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Editorial Topic: Focus On

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Focus On...

Project management is a broad topic. Here are some articles with a narrower focus on specific project types and project issues:

Agents

Agents of Change
- by James Odell (May 1, 2000)

The world of business--like the world in general--is changing faster than most people can chase it. Look to nature for advice on building systems that stay in line. A decentralized, agent-based system can adapt and evolve to keep you up to speed.

Do You Speak Agents?
- by James Odell (June 19, 2000)

For diplomats, teachers, journalists and travel agents, language is crucial to getting the job done. The same holds true for agents. If agents can't understand each other, how can they possibly work together? Here is further discussion from Jim Odell on the language of agents and its importance to systems development.

Agent Communications: A Closer Look
- by James Odell (June 28, 2000)

You know how important communication is among your team--it can make or break everything. Upon closer inspection, the way agents communicate is just as crucial to your project. How they interact, when they interact and where they interact are fundamental to the success of an agent-based system.

Unlocking the Secret of Agents
- by James Odell (May 8, 2000)

Whether you're looking for your big break in Hollywood or building an IT system, understanding agents can be crucial to your success.

Perfect Form
- by James Odell (May 22, 2000)

When you're trying to score big in the IT systems events, you need to get your agent forms in order. Define them right, use them effectively, and you'll find yourself on the winners' stand, listening to your national anthem.

Playing It Safe
- by James Odell (July 24, 2000)

Part of what makes agent-based systems so versatile and useful also makes them particularly vulnerable to security issues. Once you open up your environment, you open yourself up to all kinds of risks. Know what they are and plan for them. Lock down what you need to or face the dire consequences of insecure agent systems.

Process Improvement

Calculating the Value of PI
- by Capers Jones (April 6, 2000)

In high school, you may have learned that pi is equal to roughly three and change. Now that you're a PM professional, you know that PI is worth a whole lot more than that. Despite the popularity of Process Improvement these days, there hasn't been much discussion of the schedules, costs and real value of bringing your software development to the highest levelsuntil now.

Outsource WHAT?!
- by Charles Ludwig (October 22, 2003)

Tough economic times often require companies to focus their attention on the primary reason they are in business. This often leads to outsourcing functions like the back office, information technology and other non-core processes. Why not outsource the project and program management functions? Sound crazy? So did outsourcing IT and business functions not too long ago. Will the next phase of outsourcing be project management? Can this be done effectively and efficiently?

Identifying Winning Process Improvement Opportunities
- by Michael R. Wood (November 20, 2000)

When you are proposing a PI project, you want to make sure you have the best possible chances of carrying through with it successfully. How you pick your projects is as important as how you manage them. Make sure you pick a winner.

Project Management Office

PMOs: Projects in Harmony
- by Shawn Bohner (June 12, 2000)

A special report from META Group.
With companies faced with increasingly complex initiatives involving multiple IT projects, IT executives are turning to project management offices (PMOs) to manage multiple risks and target their vital resources. Patterns of evolution and maturity are emerging.

Theory of PMO Evolution
- by Jim Harris (July 19, 2000)

Back in the dark ages, there were projects, and there were teams, but the coordination of those elements was lacking, and productivity suffered. With a new respect for the science of project management, organizations are growing into the idea of PMO.

Putting the P in PMO
- by Jim Harris (December 26, 2001)

What is the P in PM, and, for that matter, PMO? What is really being managed, project, program or portfolio? This article explores the murky environment and a possible new direction for the PMO of the 21st century.

Insuring Success: PMOs Bring IT Together
- by Frank Winters (August 21, 2000)

With a big, dispersed company, coordinating projects in a way that allows for independence while maintaining standards can pose a particularly tough challenge. Fortunately, program management--or, in this case, program monitoring--can take that challenge--and win.

Imaginary Obstacles: Getting Over PMO Myths
- by Tim Jaques (March 5, 2001)

When you look at the benefits of a PMO--lower costs, more efficiency, higher success rates--you may start looking for reasons why your company hasn't implemented one. Here's a secret: There are no good reasons, only myths--and here's how you can get around them.

Outsource WHAT?!
- by Charles Ludwig (October 22, 2003)

One More Thing to Manage
- by John Sullivan (July 16, 2001)

The key to great expectations? Manage, manage, manage. If someone is setting you up, know when to step up to the plate--and when to step aside. Here's how to ensure than your Project Management Office hits a homerun every time.

SLA

Gold or Worthless Paper--It's Up to You
- by Kathryn M. Denton (April 3, 2002)

But we know you want gold in them thar office hills. The Service Level Agreement (SLA) will bring the gold to you--if it outlines metrics that are feasible and meets the customer's expectations.

SLAs for Dummies
- by Sandra Roth (October 14, 2002)

Now that you've conquered cooking for dummies and running for dummies, it's time to get to the really important stuff. Service Level Agreements should not be taken lightly. The commitments and penalties associated with them can make and break companies. And it takes a lot of practice to get really good at structuring them. But no fear. A little common sense goes a long way as you approach your first SLA negotiation. Here are some tips to get you started.

Certification

True Value?
- by Jacqueline Dasso Haddad, PMP (October 3, 2005)

One certification, a profession divided. What is the true value of PMP certification?

Certifiably IT?
- by Amber Nelson (October 29, 2001)

No? Then it's time to get yourself committed. Whether you go with PMI or CompTIA, becoming a certified project manager can be a step up the corporate ladder. Inaction? That's simply insane.

Making the Case for Getting the PMP Certification
- by Doug Foote (April 15, 2002)

Excuses, excuses! You've said them all. You don't want to get PMP certification. But how valid are your concerns? And how beneficial is the certification? You may be singing a new tune after reading this article.

Degree Deception (Part 1 of 3)
- by Bob Weinstein (March 29, 2006)

Diploma Mills are the $500 million industry that can't be stopped. Read about how to spot them so you're not ripped off.

Degree Deception (Part 2 of 3)
- by Bob Weinstein (April 10, 2006)

Diploma Mills are the $500 million industry that can't be stopped. Read about how to spot them so you're not ripped off.

CRM

Spotlight on CRM
- by Tom Keenze (August 14, 2000)

What's your business focus? If it's something other than your customers, you may want to rethink it. Your business is nothing without your customers. That's the whole idea behind CRM--knowing your customers, making them happy and keeping them happy.

Rules of the Road to CRM Success
- by Geoff Choo (February 20, 2001)

Driving from point A to point B might require a map, but driving customers to your business requires much more. Creating and sustaining successful CRM solutions requires commitment from your entire organization and a single, clearly defined implementation roadmap.

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- Mark Twain

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