All Change

Today I'm going to try something new. I found some new inspiration since my latest article was published on Elizabeth Harrin blog "A girls guide to project management" I have been totally inspired to start blogging more. The truth is I love it.

I love the power of expression that writing gives. I love the conversation that comes from publishing a new article. Its an amazing feeling one that hopefully into 2013 if I get my way.

I love writing and I also love sharing. There are so many articles out there on the net that if your not plugged into twitter constantly then your likely to miss out.

I plan to share and do some style of weekly round up. Share what I find interesting in news relating to the project management industry.

Most importantly I see as my duty to do this. Not because I want to gain further coverage. I'm just sick of noting down and address or article to read later on and forever forgetting.

This way I can list down on my blog the article that shouldn't be missed.

That doesn't mean I am going to be sitting on twitter all day because quite frankly I don't have the time however good you are at project management.

This is where I am going to need help.

If you see an article on the web and you think its worth a share. Send me an email to mariaannburton@gmail.com and send me a link.

If I agree with you I will share it as part of my weekly roundup.

I am aiming for a post once a week but I have been contacted by many people asking if I would be blogging more often in 2013.

As I have said I plan to make more time available but I also like to reach out to new audiences so this will mean that I'm likely be posting elsewhere on the net but not to panic I will always let you know when there is a new post.

The other thing I plan to do on this blog is publish more pictures. There isn't enough in our industry and often many of the blogs are dull and plain along with the perception of project managers the world over. Its time to stand up and be counted.

If I though project management was all about being dull I would never of gone into the industry. Over the years I have developed such a love for the subject I just want to share it with as many people as possible.

Love

Maria x

P.s. my new blog post :-)

PHP Meets Agile

Last week I was venturing around some programing communities on the internet. I have set myself a goal to learn php by the end of 2012. Fingers Crossed. While reading through these sites can often get confusing. Normally due to the nature of the content and how it is worded in an technical industry which often makes it harder for beginners to enter. Often the case within the project management sector. One pattern I did notice was the use of the term agile. It seemed to be a very strong part of any programing now. It seems its no longer a 2011 buzzword. It is actually becoming standard which I'm over the moon about. My partner thinks I'm geeky but I can't help it that I enjoy my job. As for my PHP goal I will keep you posed.

Why is Scrum so Hard?

Are you having trouble with Scrum?

Many complain that its so hard to get to work properly.

So we have gone out in search of the answer.

In the video below Jens Østergaard, gives an introduction to Scrum and talks about why is Scrum so hard.

For more information check out our Scrum resource.

Agile vs Prince2

Weekly top links #1

Here is my weekly round up of what I found interesting in the world of project management.

Top 100 Cloud Services Providers, 2012 Edition

A free, 30-page PDF profiling all of the Top 100 Cloud Service Providers (the Talkin’ Cloud 100). The PDF includes company overviews, executive leadership names, cities, states, countries, web and social media links for all countries.

Large collection of Free Microsoft eBooks for you

Including: SharePoint, Visual Studio, Windows Phone, Windows 8, Office 365, Office 2010, SQL Server 2012, Azure, and more.

Digital Technology: Burden or Benefit?

Are your kids busy developing applications? If the teens who attended the recent Apple Developers Conference are any indication, there’s a lot of development being done by teens. But, even as young people join the ranks of app developers, there’s growing concern about the dependence of kids—and adults—on technology. Many people can’t go an hour, let alone a day, without their digital devices.

Prince2 PDF

Suffolk Count Council Prince2 Pilot Case Study

Remember you can follow what I'm up to over at the Focus On Training Blog but until next time, so long, and thanks for all the fish.

difference between Earned Value, Earned Value Management and Earned Value Management System

I was over at Shim Marom blog and on there he has the best explanation for the difference between Earned Value, Earned Value Management and Earned Value Management System. So credit where credit is due.

What makes a good project manager?

I ask myself this question often and I'm not sure why really, I suppose its just habit.

I think it also has something to do with how everyone believes they can be a project manager. That it would be easy to do if I done it day in day out. All it is about is being organised and making a plan. To me many don't understand what we have to go through.

For instance you ask a member of the public to plan out how they will get from Point A to Point C they will start at Point A and work their way forward. Whereas a Project manager will look at Point A start at Point C and then work their way backwards.

Also there are many thing experienced managers will know more than complete newbies also know as tricks of the trade. These might include understanding the difference of sticking to the plan. Allowing time if things over run. And most importantly what to do if things do not run to plan.

This is very much speculation on my part. Making statements that all project managers work in the same way.

For example would a construction project manager be able to cope working as a project manager for a training company? What I mean is can a project manager from one industry have the ability to work in a totally different industry or sector and be able to do a good job at it?

Are the skills transferable or is the knowledge industry relayed and nothing to do with the project managers industry what so ever.

Maybe project manager community just provide the basic tools to use and then its up to the individual manager to work out how best to apply it to their industry.

Its funny how I start my blog post starting with one question and I end up having more questions by the end of it?

Let me know what you think?