Steve Griffis
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL
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Welcome to the Project Manager's Shop
I'm often asked about the basic project methodology I employ, the books I recommend, the software
I use - and a myriad of other things related to the world of project management. I've assembled my recommendations in the form of an on-line shop, where you can browse at your leisure.
I'm always interested in hearing about your experience with these products and services, and I'd also like to hear your recommendations for products and services not listed here. Please send me your comments!
Thanks for stopping by, and happy shopping!
Steve
PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOUNDATIONS
Project & Program Office
PMO Operations
Collaboration and Enterprise 2.0
Here you'll find the foundations of the project management profession - methodology, management, operating a PMO, software tools of the trade, and learning products. Also included are my recommendations for exam prep materials for all of the PMI certifications.
Project Methodology
Project Management Methodology
Project Management Kit (all templates)
Template Sets
Software & Learning
Office Suites
Project Scheduling
Utilities
PMI Exam Prep
Project Management
Time/Cost Management
Quality Management
Risk Management
Regulatory Compliance
PEOPLE & ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
I've included books on meeting facilitation, plus equipment and materials to help you hold great meetings. Be sure to check out the books on team building, and working with global teams. build a high-performance team, and be a great road warrior. Most PMs these days have a home office, and we spend time on the road, so there's a section with books products to run your home office and be a well-equipped road-warrior. The last section here is all about maintaining a work-life balance. I've included some of my favorite book titles on the topic, plus books on some of my favorite diversions!
Meeting Facilitation
General Books
Presentations
Meeting Equipment
Printed Materials
Home Office
Computers & Monitors
Uninterruptable Power Supplies
Phones and Headsets
Multifunction Printers
Team Building
Global Teams
Work-Life Balance
Cooking
Dogs
Community
Road Warrior
Laptops and Accessories
Cases and Luggage
iPod
Phones
SUBJECT DOMAINS
Project managers need more than passing knowledge in each of these areas to manage your business, functional, development, technical and testing leads, and work effectively with your organizational change management team.
The ERP/Oracle and PeopleSoft section covers the world of enterprise resource planning systems, with a focus on Oracle E-Business and PeopleSoft enterprise applications. The software development section covers key areas in the software development life cycle other than project management. The organizational change management section addresses organizational alignment, training and communication.
ERP, Oracle & PeopleSoft Applications
Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
Oracle E-business Applications
PeopleSoft Enterprise Applications
Software Development
Business Modeling/Process
Requirements
Analysis and Design
Implementation
Test
Deployment
Configuration and Software Change
Management
Environments
Organizational Change Management
Training
Communications
In the interest of full disclosure, I do receive a small commission on the sale of most of these products, but I have not been paid to recommend them, and with the exception of books where I have received a review copy, I have not been provided free products in exchange for a consideration of a recommendation or product placement.
PMI's Project Management Bookof Knowledge (PMBOK) lays out the best practices and processes of project management, but stops short of delivering the detailed templates, processes, tables, diagrams, checklists, examples, sample forms and practical examples you need to succeed. This is where a project management methodology can deliver exceptional value.
I've worked with orgnaizations such as PriceWaterhouse that have a mature, robust methodology that is easily adoptable with a little orientation. Some companies have a methodology they've built over time, maybe it's become bloated and outdated; or the people that created it have moved on, so nobody really knows how to use it. And some organizations are just starting to develop a methodology and it's partly built but not yet complete - yet you've got a project to deliver!
If you're fortunate to land at a company with a robust methodology, congratulations! You already have a roadmap and the tools for delivering your project successfully. If you're at a company with less than a complete methodology -- or none at all -- you may want to consider adopting a complete methodology, or you may only need a set of templates, or simply want to augment what you have already with individual templates.
I recommend products from Method123, publishers of the MPMM Project Management Methodology,, the Project Management kit, a collection of templates, and individual template collections by project phase or practice area.
MPMM helps you by:
More than 45,000 people around the world use the MPMM⢠project life cycle to improve their project success.
The MPMM Project Methodology will also help you:
-- Time Management
-- Cost Management
-- Quality Management
-- Change Management
-- Risk Management
-- Issue Management
-- Procurement Management
-- Acceptance Management
-- Communications Management
By using the MPMM Project Methodology, you will never have to start from scratch. More than 1000 content pages, templates, processes, tables, diagrams, checklists, examples, sample forms and practical examples are included to help you succeed.
Benefits
An introduction to Method123's Project Management Methodology software.
GO SHOPPING
Project Management Methodology & the Rational Unified Process
To deliver successful projects, I highly recommend the use of a project management methodology. A project methodology is a repeatable method for managing projects. Ideally it contains all of the processes, templates and practical examples you need to deliver on time, on budget, to scope, and to deliver significant business benefits.
Where does a project management methodology fit in to the overall project process? Let's look at a widely used iterative software development process framework - IBM's Rational Unified Process (RUP) as an example (very similar to the Oracle Unified Method). RUP is composed of nine core disciplines that are executed over four phases, as shown in Fig. 1 below.
PMBOK is a collection of processes and knowledge assets commonly accepted as a standard for best practices in project management. Organizations using RUP may benefit from having an anchoring project management framework. RUP project management discipline elaborates on select PM aspects that are relevant to planning its activities and executing its tasks, specifically in regards to iteration planning. Unlike PMBOK, RUP does not address project management as an end-to-end process. RUP also completely ignores some important project management-related activities, including people management, resource planning and estimation, escalation, and contact management.
Project management has a pivotal role to play in RUP, which derived its PM discipline from PMBOK. In the reference RUP lifecycle, project management activities commence before activities from any other discipline. In fact, as shown in Figure 2, these activities may commence even before the official RUP project starts (see below). With some caution and requirements-driven scope considerations, PMBOK can thus be used as an anchoring process to set up RUP iterations, as illustrated in Figure 2.
Figure 1: The IBM Rational Unified Process (RUP) click to enlarge...
Figure 2: PMBOK used as an anchoring process click to enlarge...
Project Management is one of the nine core disciplines of the Rational Unified Process
PMBOK can
be used as an anchoring process to
set up RUP iterations
Read more...
Project Management Kit and Template Sets
Project Management Kit
If you're in need of a complete set of project management templates, take a look at Method123's
Project Management Kit.
This Project Management Template Kit includes all of the templates you need for projects.
More than 50 templates, plans and forms are included, covering the entire Project Life Cycle. It helps you to start up, plan and execute projects quickly and easily.
Every project management template:
You can download this kit immediately, then open each template in Microsoft Word and fill-in the gaps to create your own documents. It's that easy.
If you need individual template sets, here are your options:
These Project Initiation Templates provide all of the project initiation documents needed to start up a project by giving you templates to create a business case, perform a feasibility study, define the project scope, recruit staff and create a project office.
These Project Planning Templates provide you with all of the project management planning documents you need, to plan projects. Every project planning template has been pre-formatted and already includes the sections, tables and practical examples you need.
These Project Execution Templates provide you with all of the documents required to monitor and control the Project Execution phase within a project. It will also help you manage risk, changes, quality, costs, time and issues more effectively than before.
These Project Closure Templates help you take the steps needed to close your project quickly and efficiently. The 'Project Closure Report' will help you handover the deliverables and documentation to the customer, terminate supplier contracts and release resources back to the business. The 'Post Implementation Review' will help you to determine the level of project success and identify lessons learned for future projects.
These Change Management Templates provide all of the processes, documents and forms you need to implement change management in your organization. The Change Request template allows staff to raise a change request within the project. The Change Process can then be followed, to enable the Project Manager to obtain formal change approval. The Change Register allows the team to monitor the effect of the change on the project.
Download these Project Risk Management Templates to reduce risk on projects. They help you to prevent risks from occurring as well as minimize their impact. There are three project risk management tools provided here. Firstly, the Risk Management Process helps you monitor and control risk when it occurs. You also need Risk Forms to ensure that each risk is documented and lastly, you need a Risk Register to help you keep track of them all, throughout the Project Life Cycle.
These Issue Management Templates help you identify, communicate, monitor and resolve project issues. The project issue management process will help you to put in place the steps needed to quantify and report all issues within the project. The Issue Form and Issue Register will enable you to track and control the resolution of issues during the Project Lifecycle.
These Quality Management templates include the quality control and quality assurance documents needed to perform effective project quality management. The Quality Management Process helps you to implement Quality Assurance and Quality Control measures. The Quality Review Form will enable you to properly review the overall progress of your project. By using the Deliverables Register, you will be able to monitor and control the current quality of your project deliverables, thereby ensuring that they meet the quality targets set out in the Quality Plan.
An overview of how Method 123's project management templates can help you create high quality project documents to save you time and make project management easier.
These templates are used by over 100,000 people around the world including: Apple, Nike, Disney, Vodafone, IBM, HP, Dell, Intel, BP, Shell, The World Bank, Bank of America, The US Department of Homeland Security, The Australian Department of Defence, UNICEF and many other industry-leading companies.
A project manager's bookshelf is always interesting to review - there's almost always an old favorite or an interesting new title to peruse.
I've assembled a list of my favorites and a few that are on my wish list, plus some recommendations from others.
Aside from general project management, this section includes four key topics that stand on thier own:
A Cost-Effective Alternative to Microsoft Project Web Access: PROJECTPLAN
Create project plans as easily as 1-2-3 using this intuitive Project Planner. It includes all of the commonly used features found in Microsoft Project at only a fraction of the price. And it's simpler and easier to use
Printing and Promotional Materials
The PMO is often responsible for producing printed materials and promotional materials for projets and programs. VistaPrint is my vendor of choice for both printing and promotional items.
Web Meetings
I use and recommend Dimdim. Dimdim is the worlds easiest and most cost-effective way to organize and attend online meetings. Dimdim is about 1/10th the cost of WebEx and has more features than GoToMeeting. Sign up now!
SPOTLIGHT
ON BOOKS
Authors of PMI's new book,
Project Management Circa
2025, share their thoughts
on the future of project
management.
Click here to buy this book
DimDim Web Meetings
GO TO PROJECTPLAN
This short 4 minute video gives a brief introduction to NEW Dimdim 5, the world's easiest web conference.
See for yourself how free and easy Dimdim is, learn about the new Webinar widgets, registration reports and much faster screensharing.
See why Dimdim is being used by more than 2 million people all over the world!
GO TO VISTAPRINT
GO TO DIMDIM
The Project Office
Starting and operating a Project or Program office is a key activity for most large projects and programs.
Here you'll find books on PMO best practices, plus software and related books on collaborative technologies also known as Enterprise 2.0.
Create project plans as easily as 1-2-3 using this intuitive Project Planner. It includes all of the commonly used features found in Microsoft Project at only a fraction of the price. And it's simpler and easier to use!
The PMO is often responsible for producing printed materials and promotional materials for projets and programs. VistaPrintis my vendor of choice for both printing and promotional items.
How are the tools and
philosophies of Web 2.0
making their way into
organizations (even
traditional ones)?
Berkman fellow, MIT
Scientist, blogger, and
tweeter Andrew
McAfee talks about his new book Enterprise 2.0: New Collaborative Tools for Your Organization's Toughest Challenges.
Try PROJECTPLAN free for 14 days!
GO TO PROJECT PLAN
Save up to 90% + get FREE Shipping
Software and Learning
Proficiency in a variety of software applications is a foundational skill for just about every project manager. In today's corporate environments, the old standard-bearers of Microsoft Office and Project are being challenged by open-source applications like Open Office and cloud computing apps like Google Docs.
Here you'll find the software and books on the Microsoft products, and books on the up-and-comers in three areas:
Also included in this section are preparation materials for the PMP, CAPM and PgMP exams. For the PMP and CAPM exams, I recommend Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep System products exclusively. If you're serious about passing the either of these exams, this is the way to go.
For the PgMP exam, I recommend two options, Program Management Professional (PgMP): Certification Study Guide with Best Practices for Maximizing Business Resultsby Craig J. Letavec
or PgMP: Program Management Professional Exam Study Guide by Paul Sanghera .
GO TO EXAM PREP
TECHNOLOGY
Software on a Budget:
Open Source and Cloud Computing
In this economy, saving hundreds if not thousands on software is possible if you switch from commerical operating systems and software to open source software and cloud computing. For students on a budget, entrepreneurs and forward-thinking IT managers, here are links to my favorite open source and cloud products that I use every day.
Open Source
Desktop Operating System: Ubuntu 9.10
Office Suite: OpenOffice 3.1
Ubuntu Tutorial
Cloud Computing
Google Docs
Google Mail
Google Reader
Google Voice
Google Calendar
Google Desktop
Picassa
Google Earth
Google Wave
YouTube
WordPress
AdobeAir
Twitter
TweetDeck
Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, interviewed by Gartner analysts Whit Andrews and Hung LeHong in front of 5000 CIOs and IT Directors at Gartner Symposium/ITxpo Orlando 2009. (45 minutes)
Meeting Facilitation is a key skill for project managers. Here you'll find my recommendations on books on the art of facilitation and presentation.
Equipping a meeting room properly is very important, so you'll find my recommendations for projectors, web cameras, flip charts, and markers., too.
Garr Reynolds expands on
his ideas from his popular
book, Presentation Zen,
and challenges you to go
beyond the conventional
slide presentation style
and think more
creatively to achieve simpler, more effective presentations.
Team Building is a key skill for project managers. Here you'll find my recommendations on books on team building and managing remote teams.
Where in the World is my
Team? is all about working
in today's global workplace.
Emails, webinars,
conference calls, social
networks, instant chat,
blogs, wikis - everyone
uses them - but our
working life is getting
overrun with making
sure we can tackle time zones, dealing with different cultures and embracing the latest technology. This book provides the concepts and tools for making global collaboration a success for you and your business.
Taking your show on the road - whether across campus or across the country - requires some planning and the right equipment.
You've seen Verizon's commercials attacking a
certain smartphone from a
fruit company. Now, check
out CNET's First Look
video of the Motorola
Droid to see if it lives
up to its claims.
Click here to buy this phone
Equipping your home office for maximum productivity is the topic of this section.
Computer
I've been extremely happy with my Dell desktop that I've had for several years, and recommend the Dell Inspiron 545 package with the included 22-inch monitor. The one addition I'd recommend is the Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Pro keyboard and mouse set - fewer wires, and much better quality than the keyboard and mouse that comes with the computer.
If you're looking for a little more horsepower, I recommend the HP Pavilion P6230F nalong with the HP 2009M 20-Inch HD LCD Monitor - along with the Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Pro keyboard and mouse set.
Printers
I'm a big fan of Brother's multifunction printers. They're economical, and work right out of the box on both my Windows and Linux Ubuntu systems. The Brother MFC-490CW Color Inkjet Wireless All-in-One Printer delivers printing, scanning and copying in a quiet compact unit. This one's wireless, so you don't even need a printer cable!
You'd think I could get by without a label printer, but I find myself using this alot. I use the Dymo LabelWriter 400 Label Printer to print mostly file folder labels and mailing labels.
GreenPrint software eliminates wasteful pages in any printout automatically, saving you time and money, and maybe more importantly, saving trees, reducing greenhouse gasses, and decreasing waste.
GreenPrint's patent-pending technology does this by analyzing each page of every document sent to the printer and looking for typical waste characteristics (like that last page with just a URL, banner ad, logo, or legal jargon). Having a meaningful impact on the environment has never been so easy.
Sound
Logitech comes through again with the Logitech Speaker System Z523 - a cool setup with two speakers and a sub-woofer, nicely priced.
Phone and Headset
When I'm in my home office I spend a lot of time on the phone - so I have both a speakerphone and a wireless headset. The Polycom Soundpoint Pro SE-225 2-Line Professional Conference Phone with Caller ID is my recommended phone. Pair this up with a Plantronics CS-55 Dect 6.0 Digital Wireless Office Headset, and you have a complete voice solution for under $350. I use this with Google Voice for VOIP calling - works like a charm!
Computer Backup
My home office occasionally gets hit by a power outtage - and Murphy's Law being what it is, it's usually during an important conference call. To keep the lights, PC and Phone on, I use the APC BR1500 Back-UPS 1500VA for Home/Office Computers. An additional battery is optional.
USB Hub
Get two Belkin USB 2.0 4-Port Ultra Mini Hubs- one for your home office and one for the road. You can never have enough USB ports - this is the ideal solution!
Wireless Network
All I've ever owned is Linksys network equipment. The tried-and-true Linksys by Cisco WRT54GL Wireless-G Broadband Router has never let me down. Their 7x24x365 free telephone support is unmatched - and reason alone to get this router.
If you want to go with the faster Wireless-N standard, I'd recommend the Linksys by Cisco WRT160NL Wireless-N Broadband Router with Storage Link.
Project management can be a hectic business - irregular schedules and hours, stressfull deadlines can upset your work-life balance.
I've included some general titles on work-life balance, plus books on three activities that I use personally to keep my life in balance: cooking, my dog, and involving myself in my community.
Enterprise Resource Planning
Oracle E-Business Suite
This section addresses Enterprise Resource Planning systems, plus Oracle E-business and PeopleSoft Enterprise applications.
This section addresses general software development.
The categories include:
This section address a key subject domain for IT project managers: organizational change management.
