Project management was once associated primarily with software development and other technological fields. These days, project management is a fast growing profession that offers positions in many different and diverse fields. It’s a job that focuses on managing not only projects but the people and materials that are part of them. There are many different concepts and methods of project management. While students will cover many of these in their classes, reading the works of current and experienced project managers will give them a better understanding of the many aspects of project management.
GENERAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOPICS
A good overview about the life of a project manager starts by reading materials written by working project managers. These provide a wealth of general information, news and trends. They also paint a true picture of what the job is like and the challenges new project managers must face.
- Lessons Learned for Project Management Conferences from #pminac
This is written by a project management expert. It is geared toward project management students and new project managers.
- A Girl's Guide to Project Management
The focus on this blog is general news and information about project management trends, news and resources. Written by a woman, some posts offer information specific to female project management professionals.
- Quote of the Day
This is a blog from a professional who works primarily in space and defense programs. His writing covers news and trends in project management and compares it to his experiences.
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- Strategic Project Management
How is success measured? A community of IT project management professionals that covers all aspects of IT project management and includes resources and advice for project management students as well as experienced project managers.
- Dealing with Software Projects in Real Life
Paul Brodzinski is the expert behind this blog and is a software development project manager. He covers topics of interest for anyone in project management. Subjects include time and people management, leadership and communication.
PROJECT MANGEMENT IN SPECIALTY ENVIRONMENTS
Project management is most often associated with managing software or information technology projects in medium to large companies. Some other fields of concentration are healthcare, construction and design. The following blogs discuss project management in specific or unusual environments, including smaller organizations and healthcare facilities.
- Mind Mapping Project Planning
Max Walker focuses his blog on smaller project management environments. It features information for students and recent graduates.
- PapercutPM Takes it Off
This blog is written by a former bank project manager. His goal is to help others learn more about program, portfolio and project planning.
- Anti Clue
A blog written by a professional in healthcare IT project management. She describes the daily life of healthcare and project management professionals and shares information about what she has learned.
- The Healthcare IT Guy
Shahid, a software analyst specializes in healthcare and government projects. The blog features information relevant to healthcare project management, especially technology system conversions and document management.
- John W. Sharp on eHealth and Health IT
John Sharpe, a hospital IT manager, blogs covering information relevant to
healthcare project management professionals. It includes information on software
conversions, eHealth and document management projects.
- The four-lens approach to project delivery – Part 1
Value Delivery Management explains the four-lens approach to project delivery and the four crucial lenses that should be considered.
- Project Management for Event Management Industry FROM POME BY GAUTAM KOPPALA VT
The event management industries answer to project management. Explained here is the process of planning events, preparing events and successful execution of events.
UNUSUAL PERSPECTIVES ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT
It’s important for prospective project managers to stay fresh. There are new and different aspects of the industry to consider. A little humor or thinking outside the box about the project management process is a good way to sharpen skills and define goals.
- Earth PM - At the Intersection of Green and Project Management
This site is “the intersection of green and project management.” Its mission is to increase project managers’ awareness of the environmental aspects of project management.
- The Tao of Project Management
This is written by an author and professional project manager. He uses Taoist philosophy to describe and compare project management.
- Zen, Project Management, and Life
A blog written by a project management and IT expert. Focuses on working with clients and incorporating diverse ideas into project management.
- The Back of the Napkin Blog
Written by a professional who uses drawings on the back of a napkin to plot out projects. He focuses on using visual thinking in project management.
- quantmleap
This is a blog who uses a scientific approach to dealing with project management. He uses scientific articles and writings as well as games to explore project management topics.
- Sustainable Project Management
Founder of SPM, Jorge Romero-Lozano, PE, LEED AP, PMP, has a great deal of experience in program, construction and program management. SPM focus is to integrate sustainable development along with cultural understanding in all projects.
SOFT SKILLS, COMMUNICATION AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
One of the most important aspects of project management is managing teams and often diverse groups of people. “Soft skills” like communication and working with others is an often overlooked topic in project management. Personal development is another key aspect to keep up with as a project manager.
- Raven's Brain
A blog from the professional project manager Raven Young. The focus here is on personal growth and soft skills.
- 13 apples - Where Leaders Collaborate
This blogger calls the “obsession” an affair. His blog is about leadership in project management also focusing on personal development and time management.
- Alec Satin on People, Projects and Process
Alec Satin is a certified project manager and a consultant whose blog focuses on soft skills and people management.
- Paper Cut Edge
Written by a project manager with years of experience. It focuses on personal development and innovative leadership.
- The Lazy Project Manager
The lazy project manager focuses on time management and personal development. It is written by a professional project manager and author.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
There are several software packages used specifically for project management. One of the most common applications is Microsoft Project. Mastering project management software and finding tips and tricks is one of the basic functions of a career in project management.
- The Project Management Software Blog
EnterPlicity Project Management Software is a web-based project management application. This blog focuses on using the software and offers tips and news.
- Mark Phillips: Project Management Blog
Written by the product manager and lead spokesperson for Vertabase project management software. He offers general information about project management and news and information about the software.
- Jim Aksel's Blog on MS Project
A personal blog from a professional with years of experience in Microsoft Project. Offers tips to use MS Project effectively.
- Advisicon Blog: Microsoft Project and Project Server
A blog written by MS Project consultants featuring topics about using MS Project as well as general project management.
- ZO-D: Project Management
Written by a project manager with expertise in MS Project. Focuses on MS Project tips, tools and books.
PMP CERTIFICATION
PMP (Project Management Professional) certification is offered by the Project Management Institute. It is the most important and recognized credentials in the industry and a certification that is increasingly becoming a requirement for project management positions. PMP certification requires specific training and experience in project management, as well as passing credentialing exams.
- Deep Fried Brain PMP Certification Exam Prep
This site discusses PMP certification. It includes resources, study tips and steps to becoming PMP certified.
- PMHUB: Project Management Certification– CAPM, PMP, PgMP, PMI-SP, PMI-RMP
This is a community for PMP candidates and professionals. Most posts are from individual bloggers offering advice about preparing for and passing the exam.
- Stepping Into Project Management
This is a blog by new project manager. It features a lot of PMP certification information.
- The Critical Path by Derek Huether
A general blog about the project management experience. Derek provides free project management information, advice, and templates to use. Many posts are focused on PMP certification.
- All About PMP
A site especially for those who want to get PMP certification. Features resources on preparing for PMP exams and general information about requirements.
SIX SIGMA AND LEAN PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Six Sigma and Lean are methodologies that are widely accepted and used in project management practice. Both strategies focus on incorporating methods in project delivery that improve performance and eliminate waste and variability. It’s important not only for students to learn the concepts of these methodologies, but also get a glimpse into how they are applied in the everyday life of a project manager.
- Got Boondoggle?
This blog is authored by a certified Six Sigma Black Belt. It is focused on improving work through implementing lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma quality.
- SIX SIG
A blog that covers Six Sigma tools, methodologies, training and certification. It’s also a resource for individuals and companies to share information about Six Sigma projects.
- LSS Academy
This blog, developed by a partner at a training school, is a source for lean management and six sigma training and information. It provides overviews of training books and videos and well as general information about these methodologies.
- Six Sigma Blog
While this blog has not been updated lately, it’s an excellent source for Six Sigma learning. Includes easy to understand explanations of Six Sigma as well as case studies.
- Going Beyond Lean Six Sigma and the Balanced Scorecard
This blog is written by a Six Sigma expert and author. It contains postings about real world Six Sigma implementations.
- Lean Blog
The Lean blog is all about using Lean methodologies in the real world. It is focused primarily on hospitals and healthcare facilities.
- Lean Insider: A blog of news, research and trends on all things lean
This is the blog of a publishing company. It includes news, research and trends on all things lean.
- Lean Reflections
A blog written by a writer and journalist. This site looks at the individual cases of ordinary people achieving extraordinary success by using lean methodologies.
ENTERPRISE 2.0, AGILE AND SCRUM
Agile and SCRUM are models of project management that focus on methods of delivering projects more quickly and with more value. Agile started out as a management process for software development, but has been adapted to work in almost any industry. Scrum is generally a software method that is derived from Agile concepts. Many software programs for project management are based on Agile and Scrum methodology. Enterprise 2.0 is a broader concept in the technology world that links technology and software with social networking and collaboration. While not specific to project management, it relates to Agile and Scrum in that it focuses on teamwork, communication and collaboration. Since all these concepts are becoming popular in the field of project management, it’s a good idea for students to get an understanding of them and follow news and trends.
- Bertrand Duperrin's Notepad
This is a blog by a French management professional, translated into an English version. It focuses on redefining project management based on Enterprise 2.0 concepts.
- Pretzel Logic
The blog of a consultant who helps companies se social and collaborative approaches to increase performance. It talks mainly about Enterprise 2.0 software.
- Project Management 2.0
The work of an entrepreneur and experienced project manager. It provides analysis of the influence on Enterprise 2.0 technologies on project management.
- ITSinsider - An Insider’s view on IT-Social for the Enterprise
The writings of an experienced outsourcing and IT guru. Talks about the use of Enterprise 2.0 in companies of all sizes.
- Gil Yehuda's Enterprise 2.0 Blog - Your Path to Success
This site is for sharing thoughts on using Enterprise 2.0 tools and behaviors. It’s written by the director of Open Source for a popular search engine.
- The Agile Buddy Blog
Written by an Agile and Scrum expert and software developer. Discusses agile project management in general as well as uses of his software application.
- Agile Project Management
An easy to read blog that uses presentation slides, diagrams and case studies to explain Agile project management concepts. Written by an experienced project and product manager.
- Martinig Blog
This is the blog of the editor of the Methods & Tools Newsletter and focuses primarily on software development and engineering. It also discusses team building and project management practices.
- Extreme Planner
A long running blog about agile project planning and software development. Includes discussions about diverse industries and topics.
Personal and professional blogs written by students and working project managers provide information and support. Keeping up with some of them will help a student get more understanding of the many aspects of project management. It’s also a good way to apply what is learned in school to the real world.
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