November: Thanksgiving Special Bundle Offer

Hey, so have you been reading the blog?

You already know that today’s the DAY- the Thanksgiving special bundle offer goes LIVE. In fact it already has.

So, whether you are celebrating Diwali or Thanksgiving this month- be nice to someone, help someone out, give somebody a chance.

And that’s precisely why I have kept the price the same for the book and this month instead of just the book, you get a bunch of cool stuff all for the same money! Check out the entire details on the cool stuff by clicking here.

If you are new to project management: this bundle offer is a perfect setting for you to know and learn not only about project management but also at the same time meet the project managers from UK, US, India, Netherlands etc. Learn about how they made it, what’s their schedule, how do they focus, what are the 3 things you need to have to be successful and their failures and fears. Get access to awesome webinar by the industry experts and listen in with your own login.

If you already are into project management, take time this weekend to go through the webinars and get the PDU’s and forward the book/s to your mentee.

Like what you read and would like to contribute to the #PMOT community- send me an email and let’s set up a time for an interview. Be an inspiration this holiday season.

(Pic Courtesy: Google Images)

Talking to successful people

So, now that you are working out the challenge series and have started the change for a much better and productive life, this video will provide you with that extra edge when you decide to talk (and network) with others and perhaps even find a job.

Remember to listen carefully to this 4.18 minute video and you can ace what to ask when you meet a prospective mentor!

What do you think? Is that how you do? What strategies have you used?

How to find your mentor?

To help you guide you through finding your mentor and pointers for your sessions, download the excel file here. 

Available E-book Stepping into Project Management

The E-book Stepping into Project Management (welcome to the #PMOT circle) is available now.

The 35 page book which covers all areas of getting into the profession has expert opinions from Project Managers all over the world and a foreword written by Samad Aidane from

Guerrilla Project Management.

You can buy the book by clicking here which takes you the payment page via PayPal. You don’t need to have a PayPal account to buy the book, you can simply use your card. Once the payment is confirmed you can download the book in pdf format.

Priced very nominally at $2.99, almost equivalent to a cup of coffee and probably less the book is for college graduates, professionals interested in the project management and newbie’s. Click here to see the Table of Contents.

You should be able to buy the book from any part of the world with your local credit or debit card. 

Don’t hesitate to email me in case you need any help or have any issues downloading the book.

SIPM Monthly Newsletter

The SIPM monthly newsletter is on it’s way and to subscribe all you have to do is sign in (see to your right).

I used to maintain the Feedburner delivery of my posts and after a lot of contemplation if I should still keep it running, I decided to let it be.

If you are one of the subscribers, feel free to let me know if you would still like the service to continue or add yourself to the monthly newsletter list. You can email me directly or find me in twitter.

I’ll leave it to you.

The monthly newsletter is a way to connect to you and give out more on insider information on getting closer to your goal of becoming a Project Manager. The newsletter is the additional information that doesn’t find it’s way into the blogposts. It will answer your queries that I often get, insider knowledge of what’s coming up on SIPM next and true to it’s audience a way to tell the realities of being in the profession.

Have a wonderful weekend!

(Pic Courtesy: Google Images)

The #PMOT E-book

A Guide: Stepping into Project Management (welcome to the #PMOT circle), the upcoming e-book is almost ready, getting it’s finishing touches.

I always knew it would mean a lot of work to get it done; however I might have underestimated the hours it would take me to get there. So, the date is August.

I still have the cover page pending, last minute touches and editing is in full flow. I have deleted more while editing than writing and turns out it does take a while to get the hang of it.

So, what should you expect in the coming months?

• E-book Publication-A step by step guide to get into your dream role of a Project Manager.
• English isn't your first language-Like the blog, this E-book is in simple  working English, no jargon's, straight communication that allows newbies and fresh graduates from all over the world to understand what is required to get into Project Management.
• Expert Comments- Project Managers, Coaches and Trainers share their secrets in getting into the industry.
• Price-Keeping the newbies in mind, the e-book can be downloaded at a very reasonable $2.99 (Download will be available in pdf format). Payments through Paypal. All you have to do is click a button and you don’t need to have a Paypal account to buy the book.
• Free Google Hangout 30 minute session- On September 2 (Sunday): How to find your #PMOT mentor. The time will be announced later in the blog and via twitter. This interactive session is open to 8 people only based on first come, first serve basis. Please email me at steppingintopm@gmail.com to reserve your seat with the subject line: Reserve me for “How to find your #PMOT mentor. This is open to all, irrespective of the fact whether you have bought my book or not. The reservations start today.
• Next Session- This will be announced in August, after the book publication. This session is only for people who have bought the book. Your full name and email id will be required to make your reservation for the session. Details of the session will be announced in the blog and in the e-book. Stay tuned.
• New Hashtag Introduced- Called #SIPM, this hashtag has been introduced to enable you to follow all updates from the book, sessions and posts in the blog.
• Giveaway- Two E-Books will be given away in August (for free) through the blog. Stay tuned for announcements.
• Reviews- If you have a Project Management blog and would like to review the book, please ask me for a free copy. Email me with your blog URL with the subject line: SIPM Book review

 Have questions, want to advertise in the book or just want to say hello- email me or find me at twitter  at @Soma_b

Learn Free

I have been reading Scott H Young  for a while now.

I love what he has done with his blog and his latest challenge is finishing a 4 year MIT computer science course in 1 year without attending classes. Go Figure.

So, I thought this lecture of his from TED about the education system was worth listening to.

Education costs a lot, but what a lot of us are trying to do is to get as much as possible free resources available to all of you.

For your project management understanding, try the following:

• PMChat  -Held at every Friday 12 pm EST; Robert Kelly and Rob Prinzo bring out hundreds of project management professionals where topics are discussed and debated on. All you need is to follow #pmchat over twitter. Try it today.
• Friday Sessions with Samad Aidane- Samad Aidane from Guerrilla Project Management is doing Friday sessions about various topics on project management. It’s an informal way of talking about a specific subject and then continuing with FAQ sessions. It’s a great tool for everyone looking forward to learn the ropes of the profession faster. And it’s free. Today’s webinar details are here .
• SIPM Community - A global platform to get your mentor, internship opportunities or follow a project manager for a day. New experts and newbies register every day. A free resource to get you going.

·       If you are not free on Friday’s and can’t attend these live, ask for recordings or just follow the hashtag to read it up later. It’s rather simple really and I think it’s time all of us started taking advantage of the free resources and help we have.

(Pic Courtesy: Google Images)

Book Review- Project Management in Real World (E Harrin)

Published by BCS, this 203 paged book is a perfect read by newbies as well as project managers.

Divided into 5 sections and including topics like “Managing Budgets” to “Managing Yourself”, the book encompasses every topic that a project manager has to handle on a regular basis to fulfil their role as a project manager.

Sprinkled all over with real life examples, the author drives home every single point with graphics, illustrations, simple narrative without many of the tongue twisting jargons. Heady and compact with information this is not a one day reading. You will find yourself bookmarking the pages for reference later.

Every chapter begins with the definition, an example followed with Golden Rules and Hint for easy reading and reference. The example doesn’t necessarily always stick to IT, it goes back and forth in all domains from media to wedding planning to offshore projects and ways to provide incentives to your team.

This book is a fantastic read for everyone who wants to attempt their hands in project management or is in the domain ( to get a different perspective). In fact the book starts with a Glossary and is a great way to learn concepts and the reality of project management if you have seen projects happening from the outer circle or is planning certifications for the near future.

Who should read this Book?

• Newbies- Anyone interested in project management, this is a perfect read to step into the realities of project management. Book offers a detailed narrative on what happens in your dream job role.
• Project Management Students- Great examples that you can relate to the theories or the PMBOK chapters. The book displays how the formulas, theories and expertise keep the projects running in reality.
• Just Promoted New Managers-Great read to know how to manage teams, find solutions to complex problems and accounting, how much risk to take, how to get your team together.
• Ambitious Professionals- Anyone from any domain and position (job title) looking forward to impress your bosses and finding ways to make yourself stand apart and get more responsibility.

Why should you read this book?

• Real life examples those are easier to relate to than theories in the PMBOK.
• Examples from all domains, so everyone can relate to it and find ways how you can use project management in your everyday job or your field. You don’t have to be in IT to implement project management techniques.  You also don’t need to know all chapters of the PMBOK to understand this, however if you have read the PMBOK this book might turn to be  a great guide to see how all those theories really are implemented in reality.  
• Expert comments on their insights and mistakes and how they handled it.
• From Peer Reviews to finding a mentor; the author covers it all. It’s a one stop guide/book for all project managers.

What’s the price and where can I find it?

$41.99 at Amazon US

21.05 (pounds) in Amazon UK

325(INR) in India

Who is the author?

The author is Elizabeth Harrin, who runs the award winning blog A girls Guide to Project Management  and is currently the Head of IT Program Delivery and author of 2 books- Social Media for project Managers and Project Management in the Real World. She is also the director of Otobos Group which provides writing services to the business. You can also find her at this twitter handle @pm4girls  

(Pic Courtesy)

Disclosure: The links provided in this review are NOT affiliate links.

Fight it out- To achieve your goal

In all the work that spills into our busy days, we forget what our team members can expect from us. Or for that matter what you expect from your manager.

There are times works pushed down the alley because no one wants to do it, you can’t say no or linger on with the last hope that if I take this project, I will have access to the good one next time.

I hope the strategy works out for you, but sometimes in the midst of all this and the effort you put in - it doesn’t. In those trying times, try fighting it out- with yourself first.

Sometimes its so easy to convince yourself that they are right- after all they are the ones with more experience or control/authority. I think it has to do more with the imposter syndrome where we are so convinced with self- doubt that we take it for reality.

It’s a pity that so much talent is wasted because of the failure to be recognized, nurtured and sponsored . I remember being in a meeting where a new director had walked in and told us how one of his craziest decision turned out to be the most profitable. He interviewed someone for a position in one his companies before where skills didn’t match but he liked the fire he saw in the girl to make it. She needed the job, had lost her husband and the job is all she wanted. He hired her inspite of the mismatch- a gamble he took based on his intuition. And never regretted, turns out she learned the ropes and was the best employee in a year and stayed with the company.

Lesson- never assume about someone before you give them a chance.

Be sure about your goals and if you are side tracked, don’t blame others for thinking that you are not serious about it. Fight it out- for the chance you deserve with yourself, your team or your boss. Don’t allow anyone to second guess your abilities. 

When it comes to you- give someone a chance. Help them be who they are and what they want from their work. If you can’t be the mentor or give them a job or a project, at least help them find one. Refer to friends and colleagues, sources of information and allow their dreams come true.

If nothing else, its good Karma!

Gift Yourself

This holiday season, gift yourself first.

Here are some good stuff that will help you see yourself:

•Imposter Syndrome - Its worth every single minute of your time and it’s such an important factor to understand that this e-book is a must read. While you relate to the real life stories and see yourself in them, you know how to encounter it next time.
•Go through the book reviews and pick your favorite, even if you don’t want to buy the book, borrow it from the library.  This holiday season, I have ordered books and 2 out of the 3 are after reading reviews and their effects on someone else.
•Make Sh*t Happen – Is by Jenny and doors open January 10 it will be $297 and open to 36 people who are ready to find their courage and change their lives.
•Gift yourself by building your own brand this holiday season- stand apart from the rest of the crowd, work on your credibility and see yourself grow.
•Find a mentor, there’s no replacement for a mentor.

Newbie?

Just because you are an intern and newbie:

•Observe your boss to imitate them as much as you can and want to- you will get a feel of what they like.
•Be you, it matters even among the more experienced crowd.
•Ask questions, see document libraries, gather as much information you can from meeting, conversations etc.
•Don’t back out during all conversations and fault findings. Hold your own.
•Don’t let others tell you how much you are worth, you know better than that.
•No one has the right to make you feel inferior without your permission. Dont let that happen.
•When nothing seems to be working out, don’t loose hope. It happens, instead focus on things you can do. Get a certification, see the requirement, ensure your work is around fulfilling those requirements.
•Be careful about what you say in the office. And your social networking sites.
•Even if you feel nothing is working out, stay. Stay for 4-6 months to let everything fall in its place.
•Quitting is good, but not without a plan.
•Amidst all the chaos, try finding a mentor. She/he will guide you to navigate the mess.
•Try to keep a happy face, makes you look friendlier.

Here are some awesome links that might be interesting:
Best agile Books
More on Kanban 
No such Thing As Bad Decision

5 steps to project scheduling

This is a guest post from Sam Palani. Find out more about him at his site or connect with him on twitter.


5 Steps to get your Project Schedule Correct

When I was asked to come up with a guest post for Stepping Into Project Management (SIPM),
I wanted to come up with something that was close with the central theme of the blog, which
is helping Project managers on starting their journey on the project management space. As a
newbie project manager (or for that matter even as someone who has been managing projects
for sometime) getting your project schedule correct early on is critical as this will be one of the
important baselines against which you would track your project execution.

I also want to call out one common myth / misconception here - A Project Plan is different from
a Project Schedule - no matter what they tell you. I will not go into details on this post, but to
summarize - A plan will include your strategy on how you will get there i.e. the end goal (scope)
whereas a project schedule is as the name suggests a schedule of tasks along with their
respective

So it is critical that you get this correct as you take your first steps into project management.

Here are five simple but important steps that will help get your schedule correct:

Start with the WBS - First things first. Start with decomposing your scope into a work break
break down structure. While there are multiple rules around this, the general thumb rule is break
down your scope to work packages where each package can contain around 5-10 individual
tasks. Again this is a just a rule of thumb, the level of the WBS would largely depend on your
individual program or project. The idea here is to be able to tie back the individuals tasks that
will make up your schedule to the capabilities listed in the project scope.

Hint - Do not over do this to a level where you end up adding more complexity and management
overhead.

Get your estimates on track - The next logical step is to estimate the individual tasks that
make up your work packages. How many resources you will need and how much time it will
take take for these resources to get the task completed. Avoid doing any fast tracking or
crashing at this stage. This is based on the assumption that you will be doing a bottom up
estimation, that is starting from the individual tasks and rolling up at the work-package level.

Hint - Make sure your estimation process & model is communicated and transparent to the
project stakeholders.

Analyze your dependencies - Most certainly your individual task will not be executed in silos.
They will have dependencies. These dependencies and constraints can be in different forms.
Example a task may have a dependency on a particular task getting started or completed as
well as there may be tasks that are constrained to start or end on a particular date.

Hint - Don't attempt to do this alone, get your SMEs involved in this exercise.

Calculate your critical path - Once your have your tasks,estimates and the dependencies in
place. You are now ready to to get the critical path. You either do this manually or through an
EPM software that you are using. It does not really matter. It is also likely that you may end up
with more than one critical path. You will need to pay attention to all the critical paths identified.
It is also important to note that during the course of the project your critical path might change
so your schedule is more of a living document and not static.

Hint - Often there may be tasks outside your critical path that will influence your project
outcome.

Communicate - Now that you have done all the good work and have the project schedule
in place, publish it. Your project stakeholders including your team need to be aware of the
project schedule. The schedule would help little just sitting out there on your hard drive. again
a reminder that your schedule is a live document and gets revisited during the course of your
execution for instance every time you do risk assessment or change management

Hint - Include a link to your schedule in your project status communications.

So that’s it, you now have a schedule baseline against which you can monitor and control your
project.

Tricks of the Trade

Here's some cool stuff:


•If you like to organize your personal goals, professional certifications, hobbies and measure them over time Jenny Blake’s templates are awesome. And you can get them by signing up in her monthly newsletter. 
•Do women make better project managers- want to know read this guest post 
•Like to learn but not the boring way- say Hello to PMChat 
•Industrial Psychology Perspective on Project management is here. Finally.

•Joined your first PM job and need to revamp your image. Your makeup tricks here.
•Need some white noise while you work, try this. No downloads required.


(Pic Courtesy: Google Images)

Wait- are you done?

And giving up?

Stop, get out of the room you are in and get some fresh air.

Behind every successful person are some bigger failures and your life is no exception. So don’t think you aren’t made for the job, or you can’t make it.

It happened to me and perhaps it has happened to so many.

If you are feeling really low, talk to your mentor or your friend and let the feeling out. 

Once done, walk back to your board/diary and write down objectively why things are happening they way they are and if you can change.  Work on yourself and at least for a few days try taking yourself not too seriously.

Let time take its course and then see what changes.

Bottomline- stop freaking out and don’t give up impulsively. 

(Pic Courtesy: Google Images)

Direction- leads your team

As simple as it sounds- clear direction is a key component of any project.

I have seen organizations where everyone assumes the other person knows everything and can move ahead. This doesn’t make sense.

So if you are a new project manager, do your team a favor and make sure they have what they need to get the work done.

Don’t assume:

• New member of your team know their role like the oldies do. They don’t, so tell them what you need from them .
• Any given work, should come with direction of deadline, limitations, what needs to be done, where the information is stored, whom can they communicate with etc. 
• By sharing information and giving directions you save time and your project by clearing off complications and wasting time.
• If you have written documents, share them. If you don’t email with bullet points, so the job role is defined.
• If you haven’t done any of the above, don’t barge in one day and tell your team that they have been lousy and not done their job on time.

Practice what you preach.

(pic:Google images)

What's in a winner?

What makes someone a winner?


You can say being at the right place at the right time, having a great networking,  and all sort of things we all say…but to top it all here is the story you can relate to. 


The drive, that’s the topper. 


So, do you have the drive in you to become a PM? What have you done? Whom have you talked to? What risks have you taken?


Write down your goals and out it somewhere you can see- on the mirror, your car dashboard, your purse. Work towards it and don’t be shy to ask for help- everyone does. Go for it even if it ends up being a mistake- you will learn on what not to do.


By the way the SIPM site has lots of Experts from all over the globe available for mentoring, even some whom you can follow for a day so you end up seeing the real life of a project manager. How cool is that!


Be you, find yourself, work on your expertise and don’t be scared to do what you are not comfortable with.


For more inspiration, read here

(Pic courtesy: google images)


Be the winner!

Stand out for your dreams

There are 5 things to keep in mind when trying out for a PM position:

·Consistency-the goal should be loud and clear in your mind, you have to know what you want to do and rest will happen with time and your effort. You will know when opportunity knocks if you know what you want in life.

·Focus- bad days will always be there, as well as bad bosses. Look out for the good ones who will look out for you and encourage you.  Don’t get distracted on smaller job roles and not getting the right opportunity- your day will come, just be prepared for it.

·Knowledge- don’t compromise on this one because it’s all upto you. Read up, join groups, meet people and talk to them.

·Networking – its clichéd but it helps. Knowing the right people at the right time will open up doors for you.

·Be yourself-never under estimate the power of you. You are unique, so is your talent. Explore them, nurture them and train them for the moment. Don’t give up and fight for what you want.

Have a great week!

(Pic Courtesy: google images)

So which side are you on- 80 or 20?

This is a guest blog post from my friend and a budding Project Manager Sanchita Bhattacharjee and along with our love of Project Management; we also happen to share our last name.

She talks about the Pareto Principle, brushes on her discovery of project management and how she plans to implement it in her life.

The other day, someone asked me about the Pareto principle and I fell from the sky!

Faintly did I hear economist Vilfredo Pareto and Juran's names in the University corridors but that's all. Never really thought I could use it one day in the work I was learning myself- yes, Project Management.  

Technically, The Pareto principle also called the 80-20 rule/Law of the vital few states that 'for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.'

What Pareto initially observed was that 80% of the land or wealth in Italy was owned by 20% of the population. Not too sure if Gregor Mendel also inferred that 20% of the pea pods contribute to 80% of peas produced when he was playing with genetics in his garden:) Come to Software, even Microsoft noted that by fixing only 20% of bugs they were able to eliminate 80% of errors reported.

Interestingly when Business Schools started seeing more of it, it was concluded that actually 80% of your total sales come from 20% of your clients. So the next question comes up, how can we imply this in Project Management? A general response would be that in any project, the first 10% and last 10% of a project are the most crucial parts. In other words the Initiation and Delivery Phases will take up 80% of your time and resource.

An article I read somewhere highlights that ' 80 percent of your sales will come from 20 percent of your sales staff. 20 percent of your staff will cause 80 percent of your problems, but another 20 percent of your staff will provide 80 percent of your production. It works both ways.'  

Even the very famous management consultant Richard Koch discusses how to apply the Pareto principle in all walks of life. So here is the deal, so far all of us have heard and believed in the 'work smart' technique. Perhaps, the same is based on focusing your energy, your attention of 20% of things which really matter.  Stop being on the 80 side and keep struggling with causes which can be treated later. So first step would be to identify them. Even if you are missing out points and areas in your daily life, make sure they do NOT fall under the significant 20%. So work smart but on the right things. 

To know more read on and do not forget to mention how YOU imply the 80-20 rule in your work and in your life!

• see what Peter Taylor is saying
• more on the Pareto principle
• mindfulness and Pareto principle

The site will be unavailable this weekend, while I and my designer friend try to upload the new design to bring in a better visual experience for you. 

(Pic Courtesy: Google Images)

PM PDU's Giveaway

This weekend was special, while I roamed the downtown in Chicago looking at museums (Chicago Art Museum and Science and Industry Museum), I figured that sometimes it’s important to take the initiative to do something that you have wanted to do forever. 


So, I ate some ice cream and read up some pending print outs stacked on my coffee table finally.
Here are something’s you can do:


•If you have been planning to buy a project management book, keep your eyes open and follow some blogs. Most blogs have giveaways these days and you have the chance to get the book at no expense of yours. Try this one here.
•Want to upgrade yourself, participate in free seminars that happen all year and get some much required information. Some are even mailed to you later, so you can watch is at your pace. Sign up and get upgraded. Try this for more information
•Don’t have the time to upgrade or network, too busy with family and friends- get a phone that allows you to download these applications like linkedin, twitter etc. You can stay in touch while in the move and chances of getting your ROI are very likely.
•Sick of hearing everyone telling you to get a mentor, it really helps. I have one, so get yours as well. Try SIPM  and get your mentor in your domain. 
•Need PDU’s and looking for more options; here’s one.  PM- Podcast is giving away 20.5 PDU’s by simply listening to it. More information available here . Email me (steppingintopm at gmail.com) with subject saying- I want the podcast. I will announce the winner on the 10 of next month.


Have a great Monday!

Welcome to SIPM

Today is special, very special.

This is my day to let you in my life and share the opportunities, laughter and blessing. Today, I give back what I have always received from so many of you. Welcome to SIPM.

SIPM is a simple way to connect, share your expertise with others, your knowledge, your support and have some fun on the way.

You can be new to project management; you can be a graduating student or someone who wants to climb the ladder and see what project management is all about – you are welcome to the SIPM family!

So, you were once upon a time newbie and have struggled, had your share of your disappointment and life has brightened up for you- you a are Project Manager now! Have 5 minutes to spare? Share it with others, sign up here. Looking for an intern to help up lighten your schedule a little, let SIPM know. Or how about inviting a newbie to your office and let them Shadow you for a day- show them the real world far away from the texts and papers.

The SIPM beta version has a long way to go and we have just started. So stay around while we fix up the site and bring out new features in the coming weeks. The website is open for US and UK for now, however we will open it up to more countries in the coming weeks.

And yes, its all free- no registration fees. If you like it, tell your friends about it.

If you find bugs or have suggestions or want to say “hi”, find me here. To know more about the site click here.

Have fun everyone and share your SIPM stories with us on Facebook.

SIPM doesn’t take any responsibility for false information provided by registered users or lack of communication among members. This is a site that provides a platform for newbies to meet experts only.

(Pic Courtesy: SIPM)