Topic:

The novel Coronavirus has thrown the world into a flurry. Some organizations are suddenly working remotely, a lucky few can take their whole business model online, while other businesses are stalling completely, or just holding on by tooth and nail. And then, suddenly, we are “reopening shop”, a “New Normal” is dawning, or is it..?
Initiatives to become “more agile” have been crammed into some of these changes and while everyone feels pressed to act more quickly and “more agile”, many still don’t know what that means – are we talking mindset in the broadest possible sense, are we referring to IT project methodology, and if so, how can it be transferred to org changes?

This talk explores:

• what constitutes a Culture Change
• how the mindset in Agile relates to the original Agile Manifesto
• how to move towards a culture that invites Agile, Innovation & Change

This interactive talk explores the strategic importance of corporate culture for organizational moves towards Innovation. It shows which factors contribute to the success of Organizational Change towards Adaptability and Readiness, in a way that is thought-provoking, entertaining, and inspiring.

Participants will learn
- to list the 4 basic types of organizational culture
- to explain why change management is a strategic asset in organizations and projects
- to describe how organizational culture (and project culture) can foster or hinder innovation
- to understand how to tackle organizational change and how to deal with resistance
- Discuss the leadership and facilitation tools introduced in the presentation
- Apply these tools in their own leadership and team facilitation roles

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Katharina Kettner
Katharina is an expert in organizational culture & leadership development, well-versed in waterfall & agile, a strong facilitator, with over 25 years of experience in designing and implementing programs for corporate clients in Europe and North America.  She holds a Ph.D. in Communication & Media, a Certificate in Economy & Business Studies (Strategic Management & Leadership), and PRINCE2, Scrum, PROSCI ADKAR, and Business Process Management certifications.  Katharina is active in numerous networks, she is Director of Marketing & Communications at ACMP Manitoba Chapter, and an author and speaker in the fields of Innovation, Organizational Culture and Change.

Topic:

Tired of sticky notes and whiteboard sessions? Mind Mapping is used in requirements gathering sessions and the construction of the WBS. Mind mapping has traditionally been presented as a tool for planning and organization, an effective way to develop, organize, and present multiple facets of the project plan. Primarily used for the construction of the WBS, advanced uses of this technique also simplify the complex process of communicating the project plan. When Mind Mapping is coupled with technology it simplifies the process and enhances communication. During this presentation, I will explain the mind mapping theory and how that theory can be applied to BAs and PMs. I will also demonstrate best practice techniques in mind mapping and how it relates to technology. Participants will learn how to simplify the project life cycle and improve the communication of a project plan.

Speaker:

Our presenter today is Brandon Conrad from MatchWare Inc. Brandon has a degree in Economics and Psychology from the University of Kansas. Brandon has worked for MatchWare since 2005 as a product manager. In his time there he has focused on mind mapping software and how it relates to project management. Brandon has written articles and given presentations to multiple project management groups in the US and Europe about using mind mapping in project management. His articles have been published in multiple PMI publications. His presentations have been with various PMI chapters and at the PMI Global Congress in 2009.

Topic Summary:

The Agile mindset exists in all organizations and all aspects of work, making it relevant to college students. With Agile's penetration into all facets of a company, hiring managers now screen their new hires on the principles needed to be successful early in their careers.  Following feedback from industry advisory boards at universities and partnership with hiring organizations, project management, and agile concepts now populate course competencies and specific benchmarks across all disciplines.

Through this presentation, you will understand how Grand Canyon University's College of Science, Engineering, and Technology (CSET) has embedded Agile tools and knowledge into deliverables, lessons, and projects. You will see examples of the Agile artifacts the students create and the lesson plans used within a full project management class. As part of GCU's marketing to high school students, there are even Agile lessons designed to initiate students before they begin college. The collaborative presentation will include an opportunity to share your ideas for what else is needed and ask questions about the information presented.

Speakers:

Robert Loy, Director Non-degree Technology Programs, Grand Canyon University

Since his first role in IT in 1999 and then as an IT manager and director, Robert understood the need to be agile in planning and implementation. While working full-time for companies including Pegasus Solution Henkel, Mobile Mini, and Avnet he polished his project management skills and passed his PMP for the first time in 2018. When asked to take over as an adjunct for a CIS class at Scottsdale Community College in 2003, he jumped at the chance to give back. Now at Grand Canyon University he is helping prepare the next generation of IT and project management team members.

Glenda Dilts, Full-time CSET Faculty member, Grand Canyon University

Glenda started in project management with the explosion of the cell phone industry, managing the construction of 40+ cell phone towers for a young cellular telephone company. She has managed projects including computerizing infraction processing for a small suburban police department and networking all public-facing AV equipment in a church. She has taught project management, both structured and agile, in multiple universities, and has taught at Grand Canyon University since 2016.

This presentation was given at the July 2020 Virtual Breakfast Meeting (COVID Restrictions)

Presentation Title/Topic: Getting Started with Kanban

This presentation is an introduction of Kanban key concepts and a look at how these concepts play out in real-world applications.  Attendees should come away with an understanding of where it may fit in their organization and how to get started experimenting with implementing kanban.

Speaker: Mike Dewitt

Mike DeWitt is a seasoned IT professional skilled in synthesizing complex technologies into effective tools of business.  He has performed project, program, and portfolio management in industries such as finance, higher education, and insurance. He is an expert in several SDLCs, including Scrum and Kanban.  He has implemented project management methodologies in a number of organizations, all the while studiously avoiding the PMP exam himself.