Wednesday, January 21, 2009
PMBoK Guide 4th Edition - PMP Candidates for 2009
The PMBoK Guide 4th edition has been released by the PMI. If you are a Project Management Professional (PMP) candidate who plans to sit for the exam prior to July, 2009, you should know the PMBoK 3rd edition backwards and front. From July onwards, make sure you know the differences between the new edition (4th) and the old (3rd). My PMP Exam Simulator featured at www.frugalpmp.com has over 750 questions,answers and explanations, and can help you study, budget your study time (it is diagnostic), and boost your chance of passing on your first sitting. It currently reflects the 3rd edition material, but I am in the process of updating to be ready for those of you planning to sit after June, 2009. If you buy now, you will get a free update of the software updated for PMBoK 4th edition. Please check it out. It is one of the best investments in your future you will make. I am an MBA, PMP, practicing technical PM, and professional educator. I know how you need to study.
Friday, January 16, 2009
V_Grep, the better Windows explorer...
Microsoft would do well to check out V-Grep, a program distributed freely, as PostCardWare, where you can download the software for free, then send a postcard to the developer, Piotr Chodzinski, who has, by offering this powerful program to help you search your Windows computer or server, the power of Unix/Linux GREP with a visual interface, supporting regular expressions. Software Engineering, certified frugal, PMP that I am, I jumped on this, sent a postcard from Blue Ridge, GA, and hope Piotr gets an offer of virtual employment from a solid, progressive software company soon, if not already. Check it out!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Slow emails in the virtual team...
PMing a Virtual Team where teammembers are slow returning emails...
What to do: Propose a Communications Plan to address the issue.
Virtual Team Member Communications
Similar to industry SLA's and their corresponding window, we shall abide by no greater than 45 minute response time for any given mission email thread between team members or project stakeholders.
When team member email and/or phone discussion threads involve issue discussions, the issue submitter or assignor should precede and/or accompany any such discussions with at least a written statement of the issue, problem, assignment or need. At minimum, a couple sentences clearly stating the issue, purpose or goal so all involved in the solution have a clear understanding of the goal, the customer need or requirement.
If the nature of the email and/or phone conmmunication is to solve an existing issue, then minimum informal written descriptions should include the problem or issue to be solved and the agreed upon solution. If performance of the solution is required then enough clear written information should be disseminated to enable the accurate performance of the solution work.
Virtual teams rely primarily on clear informal written email and verbal phone conversations to accomplish team work. If someone cannot understand either form of communication, then you are not being clear. Communication is a two-way process.
Often team members, particulary members new to the team particularly rely upon answers to what may be considered simple questions by veterans. When a simple question appears in your inbox from a team member, give back a simple answer, but do answer. Our informal team communication is primarily email, since, we as developers are typically at our computers during working hours. We are not so busy that we can afford to leave team member queries in suspense, waiting for perhaps an easy answer. An effective development environment requires expedient communication between team members.
And to get even more respect, get certified. The quickest way to a pass is to study as many questions as you can get, particularly if the questions are simulated like a test center. Check out these frugal certification exam simulators for: PMP, CRCP, Networking and TIA,
Java, PHP, and Enrolled Agent (EA) certifications.
What to do: Propose a Communications Plan to address the issue.
Virtual Team Member Communications
Similar to industry SLA's and their corresponding window, we shall abide by no greater than 45 minute response time for any given mission email thread between team members or project stakeholders.
When team member email and/or phone discussion threads involve issue discussions, the issue submitter or assignor should precede and/or accompany any such discussions with at least a written statement of the issue, problem, assignment or need. At minimum, a couple sentences clearly stating the issue, purpose or goal so all involved in the solution have a clear understanding of the goal, the customer need or requirement.
If the nature of the email and/or phone conmmunication is to solve an existing issue, then minimum informal written descriptions should include the problem or issue to be solved and the agreed upon solution. If performance of the solution is required then enough clear written information should be disseminated to enable the accurate performance of the solution work.
Virtual teams rely primarily on clear informal written email and verbal phone conversations to accomplish team work. If someone cannot understand either form of communication, then you are not being clear. Communication is a two-way process.
Often team members, particulary members new to the team particularly rely upon answers to what may be considered simple questions by veterans. When a simple question appears in your inbox from a team member, give back a simple answer, but do answer. Our informal team communication is primarily email, since, we as developers are typically at our computers during working hours. We are not so busy that we can afford to leave team member queries in suspense, waiting for perhaps an easy answer. An effective development environment requires expedient communication between team members.
And to get even more respect, get certified. The quickest way to a pass is to study as many questions as you can get, particularly if the questions are simulated like a test center. Check out these frugal certification exam simulators for: PMP, CRCP, Networking and TIA,
Java, PHP, and Enrolled Agent (EA) certifications.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Job Opportunities and Business Solutions
As an Applications Consultant (and MBA-PMP) with CDI Corp., I may be able to help provide you with cost-effective, single-source provision of high-value engineering and information technology outsourcing solutions and professional staffing. My company has more than 50 years in the industry and annual revenues in excess of $1 billion, with expertise, speed and scale to help clients achieve a faster and higher return on capital investment.
We offer tailored business solutions to clients in a variety of industries worldwide through four integrated operating units:
CDI Engineering Solutions – a provider of high-value engineering outsourcing services to clients in the Aerospace, Life Sciences, Process & Industrial and Government Services sectors
IT Solutions – a provider of information technology staffing, consulting and project outsourcing
AndersElite Limited - a professional staffing and services firm focusing on the construction and engineering markets in the United Kingdom and Australia
MRINetwork™ - one of the world’s largest executive search and recruitment organizations with 1,000 offices in over 35 countries
CDI also offers recruitment process outsourcing, staffing solutions and managed services of contingent labor including vendor administration and management through its CDI-Talent Management division.
All of these services and solutions can be customized and bundled to meet client needs and are delivered through a single point of contact, enhancing client value and return on capital investment.
If you would like to find out more, from a FrugalPMP, contact me.
We offer tailored business solutions to clients in a variety of industries worldwide through four integrated operating units:
CDI Engineering Solutions – a provider of high-value engineering outsourcing services to clients in the Aerospace, Life Sciences, Process & Industrial and Government Services sectors
IT Solutions – a provider of information technology staffing, consulting and project outsourcing
AndersElite Limited - a professional staffing and services firm focusing on the construction and engineering markets in the United Kingdom and Australia
MRINetwork™ - one of the world’s largest executive search and recruitment organizations with 1,000 offices in over 35 countries
CDI also offers recruitment process outsourcing, staffing solutions and managed services of contingent labor including vendor administration and management through its CDI-Talent Management division.
All of these services and solutions can be customized and bundled to meet client needs and are delivered through a single point of contact, enhancing client value and return on capital investment.
If you would like to find out more, from a FrugalPMP, contact me.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Cliff's Healthy Hearty Hot Project Team Black Bean Soup
Cliff's Healthy Hearty Hot Project Team Black Bean Soup
One Pound of Dried Black Beans
One Large Sweet Onion (Vidalia if possible)
Canned Whole Tomatoes (Organic if possible)
Garlic crushed, 3 to five cloves.
3 to 5 Jalapeno Peppers
3 to 5 Carrots
Oregano
See spices list below.
Soak the beans overnight in enough water to cover them, allowing for their expansion, about two quarts should do it.
If there is a seasoning packet with the beans, put its' content in your compost pile, particularly if the first two are salt and sugar. We will season the soup ourselves.
Sautee a large sweet onion and about three to five Jalepeno peppers, cut into hearty pieces. I put in the seeds too. Your heat tolerance may vary so add pepper accordingly.
Add a pint can of no salt added or organic whole tomatoes into a large pot that has a cover, into about three tablespoons of Canola oil. Crush the tomatoes roughly with your hands. After the onions and peppers have sauteed for about 10 minutes, add them then turn the heat to medium on the pot. Drain and add the beans. Add three tablespoons of garlic more or less according to your taste, then add about the same of dried real orgegano. Add about two cups of raw carrots cut into 1/4 inch rounds or so. Make sure you have enough water to keep all the vegetables covered in the pot, with some room for bubbling. Now, get these vegetables almost bubbling.
In the meantime, cook some lean ground beef in a skillet until brown. Drain it well on paper towl and add it to the vegetable pot. Add the following spices to the mix:
Tsp Ground Cumin
Tsp Curry Powder
Tsp Cayenne Pepper
Tsp Sea Salt if you want.
Bring the heat up to a rolling boil stirring occasionally, for at least a 20 minute boil, then bring the heat to simmer, just an occasional bubble, not a rolling boil. Go study for your Professional Project Management Exam (PMP) for an hour or two, taking a break every 10 to 15 minutes to stir your pot of Black Bean Soup. Add some water to top off any boiled away, enough to cover the soup.
In a couple hours, have a cup of delicious soup with some Feta sprinkled on top, and practice exam questions with your Performance PMP Exam Simulator.
Don't forget to take the rest into your team for a lunch and lesson's learned...
One Pound of Dried Black Beans
One Large Sweet Onion (Vidalia if possible)
Canned Whole Tomatoes (Organic if possible)
Garlic crushed, 3 to five cloves.
3 to 5 Jalapeno Peppers
3 to 5 Carrots
Oregano
See spices list below.
Soak the beans overnight in enough water to cover them, allowing for their expansion, about two quarts should do it.
If there is a seasoning packet with the beans, put its' content in your compost pile, particularly if the first two are salt and sugar. We will season the soup ourselves.
Sautee a large sweet onion and about three to five Jalepeno peppers, cut into hearty pieces. I put in the seeds too. Your heat tolerance may vary so add pepper accordingly.
Add a pint can of no salt added or organic whole tomatoes into a large pot that has a cover, into about three tablespoons of Canola oil. Crush the tomatoes roughly with your hands. After the onions and peppers have sauteed for about 10 minutes, add them then turn the heat to medium on the pot. Drain and add the beans. Add three tablespoons of garlic more or less according to your taste, then add about the same of dried real orgegano. Add about two cups of raw carrots cut into 1/4 inch rounds or so. Make sure you have enough water to keep all the vegetables covered in the pot, with some room for bubbling. Now, get these vegetables almost bubbling.
In the meantime, cook some lean ground beef in a skillet until brown. Drain it well on paper towl and add it to the vegetable pot. Add the following spices to the mix:
Tsp Ground Cumin
Tsp Curry Powder
Tsp Cayenne Pepper
Tsp Sea Salt if you want.
Bring the heat up to a rolling boil stirring occasionally, for at least a 20 minute boil, then bring the heat to simmer, just an occasional bubble, not a rolling boil. Go study for your Professional Project Management Exam (PMP) for an hour or two, taking a break every 10 to 15 minutes to stir your pot of Black Bean Soup. Add some water to top off any boiled away, enough to cover the soup.
In a couple hours, have a cup of delicious soup with some Feta sprinkled on top, and practice exam questions with your Performance PMP Exam Simulator.
Don't forget to take the rest into your team for a lunch and lesson's learned...
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