About

Frank P. Saladis, PMP, PMI Fellow is the Owner/Founder of Blue Marble Enterprizes Inc. and Project Imaginers. Frank is an accomplished leader and contributor in the discipline of project management. He is the author of 12 published books, the past editor of the All PM Newsletter (an IIL publication) and the author of over 160 project management articles. Frank provides training and consulting internationally and has educated and entertained countless audiences with a special blend of project management knowledge and tasteful humor. He is also an experienced and well known project management instructor and consultant and a member of the PMI ® Seminars World team of trainers. Mr. Saladis's 35 year career includes 28.5 years with AT&T, 3 years with Cisco Systems, and more than 25 years as a professional trainer, facilitator, mentor, and keynote speaker.

Frank is the Originator/Founder of International Project Management Day which launched in 2004 and has been growing in recognition yearly. The goal of International Project Management Day is the worldwide recognition of the many project managers and project teams in every industry including nonprofit organizations and health care who contribute their time, energy, creativity, innovation, and countless hours to deliver products, services, facilities, and provide emergency and disaster recovery services in every city and community around the world.

Frank was PMI's 2006 Person of the Year. Frank is a Project Management Professional, a graduate from the PMI Leadership Institute Master's class, and has contributed significantly to the organizations growth and knowledge base for more than 20 years. His leadership activity within PMI included the position of President of the New York City PMI chapter from 1991-2001, President of the Assembly of Chapter Presidents, and Chair of the Education and Training Specific Interest Group. He received the high honor of the “ PMI Fellow Award” in October 2013 and received the very prestigious “PMI Distinguished Contribution Award” in October 2015.

Mr. Saladis is currently featured as a monthly contributor for the Project Management World Journal and is engaged in training programs for the Project Management Institute's Seminars World ®.

Topic

Project Management in 360°: 6 Factors of the PM Circle of Influence

Abstract

The 360° assessment, the 360° view, and the variations of those terms used by many businesses is based on mathematics developed thousands of years ago. The Mesopotamians created a numerical system based on the number 60. This was passed on to the ancient Egyptians, who used it to divide a circle into 360 degrees. The Egyptians loved perfect triangles, and exactly six of them fit into a circle. Therefore, six triangular slices of 60 degrees each made for a sensible 360-degree dissection of a circle.

A 360 degree view is a single, end-to-end picture of a specific journey and experience an individual or customer or other defined party has with an entity. It includes an assessment of the steps and interactions along the journey.

It has been used as a strategic approach that enables organizations to identify areas to maintain or strengthen in their attempt to offer customers and constituents the best experience across all possible channels. This allows for a unified view of all touchpoints stakeholders are likely to interact with. This unified view is created by aggregating the ‘hard' and ‘soft' data an organization gathers from different data sources about its stakeholders and their interactions across multiple channels within and external to the organization.

The six triangular slices of the circle provide a basis for defining and assessing factors commonly associated with the Project Manager's Circle of Influence:

• Leadership
• Management
• Technical Project Management
• Business Acumen and Strategy
• Agility and Adaptiveness
• Critical Thinking

This presentation will address these six factors, how and why they have become key elements in successful project implementation, and how they are likely continue to evolve and influence the role of the current and next generation of professional project managers.

Key Takeaways:

• A useful method for identifying and assessing an organization's core project manager competencies
• Insight about developing a customized organizational project manager circle of influence
• Suggestions for further developing a project manager's adaptability and agility as a leader and manager.

About

Dave Davis, PMP, PgMP, & PMI-PBA is a practitioner of project and program management and a recognized professional in the field of Project and Program Management. With over 30 years experience as a manager, project manager, program manager, and business analyst.

Dave holds 3 master's degrees including an MBA and eBusiness Project Management Masters. He has published many articles and delivered presentations throughout the world; including the PMI Pulse of the Profession and the Benefits Framework. Dave has been a Subject Matter Expert for projectmanagement.com at the PMI Global Conference. He currently is a Senior Project Manager at OhioHealth.

Topic

Disciplined Agile

Abstract

The Disciplined Agile (DA) process-decision toolkit provides straightforward guidance to help people, teams, and organizations to streamline their processes in a context-sensitive manner, providing a solid foundation for business agility. It does this by showing how the various activities such as Solution Delivery (software development), IT Operations, Enterprise Architecture, Portfolio Management, Security, Finance, Procurement and many others work together. DA also describes what these activities should address, provides a range of options for doing so, and describes the trade-offs associated with each option. DA is a hybrid approach which extends Scrum with proven strategies from Agile Modeling (AM), Extreme Programming (XP), Unified Process (UP), Kanban, Lean Software Development, SAFe, LeSS, and several other methods. DA has been purchased by PMI and is quickly becoming a significant player if the areas of scalability and goal driven methodologies that are selected based on the Context of the work activity.

This session will focus on:

• Disciplined Agile Lifecycle
• Inspection
• Design
• Construction
• The various components of Agile and how they fit
• Discipline Agile Foundation (including LEAN principles)
• What is a process blade?
• What is a goals decision tree?
• What is FLEX? – understanding work flow
• Choosing you Way of Work Based on Context

About

Jim Schneidmuller - Speaker, Educator & Consultant – Specializing in Project and Program Management

Jim is a project management champion with more than 30 years of professional experience in the areas of project and program management, and professional and organizational development. He retired from AT&T in December 2013 after a long and satisfying career. At AT&T, he created and led several professional project management organizations, including the corporate Project Management Center of Excellence (PMCOE).

Jim has delivered numerous project management presentations for various programs including PMINJ. He has been a contributing author for several project management books and has taught at Stevens Institute of Technology and Montclair State University.

Topic

The Really Tough Choices We Face…Our Ethical Dilemmas

Abstract

Our set of personal values can cause us to face tough ethical choices in our projects and in our lives. When the choice is between right or wrong we can choose more easily. But what choice do we make when both choices are right and a strong moral argument can be made for each?

We'll talk about these “right vs. right” ethical dilemmas and several principles we can apply to resolve them.

About

Brian J. Galli joined Hofstra as an assistant professor of engineering. Currently, he serves as the graduate director for the Engineering Management master's degree program. He has previously served as faculty at other academic institutions, including Long Island University, New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), American Public University (APUS), SUNY Binghamton, and SUNY Stony Brook.

Prior to joining academia, Galli worked for over 12 years applying industrial engineering and project management in a wide variety of arenas, including healthcare, manufacturing, and service environments. He earned his doctoral degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University in 2013, a BS in industrial engineering from Binghamton University in 2007, as well as MS in engineering management from Missouri University of Science & Technology in 2009.

Galli's work has been published in a variety of different publications and serves as co-editor in chief for the International Journal of Sociotechnology & Knowledge Development, and International Journal of Project Management & Productivity Assessment.

Topic

Achieving Operational Excellence in the Age of Digitalization

Abstract

An operational excellence strategy is still very relevant in the era of digitalization. However, organizations may need to revamp their approach to problem solving and continuous improvement if it is to win in the digital world.

Increasing demands for lower operational costs, lower operating risks and increased revenues necessitate the smart convergence of digital technologies and operational capabilities in order to achieve step change and sustainable improvement in revenue, customer experience and cost.

Emerging digitally enabled technologies and approaches such as Smart Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, big data and analytics and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) can provide companies with new levers to achieve operational excellence. The difficulty, of course, is to take advantage of these technological breakthroughs in ways that lead to comparable performance breakthroughs. This will also require developing the right culture to sustain improvements.

We will examine the extent to which operational excellence can be facilitated by digital technologies and under what conditions should digital technologies be a catalyst for operational excellence.

About

Lisa Ann Miller Brand Builder, Belief and Behavior Change Driver

Lisa is focused on helping organizations and people build, evolve and create differentiated corporate, product, and personal brands. She has extensive experience in global product launch marketing, corporate brand/re-branding post divestitures and acquisitions, coast-to-coast advertising agency account management, and pharmaceutical sales. Lisa has helped train individuals across all industries to successfully evolve their personal brand images.

• Builder of Differentiated Creative Brands
• Personal Brand Training
• Corporate Branding │ Product Branding │ Personal Branding
• Social Media Channel Content Development & Marketing

Topic

How to Build Your Brand Equity

Abstract

Learn how to recognize, create, build, and leverage your personal brand for continued career results. Market yourself strategically and creatively for optimal differentiation. Learn insights about the creative process involved in brand building. Here's your opportunity to discover and build your personal brand image for continued career progress.

About

George Jucan is well known in the project management community as a successful management consultant focused on enabling organizational efficiency through efficient project, programme and portfolio management. He is also a leader for ISO and PMI standards, captivating speaker at public events, motivating trainer and (co)author of several books and high-impact articles.

George built his reputation on the ability to create high-performing teams and navigate complex stakeholder environments to deliver successful results. His career includes methodology definition, capability assessment, business reengineering, organizational restructuring, projects audit and recovery, and management of large-scale endeavors - many winning awards, and/or profiled in specialty magazines.

Topic

Stakeholders Engagement - The Ultimate Key To Project Success

Abstract

This session provides participants with the opportunity to understand and practice proven and original techniques and tools for the entire life-cycle of stakeholders' engagement, particularly regarding discovering and mapping stakeholders' relationships, monitoring the efficiency of your engagement activities, and influencing people using a formal framework and a systematic approach.

About

Kalpana Patel is a management consultant, and President of her own consulting firm, Excellence Management Consulting, LLC, offering Executive Coaching, Leadership Team Training and Operations Management consulting services.

Kalpana has a successful career of 40 years, of which the first 10 years were teaching undergraduate college physics. During her 30-year corporate career following that, she has held several leadership positions, building and grooming teams of young professionals from the ground up, including the development and leading of offshore teams. She has built a PMO from the ground up, setup an offshore development center from the ground up, defined best practices for communications and team work at small start-up companies, working closely with the C-suite of leadership in a variety of industry verticals, including Telecommunications (working for the Bell System and few incumbents), Global Banking, Cyber-Security and Educational Assessment.

A six sigma green belt and ITIL certified professional, Kalpana holds a Master's degree in Solid State Physics, and a Master's degree in Computer & Information Systems from NJIT, Newark NJ.

Topic

Leading Difficult Conversations

Abstract

This presentation takes the view that since project managers are by definition project leaders and change agents, communicators and negotiators, their normal day presents several opportunities for what can be deemed as "difficult" conversations. During this interactive session, we will be taking a step back, and examining these types of conversations and what makes them difficult. We will review tools and techniques, for conversational intelligence, including a framework for structuring difficult conversations based on principles of Appreciative Inquiry (AI). The intent is to help participants validate and/or confront their dis-comfort and fear about having a conversation on topics that are sensitive or controversial and become more comfortable and confident with leading difficult conversations successfully.

About

Project Manager, AvePoint Public Sector
Nina is a results-focused PMP certified project manager with 5+ years of experience leading enterprise level projects across the federal government IT sphere. Following an agile project methodology, she is passionate about helping customers implement and utilize

Topic

How Teams and Planners Complement SharePoint, Teams & Planner for Project Management

Abstract

Companies today must be able to work on projects with agility in the era of digital transformation. SharePoint, Microsoft Teams and Planner are the perfect tool combination to support Project Management agility, ensure businesses are fit for the future, and help maximize project team collaboration, communication, and efficiency. These tools enable organizations to implement and map agile management methods to make organizations more productive.

Join this interactive session as Nina walks you through best practices for agile project collaboration and management in SharePoint, Teams, and Planner, and how to balance various tools for Project Management success.

About

Alexander V. Rodov, MVP, PMP, CSM, MCTS, is an Enterprise Program Manager experienced in business transformation across multiple industries and organizations. He has applied his MS in Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering to roles as a senior consultant and project manager at Altoros Systems, Broadband Maritime, Pcubed, Merrill Lynch Commodities, and Enstoa. Currently, he is the owner and principal consultant for Trusted IT Group, Inc., where he has created and managed a $100M+ program management framework for Latin America SAP Global deployment, led workshops and trainings to develop strategies and plans for all SDLC phases, and developed an architecture and global template for deployments internationally, among other accomplishments.

Topic

Modern Microsoft Project Management Solutions

Abstract

In this presentation, we will discuss solutions related to the Microsoft 365 ecosystem of products, show how to connect multiple data points into one cohesive project management framework, and detail the Top 10 rules for any professional project manager. We will also demonstrate some of the best practices for bringing modern Microsoft PPM solutions to the table.

About

Glenn Campbell started his effects career by nearly blowing his face off with home made fireworks at age 15, and has never looked back. Much of his misspent youth was dedicated to building models and exploding them in front of a super 8 camera.

Topic

Project Hollywood: Same Mistakes, Bigger Budgets!!

Abstract

To the outsider, the world of movie making is a magical place, filled with a bustling whirl of talented artists, all laboring harmoniously together to produce the visual extravaganzas the delight the entire planet. to the casual observer, it's a factory, churning out a product for mass consumption and maximum profit.

To you, the cognoscenti, it's a never-ending example of what happens when the most egregious decisions possible are made over and over, time and again, by a small set of men and women who have been granted unlimited power and resources.

About

Jason Jercinovic is a Vice President at North Highland, the Global Lead for our Technology practice. Technology is a key enabler of human centered enterprise transformation, connecting applications to users, analytics and critical business processes. Jason is an executive entrepreneur with a wide range of experience in agile technology deployment, digital application development, and innovation products and solutions. With over twenty five years across diverse business types (global agencies to VC funded start-ups, design, digital, mobile, content creation and product development), Jason is known for his deftness in using technology to create innovative, customer-centric solutions to create value and growth for many of the world's largest enterprises.

Pramod Chivate, PMP is an experienced project and program management consultant and co-leads the Project Management offering at North Highland. Pramod has extensive experience in delivering transformational business and technology programs; assessment, set up and execution of Project Management policies and procedures. Pramod also serves as a PMP Exam prep instructor for PMI New Jersey.

Topic

Digital Transformation through a Product Mindset

Abstract

In the era of digital transformation, effective digital companies must organize their people, and processes around a product based mindset. Future focused companies become product led organizations by focusing on promoting Agile & DevOps technology processes and methods. This is accomplished via looking at the world through their customer's view, using research and data analytics, and leveraging emerging technologies though a product focused viewpoint.

About

Jim Ewing

• Certified PMP by the Project Management Institute (PMI) in 2001.
• A leader in strategic information technology, with a track record of guiding successful corporate strategic initiatives.
• Drives the design of inventive business solutions that proactively optimize revenues and produce significant profits.
• Spearheads the use of cutting-edge technology and integrated systems that position an organization for continued growth and market leadership.
• Has successfully led teams of up to 70 people in multiple locations, and projects with budgets up to $15 million within the hospitality, financial and entertainment industries.
• A charismatic communicator who leads cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals.
• A compelling improvisational actor with more than 25 years of experience.
• Currently a member of AND Theater Company's ANDsemble, in which he assists playwrights and other artists in the creation of new work through improvisational techniques.
• Trained with the masters of U.S. improvisation, including Michael Gellman, Gary Austin, Jeffery Sweet, David Razowsky, Ali Farahnakian, Armando Diaz and many more.

Topic

Improvisational Project Management

Abstract

Improvisational theater requires the same skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur. Learn improvisational techniques that will give your staff the sense of security and collaboration needed to take risks in achieving goals. Using these guidelines and constraints, you inform them of the objective but allow them the flexibility to pick the path.

• Active and Positive Choices
• Creating an Environment of Trust
• Promoting Non-violent Communication
• Developing a Project Form

About

Evan Smith works with organizations to make major shifts for change and growth. He works with Kotter Inc. (Cambridge, MA) on transformation; and with Box of Crayons (Toronto, ON), bringing practical neuroscience for leaders to shift their patterns, help practice new habits, create more engagement, and have more impact.

In keynote sessions, he's a story-teller and question-asker, sharing thinking from his work, that of other colleagues, tied to insights from recent neuroscience on human biases, blinders, habits and patterns. He will invite you to reflect and share your stories as well; and all will learn together about these unique challenges, for others and for yourself.

Topic

Leaders, Habits, Change

Abstract

You're a leader in an organization, you're facing change, and you want to create results … and you know about how many big change efforts fail. Many PM approaches explore communication, project management and other rational methods. What can you and other leaders do to raise the odds?

In this session, we'll explore how you can play your part, to improve your odds of success in creating results, and generate outcomes rewarding for your organization.

About

Randy Shumpert is a highly experienced and accomplished SAFE® leader and early adopter and a leader of two SAFe transformations. After many years of being an IT Executive using traditional Project Management as a PMP®, Randy obtained CSM and PMI-ACP® certifications and transitioned to Agile. Leveraging Agile methods Randy co-founded DRMetrix where he co-designed and developed the premier marketing business intelligence and patented direct response recognition technology that detects each time a commercial spot or infomercial airs and gathers valuable competitive marketing data. He began using Agile in the Advertising industry 10 years ago and then joined ADP where he was a member of the Lean Agile Center of Excellence (LACE) which led a SAFe® transformation. He then introduced and gained buy in to implement SAFe® upon joining Sagitec, a software solution provider of corporate benefit management systems. He led the SAFe® transformation at Sagitec on an $57 million seven-year program which included training the Sagitec and client employees. While leading the transformation at Sagitec, Randy started BTII Institute's SAFe training program where he is the lead Agile Instructor and Senior Partner.

Topic

Why should Business Agility be important to you?

Abstract

The release of SAFe® 5.0 is a major paradigm shift in the way that enterprises will operate that is driven by Business Agility and focuses on implementing Agile throughout the organization. Since its first release, each update facilitated greater levels of organizational agility. In this session, we will briefly walk through the various releases to provide a historical perspective. Then, we will explain why this substantial upgrade has significant implications for program and project managers who work in organizations that are transitioning to Scaled Agile. Developing an understanding of Business Agility and its related processes is critical to planning how this change may increase your career opportunities.

In this presentation, we will discuss:

• Traditional project organizational structure
• SAFe® Agile Project Organization
• What is Business Agility?
• What was the goal of SAFe® 1.0 through version 4.6?
• How SAFe® 5.0 is structured to accomplish Business Agility?
• Why should you care about business agility?
• How will business agility impact you?
• Mapping your role to SAFe® roles.

About

Dan Loveland is the Director of Project Management for Atlantic City Electric and Delmarva Power. In this role, Dan's focus is on the centrally managed projects in Atlantic City Electric and Delmarva Power, with a key focus on the implementation of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) in New Jersey.

Dan has held leadership roles in Engineering and Operations and supported PECO's original AMI deployment. Earlier in Dan's career he worked at engineering consulting companies.

He has a Mechanical Engineering degree from Rutgers University, is a licensed Professional Engineer in eight states and a LEED accredited design professional. He has also supported many community activities, including volunteering for the Interfaith Homeless Outreach Council and working on a mission trip in Puerto Rico after Hurricane George.

John Travaglini is a Principal Project Manager with Atlantic City Electric and is responsible for oversight of centrally managed electric system capital improvement projects. John has been with Atlantic City Electric for five (5) years and has been working in Project Management for over 20 years.

He has a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Widener University, MS in Materials Engineering from Drexel University and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of New Jersey and is a certified PMP®.

Topic

Project of the Year: Salem-Woodstown Transmission Line Rebuild

Abstract

The Salem-Woodstown 69kV Electric Transmission Line was originally constructed in the 1930's. Due to age and condition and in an effort to maintain reliability to customers in the region, the circuit was identified for full rebuild.

The $30 million electric transmission project required three years of planning, detailed engineering, property rights acquisition, environmental permitting, material procurement and community outreach, prior to the start of construction. Construction of the 10.9 mile transmission line rebuild project was completed in seven months and completed 11 calendar days ahead of schedule. The project team overcame multiple project challenges and complexities with a high level of stakeholder engagement to achieve overall project success.

Deliverables included installation of 236 weathered steel poles, 173,000 LF of 3-phase 795 ACSR conductor and 58,000 LF of 48-count Optical ground wire (OPGW). In addition, approximately 20 wood poles were constructed to serve as interspaced distribution poles. Retirements included 333 existing wood transmission poles, 170,000 LF of 3-phase 477AA and 1/0 copper transmission conductor and 1,426 LF of 1-phase 16M shield wire. OPGW installation provided an additional communication network path for relay and data communications.

The electric transmission line capacity rating was upgraded from approximately 300 amps to 1200 amps as a result of the project. The project provides for overall transmission reliability improvements and helped to maintain the relationship with a key industrial customer.

The dedication and diligent efforts by the project team served as an excellent example of successful implementation of project management practices to deliver a $30 million capital improvement project and a strong commitment to Atlantic City Electric's customer base.