It has been awhile since my last post.  The reasons are simple:  a) I started a new project engagement, b) I was working on new presentations I plan to give in 2009, and c) I wrote a short chapter for a forthcoming book in 2009.

Talking about the presentations I plan to give next year, there are two major topics: project leadership and project recovery / rescue.  Hence, the papers I submitted to the PMI Global Congress 2009 which will be held in Orlando next October are the following:

The 4 Principles of Effective Project Leadership

The session outlines 4 simple and pragmatic principles of effective project leadership: building vision, nurturing collaboration, promoting learning and, last but not least, ensuring delivery. They are illustrated by examples of real-life project situations. In addition, it is shown how they relate to the PMBOK and the various phases of the project life cycle.

It Takes a Team to Re-Align a Project: Lessons From Rescue Missions

Project recovery missions are probably one of the most difficult challenges a project manager may face. Alone a project manager cannot handle such a situation. It takes a team to do so. The session will present practical tools, methods, exercises which can help the recovery team to quickly gain ground.

Yes, We Can: Lessons from Project Rescue Missions

Project recovery missions are probably one of the most difficult challenges a project manager may face. The session will propose a simple yet powerful approach to project recovery. It will present practical tools, methods, exercises which can help the recovery team to quickly gain ground in a rescue mission.

In addition, I have prepared another presentation on the topic of collaboration:

A Fool with a Tool is Still a Fool: Overcoming Possible Pitfalls of Introducing Collaboration Tools

Virtual team work is becoming prevalent these days. Consequently, collaboration within and across project teams becomes more important. Numerous tools promise to improve collaboration. Yet, a tool by itself is no guarantee for effective collaboration. The presentation will outline key factors for a tool to successfully help promote effective collaboration.

Last but not least, I prepared a lecture on team norming

Don’t Reinvent the Wheel: How to Prepare and Conduct a Lessons Learned Workshop

This session will help attendants learn simple steps how to set up and conduct a lessons learned workshop. The objective of the simulation is to prove the viability of the demonstrated workshop approach. The project chosen for the guided design is: “Preparing for the PMP exam”.

While all of these lectures are primarily prepared for the PMI conference I am looking for opportunities to give similar lectures and workshops throughout the year for interested companies and organizations.

Regarding the publication:  Next year a new book „Corporate Bold“ will be published.  I am honored that I was asked to contribute a chapter to this book, entitled „Openly teach anyone willing to learn, what you do at work“.  I will let you know more about this publication in a future post.

Happy Holidays!
Thomas