PMI Willamette Valley - Corvallis Branch

Do you struggle with surprises, drifting requirements, scope creep, unnecessary rework, and managing unrealistic customer expectations in your projects? How do you ensure that your projects will satisfy your customers? Learn expert tips and best practices that will help you improve how you manage the requirements gathering process.

Tim Runcie, the President of Advisicon, has over 15 years of experience in information systems and 12 years of construction management. Tim has been recognized by Microsoft as an MVP (Most Valuable Professional) for his outstanding excellence in Microsoft Office Project and Project Server and his support to the professional user communities worldwide.

Tim is an excellent project portfolio manager, and has guided numerous organizations with the use of Microsoft Project & Microsoft Project Server, and helped them to successfully complete their projects using scarce resources, fixed budgets and interconnected schedules. Tim combines industry best practices, a passion for knowledge transfer, and tools development to optimize project and project portfolio management processes and successfully integrate project management best practices into an organization's culture.

Tim works with organizations in a wide range of industries, from state and federal agencies to semi-conductor manufacturers. These organizations have benefited from Tim's skill and expertise in standardizing project management methodology across their organizations and in setting up a Project Management Office (PMO) to manage their project portfolio activities and to return visibility of all major initiatives.

Tim loves teaching. When not leading or mentoring organizations, he is teaching classes on the disciplines and technologies of project management. He brings a personal passion for education to every project and a commitment to providing Advisicon's customers with a full set of skills and tools to achieve their goals.

Topic: Strategy Maps: Getting Strategic Results with Clarity, Focus and Execution

Strategy maps are designed to create a clear picture and a clear path that will lead an organization step-by-step to strategic results. They are a work breakdown structure for strategic programs. They link plans to operations and create the foundation for a strategic performance management system.

A Framework for Goal Setting, Planning and Performance Management
Strategy maps are one of the most popular and effective strategic planning and strategic management methods available today. It has been estimated that approximately 30% of all global companies have adopted some portion of the balanced scorecard approach to develop and manage their strategies.

The strategy map system includes:

Ed is a partner in Cumulus Resources, LLC. Cumulus builds strategy maps, balanced scorecards, performance visibility charts, social networks, wikis and blogs to facilitate setting and reaching strategic goals.

Ed is a frequent presenter locally and around the world on the topic of strategic planning and execution. He is multi-time of the recipient of the Oregon Executive MBA's "excellence in teaching award for his graduate classes on "Implementing Corporate Strategy" and "Managing in the Future."

As often as possible, he enjoys flying gliders over the mountains, valleys and deserts of the northwest.

Topic: Saying �No:� Restrategizing the Road to Collaborative Negotiations

We have all heard about Getting to Yes and win-win negotiations. So what ever happened to the power of saying �no� in negotiations? Is �no� the enemy of a collaborative settlement? Do competitive negotiations always lead to a loser? Why is appeasement so often viewed as the same thing as collaboration? You should walk away from this session with some new thoughts about the negotiation process, basic ideas on how to build a functional negotiation strategy and the bargaining tactics (negotiation gambits) that support the strategy. Increase your negotiation skills. Learn to say �no� effectively.

Timothy Williams received his B.A. from Bethel College and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. He has taught courses in conflict management, organizational communications, negotiations, and interpersonal communications at Hamline University, the University of Minnesota, Southern Oregon University and Portland State University. At Portland State he teaches courses in organizational communication, labor relations, labor negotiations and contract administration for the Division of Public Administration, Mark O. Hatfield School of Government.

Topic: Agile Methodologies & Project Management: "Fact, Fiction & Can you Use this for your Projects"

There are different scheduling methodologies in both Construction, Manufacturing and Technical Project Management. Hear about the use, blending and what are the benefits of using a more Agile Development methodology. PMI, Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, Smart, GERD, RAD, JRAD all fit a category of methodology, but what is right for you, your projects and your team? This session will share the latest approaches from leading corporations in utilization of methodologies world-wide to speed up project management processes and project delivery.

Tim is a published author and world recognized training and consulting expert in technology in support of project and portfolio management (sometimes referred as EPM). Tim participates as a board of director for the Program Management Forum (emphasis on program management) as well as sits on an Advisory Council to Microsoft focusing on the next 2 generations of technology to support project management.

Tim speaks for the PMI College of Scheduling and travel extensively teaching best practices with Project and Portfolio management leveraging technology, including different methodologies to optimize performance of projects.

Tim is also an Enterprise Project MVP (there are only 21 world-wide) and understands how to utilize different scheduling programs to create Project Management offices working towards Earned Value Management.

He is an accomplished speaker and presenter and is actively involved in the regional community of practice surrounding project management.

Often Project Managers and Team Members are challenged with the task of performing extraordinary feats in relatively short-term time frames, knowing that they will encounter problems and risks along the way. Not always does the project have the available planning and resource availability time to allow for full use of all available PM tools for planning, execution, monitoring and control. Risk Management is perhaps one of the areas where we hear that if we have time we'll do it. It is this type of PM planning and action that often gets neglected or in which short-cuts are taken to save time in the planning phase. Yet, the expectation for the team is to deliver on time. And, should events happen the team needs to be equipped with a variety of tools for the diverse field of projects and to confront and overcome the problem or risk.

A few tools in your PM toolbox that are simple to implement, produce reliable and useable findings can be of great benefit. Further, if they are quick to learn and adaptable, teams can apply these tools under various circumstances. Jeff will be presenting three "quick-hit" tools and techniques related to Risk Management that are guaranteed to assist project teams when they are faced with time sensitive project management choices in planning and executing projects.

Jeff Busch, PMP: Jeff has been active with PMI since attending one of his first PMI meetings in 1985. He received his PMP in1991 and has served the PMI Portland Chapter in numerous capacities including VP of Programs and for a two year term as its President. He remains active with the chapter serving in various advisor roles and on special committees. He was one of the inaugural members for the Salem PMI Chapter, now the Salem Branch of the PMI Willamette Valley Chapter and is currently serving as one of its Board members. Over the years he has taught practically all of PMBOK knowledge areas and continues to teach the Integration knowledge area for Portland�s PMP Prep Course. He has served on a number of committees with PMI Global Operations, including a recent role as a core team lead with PMI Standards for the development and publication of the Second Edition of the Construction Extension (2008) to the PMBOK Guide Third Edition.

With 30 years of experience, he is a recognized authority in project management and scheduling and has provided a wide range of consulting and training in Project Management, Strategic Planning, Disputes Resolution, Change and Risk Management and Business Management. In 2003 he retired from a principal position with one of the northwest�s leading Project Management firms and is now an independent consultant as well as a senior consultant/trainer with Cadence Management Corporation.

Jeff has worked for such organizations as the Corps of Engineers, Oregon Dept. of Transportation, Tektronix, EBay, Starbucks, Boston Scientific, Network Appliance, Spansion, Kimberly-Clarke, AT&T Federal Systems, CH2M Hill, Northwest Natural Gas, Boise, Freightliner, Johnson & Johnson and dozens of local governments. As an author he has published papers and articles in the field of Project Management and developed numerous training courses and manuals for local and national organizations as well as for various government entities. In 1996 he was one of only a few trainers selected to teach for PMI Global in its Seminars World program. As a practitioner he has facilitated consulting and training sessions for federal, state and local governments and more than 300 corporations in the US and abroad. Jeff received his BS degree in Industrial Technology from the University of Wisconsin � Stout. In his non-working time Jeff is an avid traveler and outdoorsman, who enjoys fly fishing, skiing, hunting and coaching youth sports. You may contact Jeff at busch@teleport.com.

Wicked problems are ones that are so complicated you generally cannot even define the problem. They are "unsolvable by classical, linear problem-solving processes." Attributes of such projects include:

This talk focuses on tools and techniques for managing projects that have these sorts of attributes. Topics covered include:

Brad Hermanson, PE, PMP, is Operations and Program Manager for the Portland Office of Parametrix, a 450-person engineering, environmental sciences and architectural firm centered in the Pacific Northwest.

Brad's consulting specialties have included program management of complex and controversial projects including management of a project for the Times Beach, Missouri Superfund site, one of the most controversial Superfund sites in the United States. He was also the consulting project manager for the Columbia River Channel Improvement Project, one of the most divisive environmental projects in the Pacific Northwest.

Brad is a trainer and technical practitioner in decision analysis, risk management, and project management. He has also taught graduate courses on environmental law and regulations, and is a sought after workshop and conference speaker for a wide range of environmental topics.

Topic: TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR PROJECT MANAGEMENT CAREER
Building Your Skills and Network

Are you�

Exploring a career in project management?
Needing to enhance your PM skills for the next career step?
Wanting to network with project professionals in your industry?
Experiencing wait time �in between� project assignments?

There are so many resources available to you in the project management community, but where do you begin? In today�s emerging business and competitive environments, we need to take charge of keeping our project management skill set sharp and exercising our network � two critical success factors.

This interactive presentation will provide you with the many PMI resources (available to members for free!) to put you in the driver�s seat. Together, we will explore:

PMI Career Framework � a single tool to help you assess your skill level
PMI Career Headquarters � a resource for finding a PM job
PMI Specific Interest Groups � a forum for connecting with industry professionals
PMI Networking � opportunities to connect with the PM community

This session is a must-have for building your skills, staying connected, and taking charge of your career path � so why not get started now? Take charge today!

About the Presenter

Connie Plowman, PMP, is Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Cadence Management Corporation. Connie started with Cadence in 1988, after a successful career with IBM in employee, customer and executive education. At Cadence, Connie is a corporate officer responsible for management of day-to-day activities of the corporation, reporting directly to the CEO. She is a member of the Cadence Leadership Team supporting the organization�s mission and strategy, contributing to the planning, organizational development and direction of the business. Working with Cadence�s worldwide customers, Connie has the opportunity of talking daily with global clients about their project management needs and challenges. She has over 20 years working in the project management profession.

Connie is a graduate from Portland State University. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute, and has held various volunteer leadership positions as an active member of PMI. She is a graduate of PMI Leadership Masters Class 2007, and has been selected to be a member of PMI�s Leadership Institute Advisory Group starting January 2008.

January 2008: Link to Resource Materials

Topic: Navigating Project Politics

Politics are a reality in every organization, but projects provide especially prolific breeding grounds for them. Unfortunately, too many project managers deal with politics ineffectively. This interactive educational session looks at why politics happen on projects and teaches a four-step process for dealing with them. For most of us, political situations are uncomfortable. This session will give you tools and new insights for honing your political skills.

About the Presenter

Jeff Oltmann, MEng, PMP is an experienced project and program manager consultant and instructor. He currently runs the program management office and project portfolio for IBM�s development facility in Oregon, and has managed new product development with a program budget of over $50 million and worldwide cross-functional teams of over 100 members. Mr. Oltmann�s background features a unique combination of engineering, program management! and executive positions, enabling him to move easily from the boardroom to the lab. His record of accomplishment in product development ranges from start-ups to large corporations! including industry pioneers such as Sequent, IBM, Prisma, and Gould. He is a Certified Project Management Professional and has a master�s degree in engineering.

One of the overwhelming reasons for the failure of projects is the absence of clear of clarity in communications. Most of that reason is due to a cultural norm of communicating from a perspective of �Offense/Defense� or an avoidance of either being offensive or defensive. As a result communications are neither productive nor clear.

In this presentation we will explore the framework of how to integrate clarity into crucial conversations with an aim of creating clear, productive and blame-free communications.

http://www.cumulusllc.com/Martin%20bio.htm

Martin Heltai is a change management expert with Cumulus Resources LLC. He helps organizations going through change avoid unnecessary productivity drops by building transition management and communication plans which reduce staff confusion, resistance and turnover. Cumulus Resources, LLC provides training, consulting and tools for change planning and change management.

Topic: A 12-Step Program for Project Managers: A view of the current state of project management and some tools for dealing with it

Project Management can be as addictive (and potentially as troublesome) as alcoholism. This program presents some interesting statistics (a few a little tongue-in-cheek) on the current state of project management as a discipline to provide a context for the 12 key steps for effective project management.

About the Presenter

Jeff Crow is president, and principal consultant, of Crow Development Corporation, a professional services consulting firm. From its Portland, Oregon headquarters, Crow Development serves clients throughout the world. Jeff�s practice is focused on assisting organizations undergoing significant change, either self-imposed or brought about by changes in the organization's environment, with a strong emphasis on project management and process effectiveness. Jeff has over 40 years experience in business, with the last 22 years in management consulting on organizational development and training. His clients range from small, family-owned enterprises to multi-national corporations, government, and non-profit organizations. He and his associates provide consulting services and customized training in project management, process improvement, organizational effectiveness and team building as well as client-specific services to individual clients and organizations.

Jeff is the developer of an innovative project management methodology and author of Applying Project Management in the Workplace, currently in its fifth edition. The book is being used as the textbook for project management classes in several colleges and universities across the country. His training programs in project management, process analysis and design, and team building are dynamic and highly interactive. They focus on providing practical tools and techniques, and hands-on experience in a real-world setting.

In addition to his consulting and training practice, Jeff teaches a number of courses, seminars and workshops for Portland-area colleges and universities. He is the faculty advisor and an instructor for the Project Management Certificate Program at Portland State University's Professional Development Center.

September 2007:

Topic: MS Project � Tips for Taming the Beast

MS Project is the most widely used and abused project management tool in the field today. While it�s not an intuitive tool, when used effectively it can save a project managers life (or at least the PM will tell you that). This presentation will expose some of the biggest pitfalls and potholes of MS Project any PM using it needs to know before they loose their mind, or throw their schedule out the window.

Basic schedule structure � WBS to Schedule best practices
Effort vs. Duration � that dang check box in the Task window
Adding and removing resources � what the heck just happened to my dates?!
% Complete vs. % Work Complete � frills and thrills & sometimes both
Calendars & work hours � juggling time/zones

About the Presenter

Author Kim Liegel, PMP offers concepts and strategies she's used at some of today's most successful businesses, including Nike and Oracle, in an understandable and interactive format that can be applied to any project.

She is an internationally certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with more than fourteen years of hands-on, real-world project management experience. She is actively involved with the Project Management Institute, volunteering time and leadership for both local and international project management initiatives to help further develop the professional discipline.

Kim Liegel, PMP, is an independent consultant, trainer and writer living in Eugene, Oregon with her family, where she works with individuals, businesses, schools (Secondary - Higher Education), and organizations to develop effective project management skills, methods, and strategies. Kim Liegel, PMP, holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Business, Science, Communications) from Marylhurst University, located in Marylhurst, Oregon.