The Critical Path

Can you believe we’re already in Q2 for 2019? The flowers are blooming and the pollen count is on overdrive. This can only mean that summer is on the way! This is an exciting year for PMI….we have a new leader, Sunil Prashara, traveling the world introducing himself to various global chapters and listening to what members have on their minds. We’re celebrating our 50th Anniversary, and furthering the advancement of the project management profession by partnering with TED, the non-profit dedicated to ideas worth spreading. The Critical Path provides a sneak peek of wants happening and what’s yet to come as we continue our journey throughout 2019. Sit back, relax and enjoy all the exciting happenings in our community!

PMXPO 2019 Virtual Event Now On-Demand! Our keynote, Derreck Kayongo, inspired us to give back; perfect timing for our 50^th anniversary global celebration of service! He set the tone, and the rest of our speakers carried out a day of learning and loving life. If you were not able to join us live, you can catch our sessions on-demand here.  Putting on an event of this size is a huge effort, so on behalf of the event team, we want to thank you all for making this happen! If you’re thirsting for more, our second virtual event is right around the corner! The PMI Talent & Technology Symposium is back for the second year! This virtual event will explore the impact of rapidly changing technologies on the project management profession across industries. Join us on 12 June 2019 for another day filled with great speakers and intriguing topics!

PMI and TED Partner to Spread the Word of Project Management – To celebrate our 50th Anniversary and further advance the project management profession, PMI is partnering with TED, the non-profit dedicated to ideas worth spreading. Our two great brands will bring inspiring ideas and powerful voices to the world of project, program and portfolio management, empowering people to make ideas a reality. This partnership is an immersive and impactful experience that has the power to create change, to shift perspectives and connect cultures. Join us throughout the year to celebrate our 50th Anniversary as PMI and TED come together to create unique experiences for project professionals. We’re celebrating in a big way, so find out how you can get involved!

What If Your Project Ends Suddenly? How Do You Go About Searching For Your Next Project? – Chizzy Menkiti, MBA, PMP, CSM explains it all by applying PMBOK® guide principles to your next job search. Learn how these key details will guide you on the path to success!

How Much Time Do We Waste Thinking About, Avoiding, Or Worrying About Having a Hard Conversation and What Does That Do to Your Productivity? – Our community “communication” guru, Dana Bernstein, lays it all out in Part 1 of her webinar, Mastering the Art of Having Difficult Conversations – Part 1. Oh, and don’t miss Part 2, scheduled on 30 April 2019!

Are You Still On the Fence about Submitting A Proposal to PMI® PMO Symposium® 2019? – Well, the clock is ticking…….as the deadline to submit proposals is 3 May 2019! Showcase your thought leadership at the top-tier event for PMO leaders by joining fellow colleagues 3-6 November 2019 in Denver, CO! Click here for more details!

That's all for now! If you have any questions about community events, user guidelines, or any other community happenings, feel free to reach out to any member of the Community Engagement team. We always here to help! Have a great month, fellow Community Friends!

Are you attending PMI^® Global Conference 2019 taking place right here in Philadelphia 5-7 October, 2019? If yes, why don't you consider placing your toastmaster practices into action!?

PMI is now accepting presentation proposals from active and PM credentialed project, program and portfolio professionals. All proposals must be submitted online by the deadline of 6 March 2019. Late proposals will not be accepted. Learn more and submit your proposal.

We hope to see you there!

Well, we have surpassed the first month of the New Year, and suddenly it’s February! Does that mean Spring is right around the corner? Is it me, or is time flying at warp speed? As with seasonal change, new activities and initiatives here at PMI are constantly evolving. Whether fully engaged in projects or cramming to meet deadlines, we hope you can take a moment to read about new and exciting activities taking place here on ProjectManagement.com!

Growing a stellar career. A blog post linked from the PM Port news service provides interesting details about a project that made a good leader a great leader. The project, with a budget almost four times the biggest this project manager ever handled before, aimed to use lean techniques and appropriate technologies to improve customer service and reduce costs. The project manager spent almost half his time on stakeholder conversations. He found a way to get the support and involvement of his organization’s sales and operations staff. Stakeholder satisfaction was exemplary. Check out PM Port for absorbing reads and trends news you can use.

Well, have you registered for the first Virtual Conference of the year taking place on 21 March 2019, PMXPO? If not, I urge you to take a sneak peek of our Keynote Speaker selected to open the event explaining his story of how hardship can transform the livelihood of humanity. The final schedule of speakers and corresponding sessions will soon be posted. Get EXCITED!

PMI Engages Global Industry Leaders in Davos – Davos has attracted global leaders from governments and corporations for almost 50 years and this year was no different. Apple CEO Tim Cook, Alibaba Chairman Jack Ma and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg were among some star CEOs that attended sessions around this year’s theme, “Globalization 4.0: Shaping a Global Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” PMI was the only association in Davos, which is a testimony to the value our Institute brings, as well as our ability for building strong business relationships.

PMI Executives kicked off a panel discussion titled "Humans 2.0." The Brightline^™ Initiative, PMI and the Boston Consulting Group hosted The Economist Events panel discussion. It addressed how business leaders can sharpen their ability to respond to the inevitable challenges that will arise as a result of disruptive technologies. Watch the entire discussion here.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF COMMITMENT T0 PROJECT MANAGEMENT. While we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we want to focus special attention on the professionals—PMI members, credential holders, volunteers and all those who consider project, program and portfolio management their profession—for their great accomplishments in not just delivering successful outcomes, but in making a difference. Join us in our Celebration of Service. 2019 will be more than a celebration of our 50th Anniversary. It will be the start of a project management Global Celebration of Service that will go on throughout 2019 and beyond. PMI is leading this effort to address important issues and causes in local communities that will help ensure a better future for all. LEARN HOW TO PLEDGE!

That's all for now! If you have any questions about community events, user guidelines, or any other community happenings, feel free to reach out to any member of the Community Engagement team. We love hearing from you and always happy to help! Enjoy your day!

For those who attended last year welcome back, and for those who did not, we’re thrilled to have you on board this year. As the first PMI virtual event of 2019, PMXPO is ringing in the New Year in style. We’re kicking off the 12th edition of our annual virtual conference and exhibition with some spectacular speakers and game-changing sessions. Last year we set yet another record-breaking attendance, and we hope to do the same this year. To find out why your peers believe that attending this conference is extremely important, register today.

We are proud to announce that this year’s keynote speaker is Derreck Kayongo! Derreck is the founder of the Global Soap Project. He has built a multi-million dollar venture which takes recycled soap and distributes it through global health programs to people who lack access to it around the world.  He is also the former CEO of the Center for Civil and Human Rights. Derreck is truly a business visionary. He shares his remarkable story of transformation to illustrate the power of creativity and observation to solve any challenge.

Along with our keynote speaker Derreck Kayongo, PMXPO 2019 will bring you five more sessions packed with informative project management viewpoints from experts around the world who are leaders of their industry. Stay tuned for updated information regarding final agenda and speakers.

Who will be attending?

Everyone who has a thirst for knowledge and wants to remain ahead in their career!

Whether you’re a seasoned PM or new to the field, this is an excellent opportunity to learn, network, earn PDUs, and broaden your perspective on project management. Attend this virtual event from the comfort of your own home or office, and the best part is everyone attends for free with absolutely no cost to you or your peers. Register now, save the date, and tell your friends and colleges you will see them at PMXPO 2019!

Each year, PMI awards grants of up to US$50,000 per project to support research with themes and perspectives that have direct application to the theory and/or practice of project management.

For 2019, PMI has awarded four Sponsored Research Grants:

1. Project Title: Knowing when to embrace ambiguity and when to fear it: developing the ability to manage uncertainty in project managers
   Investigators: Anna Wiewiora (principal investigator) and Peter O'Connor
   Affiliation: Queensland University of Technology, Australia
2. Project Title: Harnessing Social Capital with Community Stakeholders in Infrastructure Projects
   Investigators: Suresh Cuganesan (principal investigator), Kenneth Chung, and Pernille Eskerod
   Affiliation: The University of Sydney, Australia
3. Project Title: Project Organizing for Tackling Grand Challenges in Emergent Markets
   Investigator: Nuno Gil (principal investigator)
   Affiliation: Manchester Business School, United Kingdom
4. Project Title: P3M Implementation Framework for Grand Challenges Policies: The Case of Climate Change Mitigation Infrastructure
   Investigators: Vedran Zerjav (principal investigator), Efrosyni Konstantinou, Kate Gasparro
   Affiliation: University College London, United Kingdom

Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients! The next Sponsored Research Program grant funding cycle opens 1 February 2019 for funding in 2020. To learn more about the PMI Sponsored Research Program, visit pmi.org/SponsoredResearch.