K O N N E C T AUTUMN E D I T I O N 2015

Dear Members,

“Good things happen when you getinvolved with PMI”

Season’s Greetings to all the members,patrons and volunteers of the Chapter. TheChapter completed four years of itsoperations and marching ahead with asteady membership and an activevolunteer base. During this quarter, wecompleted a couple of our “Learn andEarn” sessions along with the completionof Agile Series and a session on ProjectFinancial Management.A 4 days PMP preparation programworkshop with candidate participationfrom renowned corporate was successfullycompleted. The chapter also conducted aPMP exam mock test session for a leadingcorporate in Kolkata.

The chapter continues its projectmanagement awareness campaign acrosscorporate communities in the region.Encourage you to come forward and be ananchor in volunteer capacity to help thechapter build a strong channel with yourorganization.CheersEditor’s Desk

COVER STORY Way Ahead – Women and Project Management

As we celebrate 69th year of Independence in our country India, we have come long waycoping with internal and external changes, conflicts and resolutions, debacles andmiracles, have and have-nots, equal and unequal and many more realities that has kept usmoving at times fast and at times poised to refuel the journey. Wondering what has thatto do with project management?It was over whatsapp, that Rekha ,Director of communication portfolio of PMI WestBengal Chapter asked me, how I perceived women are positioned in management and ourway ahead. Well, it’s a vast topic and will have varied viewpoints essentially as each ofour experiences are different. In this context the thought that prompted me to write thisarticle was changing scenarios of project execution. It encourages application of a fewstrengths that situationally women many get more opportunity to exercise... And nothing can yield great results more than diligent practice! The thought ofIndependence Day was good to quickly retrospect what has changed, what is thedifferential need, the edge that we have and what we need to keep going.

What has changed in the landscape?Revisiting the time that four generations have crossed since Independence is worthrelooking. Pick any random Indian movie of the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s … you certainly will find afairly consistent social context with a hero, a heroine and a villain which was almost a pre-requisite. The plot will fall in a pattern and the predictability with which you would catchup with the story teller’s imagination is good in general. The songs the integral ingredientof main stream Indian cinema will connect the scene, the sequence and predominantlyalign with the mood of the movie. Fast forward in the kaleidoscope repeat the sameaction on the DVD bunch…oops may be peek into the online channels to pick one of therecent time movies. That may have a few actors or many, may be shot in India or inforeign lands, may have a story or no story, but most of them would have energy andexperience stitched in some order diffusing predictability.It was initially awkward to have waited for the peppy number much seen in the marketingads of these movie teasers till the acknowledgement screen scrolls with the dancenumber happening on the side bar.

COVER STORY CONTD Way Ahead – Women and Project Management

Well that was when the landscape was transitioning…now it is reset and that’s the expectation. Unpredictability quotient is on the rise!

Cinema is more a reflection of what is in and what is out. Yes, the element that is most questioned today is predictability in every sphere. Business is no exception! Hence the projects that are conceived and executed today deal with situations always subjected to change. Nothing is fixed not even the goal and the purpose with which it may have begun. Interestingly these changes are not well proclaimed. Changes need to be felt, inferred and interpreted for action!

What is the edge for Women in general?Traditional society have bestowed her with responsibilities that enriches her ability to tackle new situationsevery day. She have figured out the quick way to navigate as she has limited time, chasing the golden dreamto accomplish more with less. She is constantly adopting the technology often for necessity rather thanpleasure. She is a keen observer and have ability to mark the change that gets triggered in known or unknownenvironment, have steered or derailed communication with or without purpose often for good. These are afew key strengths much in demand for execution of present day projects or programs.

What does she needs more?She needs quite many things more to be on top and a real leader in the project execution space. Fair chance, right support and unbiased inclusion to start with. She requires mentoring to help in exploring her critical strength in the complex execution process. She needs right environment, policy and governance to be felt secured. Project management is not a nine to five job with a pay package, it is a responsibility to help sponsor get value out of his / her investment and create great experience for stakeholders to cherish. It calls for passion to keep up the commitment – come what may!

The question that could be asked is do others in the society lack such skill? Absolutely not,being a women is not just a gender definition, it is an instinct that each one of us womencarry. It’s the natural and social expectations, often create better situation for women tonurture such skill hands on. All men who share similar social responsibility gets opportunityto prepare themselves equally well in this aspect. They often prove to be far more brilliant asthey marry this strength with their sense of commerce which is the ultimate combination foroutcome oriented project execution.The greatest daily project that teaches women in our country and beyond, the best ofsituational adaptation happens in kitchen. Give a keen eye into this small room of yourhouse, you would be astonished to see the brilliant breakthroughs that keep happening evenin dire crisis.

Project Management National Conference 2015 is a two and half day professional development event, conducted by Project Management Institute (PMI) India and hosted by PMI Bangalore Chapter

The theme of this conference is “ARCHITECTING PROJECT MANAGEMENT for Redefining India . It provides an opportunity for Project Management Practitioners across industries, government, academia, NGOs etc., to exchange ideas on the challenges and emerging trends in projects in managing projects that will help redefine the nation

For further details: http://www.pmi.org.in/events/conference2015/

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Relevant and focused networking helps to open up these closed doorsto improve lateral thinking, so that strengths could be put into action.With advent of social tools it is encouraged that we build strongconnection channels for professional and business growth.Translating requirement to outcome is a critical space of focus forwomen in specific in coming days. It is important that we refrain fromover doing for no reason and be forth coming to be well heardinstead of shying away. Trade-off decisions should have rationale andnot be emotional.This is to improve as we walk down the path. However as traditionalenvironment around is also changing, it is important we don’t deviatetoo far so that our source of natural lessons vanish and we have to beback to basics once more. Keep the life alive as you work even as aproject manager.

What is her responsibility?And the last and the most important aspect, in professional corridor itis important to be just a professional and treat others the same waybefore we expect reciprocation from the rest. As a project managershe remains an ambassador of a profession. Essaying her role withpositive impact is her sole responsibility.

COVER STORY CONTD Way Ahead – Women and Project Management

This article was contributed by Sonali Bhattacharya, PMP – Director in CTS, founder and former president of PMI West Bengal Chapter

Project Management National Conference Bangalore, India10- 12 September 2015

PMP® exam is changing in 2016The PMP exam update has moved to 11 January 2016 to allow all stakeholders adequate time to prepare for this change. The current exam (aligned to the existing exam content outline) will remain active until 11 January 2016. After 11 January 2016, only the new version of the PMP exam will be administered.Link: http://www.pmi.org.in/nl/pmi2677/

Learn & Earn Session on “Tracking Agile Projects and next steps for Certifications ” on June 27,2015

The chapter had successfully conducted the 5th session on Agile projetcs on 27th June 2015 , this session was mainly focused on Tracking Agile projects and information on PMI - ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) examination.Saikat Dutt was the speaker for this session, he is having more than 16 years of IT industry experience and has

expertise in managing large scale. multi-location, mission critical projects. He had also published book on “PMI -Agile Certified Pactitioner – Excel with Ease”. The session started with a recap from the first four sessions, and then the group deep dived into the Agile

tracking methods like Burn down charts, Burn up charts, Cumulative flow diagram, Kanban board and Sprint Retrospective. The group also got some Real Life examples on Agile best practices from Saikat’s own experience. The session concluded with a roadmap for 1 day workshops and more Agile sessions in future , also information

on getting mandatory 21 contact hours required for PMI - ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) examination.

Learn & Earn Session on “Project Financial Management - An Alternative Evaluation” on August 8,2015

The chapter conducted a Learn and Earn session on Project Financial Management on 8th August 2015. The session drew a parallel between Personal Finance project and principles of Business Project. It also touched upon the source of Risk and Process of Risk Mitigation in reference to Personal Finance, Financial Planning, Risk management, Financial Portfolio and Analysis of Portfolio performance in line with the standard financial objective. The Session was conducted by Mr. Sanat Kumar Bhardwaj, Partner Edumotive Consultancy who is also a renowned trainer on Financial markets. The session was well appreciated across the participants. PMI West Bengal Chapter would like to thank Mr Madhav Reddy CEO, Calcutta Stock Exchange for his help in arranging this informative session.

Rekha Unni, Director of PMI West Bengal

Chapter’s Communication & Marketing

Portfolio presenting a Memento to Mr.

Saikat Dutt, as a token of appreciation

from Chapter’s Board of Directors, for

successfully conduction 5 sessions on

Agile Projects & Methodologies.

Shout Outs on Learn &Earn Sessions

Share your thoughts and suggestions topmiwbc.communication@pmiwbc.org

PMI West Bengal Chapter Visit Chapter Website http://www.pmiwbc.org/

Chapter welcomes our new membersA warm welcome and hearty wishes for a successful career in project management.

Volunteer of the Quarter

PMI West Bengal Chapter leadershipwould like to thank Supratim for hiscontinuous contribution to the chapterinitiatives in Communication portfolio.This prestigious award of the chapter isin recognition of your leadership to takeforward PMI West Bengal Chapterinitiatives in the region successfullyaligned with its vision.

Congrats Supratim !

SpecialAppreciation as“Volunteer ofQuarter , Autumn2015” goes toSupratim Sen

“Nobody can do everything, but everyonecan do something”

Shibobrota AcharyaAbhijit BaruaSOUMIK BASUIndrojeet BhattacharyaAbir BiswasAvisekh BiswasArindam ChakrabartiAbhishek ChakrabortyAnirban DasSiddhartha Pramanick

Sourish DuttaSumit DuttaAbhisek GhoshDebshubra GhoshRUCHIRA GHOSHArunava KodaliVINAY KUMARSree Kumar MadakkavilSOURAV MAJUMDERBibhuranjan MohantyBasab Nandi

Nitin PrayagJOY KRISHNAROYTARUN SAHURaja SarkarSusanta KumarSarkarRahul SauravMani Sankar SenAnirban DeRajib DebAnindya Sundar DharCaesar Dutta

@PMI_WB PMI West Bengal Chapter

Etc that matters

Project Management for Resurgent India

Project Management National Conference 2015 keynote speakersexpound on redefining India with project management - yesterday,today, and tomorrow in the latest issue of Manage India.

PMI India Champion programPMI India is engaged in the endeavor of encouraging professionals in various industries to startpracticing Project Management as a profession, use A Guide to the Project Management Body ofKnowledge (PMBOK® Guide) and several other industry related best practices, achieve relevantcredentials and thereby promote the profession of Project Management.

http://www.pmi.org.in/manageindia/volume6/issue03/

http://www.pmi.org.in/champion-program/