The Critical Path

You've done it! You've joined the ProjectManagement.com community and started connecting with other members to build your network. Now what? How do you go about the business of building relationships with the people you have connected with? If you're having some trouble trying to figure out how to move forward, here are a few tips.

Offer Assistance

Whether you are new to the community or have been here since the beginning, we strongly encourage you to join conversations. Offer assistance to another member who is working through an issue or provide an answer to a question. Would you rather address someone privately? Make use of the Inbox feature here in the community. However, when using the Inbox feature we ask that you do so wisely. Please do not send private messages offering discounts on services or products or send messages that may be perceived as promotional. Make sure your communication has a purpose and is beneficial to the member you are addressing.

Share Knowledge

All members of the community have different levels of expertise. This creates a ripe opportunity to act as a knowledgeable resource to someone who is new to the profession or trying out a new skill. We strongly believe that peer to peer connections is the best way to gain knowledge and advance your career. Use your network to share ideas or collaborate on a project. Develop the relationships you create within the community and utilize them to move your career - and the profession - forward.

Contribute

You have probably had conversations with people you are connected to here in the community on a myriad of topics. You might have even joked and said something along the lines of "we should write an article about that!" Well...maybe you should! Collaborate with those in your network that you share common interests and expertise with. Create an article, white paper, or join together and present a webinar to the community. Share what you know or discoveries that you've made through your connections to contribute to the greater professional body of knowledge. You never know what other opportunities may arise from it!

There are many ways to utilize your network and build professional relationships within the community, and these are just a few suggestions to help get you started. 

How have you built relationships within your network here on ProjectManagement.com?

Running a PMO is no small feat. But how do you go about it while trying to maintain a work-life balance and keep your team and stakeholders happy? Enter 'A Life Less Balanced,' our first serialized fictional drama authored by Robert Bulger that follows a PMO director as she runs a PMO for a cutting edge technology start-up while trying to find balance in her personal life. Keeping people happy is a full-time job. Make sure you catch up each month to see how she does it! Read the first installment, Release 1.0, today!

Since we're on the subject...

The Atlanta Building the Hybrid PMO workshop session registration is open! Don't miss out on this dynamic workshop that will provide you with tips on how to take your PMO to the next level. Whether you're just beginning to develop your PMO or you're trying to find solutions to an issue, this workshop is meant for you! 

The Atlanta workshop will take place 15-16 August 2016 and space is limited. Don't miss out on this event. Register now! 

Hello Project Superheroes!

This month we have brought you some pretty great information on hybrid project management. In case you missed it, here's what we've talked about so far:

Kevin Coleman shared his experience working on a hybrid project and gave some recommendations on how to move forward and prepare yourself should you ever find yourself assigned to one. Kevin states that "given the number of emerging technologies and the magnitude of their markets, now estimated at topping $19 trillion by 2020, hybrid projects are not just a possibility, they are a high probability." Read more regarding The Best of Both Worlds from his 2 May post.

Not sure what Hybrid PM really is? Andy Jordan sheds some light on the topic. In his most recent post, Andy shares some information that might help to cut away at some of the confusion and provide a bit more clarity. Hopefully the next time you hear the term 'hybrid PM," you'll have a better understanding if you didn't already. Read more about it here.

Since we're on the topic...

If you are, in some way, responsible for the operation of a PMO in your organization and you need help, the wait is over. Mark Price Perry, Andy Jordan, and Jesse Fewell are here to help! We're offering 6 more face-to-face sessions this year to help you build the hybrid PMO. You'll be given the opportunity to spend 2 days gaining valuable insight and talking to other professionals -- and our facilitators -- to find solutions to challenges you may be facing within your PMO. Our first workshop is in Chicago, followed by Seattle and Boston. Full workshop information and registration is listed here. Space is limited so sign up soon!

From the Project Management Central Discussion Board

One of our members needs your help! She wants to know if you can provide some examples of program management methodologies. If you can share some insight, hop into the discussion thread and give your feedback.

As always, we're here to help. if you have questions, want to submit content, or need help connecting with someone who might be able to help you with a question, let us know!

The theme of this month's content has been focused on career development. We've seen a lot of great information from contributors that has addressed ongoing skills development, reinventing yourself as a practitioner, and even content challenging you to think about why you chose the profession.

As you go through your professional journey, remember who helped you along the way and then ask yourself if you've paid it forward. Have you had the opportunity to mentor or guide someone as they go through their professional journey? If not, what has held you back - opportunity or apprehension? No matter where you are in your career, you will always have something valuable to lend to someone else's development. We don't always know what we don't know, but you should certainly be confident in what you DO know and don't be afraid to allow someone else the benefit of knowledge sharing. 

Additionally, make sure that you visit the Career Development practice area here within the community for additional resources to help you get the most out of your career journey.

What information or advice do you have for others who are seeking ways to develop their career in project management?

Spring has officially sprung here in the U.S. And with that, we want to give you some information to help you keep your skills fresh! Find out what's happening and learn about upcoming events!

• 5 April 2016 - Join us right here on ProjectManagement.com as we highlight what it means to give back in the project management profession. No matter your industry, you'll have the opportunity to see how your peers are making a difference in the world! Be on the lookout for more information on 5 April!

• 28 April 2016 - Join us right here for PMXPO 2016! This is the 9th edition of ProjectManagement.com's annual virtual conference that provides you with the opportunity to learn, network, earn more than 6 PDUs, and gain knowledge without leaving your home or office! And it's FREE! This year's keynote speaker is Robbie Bach, innovation expert and former Chief Xbox Officer so you won't want to miss out. Register today!

• Are you a BA? Do you have an interest in business analysis? Have you visited the Business Analysis resource page on PMI.org? If you haven't taken a look, you're missing out on the latest in knowledge and resources that will keep you in the know. You can obtain Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide, as well as information that will help sharpen your skills as a BA. Don't forget to also visit the Business Analysis/Requirements Management practice area here within the community for the latest in the profession.

We've got lots more in store for you, so make sure you keep your eye on this space for information on upcoming events and opportunities to enhance your knowledge. As always, if you have questions or need help, please reach out!