Project Perfect - Project Management

Improving Software Quality

To manage quality in a project, you need to identify defects during the earlier stages of the project. During the course of time you improve based on quantitative measurements that are discussed below and the end product is robust and reliable. View the white paper at http://www.projectperfect.com.au/white-paper-improving-software-quality.php

White Paper on Project Management 2:

The old models of how people interact and collaborate have been radically transformed in recent times. People are using blogs, wikis and collaborative planning tools to work together. All these applications represent a significant opportunity for organizations to create new social and Web-based collaboration and increase productivity. Project management is undergoing significant changes due to the introduction of the new technologies for managing project teams. View the white paper at http://www.projectperfect.com.au/white-paper-project-management-2.php

Free Intro to Project Management Presentation

Ever had to give a presentation to people who knew nothing about project management? Usually you start from scratch to build a PowerPoint slide slow. Aveenet Mathur - one of our regulars - had the same problem. He has been kind enough to provide the presentation to anyone for download. This will save you hours of reinventing the wheel. You can even add your own flavour as it is shipped as a PPT file. Thanks Aveenet.

Download from http://www.projectperfect.com.au/downloads/Info/introduction-to-project-management.ppt

Creativity in Project Management

Every Project Manager needs to be inventive. There are times when brainstorming is essential to move a project forward. This white paper provides a number of techniques to assist idea creation.

Read our white paper on brainstorming techniques at http://www.projectperfect.com.au/white-paper-brainstorming-techniques.php

White Paper on Brainstorming Techniques

Every Project Manager needs to be inventive. There are times when brainstorming is essential to move a project forward. This white paper provides a number of techniques to assist idea creation. Read more about the topic in our white paper at http://www.projectperfect.com.au/white-paper-brainstorming-techniques.php

Project Interviewing Techniques White Paper

Our white paper on project interviewing techniques will give you some useful tips when inevitably you have to interview someone. It might be an interview in a PIR, requirements gathering, understanding issues or employing resources. There are techniques and you need to improve your interview skills to succeed as a project manager. Read more at http://www.projectperfect.com.au/info-project-interviewing-techniques.php

Second White Paper on Project Team Performance

In the second part of our white paper on team performance, we focus on setting up a performance management system, and reaping the benefits.

Read the first paper at http://www.projectperfect.com.au/info_performance_management_1.php and the second part at http://www.projectperfect.com.au/info_performance_management_2.php

SQL Server Back End for Project Administrator

We are pleased to announce the launch of a SQL Server database back end for Project Administrator. Existing databases can be converted to SQL Server and new databases can be set up for SQL Server.
For some time we have been asked by clients to provide a more industrial strength database solution and are now pleased to make it available. You should note that you will need to involve your database administrator in the conversion as it will require DBA skills to set up the new database and configure it to suit your own security and environment.
For more information go to http://www.projectperfect.com.au/pa_sql_server.htm and read all about what it takes to move to SQL Server.

Project Administrator SQL

We plan to launch our project management software - Project Administrator - back end database in SQL Server by end February. Currently Project Administrator uses an Access back end database. We have had requests for a more robust database as well as organisations who have restrictions on users creating Access applications. This development will meet their needs.

The conversion will enable existing users to convert their data to SQL Server, as well as new users to start with SQL Server. Visit our web site towards the end of February to find out more details.

International Project Management Standard

Project Perfect is participating in the formation of a new International Project Management Standard. We are representing the Australian Computer Society on the Australian Committee. Below we have published part of a press release from Standards Australia which provides some background and status. We will try and keep you informed of progress through our blog.

Background
In recent years there has been a proliferation of sector specific standards worldwide which have had
no overarching standard to set the generic principles and procedures of project management globally.
In addition these standards have had no common vocabulary or processes that could be referenced
by the global project management community resulting in different definitions and interpretations.
To address these problems the International Standards Organisation (ISO) has initiated work to create
a new Standard entitled ISO 21500: Guide to Project Management. The Standard will provide a
common platform which will become a reference point for all project management professionals and
facilitate knowledge transfer and the harmonisation of principles, vocabulary and processes in existing
and future Standards.
Benefits
A number of key benefits to the project management community will ensue from this Standard as it will:
~ Aid in the transfer of knowledge between projects and organisations resulting in improved project delivery.
~ Facilitate more efficient tendering processes particularly on large international projects through the use
of consistent project management terminology.
~ Enable multi-national organisations to coordinate their project management processes and systems.
~ Facilitate the mobility of project management personnel and their ability to work on international projects.
~ Provide a framework which can be used as the basis for mapping of certification programs globally
and therefore assist in their reciprocity.
~ Provide a framework for project management generic principles and processes that could be built
upon for the advancement of the project management profession.
Project Launch and Participation
The ISO project was launched at the inaugural meeting of the International Standards organisation
project committee (ISO/PC 236) held in London in late October 2007, and attended by representatives
from the 23 countries who have voted to be involved in the development of the Standard.
It is expected that other nations will join in the development effort as the Standard progresses. ISO is
actively attempting to broaden the number of countries that participate to ensure global coverage.
Project Governance
A new project Committee, ISO/PC 236 Project Management, was established to develop ISO 21500.
The Committee is chaired by British Standards Institute (BSI), and the secretariat is held by the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Membership of the Committee is by all the participating
countries and each member receives one vote.
ISO/PC 236 is supported by three working groups as follows:
~ WG1- Terminology, convened by ANSI (USA)
~ WG2 - Processes, convened by DIN (Germany) and secretariat by ANSI (USA).
~ WG3 - Informative guidance, convened by BSI (UK) and secretariat by ANSI (USA).
Progress to Date and Implementation Plan
Over 50 experts selected by participating National Standards bodies from around the world have
taken part in the inaugural meeting of ISO/PC 236. Significant progress was made at the meeting on
mapping the terminology, processes and informative guidance that will constitute the new Standard.
Work has subsequently continued remotely within the working groups since the meeting. The first
working drafts of the: table of contents, scope statement, glossary of terms and project processes
have been prepared and circulated for comments to all working groups’ members and updated
accordingly. This development will continue within the working groups until the various drafts and the
final International Standard are ready for presentation to the ISO/PC236 Committee which will meet
twice a year for discussion and voting purposes according to the following timeline:
~ Develop Working Draft - June 2008
~ Develop Committee Draft 1 – May 2009
~ Develop Committee Draft 2 – October 2009
~ Develop Draft International Standard - April 2010
~ Develop Final Draft International Standard - June 2010
~ Update and Launch International Standard - September 2010

Participating Countries
Australia (SA)
Austria (ON)
Belgium (NBN)
Brazil (ABNT)
Canada (SCC)
Finland (SFS)
France (AFNOR)
Germany (DIN)
Ghana (GSB)
India (BIS)
Israel (SII)
Japan (JISC)
Netherlands (NEN)
Norway (SN)
Portugal (IPQ)
South Africa (SABS)
Spain (AENOR)
Sweden (SIS)
United Kingdom (BSI)
USA (ANSI)

Observer Countries
Ireland (NSAI)
Pakistan (PSQCA)
Romania (ASRO)