Project Management 101: Where to begin?!TREVOR S. MITCHELL, CAEDIR EC TOR O F M E M BE RS H I P & ST R AT EGYA M ER IC A N M E N SA

Introduction 10 Years in Association Management Strong involvement within industry Self-made Project Manager Lead numerous projectsAMS Selection/ImplementationWebsite RedesignStrategic PlanningEtc.

Project Management Means to Me:Project Management is the new term for LeaderAbility to look at various items availableSystematically identify and navigate the processBeing organized and flexibleDiligent and calm

View Points Differ

Questions You May Be Asking Yourself?What is Project Management actually?How can a Project Management process help me?How can I build buy in with other staff?How can I get started?How do I not make it so time intensive?

Good vs. Bad Project Managers

Project Requirements Understand the requirements of the projectPurposeEnd Outcome DesiredStakeholders (Internal and External)BudgetDeadline

Ensure you know what is needed for this projectVarious stakeholders have different view pointsThis means something different to everyoneFocus with the end in mind first then how to get there

Risk Management Understand limitationsOf yourselfStakeholders

Monitor and identify roadblocks ahead of time View impact of obstacles

Navigating Change Communicate:ExpectationsEnd GoalHow they fit in

Rinse and Repeat

LeadershipFoster good relationshipsBe as honest and upfront as you canInspire others by leading by example

Distractions Keep FocusYouStakeholdersOrganizations

Minimize distractionsRegular documentation and

update of planPlan for “Out of Scope” items

Learning from Mistakes Best place to learnAbout how you manageWhere you can improve your

process

No project manager gets it right 100%

Take ownership when mistakes occur.

Becoming a Project Management Jedi Master

1. Foster Good Relations2. Inspire3. Anticipate Needs4. Be Driven5. Anticipate Problems

6. Minimize Meetings7. Delegate Firmly8. Goes with a Plan9. Focus on Solutions10. Don’t Complain

Journey to Project Management Jedi Master

Start with defining the purpose and end solution Figure out what you want and need to track Identify stakeholders Be flexible Don’t overcomplicate the process

Other Resources Project Management Session this afternoon Project Management Institute Various Tool:ExcelSoftware (Basecamp, Microsoft Project, etc.)Apps (Trello, Asana, etc.)

Do what works best for you!

Final Thoughts “The P in PM is as much about ‘people management’ as it is about ‘project management.’”

- Cornelius Fichtner

“Trying to manage a project without project management is like trying to play a football game without a game plan.”

- K. Tate

Trevor S. Mitchell, CAEDirector of Membership & StrategyAmerican Mensatrevormitchellcae@gmail.com@trevm22www.trevormitchellcae.com