Project Management (PM) tools have improved dramatically in recent years and are much more powerful than most people realize. Everyone can now do what only NASA, Fluor-Daniel, GE, Boeing, et al. could do on the mainframe thirty years ago. PMI, the new PM tools and litigation have changed the design and contracting process dramatically. Owners and consultants can now use such methods as fast track project management and multiple prime contractors to maintain project control, and align contractor and owner goals to complete projects much faster than ever before. It’s not all good. Resources are often grossly overloaded and schedule impact claims based on “Who Stole the Float” are moving from the Construction Industry to IT and other industries.

 Now PMs are managing portfolios of projects rather than large single projects. The most successful companies are sorting their projects into multiple Tiers and using Total Float to borrow resources from Tier 3 projects to keep Tier 1 projects on schedule. Resource leveling at the Portfolio level, “managing by exception” just the activities that are close to critical and behind schedule, and new risk management techniques have raised the bar once again.

 Sadly, the quality of planning and scheduling often seems to be regressing. What can be done? Frank Walker advocates a return to the foundations of Project Management. Properly used, the tools allow you to optimize multiple constraints and can be used in offense, defense, leadership, communication, and marketing. In his practical, timely presentation Frank demonstrates how to use the tools more effectively and provides checklists to help you do the same on your projects.

 Learn the nuts and bolts of networking to grow your career and find an ideal position.  We hope this will be a different and fun way to play the Speed Networking game.  Practice your elevator speech (or refine a new one) on your peers, maximizing the contacts who may just know a position that's perfect for you, or a recruiter who has placed them, or a hiring manager who needs your skills.  Join us for a speed-dating-for-job-seekers session.

This session will feature a panel of PMO Managers who will discuss PMO "hot topics" and provide practical information, strategies and insights to challenges faced by today's PMOs.  If you are currently serving as part of a PMO, or will be in the future or are just seeking this type of knowledge, you won't want to miss this event.  This interactive session will be both entertaining and informative and is sure to be enjoyed by those who attend!