PMI Global Congress - Day II (Innovation and Networking)

 

By Mike Adams, PMP® 
President Elect - PMI Otowi Bridge 
@MichaelAdamsPMP

The second day of PMI Global Congress was pretty great. I started this post a few days back, but was exhausted and fell asleep in front of my computer, so I'm now sitting in the Denver Airport on a layover, waiting for my flight to Albuquerque, so that I can get home to family in Los Alamos.

I have to hit the rewind button on my memory to a couple of days back. The first thing I did that morning was facilitate a PMI X-Change discussion for new practitioners at breakfast. We had three folks, who are studying for their PMP exams, and who are actively working in positions where they are getting project management experience. There was a lot of interest from our brand new practitioners in how to get the PM hours they need, and how to advance their careers. Obviously, I introduced the idea of volunteering for PMI and then a discussion ensued about the benefits of volunteering for your chapter (you should have seen that coming!) We also discussed practical applications of PM basics, like defining scope, gathering requirements, and communicating with management and your team. It was a great discussion, and I enjoyed facilitating in that setting. I also find that it is always useful to hear other people discuss the basics of project management, and how they apply it in their line of work.

After breakfast, the key-note speaker, David Robertson, shared about what he learned of innovation from LEGO, while he served as the LEGO Professor of Innovation and Technology Management at Switzerland’s Institute for Management Development.

David was a fascinating speaker, and his key-note was thought provoking. The picture I included above is taken from our ProjectManagement.com Expert outing to the Epcot Center later that evening. The name, "Project Tomorrow," reminded me of David's LEGO presentation, where he discussed how LEGO nearly went bankrupt, because of the quantity of innovation taking place, and the incredible complexity that it had introduced for the company. Most of it didn't result in a net gain, and most of it was inconsistent with LEGO's brand. He detailed this story in his book, "Brick by Brick," which sounds like a great read!

The rest of the day, I spent discussing PMI chapter experiences with other "Ask an Expert" folks, and meeting with conference attendees. I was able to discuss soft skills with some attendees, business process review techniques with others, and the importance of a robust effort to gather requirements. This is a truly valuable part of the Congress experience, which was introduced by ProjectManagement.com. It was valuable in that attendees get a free 15 minute consulting session and just as in the PMI X-change breakfast, I was exposed to how other organizations and groups conceive of and employ PMI methodology.

That evening, several ProjectManagement.com's 'experts' went to Disney's Epcot center together. We had a blast. and really created a bond. My professional network expanded by seven people from around the world as a result of my participation in "Ask an Expert." These are some accomplished people too. They bring decades of executive experience, NASA experience, regional government experience, PMI volunteer experience, etc... They include people who went through the Leadership Institute Masters Class, have participated in writing standards for PMI, have started and effectively run large PMOs, they are fantastic.

I'll try to get a post up tomorrow detailing day III of #PMICongress, which was also great. I'll close this post with a hearty thank you to the ProjectManagement.com experts for your camaraderie, and your service to others, and your expertise. It was truly a privilege getting to know each and every one of you!