2. Home

Blog

Letter from the Board Chair

Letter from the Board Chair

April 1, 2022

Arizona is transitioning from a pandemic to a post-pandemic operation, and so is the chapter.  The governor rescinded the state's emergency Covid order on March 30.  The chapter board had already planned on resuming in-person meetings, and we are working on the first in-person chapter meeting in May.  To restart in-person meetings, we need to rebuild our volunteer teams.  We have had great success building out our Study Group, Mentor, and Social Good teams but not as many volunteers for chapter operations like events.   If you have the time and want to volunteer, please apply here.

We have a social good initiative we started last week for the Humanitarian mission for the Red Cross in Ukraine.  If you can contribute to this campaign, please do so here.  We plan on implementing at least one social good project per quarter and hope to have an in-person project for the third quarter.

We have two events on the calendar this month with ProjectMasters Toastmasters.  If you're not aware, the chapter sponsors a toastmaster's club where you can earn PDUs by attending the meetings.  At ProjectMasters, you learn what it takes to master the arts of speaking, listening, and thinking--while still having a lot of fun! ProjectMasters focuses on networking with other professionals, developing public speaking skills, giving and receiving constructive feedback, and enhancing your leadership skills. They are still meeting virtually, so it's a great time to test out a meeting.

At the PMI Chapter Xchange Meeting on April 22, Christopher Gentry, a PMI Phoenix Board member, will be a panelist.   This month's topic is "The Great Resignation or the Great Rethink." Join the event for what is sure to be a great discussion.

We have Miriam Spinner presenting "Positive Intelligence" at the breakfast meeting on April 29.  You can register for the event here.

I hope to see you at one of these events this month or a future in-person event as we transition to those events.

Attributes and Strategies of the World’s Leading Project Management Offices

The report findings are based on a global survey of 4,069 individuals who are regularly tasked with leading or facilitating the delivery of projects, programs, and portfolios. The Top 10 Percent is comprised of 230 PMOs that outperform their peers by attracting and retaining talent, using innovation and technology to enhance measurement, and achieving greater influence and more successful project outcomes. These leading PMOs are more aligned with organizational strategy and are considered by executive leaders to be strategic partners. In fact, the Top 10 Percent outperformed organizations overall in 2020 across revenue, customer acquisition, customer satisfaction, and Environmental, Sustainability, and Governance (ESG) indicators. 

“Project professionals play a key role in driving economic growth and impact around the globe,” said Michael DePrisco, Interim President & CEO and Chief Operating Officer of PMI. “PMI and PwC’s extensive global research offers invaluable and actionable insights on how PMOs can increase both the value and influence of their work. By elevating the perception of project managers as strategic partners, PMOs can effectively turn ideas into reality and create lasting business results.”

Narrowing the Talent Gap

The first report in the series, Narrowing the Talent Gap, identifies the five capabilities that are critical to the successful delivery of projects: relationship building, collaborative leadership, strategic thinking, creative problem solving, and commercial awareness. The report finds the Top 10 Percent place greater emphasis on recruiting individuals with these skillsets and cultivating them through learning and development programs. They are also more likely to proactively navigate demographic trends and cultural shifts in the workplace, such as working towards increasing the diversity of candidates, upskilling young people in under-represented communities, extending recruiting beyond the area local to the role, and offering flexible working schedules.

Measuring What Matters

The second report, Measuring What Matters, examines how the Top 10 Percent have increased the number and variety of metrics, beyond the traditional scope, schedule, and budget parameters, to tell a more compelling story around project innovation and success. They ensure key performance indicators are fully aligned with the wider organization’s strategic goals, and they prioritize communication and transparency around projects with their C-Suite executives. The Top 10 Percent are also more likely to have invested in technology, including strategy execution management technology and benefit realization tools, that facilitates measurement and reporting.

PMO Maturity

The third report in the series, PMO Maturity, introduces the first-of-its-kind Global PMO Maturity Index, examining how often the most advanced PMOs perform a range of activities linked to value creation across five key dimensions: governance, integration and alignment, processes, technology and data, and people. The report concludes that the Top 10 Percent have an average maturity score of 94.9 out of 100, allowing them to have greater influence and impact in their organization and ultimately deliver more successful project outcomes. These PMOs create long-term value by pushing their scope beyond good governance, which encompasses the more “typical” activities of a PMO, and into areas like talent development, technology adoption, and strategic influence. 

“Project professionals have a vital role to play as the world navigates ongoing change and uncertainty,” said DePrisco. “We increasingly see PMOs moving beyond the tactical execution of projects and performing a wider range of activities that drive strategic value for their organizations, as evidenced by this series of reports. To become a strategic partner within their organizations, PMOs must understand the attributes and strategies exhibited by the leading organizations highlighted in this research.” 

About the reports

In July and August 2021, PMI and PwC conducted a global survey of 4,069 people involved in leading or facilitating the delivery of projects, programs, and portfolios. The survey sample was wide-ranging and included individuals with formal project management qualifications and those with job titles such as project/program/ portfolio manager, as well as those in less formal project management roles, and initiative and workstream leaders. The executive viewpoint was also well represented, with the survey capturing 1,348 C-suite responses.
The series of complete reports is available at https://www.pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership. 

Volunteer on the Elections Nominations Committee

Call for Nominations Committee Volunteers

2024 PMI Phoenix Chapter Election

PMI Phoenix Chapter is looking for volunteers for the 

2022 Nominations Committee!!

As you know, nothing is more important to the health and sustainability of the PMI Phoenix Chapter than getting highly qualified, engaged, skilled, passionate people to serve on our board. 

Come join this highly-visible and mission-critical volunteer team as a way to give back to the chapter, network with other volunteers, and (of course) earn PDUs!

Nominations Committee

Needs 5 to 7 volunteers

Directly reports to Elections Manager

Is responsible for determining the eligibility and willingness of each Board of Directors nominee to stand for election. 

Adheres to the established nominee vetting process, including defined role requirements for: chapter board roles, scoring rubric, and professional experience

Requirements

Available to attend virtual team meetings starting April 25, 2024 and complete the bulk of nomination tasks in May and June 2024

Experience conducting interviews

Strong verbal communications skills

Enthusiasm for the mission of the PMI Phoenix Chapter

PLEASE NOTE: Once you become part of the Nominations Committee, the following activities will be disallowed for the current year: submitting nominations, supporting nominees, writing letters or speaking in support of any nominee, being a potential candidate, being a slated candidate or write-in candidate, or running for office.

If you have an interest in serving, don’t wait!  The election cycle kicks off in May. 

APPLICANT DEADLINE: Friday, April 19, 2024

Please send your resume and brief summary of qualifications to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PMI Phoenix Social Good Project Q2 2022

Here is why:

 

  • Their mission, “The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors”, aligns with the goals of the chapter.
  • Their inclusive vision: “The American Red Cross, through its strong network of volunteers, donors, and partners, is always there in times of need. We aspire to turn compassion into action so that:           
    • All people affected by disasters across the country and around the world receive care, shelter, and hope
    • Our communities are ready and prepared for disasters
    • Everyone in our country has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products
    • All members of our armed services and their families find support and comfort whenever needed
  • In an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives. The American Red Cross works to deliver vital services- from providing relief and support to those in crisis, to helping communities be prepared to respond in emergencies.
  • An average of 90 cents of every dollar spent is invested in delivering care and comfort to those in need. “Everything we do depends on the needs of the people that we serve”.
  • Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org) scores The American Red Cross as 88.99/100, with a program expense ratio (percent of total expenses spent on programs and services it exists to deliver) of 90.2% and an impact score (actual impact on the lives of those it serves) of 100/100.

As you can expect, The American Red Cross is actively involved in relief efforts in Ukraine.  Many of us have seen stark images of the toll the war has taken on those who live there.  Close to 3 million people have been forced to leave their homes to date.  The Red Cross is providing lifesaving aid to those in need- both in the country and in neighboring areas.  Refugees urgently need food, water, shelter, emergency medical care, and psychological support.  Red Cross volunteers are also planning to work to reunite separated families, provide food and other household items, and increase awareness about areas contaminated by unexploded ordnance.  More detail about how the Red Cross is helping amidst the devastation in Ukraine can be found here:  https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2022/ukraine-red-cross-delivers-aid-to-families.html

The Red Cross urgently needs funds to continue to support its mission in Ukraine for whatever is needed most (blood, food, shelter, clothing, and refugee support).  To this end, PMI Phoenix is conducting a national virtual donation effort so other PMI members or concerned citizens can join us.  The chapter plans to match each dollar donated by members up to $500 so we can reach a goal of $ 5,000 together. 

Donate Now

Volunteer Spotlight - Mohit Goel

Some of you may know Mohit Goel, PMP, from the days when we met in person. Others may only know him virtually as he heads up the finance as an AVP in the background because "he loves numbers, they speak the logic, numbers never lie." If you do not know him,  let me introduce him as the February 2022 volunteer of the month.  He is being recognized for compiling our finance data into meaningful reports for the board of directors. Keep reading to learn of his journey from an IT project manager coder to representing the business.
 
As the Associate Vice President of the Finance team, Mohit Goel describes his volunteer role as providing Financial information and strategic inputs to the various VPs so they can be more effective in executing their teams thereby elevating the effectiveness of the chapter. His words of advice to other volunteers is that "commitment is the key; you must find the balance to do the tasks assigned and help further the chapter and its mission. We have limited resources, and are trying to do more with less."
 
In conversation with Mohit, I learned that he spent his first seventeen years in Nigeria and considers himself an African which has given him a unique perspective.  His proudest career moment was preventing the wasteful spending of $28.6 M of taxpayer funds over a period of 8 years working in the US Public School system as an employee and management consultant. Those funds were diverted back to the classroom to invest in students, teachers’ compensation and raise academic equity.
 
Mohit Goel’s transition to representing business began when he completed his MBA. He started out in information technology and was on the receiving end of half-baked requirements and wanted to improve them. He became known as the person who would get answers to ambiguous development requests. “I was the bridge to a perfect handshake instead of a tug of war.”
 
Successful projects are characterized by less bureaucracy in governance arrangements and a greater focus on outcomes. The take-away message is that you should simplify everything about the project, and ensure that the business has the responsibility, accountability, and authority to get the job done. Gone is the excuse of "this is the way we have always done it" is not an adequate defense when senior management demands business improvement and best practice. There is almost always a disconnection between the ambitious objectives of the project and the demands of those at the management level face to ensure that "the system" is modified to reflect "how we work." The difference and importance of being a business project manager he realized were “the person driving the car is business, the engine is IT to execute. Projects fail because you want a Cadillac, and you need a Subaru.”
 
 
 
 

Judging Opportunities for Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (AZSEF)

Give back to schools by being a judge for the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair.  The Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (AzSEF) is the state science fair for Arizona. Managed by Arizona Science Center, AzSEF brings together first-place winners from school, homeschool, district, county, and regional science fairs across Arizona to compete for thousands of dollars in prizes and scholarships.  Judging occurs March 28 – April 1, 2022.

PMI Phoenix is requesting judges to assist with the science fair.  Judging is done virtually and all judges are provided with the appropriate judging information.  See AzSEF Judges Flyer for more information.

PMI Phoenix Academic Outreach is continually looking for ways to give back to our community.  This is an opportunity where we can provide educational mentoring and assistance to students so that they can get feedback from project management professionals.

Logistics

Judges should sign up via the following link for Arizona Science and Engineering Fair: AzSEF: Judges & Volunteers | Arizona Science Center (azscience.org)

  • Please note all judges and volunteers will need to create an account when registering, even those who served as a judge or volunteer in the past.
  • List PMI Phoenix as the organization that you are representing.
  • Send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let him know that you are participating in this endeavor.
  • Track the hours that you spend performing your feedback responsibilities.

If you do have questions regarding this, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Steve Poessnecker (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).