Meetings and Presentations

Topic: Real Project Risk Analysis

Speaker: Jason Mewis, P.Eng.

Speaker Biography

As the founder and president of ENGCOMP Engineering & Computing Professionals Inc., Jason has over 12 years of experience working on projects for the heavy industrial market in Saskatchewan, as both a Senior Structural Engineer and Project Manager. Over the course of the last five years, Jason has concentrated his efforts on project management with a strong focus on front-end project planning and estimating.

Jason is a registered professional engineer with permission to consult in Saskatchewan for industrial, commercial, and residential structural projects. He is experienced in many areas including project management, estimating, planning, and structural engineering. What distinguishes him is his specialized training in risk analysis and computer programming. Combining this experience with a strong problem-solving background and project execution track record gives Jason a unique skill set that is invaluable to ENGCOMP’s clients on many fronts.

Presentation Overview

Title: “Real” Project Risk Analysis

Brief Synopsis:

Risk analysis is a term or concept that is used very loosely in the industry. Many people or companies do some form of qualitative risk planning, brainstorming or mitigation but few do true quantitative risk analysis. Many experts concur that if you don’t do some sort of quantitative analysis, you’re not really doing risk analysis at all and in a lot of cases you may even be wasting your time.

This presentation will review the concept of quantitative risk analysis, touch on the pitfalls of only doing a qualitative risk analysis and give you an overview of the process by which a quantitative risk analysis is conducted using Monte Carlo Simulation.

ENGCOMP uses a software program called @Risk by Palisade (www.palisade.com) for performing Monte Carlo simulation on spreadsheet cost models within MS Excel and project schedules whithin MS Project. An overview of our process which will be covered in better detail during this presentation can be found at http://www.engcomp.ca/services/service-special-eng.html.

Topic: Ready, Set, ENGAGE!™:
Creating and Leading Highly Engaged Project Teams

Speaker: Trevor Maber

Speaker Biography

Trevor Maber continues to leverage nearly two decades of experience in the fields of human resources, strategic planning and project management to create significant and positive organizational change while enhancing outcomes for the clients and organizations he works with.

Trevor has held a number of leadership and consultative roles with the Saskatoon Health Region (SHR), including his most recent role as a Project Leader, supporting the planning and construction of a new $20 million, 64-bed inpatient mental health facility. In addition to his current work with the Saskatoon Health Region as an Organization Development Consultant, he is a Managing Partner with Transilient Leadership Systems Inc., collaborating with leading Canadian consulting groups to serve clients across North America. Trevor's engaging, dynamic and energetic approach to working with individuals and groups ensures that everyone comes away with rich and valuable learning.

Trevor has obtained his Masters degree in Leadership and Learning from Royal Roads University along with a Bachelor of Commerce (HRM/IR major) degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He is a certified Crucial Conversations® trainer, is qualified to administer the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®), and has completed additional training in non-violent communication (NVC) and organizational coaching with The Coaching Clinic. In addition to the above areas, Trevor also delivers consulting, presentations and workshops on a variety of topics, including appreciative inquiry, project management, employee engagement and values in the workplace.

Presentation Overview

Title: Ready, Set, ENGAGE!™: Creating and Leading Highly Engaged Project Teams

Brief Synopsis: Creating and leading highly engaged project teams is no longer a ‘nice to do’ luxury, but a ‘must do’ strategic and operational necessity. With the labour market shift in recent years, paying attention to how you recruit, retain and engage your project teams is vital to the stability and success of your projects. In addition, today’s competitive and ever-changing environment suggests that a highly engaged project team is a key influencer on the quality, cost and timeliness of your project outcomes and deliverables.

Join us for an informative and interactive presentation as Trevor shares the Ready, Set, ENGAGE!™ model of individual and team engagement, which has been developed from current engagement thinking, research and best practices. You will learn how this engagement model applies to project teams of all types, shapes and sizes, and how it connects to project management theory and knowledge. Be prepared to learn more about your own engagement needs and expectations as well as those of the project teams you work with, and where to focus your investment of energy and efforts for the best results!

Date: February 12, 2008, (Tuesday)

Topic: State of the North Saskatchewan Chapter

Speaker: Stacy Lloyd

The North Saskatchewan Chapter's President, Stacy Lloyd, will discuss PMI and the North Saskatchewan Chapter's role in the global organization. He will share some of the successes, challenges and visions for the North Saskatchewan Chapter as it continues to grow and provide services to our local project management community.

January 8, 2008, (Tuesday) presentation.

Topic: Creating a Culture of Privacy

Speaker: Don Roszell

Speaker Biography

Don Roszell has over 25 years of experience in IT including 13 years as an IT Director and several years as a senior systems analyst. For the past 9 years Don has worked as an independent contractor doing project management and management consulting work through his company Varimax Information Systems Inc. Don is also president and founder of SaskWatch Communications Inc, a startup digital signage company. Don’s recent clients include Saskatchewan Justice, Saskatchewan Corrections and Public Safety, Saskatoon Health Region, Saskatchewan Learning, several school division’s and various other government agencies.

Over the past two years Don’s consulting practice has turned towards the area of privacy, including conducting privacy impact assessments and privacy reviews, and developing privacy awareness programs.

Don has undergraduate degrees in mathematics and education and a master’s degree in educational administration. He is a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Presentation Overview

Title: Creating a Culture of Privacy

Brief Synopsis:

Privacy laws have been in existence for many years but the continual drive for integration of information systems, the desire for government organizations to share personal information, and recent high profile privacy breaches, have brought the need to address privacy issues to the forefront.

This presentation provides several examples of recent privacy breaches, compares and contrasts the concepts of privacy and security, and makes the case for creating a culture of privacy in organizations. Examples of recent privacy impact assessments conducted by the presenter will also be described.

October 9th, 2007 presentation.

Topic: Implementing a Clinical Management System

Chris Schwarz PMP

Chris has received a B. Math in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo as well as his PMP certification from PMI. Chris has been a member of the PMI North Saskatchewan Chapter board of directors for 4 years and has managed the chapter’s professional development days for the past few years.

Chris began his professional career providing software development, systems analysis and project management as a consultant in the telecommunications field. In 2004, after moving to Saskatoon from Toronto, Chris joined the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency as the Director of Project Services and entered the world of healthcare. Since joining the SCA, Chris has been responsible for managing the implementation of a Clinical Management System (an electronic patient chart for all cancer patients in the province).

Chris lives in Saskatoon with his wife Cindy and step-son Joshua. Chris is also a marathon runner and recently qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Presentation Overview

Title: Implementing a Clinical Management System

Brief Synopsis:

Chris will provide an overview of the Clinical Management System (CMS) implementation at the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. This complex project has been broken down into 22 smaller sub-projects and is being implemented by a project team of 16, including systems analysts, nurses, radiation therapists and a pharmacist. In conjunction with implementing the electronic patient record, the Agency is also going through reorganization to a provincial model. An overarching objective of the CMS project is to develop a provincial set of best practice processes for use with the electronic patient record. In support of the Agency’s strategic priority to continually improve the quality of services provided, the CMS project team has been trained on Lean Thinking (a methodology to reduce or eliminate waste in business processes). The CMS team is piloting the Lean methodology for the Agency by using it to develop Provincial Radiation Oncology processes. The talk will include an overview of Lean Thinking and how it can be applied in healthcare.

September 11th, 2007 presentation.

Topic: Curriculum Development – A Systematic Approach to Training

Gord Mosher, M.Sc. PMP

Gord has received a B.Sc in physics from the University of New Brunswick, an M.Sc. in physics and astronomy from York University and the PMP certification. Gord’s other areas of recent study include business law, accounting, marketing and organizational behaviour.

Gord began his professional experience teaching astronomy to non-science students at York University. He then moved to Waterloo to pursue an opportunity to work for a high-tech medical firm as an application engineer on the sales and marketing team. In January, 2005 Gord began working for Cameco’s Cigar Lake project as a Quality and Training Specialist, where he was principally responsible for process re-engineering. In late 2006, Gord was promoted to the position of Training Coordinator where he is now responsible for Cigar Lake’s Systematic Approach to Training (SAT) project.

Gord has lived in Fredericton, Toronto, Waterloo, London and now in Saskatoon. Gord feels blessed to have been able to visit and experience life in every province in Canada, as well as 15 other countries. He characterizes his visit to Madagascar as life-changing.

Gord has a passion for concepts and theories. Gord places a premium on originality and believes a system cannot be improved unless the status quo is questioned. Gord’s other passion is athletics where he still competes regularly, although less seriously than before.

Gord and his wife Sarah enjoy living near the beautiful south Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon. They are currently very excited as they are expecting their first child in early 2008.

Presentation Overview

Title: Curriculum Development – A Systematic Approach to Training

Brief Synopsis: In today’s business climate of increasing regulatory scrutiny, it is becoming more and more important to ensure all risks are reduced to an acceptable level. One critical component of reducing risks is to ensure training is comprehensive and appropriate.

Cameco’s Systematic Approach to Training (SAT) addresses this business need. It is through this model that a training curriculum is being developed at Cameco’s Cigar Lake mine site. Gord’s experience in training, risk analysis and project management has equipped him with an understanding of how to accomplish Cameco’s first attempt at designing a training curriculum through the SAT framework.

Gord will
· Provide a background to a SAT.
· Explain the benefits of a SAT.
· Show how project management best practices are being used on this project.
· Discuss dealing with both project and operational needs.
· Demonstrate specific challenges being faced.

Gord will address questions during and after the presentation.

Date: May 8, 2007, (Tuesday)

Topic: Managing By Influence (Project Management in Non-Projectized Environments)

Speaker: Jason Tratch, B. Sc., PMP,
President, NexLev Solutions Inc.

Speaker Biography

Jason Tratch, B.Sc. PMP

Mr. Tratch has a passion for working with diverse groups of people to deliver successful, adaptable solutions. His strengths are his business acumen, diverse industry experience, enthusiasm, interpersonal skills and understanding of cutting edge technologies.

Mr. Tratch has experience in multiple industry verticals (e.g. mining, IT, education, health, financials, retail, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, telecom, etc.) and cultural environments (e.g. remote field-work, first nations, technology, government, private, university, nonprofit, sales, etc.).

Currently Mr. Tratch is the founder and president of NexLev Solutions Inc. which is a business services and computer consulting company that has been in operations for over 8 years. NexLev focuses on:
project management (management of projects, programs, project offices and project portfolios),
process reengineering (analysis of operational/day-to-day processes & identification of opportunities to reengineer & improve), and
software development (leveraging cutting edge technology with a focus on Oracle solutions to enable delivery of a quicker, more cost effective, automated, higher quality service or product).

Jason and his wife Jocelyn have two beautiful children and are enjoying their new home and change in traffic after recently moving to Saskatoon from Toronto.

Presentation Overview

Title: Managing By Influence (Project Management in Non-Projectized Environments)

Brief Synopsis: To improve the probability of success for your project, you must understand and adapt to the type of “people environment” that exists within your project and the organization.

The experience Mr. Tratch has from working in countless types of business and cultural environments has gained him an understanding of how to align project management approaches with the organizational design set-up (e.g. functional vs matrix vs projectized). Mr. Tratch will provide background on the types of organizational designs, the pros and cons and then share tips, tools and techniques that can help move projects forward and evolve the organization. Mr. Tratch will also be available for questions as required after the presentation.

Topic: Project Management Improvement Initiative – Implementing best practices at Cameco

Speaker: Fabien Jean, B. Sc., P. Eng, PMP, Project Manager Cameco Corporation Mining Division

Speaker Biography

Fabien Jean
B. Sc. (Mech. Eng.), P. Eng, PMP

Fabien has diverse experience in the fields of fabrication, design, maintenance and management. His career started at a few of Saskatoon’s fabrication shops and with the design experience of working in Consulting Engineering (HA Simons). Maintenance and site management experience was also gained by working in the US for a year, designing and constructing plant modifications in the Copper mining industry.

Maintenance experience came when he joined Cameco to work at the McArthur River Project as a Maintenance Engineer. Maintenance responsibilities included contractor supervision, cost management, site budget assembly, etc. Fabien was also a team member on a Maintenance business process improvement initiative for the department.

The inflow of 2003 exposed Fabien to intense project management and construction management processes. Following the successful restart of McArthur, project management in the Maintenance dept. continued to be his main role at the McArthur River site.

Currently Fabien works at the Cameco Corporation, in the Mining Division’s Engineering and Projects department where he is a Senior Project Manager in their PMO.

Presentation Overview

Title: Project Management Improvement Initiative – Implementing best practices at Cameco

Brief Synopsis: Attendees will hear how Cameco’s Mining Division has standardized it’s approach to Project Management. The presentation will describe the problems that existed regarding projects at Cameco (cost overruns, schedule problems, manpower allocation, management expectations, budgeting, contractor relationships, personality based success, etc.). The grass-roots initiative to improve, and how that initiative became management practice in the Mining Division will be explained. The presentation will also outline how the initiative started with some critical action items in 2004 and how those action items are still valid today.

Date: Feb. 6, 2007, (Tuesday)

Topic: The Joys of Strategic Project Management!

Speaker: Donna Sarauer, PMP, Project Manager, Corporate Services Concentra Financial, Regina, SK

Speaker Biography

Donna Sarauer, PMP, Project Manager
Corporate Services - Concentra Financial, Regina, SK

Donna spent the beginning of her career in the IT industry, with the last portion concentrating on project management. Donna has experience in the cooperative, agricultural and financial sectors. Donna is currently working at Corporate Services in their Project Management Office which serves Concentra Financial as well as SaskCentral. In this role she managed cross-functional development teams to ensure the effective development and implementation of products and services for the credit union system. She has recently been working mainly on strategic projects with which she now really enjoys!

Donna received her Project Management Professional designation in March of 2000. Donna plays an active role in the project management community in Regina; working in the past with the 2003 Grey Cup Communications Committee, Roar of the Rings hosting committee, and the Continental Cup organizing committee as well. Donna has been working on the PMI Regina/South Saskatchewan chapter board for the last five years previously as VP of Volunteer and moving to the VP of Programs beginning January of 2007.

Donna and her husband (Owen) of 22 years have two daughters; one attending the U of S and the younger daughter at Riffel High in Regina.

Presentation Overview

Title: The Joys of Strategic Project Management!

Brief Synopsis: The presentation will discuss effective project management on strategic projects! There are some key focus areas that need attention throughout the project in order to be successful.

Attendees will hear how the speaker organized SaskCentral’s “Economic Development” project, pulling together the right project team members and managing a very creative process. Donna is very proud of the end result of this project and it also netted her the “Project Management Proficiency Award” in 2005. The audience will have an opportunity to discuss their learnings on strategic projects as well.

Topic: Organizational Project Management Maturity Model – Overview and Application

Speaker: Brenda Comfort, M.Sc, PMP
CEO, EXP Consulting

Brenda Comfort, MSc, RD, PMP
CEO, EXP Consulting

Brenda is the CEO of EXP Consulting Limited, a Project Management Training and Consulting firm. She has experience in both the public and private sectors including 15 years experience in delivering a variety of Project Management training seminars and providing project management consulting services. She is experienced in proposal writing and conducting research. As well, Brenda has published papers and abstracts in refereed journals. Education and Credentials include: MSc - University of British Columbia, RD - Registered Dietitian, PMP, Project Management Professional

Presentation Overview

Title: Organizational Project Management Maturity Model (OPM3) – Overview and Application

Brief Synopsis: OPM3 is a systematic approach to the management of Projects, Programs and Portfolios to align them with the strategic objectives of the Organization. There is a link between an organization’s ability to achieve its strategy and its capabilities in Project management, Program management and Portfolio management.

OPM3 allows organizations to understand organizational project management and measure their maturity against a broad-based set of organizational project management Best Practices through the use of an assessment/improvement tool. There are nearly 600 Best Practices.

This presentation will:
1. Provide an overview of the model.
2. Discuss the practical application of the assessment/improvement tool in terms of advantages and issues.

December 7, 2006 Special Dinner and Presentation

The Project Management Institute - North Saskatchewan Chapter, in conjunction with Saskatchewan Section of American Society for Quality, is pleased to announce a special December Dinner presentation.

RATIONAL CHANGE MANAGEMENT: without Hype and Myth

An exploration of how Change Works by Peter de Jager

This interactive learning workshop explores the Change Management process. The topics will include:
· The myths of Change Management
· The value, and flaws of human behavioral models
· The applicability of the Kubler-Ross Grief Cycle to organizational Change
· The Virginia Satir Change Process Model
· The single point of failure in change management
· Why good, honest, open communications is the pivot point of change management projects
· Why resistance to change is both necessary and desirable

Topic: Effective Communication

Speaker: Jill Sauter, B.Comm.
Principal, Jill Sauter Marketing and Communications
Saskatoon, SK

Speaker Biography

Jill Sauter, B.Comm.
Principal, Jill Sauter Marketing and Communications

Jill is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, College of Commerce. She has held several positions in marketing and sales with multinationals such as Xerox, BASF and Monsanto. On her return to Saskatchewan, Jill worked with Western Economic Diversification (WD), the College of Agriculture and the Saskatchewan Advanced Technology Association as a Marketing Consultant. Jill worked as a small business counselor with the Canada-Saskatchewan Business Service Centre where she delivered seminars and provided counseling to assist small businesses, specializing in the areas of marketing, promotion and strategic planning. She has also taught strategic marketing at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Commerce. Recently, Jill was the Sales & Marketing Manager for Superior Cabinets of Saskatoon. Jill is now the principal in her own company supporting small business in Saskatchewan with her marketing and strategic planning expertise. Jill’s volunteer work with organizations such as Jeux Canada Games, Kids Help Phone, Venture Forward, and The Saskatoon & District Chamber of Commerce allows her to apply her skills and enhance her community. She was recently chosen in the CTV promotion 100 People, 100 Reasons honoring people who make a difference in Saskatoon.

Presentation Overview

Title: Effective Communication

Brief Synopsis: This presentation will focus on the critical aspect of communication. This aspect of Project Management can be the differentiator if your project is successful or not. It is also an essential part of the team dynamic (how well the team will function and evolve). Items covered include the communication basics (Who, Why, How) and how to ensure you make communication work for you, your team and your stakeholders (target audiences). Also covered will be examples of proven tools and techniques and how to more effectively create a positive attitude and behavior change.

Topic: Project Risks – Focus on the Solution not the problem

Speaker: Ravi K Maithel, B.Tech Hons., M.E. (IE &OR), UC Berkeley
CEO, Clevor Technologies, Saskatoon, SK

Location: University of Saskatchewan Faculty Club, U of S Campus

Speaker Biography

Ravi Maithel
B.Tech Hons. (Mech. Eng.), M.E. (IE &OR), UC Berkeley
Founder & CEO of Clevor Technologies
www.clevor.com

Ravi has over 25 years’ hands on management experience with technology companies and manufacturing companies. This has included the responsibility he had in the erection of the compressor house for an Ammonia Urea Plant and 10 years as Vice President, Saskatchewan Research Council. He currently serves on the boards of Saskatchewan Advanced Technology Association and Prairie Policy Center, a public policy think tank.

Ravi has developed risk and scheduling management softwares. One of his softwares is the first technology that can automatically and intelligently evaluate thousands of scheduling scenarios and give you the optimized schedule for the project(s). Because of its ability to eliminate costly scheduling errors and improve productivity, the schedules produced are significantly less risk and more efficient than those produced either by the critical path method or by rule based scheduling systems. This software is used by contractors, general contractors, plant maintenance groups, manufacturers and professional services.

Presentation Overview

Title: Project Risks – Focus on the Solution not the problem

Brief Synopsis: Attendees will hear how from extensive experience of how Ravi was able to help organizations better manage their projects and associated risks and scheduling. The presentation will discuss various risks related to projects. It will also discuss various approaches, tools and techniques that are useful in managing these risks. Ravi will also show a live demo of Clevor Schedule Optimizer that is designed to help manage the risks associated with projects. Audience members will have an opportunity to share their experiences (good and bad) in project risk so be prepared to ask him hard questions and hear his candid and practical answers in the Q &A at the end of the presentation (Ravi will also be available for detailed questions afterwards as required).

Date: September 12, 2006, (Tuesday)

Topic: Project Scheduling: The Hurrier I Go, the Behinder I Get!

Speaker: Harlan Kennedy, B.Sc., P.Eng., P.M.P.

Manager of Special Projects, Commercial Services Division

Saskatchewan Property Management, Regina, SK

Location: University of Saskatchewan Faculty Club, U of S Campus

NOTE: Recommended parking is directly across College Drive (to the South of the Faculty Club) in the U of S Parkade (hourly rates)

Brief Synopsis: The presentation will discuss reasons why project tasks often finish later than planned, how project planning can anticipate and avoid delays, and various strategies to respond to time pressures on projects without significantly sacrificing scope, quality or cost.

Date: May 9, (Tuesday)

Topic: Environmental Assessment, Strategic Planning, and Project Management

Speaker: Amy L. Langhorne, M.Sc., FP-C
Associate, Senior Aquatic Biologist
Golder Associates Ltd., Saskatoon

Location: University of Saskatchewan Faculty Club, U of S Campus

Environmental Assessment is an important aspect of most large scale projects in Canada and around the world today. Often it is required for the funding or permitting, or both, of a project, not to mention public support. There are a surprising number of pit falls and bumps that can be encountered by Project Managers and this presentation will touch on the following themes to avoid a failure on your critical path:
· Integrated Teams – The ‘..ologists’ can make a difference (Archaeologists to Zoologists)
· Strategic Advice – when do you need it, knowing what you’re asking for and knowing what you’re getting
· Stakeholders – Other experts, the regulators, and the public
· EA tools and effective Project Management

Biography – Amy L. Langhorne, M.Sc., FP-C – Associate, Senior Aquatic Biologist
Golder Associates Ltd., Saskatoon
Amy Langhorne has been a scientist with Golder Associates for over 12 years and is experienced in study design, data analysis, project management, and strategic planning. Currently Amy’s primary role with Golder is as a technical expert and Project Manager for clients across Canada with projects requiring regulatory approvals, permits, and operational monitoring programs. As a Director of the Canadian Operating Company and an Associate with Golder, Amy is recognized by her colleagues as a senior consulting professional and leader with the trust and respect of over 500 other Principals and Associates world wide. She is also recognized as a Certified Fisheries Professional with the American Fisheries Society.
Major projects have included:
· Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. EIA, Fish Habitat Design Program, and Ongoing Operational Monitoring Programs;
· DeBeers Canada Snap Lake Diamond Project EIA;
· Falconbridge Montcalm Mine Permitting and Operational Monitoring;
· Weyerhaeuser P.A. 20 Forest Management Plan EIA and Ongoing Environmental Effects Monitoring Programs;
· Saskatchewan Highways – Twinning of Highways No. 16 and 1, Environmental Assessment, Permitting, and Construction Monitoring.

Presenter: Mark Mullaly, President, Interthink Consulting Incorporated

Registration for Leadership & Project Management – Bridging The Gap
Download PDF file

Speaker Biography

Mark Mullaly’s goal is to change the world – at least so far as project management is practiced. There is no denying that project management has positively influenced organizations today; now it is time to take it to the next level. The evolution until now has improved how individual projects are managed, but by approaching projects as an integrated whole, organizations stand to realize even greater gains. Projects are successful today despite the organization, not because of it. By integrating an understanding of projects into the management framework, companies can begin to realize quantum rather than incremental improvements. Since founding Interthink Consulting, Mark has focused on creating the tools that allow companies to realize their full potential.

Mark started his career almost twenty years ago in professional theatre, working as a stage and production manager, later discovering that he was in fact a project manager by another name. Since making the transition from theatre to business, Mark has worked in a variety of industries, including information technology, communications, utilities, insurance, finance, engineering, construction and high tech.

As President of Interthink Consulting Incorporated, a company based in Edmonton, Alberta, Mark has been a pioneer in the development of organizational project management capabilities. Interthink is renowned for its Organizational Project Management Baseline Study and PM:RoadMap organizational assessment tool, both of which are based on Interthink’s project management maturity model. This model was developed in the early 1990s, and was one of the earliest in the marketplace. Most recently, Interthink introduced Focus:Project Manager, a project manager assessment tool that combines the dimensions of personality and skill to support the development of effective project managers.

Mark is a popular and engaging speaker who has been invited to address conferences across North America. His widely read column, Project Management in Practice, appears monthly on gantthead.com, and he is a sessional instructor in project management with the Faculty of Business at the University of Alberta. Mark is the Past President of the Northern Alberta
Chapter of the Project Management Institute.

Outline:
Leadership & Project Management – Bridging The Gap

Without a leader and a team, project management is nothing but tools, processes and templates. Leadership is the fundamental quality of projects and team success, but one of the greatest challenges that project managers face in dealing with their own personal development. Whether stepping into a new project role, or enhancing our development skills, we struggle with understanding what constitutes effective leadership and how we balance the technical and personal aspects of the role. Tying together current research conducted by the workshop leader with practical and recognized leadership styles, this workshop explores an essential but under-addressed aspect of the project management function.

Participants develop better insights of the drivers of leadership and effective team behavior, and the influence of personality on leadership styles and team dynamics.

This workshop is worth 7 professional development units

Registration for Leadership & Project Management – Bridging The Gap
Download PDF file

Date: March 14, (Tuesday)

Topic: Quality is Planned In - Not Inspected In

Speaker: JoAnne Neely CMA, PMP
Director, Project Management Practice, Solvera Solutions
President, South Saskatchewan PMI Chapter

Location: University of Saskatchewan Faculty Club, U of S Campus

This theme in the quality management circles is certainly applicable to projects. Quality is not the natural order of things and is the result of hard, deliberate work that begins with planning. Applying project management techniques for quality planning, assurance and control will ensure that your project and the product you deliver will satisfy all the stakeholders’ objectives. Everyone on the team is responsible for quality, but the project manager is accountable. Following a methodology that integrates quality into the project will ensure that the activities specific for quality are included in the details of the project plan.

Biography – JoAnne Neely CMA, PMP

JoAnne enjoys a career primarily in project management; application and information architectural design; and business process improvement. For over 30 years, she has worked in Regina in the information technology field primarily in project work for implementing new technology and business systems for corporations in the utility industry. JoAnne is Director of Project Management Practice with Solvera Solutions. Solvera provides consulting and application development services to clients in Western Canada.

JoAnne obtained the PMP designation January 1999. She also holds a Certified Management Accounting designation and has a Diploma in Computer Technology from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. She has been on the PMI Regina / South Saskatchewan Chapter Board of Directors

Date: February 14, (Tuesday)

Speaker: Lou Charlebois CHRP, Business and Management Programs
Business & Entrepreneurial Studies Division, SIAST Kelsey Campus

Topic: Ruminations on Stakeholder Management.

Location: University of Saskatchewan Faculty Club, U of S Campus

Abstract
A universal adage in the realm of Project Management is that "form follows function". How can project managers ensure that the perceived function in the minds-eye of the stakeholders is translated first into the project objectives and subsequently into the deliverables that produce the end result. Project performance that is ahead of schedule or under budget doesn't hold value without perceived quality of performance in the eye of the beholder. How do you get project vision and deliverables to come together to the satisfaction of the stakeholders.

Biography – Lou Charlebois
Lou Charlebois BSc., CHRP holds a “Master Trainer” designation and has established himself internationally as a workshop facilitator and Process Consultant, mostly in the management disciplines of Problem Solving, Decision Making and Project Management. His greatest satisfaction is assisting organizations to troubleshoot ‘unsolvable problems’ and succouring as Project Coach. Mr. Charlebois is involved in the development and delivery of several Management and Leadership development seminars for local, national and international clients and is asked to speak to a number of organizations and conferences. Lou believes that the best way to obtain results is to empower the client to achieve success.

Mr. Charlebois is a leader in the development of the Human Resource Profession in Canada. His role was instrumental in establishing the HRSDC project that led to the definition of the Human Resource profession in Canada. He was among the first group of Human Resource Professionals in Saskatchewan to obtain the CHRP (Certified Human Resource Professional) designation. He has served in numerous capacities with local, provincial and national HR associations. His service includes: Founding President of the Saskatchewan Training and Development Association (Saskatoon Chapter) and a founding member of the Saskatchewan Council of Human Resource Associations which he served in several capacities including Registrar and President. Mr. Charlebois also served the Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations as Director for 4 years and as Chairperson, Inter-Jurisdictional Equivalency Committee for the CHRP. Lou currently serves the newly established Saskatchewan Association of Human Resource Professionals as Director of Accreditation.

Lou is employed as the Extension Education Consultant, Business and Management Programs, Extension Services, Business & Entrepreneurial Studies Division, SIAST Kelsey Campus. He is an associate with Kepner-Tregoe Inc., an international management development organization based in Princeton NJ and the PowerfuLeaders Alliance Inc. a global assembly of consultant’s with a variety of expertise.

Examples of Lou’s extensive client list includes Atlantic Richfield Corporation (ARCO, Prudhoe Bay Operations – Alaska, Canada Post Corporation, Husky Oil, Manitoba Hydro, NASA, Northern Telecom, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Esso Resources, Foothills Pipelines, Sasktel, SGI, SunCor, Syncrude, TransCanada Pipelines, and the University of Saskatchewan as well as projects in India, Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam.

Lou likes to drive airplanes and fly fast cars and is passionate about scuba diving in tropical waters.

January 10, 2006 NSC Luncheon Meeting
Speaker: Mike Gutek, Transportation Engineer, IS-Traffic Engineering Design & Development, City of Saskatoon
Topic: City of Saskatoon Construction Projects & Lessons Learned (College & Circle Interchange, Clarence Avenue Overpass)

Abstract:
Mike will present an overview of two recent City of Saskatoon projects including lessons learned. The projects are:
- The Clarence/CNR Railway overpass built in 2004
- The College/Circle Interchange currently under construction

Speaker Bio:
Education:
· Professional Engineer (Civil)
· B.Sc. Engineering (Civil)

Work Experience:
From 1990 through to 2001 Mike worked on a multitude of projects across Western Canada and the Yukon for a Heavy Civil Contractor. Highlighted projects included:
- construction of the new 3rd runway & apron expansion at the Vancouver International Airport
- White River Bridge on the Alaska Highway
- portions of the Millenium Line Skytrain expansion in Vancouver

Since 2001 he has worked with the City of Saskatoon's Municipal Engineering section involved in the design and construction of Municipal Infrastructure including Phase 1 of the new Willowgrove Subdivision, the 22nd & Circle, Attridge & Circle, College & Circle Interchanges, and various roadway projects.

PMI NSC will be facilitating a Study Group in support of PMI members preparing to write the Project Management Professional (PMP) examination.

This is an opportunity to add value to your project management education through additional study material and shared discussion with others who have project management experience. NSC will provide PMP certified project managers to facilitate the sessions, answer questions and share exam tips and tricks. The study group does not qualify towards the 35 hours of instructor lead classroom time required for PMP certification.

The Study Group will meet Mondays, bi-weekly starting October 24th, from 7:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
LOCATION room 129C, SIAST Kelsey campus
REGISTER by EMAIL to vpEducation@pmiNorthSask.com

Registration deadline is Monday, October 17, 2005.
Please contact Les Reimer at vpEducation@pmiNorthSask.com.

Participation is limited to PMI North Saskatchewan Chapter members.

Membership details are available from Les Reimer at vpEducation@pmiNorthSask.com or from PMI World Headquarters: www.pmi.org

Date: October 11, 2005 (Tuesday)
Speaker: Jeremy Breker, Senior Project Manager, International Road Dynamics, Inc.
Topic: PM Helps Change A Company

International Road Dynamics adopted project management as an integral part of the deployment of high tech systems in an international environment over 8 years ago. As a result of steady corporate growth and the need to improve the time to market the PM team changed processes from a projectized environment to a balanced matrix. We present lessons learned about the deployment of systems in both PM environments by looking at two different products; the Expedited Processing at International Crossings (EPIC Border Crossing Security System); and the Virtual Weigh Station.

Jeremy Breker
Education:
• Professional Engineer (Civil)
• B.Sc. Engineering (Civil)

Work Experience: Jeremy has over 10 years experience working in project management deploying leading edge technology both domestically and internationally. Over the course of his career he has garnered international attention as a result of successfully executing projects and turning them into award winning Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Some of the many projects have included the development of mobile safety systems, commercial vehicle weigh in motion, automatic vehicle identification, border crossing security systems, and commercial toll applications.