PM Network - August 2009

ALL FOR ONE

This year’s North America congress puts the spotlight on the economy— and how project managers can help kick-start the recovery.

by Carmen O’Donnell

THE SPECS

What: PMI Global Congress 2009—North America

Where: Orlando, Florida, USA

DESPITE A SLIGHT GLIMMER OF improvement, the economic storm rages on. And project managers, especially in North America, are right in the middle of it. It’s not the most comfortable of spots, but it does put them in a prime position to help their companies survive—and maybe even thrive.

Project managers will have a chance to discuss and dissect the threats and opportunities with their peers at PMI Global Congress 2009—North America from 10-13 October in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Not surprisingly, the economy is likely to take center stage, says Brian Finegan, PMP, a member of the Congress Project Action Team (CoPAT).

And many of the 150 sessions on offer are a direct reflection of the new reality, including The Strategic Value of PMOs in Turbulent Times—Ride the Wave to Recovery and Cutting Costs with a Scalpel, Not a Chainsaw: Maintaining Profitability in a Recession. Other sessions point to new tools and techniques, such as Project Management Mashups: Non-Traditional Approaches to Advanced Project Management and Reengineering the Triple Constraint for Global Competitiveness.

“The new economy has really affected the project management team. Bringing in programs on time, on schedule, meeting customers’ requirements and

shareholders’ needs—it’s critical,” says Mr. Finegan, program manager at Harris Corp., an IT company in Melbourne, Florida, USA.

The current economic uncertainty is prompting many project managers to shore up risk-mitigation plans, says CoPAT member Jennifer Carlisle, PMP, an independent consultant and managing director of Solutions by Design, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Companies are also prioritizing their project portfolios, she says, sometimes canceling or delaying efforts not considered vital to their immediate objectives.

Looking to gain insights into those challenges, Ms. Carlisle says she plans to attend sessions in the Project Management Tools and New Project Management Trends tracks.

She also expects sessions focusing on consulting to be a big draw. “This is an often overlooked area,” Ms. Carlisle says. “Being close to your customer and understanding their needs is absolutely critical to the success of your project, especially in these times.”