by Mike Ososki, PMP

It was 1967 when the idea seed to birth PMI began to grow. And much (most?) of it happened right here in Atlanta! Our recent Dinner Meeting was pleased to host Mr. James Snyder, co-founder of PMI, who shared his view of how it began, gained momentum and grew to where we are today: nearly half a million members in 200+ countries.

Project management has always been with us in some form or fashion. We apply it every time we ask how to get from A to B in multiple steps. Some tools are timeless milestones, such as Henry Gantt’s chart, circa 1910. Henry worked at Midvale Steel in Philadelphia, a great place to apply PM.

As technical endeavor complexities increased through the 1950s and 60s, especially in aerospace, construction, and defense industries, project management kept pace, advancing alongside and above, to help lead the way. New tools and a new profession made sense, with emerging IT and a need to improve communication. In 1954, CPM and PERT were born (Critical Path Method and Program Evaluation Review Technique), with great benefit to help get big things done well.

PMI Atlanta is pleased to announce October's Volunteer of the Month – congratulations, Susan Allen!!!

For over 10 years Susan the has served as a volunteer with the PMI Atlanta Chapter. She serves as the Certification and Education Liaison Coordinator on the Certification and Education committee where she's been a diligent and indispensable asset.

Susan has been a long-standing invaluable volunteer with PMI Atlanta and who's regarded as an incomparably, reliable leader. She continually engages with PMI Atlanta members to find volunteer opportunities that are a good fit. She really enjoys this position because it allows her to interact with many other volunteers serving. Additionally, what adds to her volunteer awesomeness of being so dedicated to our PMI Atlanta Chapter is the fact that she actually resides in the Athens area.

Moving forward, Susan plans on establishing a legacy of being one of the longest tenured volunteers of PMI Atlanta, how outstanding is that! Many PMI Atlanta members have an amorousness for the field of Project Management, however for her it goes even deeper. Susan believes the field of Project Management is such an indelible way of life for her, that it's part of her genetic make up. With that mindset, it's no surprise why she's been so successful in PMI Atlanta and will undoubtedly triumph in pursuit of her legacy.

When time permits in her assiduous life, Susan states she enjoys reading in her leisure time. With now knowing of Susan's deep admiration for the Project Management Profession, we should not be surprised if some of that leisure reading may include the "action packed" PMBOK. Susan's passion for Project Management along with her devotedness of service and volunteering with PMI Atlanta are all qualities that comprise this month’s “Stupendous" VOM".

Read and learn more about Susan below and what she enjoys about volunteering for PMI Atlanta.

1. What has been your favorite or most rewarding volunteer experience with PMI Atlanta?
I really enjoy serving as the Certification and Education Liaison Coordinator. This position is my absolute favorite. It gives me the opportunity to interface with multiple others serving on the same committee, plus I have the benefit of engaging with PMI Atlanta members to find volunteer opportunities that are a good fit.

2. What would you like to accomplish during your volunteer tenure?
I'd like to establish a legacy of being one of the longest tenured volunteers for PMI Atlanta.

3. How did you become interested in the project management profession?
I like to say Project Management found me more than I found Project Management. It is feels like it is part of my genetic make up and a way of life for me.

4. What leisurely activities do you enjoy? Any little known fact that you’d like to share?
I'm a full time working mom of 4 children. For those readers in my situation, you know there is very little, if any, time for leisurely activities!! When time permits, I enjoy reading.

PMI Atlanta’s Executive Board of Directors would like to introduce Bylaw changes relating to the Nominations Process for the Executive Board. The proposed changes in the document below.

Current chapter members will receive an email with your unique login and link to the ballot the morning on Tuesday, November 22, 2016. Balloting will close at 11:59pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2016.

We encourage our members to review the changes and let your voice be heard!  If you do not receive your ballot or have problems logging in, please email us.