My job as a professional is to add value to the organization. It is hard sometimes. Sometimes it is hard to even see the value that you add. Believe me, when you are in the middle of a project it is easy to look over at the guy in the other cubicle and just whisper, "why?"
Why is the question though. Why does somebody need this project done? Why do they want this done and not leap ahead to the next technology? Why do we even exist?
There is a technique called the 5 Whys. It is meant to help an organization discover the root cause of a defect, but it is helpful sometimes to discover the value of a task.
I mostly always feel that every task is important or there would not be someone doing it. There are tasks that seem to be a self-licking ice cream cone and some that seem to be doomed from the start, but at some point someone thought it was necessary. Some tasks have outlived their usefulness, like the idea of printing and filing email. It might seem like the thing to do, but it is just a waste in today's modern workplace.
My advice, find ways to add value to your organization and if you think you are not, find out why you are doing it and who you have to convince to stop doing it. Organizations shouldn't be afraid of changing, they should it embrace it. For Pete's sake, stop printing and filing emails....
Do not forget to help me out by completing this survey....it is less that ten questions and only takes a minute.
Your valuable insight into this profession is important to me!
Program Manager Critical Skills
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Sunday, February 18, 2018
Thinking about the Future
I have been thinking about the future. There are many technologies and projects going on that will have a huge impact on our future society. Many of these technologies are breaking the rules as we know them and many of the tasks that we do today may not be the tasks that we do tomorrow.
I have been reading a lot and thinking about what technologies are going to have this big impact. Something small that I think is already here is voice activated technologies. Although I use my Amazon Echo almost everyday to hear music, the news, and weather, but it is getting better. There may be a day that the keyboard is a thing of the past. We already have voice activated typing, it is a little clumsy, but it is getting better.
Another area related the the first is the internet of things or IoT. IoT is already here, it is possible to connect many of the common devices we already use. It is important to understand IoT because there are huge security implications involved in connecting all these devices. The secret is the interfaces. If you pair voice activated with IoT, it creates a huge convenience with a huge security concern.
One technology that helps with the security concern is blockchain technology. When people think of blockchain, they think of cryptocurrencies. Cyptocurrencies are really just the tip of the blockchain iceberg. This is a technology in which I am researching much more.
Other technologies that are here and getting better include robots, automation, artificial intelligence, deep learning, and many more.
The point of this post is that the future is coming and people really need to be prepared to continue to learn new skills on a continual basis. It will be important to learn these skills not just for work, but also to just basically live in a more connected world.
***Remember help me out with the survey about Program Manager Critical Skills***
I have been reading a lot and thinking about what technologies are going to have this big impact. Something small that I think is already here is voice activated technologies. Although I use my Amazon Echo almost everyday to hear music, the news, and weather, but it is getting better. There may be a day that the keyboard is a thing of the past. We already have voice activated typing, it is a little clumsy, but it is getting better.
Another area related the the first is the internet of things or IoT. IoT is already here, it is possible to connect many of the common devices we already use. It is important to understand IoT because there are huge security implications involved in connecting all these devices. The secret is the interfaces. If you pair voice activated with IoT, it creates a huge convenience with a huge security concern.
One technology that helps with the security concern is blockchain technology. When people think of blockchain, they think of cryptocurrencies. Cyptocurrencies are really just the tip of the blockchain iceberg. This is a technology in which I am researching much more.
Other technologies that are here and getting better include robots, automation, artificial intelligence, deep learning, and many more.
The point of this post is that the future is coming and people really need to be prepared to continue to learn new skills on a continual basis. It will be important to learn these skills not just for work, but also to just basically live in a more connected world.
***Remember help me out with the survey about Program Manager Critical Skills***
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Teaching Entrepreneurship
On this rainy Saturday I am working on some proposals and other business development activities. I was thinking about entrepreneurship and how to teach this to children. It is obvious that they probably do not learn it just by watching, although I think kids do pick up things like this from the environment.
Entrepreneurship is going to be one of those critical skills for workers of the future. I see so many children and young people today who have the desire to do something, but because their parents or the community can't see the value they opt for safe careers. It is easy to have a risky business or a creative business when you have nothing to loose. There is something to say about starting from those humble beginnings.
For a while now I have been thinking about how to teach or at least coach young people on starting something. I tell those around me that they need to start something. I don't care what that something is, but starting is what is important. Getting over that initial inertia is what is important.
There is an advantage to not knowing what you don't know. Mentors, coaches, teachers and family can help to fill those gaps.
Anyways, don't forget to help me out with the survey about Program Manager Critical Skills
Thanks,
Kevin
Entrepreneurship is going to be one of those critical skills for workers of the future. I see so many children and young people today who have the desire to do something, but because their parents or the community can't see the value they opt for safe careers. It is easy to have a risky business or a creative business when you have nothing to loose. There is something to say about starting from those humble beginnings.
For a while now I have been thinking about how to teach or at least coach young people on starting something. I tell those around me that they need to start something. I don't care what that something is, but starting is what is important. Getting over that initial inertia is what is important.
There is an advantage to not knowing what you don't know. Mentors, coaches, teachers and family can help to fill those gaps.
Anyways, don't forget to help me out with the survey about Program Manager Critical Skills
Thanks,
Kevin
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Critical Skills for Program Managers Survey
In the interest to find out what the critical skills that Program Manager's need today and in the future, I have created a survey to asks those questions.
If you have a minute or two to answer a few questions, I would appreciate it.
If you want the raw data from the survey, leave your email at the end and I will send it to you.
Critical Skills for Program Managers Survey
Share this with friends and coworkers who might be interested.
Thanks,
Kevin
If you have a minute or two to answer a few questions, I would appreciate it.
If you want the raw data from the survey, leave your email at the end and I will send it to you.
Critical Skills for Program Managers Survey
Share this with friends and coworkers who might be interested.
Thanks,
Kevin
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Question: Critical Skills for Program Managers?
One thing I want to do is try and figure out want the critical skills are for Program Managers across the various industries and employers. One thing that I have found out is that almost everyone has a different understanding of what a Program Manager actually is and what a Program Manager actually does.
My goal in all my jobs and in my personal life is to find the area in which I provide the most value. Bringing the value equation to the table is important. Many people are stuck in jobs in which they add no value. More importantly the jobs themselves bring no value to them. In other words, they do not learn new skills, or meet new customers and contacts, or even a chance to look out a window.
My question is what are the critical skills that today's and tomorrow's Program Managers need to be successful?
My goal in all my jobs and in my personal life is to find the area in which I provide the most value. Bringing the value equation to the table is important. Many people are stuck in jobs in which they add no value. More importantly the jobs themselves bring no value to them. In other words, they do not learn new skills, or meet new customers and contacts, or even a chance to look out a window.
My question is what are the critical skills that today's and tomorrow's Program Managers need to be successful?
Sunday, December 31, 2017
New Beginnings
Today is New Years Eve, as everyone is getting ready for the new year it is always a good practice to look at the past year take measure of the tasks we accomplished and where we fell short of our goals. Another good practice is to look ahead and map out a course for the new year. This could mean setting long term and short term goals. As a project manager, I am used to doing this kind of hot wash for my projects, but I also find it useful for for my personal and professional development as well.
Some people call these goals "New Year Resolutions." This is sort of a joke, since we all know that New Years Resolutions are frequently abandon after a few weeks. This is why well thought out and developed goals are different. Well developed goals include the end state, the method to achieve the end state, and how we are to measure progress of the goal.
So as I work over the next few days, I will be thinking of goals. I have goals for this blog. I have goals for my personal and professional development. I have goals for my work. All these goals will come together and I will prioritize them for the coming year.
I will have to say that I am pleased by the way 2017 turned out. I completed some very difficult projects as work. I completed some important personal goals. All these things pave the way for the completion for some related and some new goals for 2018. I will be blogging more consistently, hopefully people will like my work and find it useful. I have some new projects to start and some to finish for 2018. I feel that 2018 will be a great year.
Some people call these goals "New Year Resolutions." This is sort of a joke, since we all know that New Years Resolutions are frequently abandon after a few weeks. This is why well thought out and developed goals are different. Well developed goals include the end state, the method to achieve the end state, and how we are to measure progress of the goal.
So as I work over the next few days, I will be thinking of goals. I have goals for this blog. I have goals for my personal and professional development. I have goals for my work. All these goals will come together and I will prioritize them for the coming year.
I will have to say that I am pleased by the way 2017 turned out. I completed some very difficult projects as work. I completed some important personal goals. All these things pave the way for the completion for some related and some new goals for 2018. I will be blogging more consistently, hopefully people will like my work and find it useful. I have some new projects to start and some to finish for 2018. I feel that 2018 will be a great year.
Saturday, July 29, 2017
The Power of Certifications
I am a big believer in the power of certifications. In this belief, I have pursued certification and drive to maintain my certifications. Most certifications are for niche skills. I have a PMP which I find is useful for project management. The PMBOK is a good framework for planning, controlling, and closing projects. It has been very valuable for me as a program, project, and product manager. I still use the tools that I developed from the preparation it took to achieve the certification.
I am also want to talk about the CM certification. The CM or Certified Manager is a certification that I value. It is not designate niche skills, it helps to identify me as skilled in general management. One area that I think that IT, PMP, and other specialized certifications fall short is in the area of general management. In order to be effective as a technical person, you have to know how your project or function affects the business of the organization.
I have used these skills more and more often as I moved up the later. A project manager manages the project, but also the people doing the work and the people who can influence the project. A project manager must be able to read financial statements. A project manager has to recognize the business environment. These are all skills that I demonstrated through earning the CM.
The CM is administered through the Institute of Certified Professional Managers or ICPM. It is a business center of James Madison University. I value this certification so much, I decided to become a member of the Board of Regents for ICPM.
Check them out.
I am also want to talk about the CM certification. The CM or Certified Manager is a certification that I value. It is not designate niche skills, it helps to identify me as skilled in general management. One area that I think that IT, PMP, and other specialized certifications fall short is in the area of general management. In order to be effective as a technical person, you have to know how your project or function affects the business of the organization.
I have used these skills more and more often as I moved up the later. A project manager manages the project, but also the people doing the work and the people who can influence the project. A project manager must be able to read financial statements. A project manager has to recognize the business environment. These are all skills that I demonstrated through earning the CM.
The CM is administered through the Institute of Certified Professional Managers or ICPM. It is a business center of James Madison University. I value this certification so much, I decided to become a member of the Board of Regents for ICPM.
Check them out.
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