Disqus - Latest Comments for earlyflyer

Re: My Online Summer: Getting Ready

Don Erwin — Wed, 25 May 2011 09:42:45 -0000

This will be an interesting series to watch. Thanks for bringing us along on your journey.

Re: New Free Project Management E-book: Project Shrink Linear Edition

Don Erwin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:49:00 -0000

Nice work, Bas!

I had my own little library of posts, but this is a nice collection and will help newcomers get oriented more quickly! As usual, always thinking about the people, aren't you?

Thanks!
-Don
Buffalo, NY

Re: Intersection Between Personal Development, Change Management And Project Management

Don Erwin — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:58:57 -0000

Great discussion, as usual, Bas! Some managers don't really grasp the fact that change has to be embraced by individuals and we can all learn from Maria's observations. Even in these hard economic times (possibly especially now), we need to encourage our team and organizational members to advance their own personal and professional development. When there are tough decisions to be made (think: change) that's not the time to start thinking about how to manage change. Having as many people as possible equipped with how to cope with change and keeping them in the decision making process (as appropriate) will make reacting to the fast pace of change that much easier.

I also like her concept of not planning beyond a year. I'm glad I put off doing that!

Re: Working Virtual: Get Over Your Fear To Express Yourself Online

Don Erwin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:10:57 -0000

Okay, Bas, you've finally made me feel guilty enough to post something. You are an inspiration with all of your posts and I feel I learn more than I could ever contribute. And so I don't... But I have a couple of observations. They have to with non-project and project oriented online collaboration.

One addresses the time management issue discussed here. While I love to read the info you and others post here, I don't _have_ to post. I should do it for the greater good of the discussion, but if I don't no one will come asking me for a new deadline... (Unless you start to do that, Bas...)

The other has to do with working virtually on teams assigned to a project. Quite a different story and all tied back to your excellent observations on what a project manager really needs to focus on - the people. I find that it takes time to introduce the concept of online collaboration to folks and have them become comfortable with it (including all the "fear" stuff discussed above...). For example, we have one VP here who still uses paper letters to communicate the simplest messages. Pick you battles - we're not going to change him. But I've found that once you make the effort to set up the environment, whether it's a SharePoint web site, a Wiki site, weekly conference calls, or online video chat meetings, and you make sure the people are trained in the use of the technology, they often come to appreciate and embrace the online environment. And it does not have to be a global project. Here in Buffalo, NY, team members appreciate not having to slog across campus in the snow and 17 degree F weather for a status meeting. Log into the action item web site, join the call and away we go. Not to mention the participants have all their reference materials and use of their PC at their disposal for the meeting.

So, here's my first post and it’s a long one. Sorry about that…
-Don

P.S. I just watched your chat with Jessica Lipnack and the part about the PM's role is spot on!