Sustainability married Project Management

a Sustainable match!!!

Dear Reader,

If you were wondering where I went missing – well, I was building a house for bring the newly wedded couple to India J Yes, the latest news is that Sustainability married Project Management!

I think it is safe to say that most humans are caring by nature. We care for People, we care for the Planet, and yes, we do need to care for Profit as well. Somehow, in the race to accumulate wealth the other two are sidetracked often, and by the time realization dawns it might be too late. The world has woken up to the fact, and realising the damage being done in the name of development, growth, and profitability – well, that is not a news anymore I know. Then what is? Read on...

The new Companies Bill 2012, in India, makes it mandatory for businesses to allocate 2% of its income on CSR initiatives setting an example for the rest of the world. So, is CSR still going to be just about philanthropy, i.e. signing Cheques for charities, or will play a bigger role? Well, organising are fast realising to the fact that CSR can actually contribute to organisational performance making it more sensible to allocate that 2% to the function. Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) is now about Corporate Shared Value(CSV) that can deliver business benefits against the Triple Bottom Line, i.e. People, Planet, and Profit thus making Businesses more Sustainable. How?

 

The answer lies in integrating the two, i.e. Sustainability and Projects that a company undertakes for transformation and growth. Projects integrating Sustainable Methods (PRiSM^TM) is the method that answers the ‘How’ part. I signed up with Green Project Management (GPM®) to become the first and the only licensed global training partner in India to conduct PRiSM trainings, and conduct exams. Additionally, I am collaborating big time on plenty of things for sustainability!

Cheers J

To know more, feel free to look at: GPM | PRiSM. For stay current with updates from me and/or my company, do join us on social media: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

Programme Management Certification: MSP or PgMP?

Which qualification should I pick?

Programme Management is gaining popularity for professionals in the Project Management domain.  A much-needed skill is currently scarce. Those who have read my earlier blog on the topic hopefully have no major disagreements on that. Readying oneself for the role is the obvious next step now...

All PMP’s are fan of the PMBoK Guide and would out rightly want to go for PgMP^® thinking there lies the answer. While those conversant with PRINCE2^® would think, MSP^® is the only choice! Those with no Project Management qualification may not even consider giving Program Management a thought, thinking they missed the boat! Hey, take a pause...Evaluate and Decide. Let us assess the two certifications – Program Management Professional (PgMP^®) from PMI, USA and Managing Successful Programmes (MSP^®) from APMG, UK

Eligibility – What is the qualifying criteria, or eligibility that one must fulfil to be able to apply for the certification exam?

PgMP^® – Four-year Bachelor’s Degree, Four+ years (i.e. 6000+ hours) of Project Management experience, and Four+ years (i.e. 6000+ hours) of Program Management experience.

MSP^® – No such eligibility criteria, i.e. anyone can apply!

The eligibility aspect makes MSP so very much viable and PgMP majorly daunting for professionals, which as one can imagine qualifying only after at least 18+ years of work experience. Now, in a growing economy like ours, who would wait for so long to write this exam and aspire to be a Program Manager?!!! Usually people want to grow into a Program Manager, most likely, around 10+ years of work experience...i.e. having practiced Project Management for about 5+ years or so. Btw, a Project Management qualification is not a prerequisite for either of the Program Management exams, just in case you thought so.

Application Process – Okay, so you qualify...now what is the process?  

PgMP^® - the certification involves a three-step process:

Step 1 - Fill up the application form, as per the format prescribed, and send to PMI for assessment and obtain approval
Step 2 - Study and take the Exam (online CBT from a prometric is the most preferred way)
Step 3 – a 360 degree feedback from 12 of your reference contacts, 4 above your level, 4 at your level, and 4 below your level. PMI calls this a Multi-Rater Assessment (MRA) that consists of an online survey comprising of 44 statements.

Depending on the candidate, and the related environmental factors, the entire process may take three to six months to complete.

MSP^® - the candidate simply needs to contact an APMG Accredited Training Organisation (ATO) and sit through a classroom training, which is the most common and preferred way, and study the MSP manual. The ATO would facilitate the Exam application process and Exam bookings as well. The candidate can appear in the Exams (Foundation & Practitioner Level) during the training itself, which is usually a five day affair, and come out certified! But, does this make the credential less valuable? No, not at all! The examination tests the candidate rigorously on the knowledge and application of the MSP manual. The global pass rate for MSP Practioner is around 82%

Exam Blueprint, Fees, and Validity

PgMP^® - there is no clarity from PMI on the passing score, as they determine it through a psychometric analysis that determines the difficulty of the Examination and the point of passing.

The entire certification, for a PMI member, costs USD 1500. The credentials continuing requirement (CCR) for PgMP is similar to that of PMP, i.e. 60 PDUs every three years.

MSP^® - there are two levels of Exams, Foundation & Practitioner, that candidates can attempt for acquiring the MSP credentials. Passing the Foundation level is necessary before one can apply for the next level, i.e. Practitioner. The cost for the credential varies geographically, however in India, the five-day training including the Foundation and Practitioner exam fee is priced at around INR 50,000 by most of the ATOs. While most professionals go for Practitioner level credential, for those who wish to gain more expertise may consider writing the Advanced Practitioner too.

Foundation level – is a 60 minutes closed book exam, with 75 multiple choice questions to attempt. A score of 50% is required to pass. The Foundation level credentials stays with you for life.
Practitioner level – is a two and a half hour open book Exam, with scenario based objective type questions, which requires a 50% score to pass. The Practitioner is required to re-registration on expiry, i.e. before five years. 
Advanced Practitioner – is a three hour open book exam, with up to 3 scenario based questions that requires essay type answering, and a 50% score to pass. The credential holder must re-register within three to five years, i.e. before the credential expiry

Framework – While credential is one aspect, the Knowledge, Guidance, and Framework is important for application. Which standard offers a better framework that can guide the application and delivery of the Programme for the organisation?

PgMP^® - The Standard for Program Management, from PMI, identifies the following performance domains – Program Strategy Alignment, Benefits Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Program Governance, and Program Life Cycle Management across the three stages of – Program Definition, Program Benefits Delivery, and Program Closure. The standard identifies the next level of components of each of the domains, however does not include sufficient guidance on the process – a common feedback from practitioners. Perhaps the next revisions would help.

MSP^® - The Managing Successful Programmes manual, from APMG, includes the three core concepts - MSP Principles, MSP Governance Themes, and MSP Transformational Flows. It touches upon various aspects from Programme lessons, to Organizational and Management approaches, and a process flow for delivery. The framework has received positive feedback from practitioners, and organisations are increasingly embracing the concepts for delivery of its strategy. The UK Government attributed the success of London Olympics 2012 largely to MSP®

Personally, this is a tough category for anyone to pass a verdict on. Experts from the field are more than welcome to contribute to this topic. Both standards have come-up only after years of research work. One may consider reading through both the Frameworks and pick the parts more applicable to the Program at hand, or Organisation’s preference (if any).

Growth data

PgMP^® - the latest data that I could get my hands on, the statistics: there are about 850 PgMPs worldwide, of which 500+ are from USA, and India has 41 of them in all.

MSP^® - as per Sept 2012 report with data from 2009 onwards - more than 4500 professionals are taking the Practitioner Exam every year globally, with about 100+ in Asia-Pac in 2011 that is a steep growth of upto 80% year on year.

Job Prospects

Well, at the level of Programme Manager, for the companies that recognize Programme Management as a discipline, it would ideally not matter which credential the candidate carries but what would matter is the qualification, knowledge, and delivery capability.

More Information

PgMP^® - http://www.pmi.org/~/media/PDF/Certifications/pdc_pgmphandbook.ashx
MSP^® - http://www.apmg-international.com/en/qualifications/msp/msp.aspx

Scoring

Let’s see how the two certifications score from the perspective of a prospective taker:

Certification	Eligibility	Application Process	Exam, Fees, Validity	Framework	Growth	Job Prospect	Total Score
PgMP®				1		1	2
MSP®	1	1	1	1	1	1	6

Still not sure?...Go figure!

Happy Learning! Happy Upgrading!
 

A Journey, a Project, and Milestones

We had an eventful 2012 that made us celebrate lots, nervous at times, perhaps sad once in a while, or made us think and change a couple of things. With all that experience and thoughtfulness we embark further, crossing this milestone of New Year, welcoming 2013 with absolute faith that it will take us through enlivening experiences leading us to becoming a person that is one (many)-notch(es) better.

While most start the journey with big dreams, high hopes, and great goals, very few end up realising them. Those who keep fuelling the dreams with passion, hope with determination, and actions with courage make the universe work for them, and turn their dreams into a reality. I received an awesome piece of writing that does just the right job of fuelling that fire – here I share that poem with you, and wish your dreams become a reality. Read on...

THE PROJECT
By Robin Sharma

Within each of us lies The Project.
An idea longing to be nourished, cherished, launched and completed.
Writing a novel. Starting an enterprise. Raising a family. Freeing a nation.

Our deepest desire is to do The Project. To express our vision. To carefully and patiently watch it unfold. To present it to those who will benefit by it. And to experience the pride of the job beautifully done.

Yet, a million distractions battle for our attention. And one hundred doubts fill our hearts. And so slowly and subtly, we recite the excuses that construct our reality. And we shelve The Project. Postponing it for a better day.

But postponing The Project is life’s greatest lie.

Picasso and Basquiat, Einstein and Edison, Jobs and Jay-Z didn’t wait for an ideal day to do their dream. They started. When it was hard. Though they had little. While they were alone.

So many of the world’s troubles are symptoms of The Project undone.

Pain is the result of potential denied. And when you avoid The Project, you dishonour your gifts. Your Talents. Your Genius.

A portion of you goes numb. Silent. Quiet. Scared.

The moment you start The Project, everything shifts. Purpose, focus, passion and peace returns to your life. Eyes sparkle. Energy explodes. Inspiration flows. And your days become supported by coincidence, power and peak possibility.

This very day, the first of a fresh year–presents your greatest opportunity. To be a lion not a sheep. To walk with giants versus among the meek. To celebrate your best instead of succumbing to the worst. To lift others up versus tear others down. To pour creativity, mastery, courage and light into a world aching for marks of heroism.

So please, step up. Release all chains. Dispute all doubts. Start The Project. Do the dream. And change the world.
You are responsible for no less.

Happy 2013!

Going through a similar process myself, the incubation of my start-up company is one such dream that became a reality that is beginning to take shape and raring to Go, and Grow. With huge faith, great determination, and bit of support it will learn to run!
Cheers to Biz Solutions LLP!!!
 

Project Management – been there, done that. What Now?

Fresh challenges, bigger targets, better avenues...more success

While I had just finished writing my earlier post, I got reminded of the large community of Project Managers that I have a long association with - they continue to connect, collaborate, and follow-through...they have all delivered small n large, simple n complex change initiatives, delivered organisational strategies during the challenging times, dealt with people and customer challenges, with most of them thinking about...what now?! - The thought behind this posting

Playing field of Project Management has grown and matured over the years – today we witness more elaborate and robust processes, widespread knowledge and skills amongst stakeholders, better tools and their increased use, plus ever-evolving best practices and the culture that is more receptive to ideas, to learn, and to improve.

Project Managers have proven their worth by supporting the organisations in the times of test, and delivering project objectives under extreme constraints of cost and resources – no one could fault that. Project Management has taught them to stay focussed, and deliver the project objectives timely and within the constraints...while being stay agile and manage changes as needed. Meeting Project Objectives flows in the Project Manager’s DNA. Whatever the boss asks, they can make it happen...let the boss ask (btw, the boss has to know what to ask!)

Talking of expectations:

·         Customer organisations, that have been executing extreme strategies to deal with market and economic scenarios, expected partner organisations to be more understanding compassionate, and dependable, support with better and innovative products, solutions, services while being flexible and agile

·         Management is consistently dealing with market and economic challenges, pressure to innovate and deliver as per changing strategy is immense. While projects are started and delivered, somewhere down the line the purpose gets either lost or forgotten. The benefits, for which the project was undertaken, do not show up. It is therefore becoming more and more difficult to justify the investments either done, or being planned, on new projects...show us the benefits!

·         Quality processes and metrics are important, we know. There is a lot of talk happening around Big Data. How do you keep a track of the rigid processes, ensure quality data, and metrics when everything is changing so frequently? Processes and Systems are evolving to track data and information on-the-go.

·         Resource capacity and capability requirements are unpredictable. All that one would know is when the resource is required; it somehow has to be made available. Emphasis is on having multiple skills, be willing to take up any job and deliver, effectively

·         Manage risks and changes throughout and keep stakeholders engaged for successful delivery of overall business benefits

Oh wow! And what the Project Manager thought his job was to deliver the objective, that’s it. But, isn’t the idea behind the project was to deliver benefits?! True, but that should be someone else’ responsibility, isn’t it?! All Project Management taught was – the project begins with the Charter, and finishes ones the product is handed over! When did the role get expanded beyond that?!

Gradually the relevance of Programme Management is being felt. This was one area that was ignored for long. All that companies were doing was manaing big projects, small projects, and then there was the strategy layer. How do you connect the two? Now when the need is there, Management is looking for those who can take-up that role and responsibility. But who to look towards...so, there comes the Project Manager. If they have delivered the project, might as well take the responsibility for the rest...

Dear Project Manager, don’t fret, don’t panic...it’s none of your fault. This is just a side effect of doing your work well. Okay, that’s cool then...but, now what?

Alright, so we know Project Management, and we deliver it well. What they want us to do is beyond...and how does one do that? Guys look at Programme Management – the answer lies there. Btw, I am not talking about a ‘Programme Manager’ title on the business card, but the standards and knowledge. That’s the knowledge that covers the extended areas of – Benefits Management, Governance, Risk Management, Agility, Capability Management, to actually deliver strategy and vision.

Going for a Programme Management certification, after having done Project Management, is making so much sense finally. PMI has a ‘Standard for Programme Management’, and awards the PgMP certification. APMG has a standard ‘Managing Successful Programmes’, with Foundation and Practitioner certifications.

Go for it! Soon!!!
Early bird catches the worm J

Project Management - Is it still the 'In' thing?

Data, thoughts, discussions around economy and job market is one that has been going-on for a while, giving professionals the jitters about their job security and compensations. Extreme measures by countries and industries, with big shifts in strategy, have been taken to deal with the issues. Whatever used to work, doesn’t work anymore. It’s time for Innovation and Action overtime to make-up for the lost time, with passion, and some caution.

Job markets are open with opportunities abound. Companies are bringing the on-shore work to off-shore big time! India is trying hard, and investing big time, to match-up with the Infrastructure needs of the growing Industries – Quality resources are required in good quantity, keeping costs at check. Emphasis is more on specialization, leadership, experience, attitude, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Where does Project Management as a knowledge and credential stand for professionals? Is it still in demand? Should one pursue this as a subject, and practice? This piece of writing might perhaps give a perspective to those contemplating about it.

You would know - we have lived through times when management education was meant for the Managers. Professionals with years of experience, working in the capacity of a manager would go in for formal education or a qualification in Management. And what do we see today? Fresh students, just out of senior school or college are getting into Management schools, before even starting off their career. Why? Because Management has become a basic qualification! Anyone working within a company must understand fundamentals of Business Management. (Btw, I understand the pros and cons of this shift, however would refrain from discussing that in this article)

Now, talking about Project Management – just a decade before Project Management made its entry (talking of India) into the world of professional qualifications. PMP certification was a BIG thing! It gained popularity very fast. Sometime PRINCE2 also came in, and is quite popular too. A certification in Project Management meant a big jump in the salary apart from a better role.  

Today, these are still growing at a decent rate. PMP is still a top-rated credential.

However, companies realise that Project Management knowledge is not just meant for the Project Managers but for any and all participating members. And guess what...? It is becoming a basic qualification too! Colleges and Management schools are introducing Project Management as a subject in their curriculum. Soon fresh workforce coming out of college would be equipped with this knowledge and credentials.

Few data points - according to a survey: 23% of the executives worldwide identify Project Management to be the most important management skill for their company; they attribute 74% of influence on successful project delivery to certified and experienced Project Managers. Demand for Project Managers, in India, estimated to grow more than 40% by 2015.

So, what do we have? Plenty of Project Management jobs! And plenty of Project Managers in the making too! Project Management education is not really exclusive, but a basic qualification now! What would really be valuable is experience and exposure to top-it-up. Project Management is not going ‘out’ anytime soon.

Are you still thinking? What are you waiting for?!! Go get the knowledge, and credentials quick...add some (lots) of experience and exposure to it, and get going before it’s too late.

Good luck folks J

Randomness & Reward

Travelling is no more fun, especially when the frequency gets close to half a dozen (or more) flights in a month. The only way to make it worthwhile is by investing the time in reading and/or networking, while sipping a cuppa coffee from the Café, waiting for the boarding announcements, or up in the sky.

This was another such travel that, and I boarded a flight. But a coincidence made it a memorable one…I was travelling with one of the rarest and best Leaders of the country Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam!!!

He is an epitome of Intelligence, and Morals - the only things I find worth the respect, apart from Age. He was kind enough to enquire my Name, where I worked, what do I do, where I live??? And told he lives in Delhi too :-)

- My trip got Rewarded

Drop that Business Card….will u?

The year of turbulence is closing…finally! A year that was full of changes, unsettling movements, expecting the unexpected, that taught us how to remain focused, calm, poise, optimistic despite of all upheaval and believe that – aal eez well :-)

As the year closes, and we step into the New Year – it is customary to look back and reflect how we evolved in the recent past and how would we want to channelize our energies in the coming year – to get better and better and even better! But this will demand extra hours at workplace, may be – ‘oh that’s okay’. This may demand sacrificing some family time – ‘we’ll make up for it one day’. For this may not leave me with any personal time, for gymming, for swimming, for the guitar lessons, for the regular get-together with friends – ‘once I have sufficient money, I will take out enough time for all of this, and enjoy myself’. Good!!! But isn’t that what we thought last year too!!! Funny :-)

Few observations and reflections:
>>> the typical working mass, wakes up every Monday morning and start ‘working’ – a good 56 to 60hrs per week on an average. They take pride in what they do, not only because the work adds value to the company, but also because – the office building is great, the space given to work is impressive, the laptop and the blackberry adds to the charm, it helps afford a good lifestyle (a fancy car, a nice house, good brands of clothing and fine dining options), and needless to say – an impressive Business Card.
>>> they meet a college/school friend after years, and the meeting – a hand shake hands followed by yapping of what each one does and where they have reached…..without realizing that it is only the work that they are doing for a living, and not what they are! Imagine a day when there will be no visiting card…..it will eventually happen ‘on retirement’, or due to a ‘job loss’ – how will one introduce oneself then?
>>> most of the working community belongs to the Type B and Type C cities who have relocated to the metropolitan cities to make a living. Once in a year or so when we go to visit our hometown, hardly anyone recognizes us. Even if they do, it is through our parents or grandparents – ‘oho, are you Mr. Nair’s son, the one from railway colony?! You have grown up a lot, we have seen you when you were a little boy. What do you do beta?’ and we get an opportunity to boast about ourselves, and we start to tell what we do……but they don’t understand a word because that’s how the corporate profiles have changed these days! All that they say is – ‘very good beta, god bless’. The trips become shorter every year with reduced frequency…
>>> I feel happy in my city, the place where we live and work…people know me here. So this holiday we will spend time at home, I thought, and decided to invest it on my family. A Sunday afternoon the kids are playing in the park, and the dad gets reminded of his childhood and jumps in to play with his kids – a cricket match, great! The neighbors around are watching, and a couple walks near – pretty surprised and amused they look – ‘so you are Bittoo’s dad?!! Never seen you earlier, you must be keeping busy. We stay in B38, the house two blocks away from yours’. Reality strikes…so after years of hard work what have we earned – people don’t even know my name?!!
>>> It is our wedding anniversary next week, and we plan to have a party. Lets invite all our friends and have a bash, we thought, and prepared the guest list – all office colleagues! Family will be there too, it’s an obligation for them but they won’t enjoy. Why? Because the room will be full of talks about the workplaceJ
>>> one day the child was unwell, the meeting at office is very important, what to do? We hire a nurse for a day. Why? Well, there aren’t any friends who will be willing to take care of the baby, the friends in office too have jobs to do, we don’t know the neighbors well, and relatives are not willing to come and stay over because we both are in office all day.
>>> for all the important things in life we are protected – subscribed to a car breakdown service, paying for that 24x7 security guard, a full-time driver and a maid, on demand medical aid and what not! This lifestyle demands money. To sustain this we need to work. Work hard and earn enough. It does take about 60hrs a week you see…

No!!! That’s not what it takes. No matter how long we work, we get paid for 40hrs a week. However, the extra 20hrs definitely takes away a lot. So am I suggesting working less? Be less dedicated to the job? Invest just 40hrs in office and let the deadlines be? Put personal priorities above job priorities? Hell, No!!!

While job is important, life is important as well. All it takes is a good work-life balance. While there is a good 40hrs to be invested on the job, make sure you make the hell best out of it. Give your hundred percent in those 40hrs. Plan the day well, value time, yours and other’s too. Forget that Facebook, Orkut, Twitter, and the GTalk and/or Skype messengers between the work hours - the time that you save will be enough for it all and more. Personal calls are to be done during personal time – get disciplined. Focus on being more productive each day – work hard and smart. Success brings happiness, but you need someone to share it!

That someone who bothers about MY happiness, just because they love ME not my business card...those loved ones are earned too!