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Agile in Finance - COP 13.09.2022

Author: Florian Ivan

Florian Ivan

Imagine Doing Agile in a bank! A Swiss Bank!


On September 13, our Agile CoP has the pleasure to welcome Stuart Nixon who is going to tell us about his experience in implementing Agile for a major bank. When you read about these kinds of experiences, it’s all nice and fun. When you actually do it, as you’ll see from Stuart, it comes with lots of challenges.

Join us at: https://pmi-switzerland.ch/index.php/events/agile-community-of-practice-cop-events/cop-agile-in-finance-sep2022 

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PM Master Class: 2-day Product Owner Training 30.09-01.10

Author: Fredy Wehrli, PMP & PMI-PBA

FredyWehrli

The coming PM Master Class gives you the rare opportunity to get your preparation training for the Product Owner certification for a very competitive price.

Above all, Silvana Wasitova will inspire us and make sure we are ready to fill out this role!

Mark your calendar and register here: 

https://www.pmi-switzerland.ch/index.php/events/events-list/master-class/pm-master-class-2-days-product-owner-training

The Importance of Projects

Author: Agustin Diaz Salvadores, PMP

Agustin Salvadores

In this article I address the importance of projects in organizations. How to address them is key to providing many products and services, to deploying strategy and innovation , and therefore to their competitiveness and survival.

In many cases, the classic form of organization through a hierarchical and departmental structure is not the most appropriate to respond to the speed of changes that are taking place in the market and in the social environment, and to achieve business objectives.

Increasingly, organizations tend towards flatter organizational charts organized by teams that are highly focused on the client, and on specific objectives, rather than functional structures oriented towards the mere performance of individual tasks within operational processes.

In fact, many of the activities carried out in organizations are framed within projects, understanding as such " an effort of a temporary nature carried out in order to create a unique product or service".

For example, projects are at the core of many strategic initiatives. It is a way of deploying strategies and achieving established strategic objectives.

As Mark A. Langley explains in the latest "Pulse of the Profession 2018" report issued by PMI (Project Management Institute) "Project managers are increasingly essential as organizations continue to recognize that strategy is implemented through projects and programs".

Likewise, companies also develop projects to meet demand and provide many specific products (eg turnkey projects) for their clients (Engineering, ICTs, Construction, etc.). Also, the deployment of innovation , such as the development of new products and services, and carrying out business and digital transformation , are carried out and managed through projects. In other words, projects are a practical way to implement Advanced Management in many organizations.

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This way of organizing and working by projects has been shown to be effective in achieving objectives over time, and provides greater flexibility to organizations. In addition, by promoting teamwork, it allows the incorporation of motivational elements for people, such as Self-management (empowerment) and the Sense of Belonging.

Cultural change and work processes.

To ensure the performance and efficiency of projects, there are good work practices, both to organize themselves by teams, and to address the phases and areas of knowledge (scope, planning, time management, risk management, communication) that have proven their worth. effectiveness (Example the PMBOK guide  ) and that both team members and leaders should incorporate into their management.

Changing the way of working in organizations is not always easy. This implies a change that not only implies training and acquiring the necessary skills to manage/participate in projects, but also a cultural change in the approach to projects, using the same language (homogenization), which allows not only knowing the appropriate techniques and tools, but also have criteria to adjust and use them in each specific project.

Quantitative and qualitative improvements

The studies carried out (PMI:Pulse of the profession-2018), as well as my own experience, indicate that organizations with a high maturity/culture in Project Management significantly improve project management and project success rates. themselves, comparing with companies with low levels of knowledge:

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PMI-Pulse of the Profession 2018

Tangible benefits are achieved in several aspects:

  • Greater visibility on the status of the project,
  • Greater involvement of the Interest Groups (Stakeholders),
  • Projects more aligned with the company's strategy,
  • Project teams aligned with the project objectives,
  • Almost 30% more projects completed on time,
  • More than 20% of projects within the budget,

More than 20% of projects that achieve the stated objectives

Early Bird Registration EXTENDED!

 

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Summer days are still here to enjoy and we know many of you have been away. So upon many requests, we’ve decided to give you more time to register and save on a ticket to PMI Switzerland’s 11th PM CONFERENCE on 21 September.

We are extending the Early Bird registration deadline until Monday, 5 September at 23:59 CET. That should give you enough time to register and save. Of course you don’t need to wait. Buy your ticket now while it’s top of mind and mark the task as done in your to-do-list!

Note that this also applies to the Student Early Bird pricing! So please do let your student friends know about the extended deadline!

While you’re at it, give yourself a minute to think about who else in your team, company or network could benefit from this conference. Can you think of Non PMI Members who might be interested? 

Here are other ways to save: 

  • Non PMI Member Group rate for 3+ participants

When 3 or more Non PMI Members register, they can benefit from the Non PMI Member Group rate for 3+ participants. See further below for more information.

  • Non PMI Member Group rate for 5+ participants

When 5 or more Non PMI Members register, they can benefit from an even greater discount. See further below for more information. 

The 11th PM CONFERENCE takes place on September 21 in PwC Zurich, and now you have three extra weeks to save. Don't miss this opportunity to get one more task off your list! Register before September 5. Our wonderful team of volunteers, myself included, can’t wait to welcome you there!

 

Valerie Pierre

Zürich Events Team Member, Conference Organization Lead

PM Conference Team is Calling All Changemakers

 

Hello,

We are a team of 25 volunteers committed to making 11th PMI Switzerland's conference a great experience. Do not miss it. We are looking forward to meeting you.

As soon as you arrive, we will welcome you and make you feel as if you know everyone already. Your day will start with breakfast networking, ensuring you are fully awake. Next is the welcome session. Besides the last minute news, you will learn about PMI Switzerland’s 2022 objectives and activities.

Two morning keynote sessions will help us dive into the worlds of AI and Organizational Transformation. During lunch break, you can network with other participants, but also visit the booths and learn more about our sponsors, partners and the latest PMI offerings. In the afternoon, we are offering you mini workshops where you can learn and practise agile and transformational methods and practises.

In the closing session, you will hear about Microsoft and PMI collaboration.

Networking dinner combined with additional informational sessions will be a very nice ending of this exceptional day. And we are preparing marvelous surprises for you. With a bit of luck, you can win quite valuable prizes. It’s too early to tell you everything but rest assured we are doing everything not to disappoint you.

 

If you are unsure whether you should attend, get in touch. Let us tell you more about our preparations and help you make the right decision.

 

Best regards,

Adi Muslic

VP Sponsors & Partners and PM Conference organization lead