Written by: Alex Leonard, PMP

Presentation Overview  

On April 16, 2024, the PMI Atlanta Chapter met at Motion Recruiting in Dunwoody, GA for the April edition of the Agile Forum! The forum, titled “Creating an Agile Lifestyle”, presented by Emanuella Altidor, included discussions on how to embody the Agile lifestyle in both your professional and personal life.

Emanuella, a mother of twins, found herself struggling to find the time to get things done with her hectic lifestyle. Knowing what she knows about Agile Project Management, Emanuella made a point to take a similar approach to managing her personal life. With this mindset, she found peace amidst the chaos and became more familiar with her innate ability to adapt her “life project” goals as needed.

During her presentation, Emanuella discussed the five (5) steps to plan for executing life goals, and how they relate back to the principles of agility. No matter the circumstance, Emanuella emphasized that this is one proven approach to execute if you are planning for success in your personal life, like you do in your professional life.

Steps to creating an agile lifestyle involve:

1. Creating a vision
2. Breaking down the vision into actionable items
3. Making it time bound
4. Keeping it simple
5. Determining how you will hold yourself accountable

During this very engaging session, Emanuella discussed the importance of getting started and how taking the first step can be the hardest part of the journey. She also emphasized the importance of self-reflection and how it increases one’s awareness, alignment with core values, and personal accountability.

Takeaways

• The principles of agility can be applied to your professional and personal life
• The biggest hurdle to overcome life goals is to get started and stop procrastinating
• Always review your outcomes and self-reflect on your life’s work progress

Next Event

Join us at the next In-person PMI Atlanta Agile Forum on Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Keynote Presentation: "Navigating Project Management Challenges: Difficult Stakeholders, Changing Requirements, and Limited Resources" presented by Diamond Walker

Register at www.pmiatlanta.org/events/event-calendar

Event Pictures

Written by: Rishea Johnson, MHI, CAPM

In the dynamic realm of project management, the rise of AI (Artificial Intelligence) presents both challenge and opportunity. Project managers and organizations are recognizing the transformative potential of AI integration, strategically leveraging it to streamline operations and elevate focus towards critical thinking and relationship building.

Presentation Overview 

As AI becomes increasingly relevant to project management, both project managers and organizations are seizing the opportunity to adapt and remain pertinent in the evolving landscape. They recognize the need to strategically plan for the integration of AI by considering several key factors. Firstly, AI offers a valuable tool to enhance effectiveness by accelerating mundane tasks such as reporting, data analysis, and research, allowing project managers to focus more on critical thinking, communication, and relationship building. Moreover, by harnessing AI appropriately, organizations can align their efforts more effectively with overarching goals, thereby maximizing the potential for success. However, it's crucial to acknowledge not only the opportunities but also the limitations, as well as ethical and regulatory considerations surrounding AI implementation. Leveraging their unique position of end-to-end visibility, project managers can play a pivotal role in orchestrating how AI is leveraged to fulfill organizational objectives responsibly and effectively.

Takeaways

• Servant Leadership and Embracing Change:
  • Core Principles of Servant Leadership:
    • Includes centered behaviors and practices that prioritize the growth and well-being of those being served
  • Approaching Change:
    • Embrace change as an opportunity for growth
    • Find avenues for the community's advancement amidst change
  • Run Towards Change Exercise:
    • Activity: Reflect on the opportunities presented by AI in project management
    • Discussion: How servant leaders within PMI Atlanta could identify and leverage such opportunities for the community's benefit
    • Results: The exercise encouraged participants to embody servant leadership principles by proactively seeking opportunities within change, particularly in the context of AI's impact on project management. Through collaborative discussion and reflection, PMI Atlanta's servant leaders identified actionable strategies to harness AI for the community's growth and advancement

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Healthcare forum on Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Keynote Presentation: "Practical Program Management Frameworks and Strategies" by Maya McNeese-Hargett

Register at www.pmiatlanta.org/events/event-calendar

Written by: Rishea Johnson, MHI, CAPM

Amidst record-low unemployment and waves of layoffs in big tech, the job market stands at a crossroads. What's truly shaping today's employment landscape? A panel of industry experts were on hand to unravel the mysteries behind this paradoxical trend.

Presentation Overview 

This month’s Joint Healthcare and Technology forum event provided valuable insights into navigating today's dynamic job market. The extended engagement with panelists and recruiters indicated the attendees found the discussions worthwhile. Overall, the event provided attendees with actionable advice to traverse the evolving job market and stand out amidst competition.  

Takeaways

• Employment Landscape: The panelists covered the current employment landscape, highlighting the impact of technology on professionals and the lower unemployment rate compared to pre-COVID times.
• Lengthy Interview Processes: The panelists addressed the trend of longer interview processes, lasting 6-9 months due to multiple layers of interviews. Job seekers and applicants are encouraged to evaluate if positions align with their purpose, even if it means enduring a lengthy process or potentially taking a pay cut.
• Setting Yourself Apart: Strategies discussed include optimizing LinkedIn profiles by showcasing problem-solving skills, leveraging artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT for resume development, networking, volunteering, and targeted research on desired employers and job openings.
• LinkedIn Services: Holly Bail offered services in coaching, resume building, job searching, and interviewing, while Jackie Flake specialized in reevaluating life purpose, drawing from her experience as an entrepreneur.

Next Event

Register at www.pmiatlanta.org/events/event-calendar

By Karen Jacobs, PMP

PMI Atlanta Chapter brought its Entertainment Forum back into the limelight on March 28. Craig Dominey, manager for Camera Ready Georgia in the state Film Office, and location specialist Ben McIver took the virtual stage to discuss the meteoric rise of Georgia's film industry. They painted a vivid picture of Georgia's journey from a humble backdrop for films to a thriving hub for cinematic productions.

Dominey reminisced about the roots of the state's film industry. "We owe our existence to the movie 'Deliverance' with Burt Reynolds," he declared. The film, shot in Rabun County in northern Georgia, sparked the 1973 formation of a state Fim, Video, and Music Office by former President Jimmy Carter, who was then Georgia’s governor. Since then, the state has blossomed into one of the top three US production markets alongside LA and New York, distinguished by its diverse range of landscapes and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

The industry’s investment has been bolstered by the state’s tax incentive program, which grants income tax credits for up to 30% of the cost of TV or film production.

The city of Senoia has been a key beneficiary, crediting its growth to “The Walking Dead” that was filmed there. As a result, many local businesses have opened, and the city is a popular tourist spot. “It’s kind of a poster child for the impact film and tourism can have on a community,” Dominey said. The city of Covington, site of the shows “The Vampire Diaries” and “In the Heat of the Night,” has also gained fame and fortune from the film industry.

Ben McIver, senior location manager with Entertainment Partners in Atlanta, said Georgia’s stage space for shows is now comparable to that of Southern California, and the state has drawn film crews to relocate from other film hub cities. “That tax incentive dollar multiplies in ways that people don’t really think about,” he said.  He also said the growth of Atlanta’s airport played a role in the entertainment industry’s success in the state as well.

McIver acknowledged the benefits of project management expertise in his job, particularly in communication, organization, and stakeholder management. However, he cited challenges of fitting formal project management structure into the fast-paced world of film production. Agile practices, retrospectives, and daily standup meetings are other project management activities McIver said he finds helpful in his job.

See a list of upcoming events on the PMI Atlanta Chapter website.

Written by: Catherine Binuya, Ed.D.

Presentation Overview 

William Brown, PMP, has a background in civil engineering technology. He has real-world field experience of 20 years as owner and owner representative in project construction across Georgia and Tennessee. 

William Brown is the CEO of Plan View Drone Aerials (PDVA), founded in 2020. “PDVA has its sights on further supporting the surveying and engineering industries through photogrammetry, quantity surveying, mapping, asset documentation, and project management services.” – PDVA Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). 

Takeaways

• Business value in Architecture, Engineering, Construction:
  • Construction, Engineering, and Inspection (CEI) observations
  • GIS and surveying
  • Design and Digital Twin 3-D modeling
  • Able to document progress with same vantage point
    • Work with client to integrate schedule
    • Focus on phase gates and milestones
    • Improve communication from linear to horizontal
  • Monitoring and Controlling
    
    • Document control—mobile applications built specifically for construction field
    • Customizable daily reports with annotations
    • Lower and manage mitigation claims with detailed information about build site and progress
    • Communicate with stakeholders, align with construction baseline schedule
  •  Managing cost considerations and cost proposal budgeting
    • Manned-team observations vs. subscription drone services
• Requires management of risks
  
  • Known Risks: airspace, anticipated weather, site conditions, overhead obstructions, delayed/rescheduled flights
  • Unknown Risks: actual field progress, actual weather, temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) such as for emergencies or national security

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta AEC Forum on Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Keynote Presentation: “Impact of SEC’s Climate Disclosure Rules on PMI Professionals” by Elba Pareja-Gallagher

Register at www.pmiatlanta.org/events/event-calendar 

Event Pictures