PM ADVISORY:

Getting Back to Basics

By Michelle LaBrosse, PMP®
Founder & Chief Cheetah, Cheetah Learning, USA

Spanish Translation by
Rafael Díaz Real, PhD, PMP y
Roberto Toledo Rodríguez, MBA, PMP,
Alpha Consultoría, Mexico

When there’s a lot going on, we often push the fundamentals aside and forget the basic skills that have been part of our success. Project management has been a central part of my own success from the beginning of my career. So, when I’m faced with new challenges or when I’m wondering why a project isn’t going as well as I’d like, I remember this acronym: IPEMC.

As the first quarter ends, you’re probably getting ready to begin some new work projects or looking at the home projects that are going to be part of your own spring-cleaning madness. So this is a great time to get back to the basics with IPEMC.

I.P.E.M.C.

I Is for Initiate.
At any point in time, both people and organizations have more projects than they have resources to do them. During initiation, we have to prioritize the projects we will pursue, who will sponsor the projects, and who will staff them.

P Is for Plan.
Once you decide to pursue a project, the project manager and the project team develop the plans to create the final deliverables. This is your road map you’re going to be living with until the project is done. Give it the care and feeding it deserves…

To read entire paper click here for (English) or (Spanish)

About the Author Michelle LaBrosse Author Michelle LaBrosse, PMP, is the founder of Cheetah Learning, the author of the Cheetah Success Series, and a prolific blogger whose mission is to bring Project Management to the masses. Cheetah Learning is a virtual company with 100 employees, contractors, and licensees worldwide. Recently honored by the Project Management Institute (PMI®), Cheetah Learning was named Professional Development Provider of the Year at the 2008 PMI® Global Congress. A dynamic keynote speaker and industry thought leader, Michelle was previously recognized by PMI as one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Project Management in the world. Michelle’s articles have appeared in over 100 publications and web sites around the world. She is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Owner President Manager’s (OPM) program and also holds engineering degrees from Syracuse University and the University of Dayton. She lives in Nevada with her family and likes to rejuvenate in Alaska where you’ll often find her kayaking, hiking, and riding her motorcycle. To contact Michelle, visit www.cheetahlearning.com. PMP® is a registered trademark of the Project Management Institute.