is a good thing, right? So, why do we get that nervous feeling?  Why do we second-guess our every thought, word or action? This familiar feeling is alive and well, whether it’s the first project or millionth project. We call this period of time “ramp-up” but sometimes it may feel as though we are on the ramp downward! No matter what experience level we are on, we all can get this feeling from time to time. Remember these back-to-basics tips to help get you moving:

C.U.P.

 
By Lakecia Carter, PMP

When it comes to leading or influencing others, intentional listening is the single most important thing we can do. I know most of us believe that we are great listeners, but I think we may be challenged in this area at times. Why? We receive tons of information all at once, and by the time we get it, it changes. We also are under pressure to provide information quicker than ever. If we aren’t intentional, our ability to absorb and disseminate information can be affected.

There’s an easy way to make sure we are practicing intentional listening. I call it C.U.P. These are the things we should listen for at all times:

C - Connections


Connect the dots. Communication is just a chain. Each conversation or interaction is a link on that chain. You should listen for themes and patterns. Keep a mental trail of thoughts, ideas and actions that are relevant.

U - Understanding


Don’t just repeat what you heard, clarify what they meant. For some reason, we don’t feel comfortable saying “What do you mean?” as though it makes us “look” clueless. Don’t worry, getting it wrong will make us clueless. Don’t ever walk away guessing. Instead of  “So, I heard you say”,  ask “I understand that..Is this correct?”

Got Any Ideas

 
By Lakecia Carter, PMP

Have you ever had a great idea rejected? Have you ever tried what you thought was a great idea and it failed? If you are like me, you answered emphatically “YES!” and “OH YES!” For a while, I thought I was all out of ideas. It seems that with every rejection or failure, I became less and less motivated to come up with new ones.  If you are experiencing a dry season with ideas, you are not alone! It happens to all of us. I am often reminded that the greatest innovations were born from failures or so called “bad’ ideas. If you feel like you don’t want to think of another new idea, here are 3 keys to remember:

Keep Pitching New Ideas


No matter how many times an idea is rejected or fails, it doesn’t mean you stop. I have learned that timing is everything. It could be the best idea, but the wrong time. Another possibility is relevance. It may not be the right situation where the idea could fully develop.

Adapt Your Ideas When Needed


Notice I said “when” and not “if”. I guarantee that you will need to make changes along the way. We can implement ideas in several different ways while continuing to improve. It is a good practice to run your idea by someone that you trust will give you honest feedback. Test the waters and continually ask yourself how to make it better.

Stop Running Out of Time

 
By Lakecia Carter, PMP

You’ve run out of time again! It happens to all of us, sometimes no matter how much we plan. Why does this happen?  Do we have too much to do, too little time? Are we overambitious and unrealistic about the time we need? Time management seems harder these days given the fast paced environments we manage in. Although it is the most precious gift we have, we often waste much of it. As a PM (Procrastination Manager), I have to force myself to be more intentional with my time. It’s not easy though. If you are like me and find yourself running out of time or always needing more time, here are a few reminders that we need to keep in mind daily:

Prepare With Time


Plan ahead. Outline all tasks or activities from beginning to end. Estimate the time it will take to complete. Always leave room for the unexpected. A lack of preparation always leads to wasted time.

Honor Your Time


Begin and end on time. Don’t make it a habit to always “go over”. Not only should you honor your time, but also respect others’ time.

You CAN Teach an Old Dog, New Tricks!

 
By Lakecia Carter, PMP

There is a familiar quote that says “You can’t teach an old dog, new tricks”. I think it has two meanings: the inability to learn something new or the inability to teach those who won’t learn. I don’t believe these statements are true about most people. In this article, the term ‘old dog’ is not about an older person.  “Old dogs” are mindsets, behaviors, or practices that have been around for too long. Oftentimes, we are challenged with leading change in an environment that may be resistant to change.  It can be intimidating but there are 3 principles that may help you face this challenge head-on:

Prudence: Don’t be too eager to teach your new tricks

Subject matter experts take a lot of pride in what they know. If anyone feels that you will threaten or dismiss their knowledge, it will cause them to disengage. Show equal interest in learning as you do in teaching others. Spend time observing, listening and learning before you take the leap!

Perspective: Use what you don’t know to everyone’s benefit

Sometimes very knowledgeable people cannot see the forest for the trees. They may be so deep in the details that they miss the big picture. That’s where you come in. You can see things in a much broader perspective. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to ask the right questions.

Moving from Threat to Opportunity

 
unlocking doorBy Lakecia Carter, PMP

What is the difference between those who embrace innovation and those who don’t? Perspective. Innovation can be perceived as an opportunity or a threat. The opportunity perspective inspires collaboration, creativity and positive energy. The threat perspective creates internal conflict, disengagement and negative energy. In this article, I want to deal with the latter of the two. Although it may not be revealed, sometimes we can view innovation as a threat rather than an opportunity. Here are three things that can help us change our perspective:

GET REAL


Perception is reality, but when it comes to innovation, it is important to separate the two. We must acknowledge the truth about our feelings, but we can’t allow feelings to rule. Change is not always easy and there are risks and concerns that need to be addressed. Let’s bring solutions along with the concerns.

GET KNOWLEDGE


Sometimes the root of our perspective may be fear of failure or fear of losing our security because it’ is unknown territory.

Managing Virtual teams: Out of sight is not out of mind!

 
By Lakecia Carter, PMP

Virtual teams have become increasingly prevalent in project management. This is an exciting time for all PMs because it allows us an opportunity to heighten our skillsets in new and innovative ways. The #1 challenge of managing virtual teams is being “out of touch”. The phrase “out of sight, out of mind”  means if you don’t see it, you don’t think about it. Sometimes this can happen to us as the project manager of a virtual team. Because we are not physically co-located with our team, we may feel as though we are not as effective. This does not have to be true for you. Here are 3 ways to connect with your virtual team:

Prepare!

The level of preparation for meetings and team activities is often higher with virtual teams. Learn which communication vehicles work best – for the individual team members as well as the group. Spend ample time preparing materials in advance and give team members an opportunity to actively participate.

Share!

Navigating the Seas of Change

 
CompassBy Lakecia Carter, PMP

We can all agree on one simple truth: Change is inevitable. As we ride the waves of change, we will encounter calm winds one day and tumultuous winds the next. Nevertheless, we must lead effectively through the change. As a Project Manager, it can be tough – especially when you feel as though your ship is sinking! But today, remind yourself of the value you and your teams bring. Recognize that you have everything you need to be successful. If you feel as though you are sinking or shipwrecked, here are 3 reminders to steer your ship in the right direction:

You need Courage!
First, it takes courage to overcome the natural fear of change. If you accept change and embrace it, you will find it easier to manage. This is not easy nor does it happen overnight, but you have to face it head on.

You need a Compass!
A compass is what you need for direction. Create a vision for a successful destination. Share your vision with the team. Remember, a vision without a plan is a dream. A plan without a vision is a nightmare! 

Don't Let the Crack Become a Pothole!

 
potholeBy Lakecia Carter, PMP

If you’ve ever seen a massive pothole in the road, it didn’t start out that way. More than likely, it began as a small crack. Over time, it became wider and wider because it was never patched up or sealed. It is the same with our projects. Sometimes there are cracks which appear to be very minor in the beginning. Over time, if these cracks are left unattended, they can create a massive pothole in our projects and we all will go down!  Here are a couple of cracks to watch out for and how to seal them:


The most common crack that should never be unattended is Communication. Status meetings and documentation do not always guard against communication failures. The three most important things to strive for in communication are: transparency, clarity and specificity. I also find it helpful to have one-on-one calls with each stakeholder throughout the project. Team members may not speak up in the group project team meetings. You need to have communication plans tailored to the groups you are interacting with. Your approach will change depending on audience, circumstances and the project needs.

All Posts

 

describe the image