PM Resource Group : Events

Upcoming Events

July 20, 2010, 6:00-8:00pm
Association: Atlanta MPUG Monthly Chapter Meeting
Location: PM Resource Group, 515 East Crossville Road, Suite 140, Roswell, GA 30075
Speaker: Brian Leach (Steelray Software)
Topic: Maintaining a Good Critical Path in Microsoft Project 2010

There’s a lot to love about Microsoft Project 2010. The Excel-like features and user controlled scheduling in Project 2010 will make for an easier transition for Excel users. In Project 2007, when you enter a new name in a blank task row, the application fills in default values for a start date, an end date, and a duration. It needs those values to calculate the schedule. Project 2010 introduces user controlled scheduling, which allows you to manually schedule a task based on the information available to you. In manually scheduled mode, when you enter a task name, the dates and duration remain blank (just like they would in Excel).

This increased flexibility of user controlled scheduling comes at a price. With Project 2010, you must be even more vigilant that your schedule quality remains high. What does this mean? A high quality schedule has a good critical path, which means that the critical path reflects reality and that slippage in one part of the critical path affects the project's finish date proportionally.

Steelray Software introduced a tool in 2007 called Steelray Project Analyzer that checks Microsoft Project schedules for schedule quality, including checks for a solid critical path. The latest version of Steelray Project Analyzer has a number of checks that are specific to Project 2010. The presentation will demonstrate how to make sure that your Project 2010 schedule has a solid critical path.

Click here to register thru MPUG. Free to MPUG members. Non-member fee of $15 can be paid during online registration.
Note to PMPs: PDU certificates can only be provided to registered attendees.

Not an MPUG member? Join now at MPUG. Atlanta member site: MPUG Atlanta.

Past Events

2010 Events

June 14, 2010, 5:15-6:15pm
Association: Atlanta MPUG Monthly Chapter Meeting & Atlanta PMI Pre-Dinner Meeting
Location: Atlanta Marriott, 246 Perimeter Center Parkway NE, Atlanta, GA 30346, 770.394.6500
Speaker: Tracy Jacob, PMP, MCT, MCITP (PM Resource Group)
Topic: Generating Projects with Project Server 2010 Workflows

Microsoft Project Server 2010 enables organizations to develop and deploy effective workflows to manage project investments throughout their lifecycle. In the June session of the Microsoft Project User Group (MPUG) meeting, PM Resource Group will demonstrate how enterprise project types can be defined for requests and associated with a workflow and a custom project workspace template. We will also show how Project Server 2010 helps to standardize data collection through configurable business case forms. Be sure you don’t miss this exciting session and don’t forget to register for our drawing when you’re there!

April 20, 2010, 6:00-8:00pm
Association: Atlanta MPUG Monthly Chapter Meeting
Location: PM Resource Group, 515 East Crossville Road, Suite 140, Roswell, GA 30075
Speaker: Amy Klein MCT, MCITP (PM Resource Group)
Topic: Microsoft Project and Project Server Q&A

Not sure how to create a shared resource pool? Unsure of the best way to print a Gantt chart? Then April’s User Group meeting is for you. Back by popular demand, it’s another Microsoft Project Q&A session! In response to attendee feedback, the April Atlanta MPUG meeting will be a Q&A session hosted by PM Resource Group. Please bring your real-life Project or Project Server scenarios and questions and PMRG will bring FAQs to share as well. We encourage all attendees to participate and discuss these Project issues and challenges with other Project users.

January 19, 2010, 6:00-8:00pm
Association: Atlanta MPUG Monthly Chapter Meeting
Location: Microsoft Corporation, 1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30004
Speaker: Tracy Jacob, PMP, MCT, MCITP
Topic: 4th Annual Microsoft Project Trivia Night!

It's that time again MPUGers! Please join PM Resource Group and Atlanta MPUG for a very special Microsoft Project event!

Is it your New Year’s resolution to have fun, learn more about Microsoft Project and win prizes? Then join PM Resource Group and Atlanta MPUG for our annual Microsoft Project event! Network with your peers during this fun and entertaining learning experience where we all share and expand our knowledge of Microsoft Office Project and Project Server. Four evenly matched teams will compete in 3 rounds of questions on topics related to Project and Project Server. Minimum experience with Project is required but you must have a sense of humor, team spirit and willingness to have fun! Members of the lucky team with the most points will receive prizes. Beer, wine and snacks will be provided.

2009 Events

October 20, 2009, 6:00-8:00pm
Association: Atlanta MPUG Monthly Chapter Meeting
Location: Microsoft Corporation, 1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30004
Speaker: Tracy Jacob, PMP, MCT, MCITP
Topic: Microsoft Project Isn't Scary!

In this session, we'll review advanced Tips and Tricks for making Microsoft Project work better for you including formatting the Gantt Chart, creating Macros and custom Filters, and using the Organizer to make these customizations available to other projects. This session is geared toward the advanced user of Microsoft Project. Bring your questions and a laptop running Project 2003 or 2007 to get the greatest benefit from this interactive session. We will learn how to:

Format the Gantt Chart to highlight key tasks such as those that are marked critical or deadline, remove gridlines, condense the timeline and change how non-working time is displayed

Create a macro to automate redundant activities such as displaying the project summary task in row 0

Use the Organizer to copy filters, views, tables and macros to another project and/or all future projects and to share them with your team

August 10, 2009, 4:15-6:15pm
Association: PMI Breakout Session (pre-dinner event) & MPUG Monthly Chapter Meeting
Location: Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center, 246 Perimeter Center Parkway NE, Atlanta, GA 30346
Speaker: Amy Klein, MCT, MCITP
Topic: Tips & Tricks for Reporting and Printing from Microsoft Project

PM Resource Group will facilitate a training session on using reports to effectively analyze projects and resources, as well as printing from Project views. This session is geared toward the advanced user of Microsoft Project. Bring your questions, and scenarios to get the greatest benefit from this interactive session. We will learn how to:

Generate and modify standard reports

Dynamically display data in Excel and Visio using Visual Reports

Modify your Gantt chart for better printing results, including customizing Gantt bars

Use Graphical Indicators

Produce snapshots of your project plan using the Copy Picture and Copy Picture wizard

May 4, 2009, 11:30-1pm
Association: PMI Alpharetta Lunch Meeting
Location: The Metropolitan Club
Speaker: Amy Klein, MCT, MCITP
Topic: Tips and Tricks to Getting Certified in Microsoft Project

PM Resource Group will facilitate a session on preparing for the Microsoft exam 70-632 titled Managing Projects with Microsoft Project. Passing this Microsoft Certified Professional exam earns you the title of Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist and proves your ability to build, maintain and control well-formed project plans using Microsoft Project. Since the majority of hiring managers consider employee certification as a criterion for hiring, it may also help you get hired! The meeting will include an overview of the exam, areas of study and simulation questions, as well as information on free retakes. Click here to register through PMI Atlanta.

March 16, 2009, 6-9pm (Monday)
Association: MPUG Atlanta Chapter Meeting
Location: Emory University
Speaker: Amy Klein, MCT, MCITP
Topic: Effective Project Management Using Project 2007: Resource Management Techniques

PM Resource Group will facilitate a deep dive into Resource Management with Microsoft Project and Project Server. We will learn to effectively build, manage and analyze a resource team as well as a shared resource pool. Bring your questions, scenarios and a laptop to get the greatest benefit from this interactive session. We will learn how to:

Create and assign tasks to work, material and cost resources
Setup and use a shared resource pool
Add resources and attributes to Project Server's enterprise resource pool
Analyze resource capacity versus demand using: a master project, shared resource pool, Project Server's Resource Center, Project Details and Data Analysis views

March 9-10 - PMI Alabama Chapters - First Annual PMI Symposium
"Alabama Horizons: The Project Management Kaleidoscope"
Location: Hilton Perimeter Park, Birmingham, AL
Presented by: Birmingham, Huntsville and Montgomery PMI Chapters
PM Resource Group is proud to have participated as one of 3 sponsors of this highly successful event. About 150 attendees enjoyed this 2-day conference chock-full of excellent keynotes, educational breakout sessions, valuable conference materials, and great networking opportunities. Attendees also earned up to 16 PDUs. Stay tuned to www.pmibirmingham.org for more Alabama PMI events!

January 20th - MPUG Atlanta Chapter Meeting
Location: PM Resource Group, LLC
Speaker: Tracy Jacob, PMP, MCT, MCITP
Topic: Tips & Tricks for Using Master Projects and Programs: At the request of MPUG Atlanta chapter members, PM Resource Group will facilitate a deep dive into creating and using master projects (programs) to effectively analyze and report on multiple projects and resources. This session is geared toward the advanced user of Microsoft Project and will cover program-related capabilities in both Microsoft Office Project and Project Server 2007. Bring your questions, scenarios and a laptop to get the greatest benefit from this interactive session. We will learn how to:

Create, save and publish a master project or program

Add and remove projects from a master

Easily link tasks, note priorities and share resources across projects

Produce program-level reports using standard reports and the Copy Picture Wizard

View and report on programs in PWA's Project Center, Project Details and Data Analysis views
2008 Events

December 16th - MPUG Atlanta Chapter Meeting
Location: PM Resource Group, LLC
Speaker: Amy Klein, MCT, MCITP
Topic: Microsoft Project and Project Server Q&A: It's time for another Microsoft Project Q&A session! In response to attendee feedback, the December Atlanta MPUG meeting will be a Q&A session hosted by PM Resource Group. Please bring your real-life Project or Project Server scenarios and questions and PMRG will bring FAQs to share as well. We encourage all attendees to participate and discuss these Project issues and challenges with other Project users. And why not? This is a user group, right?

October 21st - MPUG Atlanta Chapter Meeting
Speaker: PM Resource Group, LLC
Topic: Game Show - Project Trivia Night

October 2nd - MPUG Charlotte Chapter Meeting
Speaker: PM Resource Group, LLC
Topic: Best Practices for Updating & Statusing Projects
August 13-16 - PMI Atlanta Chapter's Professional Development Days 2008: Come see Microsoft and PMRG in booth #1 -- see demos of Microsoft Office Project and Project Server 2007, get answers to your Project questions
2007 Events

December 4th - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
Speaker: PM Resource Group, LLC
Topic: Understanding the Scheduling Mechanics behind Microsoft Project
For this month’s MPA topic we will be taking a closer look at the scheduling concepts and mechanics used by MS Project. Topics such as the Forward Pass, Backward Pass, Total Slack and Deadline Dates will be covered. This session is beneficial for Project Managers who want to know more about how the Critical Path, Total Slack and Schedule Dates are calculated. Understanding these concepts can help a Project Manager more quickly determine which tasks they should focus on during both the Planning and Control phase of a project.
October 16th - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
Speaker: PM Resource Group, LLC
Topic: Task and Time Management using Microsoft Project Server 2007
August 21st - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
Speaker: PM Resource Group, LLC
Topic: Analyzing and Optimizing a Portfolio using Microsoft Project and Portfolio Server 2007

June 19th - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
Speaker: PM Resource Group, LLC
Topic: Improving Resource Management using Microsoft Project Server 2007

May 3rd - MPA Charlotte Chapter Meeting
Speaker: PM Resource Group, LLC
Topic: Improving Planning and Portfolio Selection using Microsoft Office Project Portfolio Server 2007 (MOPPS)

The May 2007 MPA Charlotte chapter meeting, presented by PM Resource Group, will focus on MOPPS and how this web-based application can help organizations realize their potential by identifying, selecting, managing, and delivering portfolios that best align with their initiatives.

The presentation will highlight how executives can use MOPPS to gain visibility, insight, and control across their projects, programs, and applications. It will also demonstrate the value of the software for PMOs and portfolio managers by identifying financial and resource gaps, conflicting efforts and opinions, and silo inefficiencies throughout the portfolio of active and proposed projects.

Finally, we will take a look at how MOPPS extends the enterprise project management capabilities currently offered through Microsoft Project Server. By using MOPPS with Project Server we can apply decision/approval criteria around business case information such as resource constraints, standardize project lifecycles through customizable workflows, and generate rich dashboard reports.

April 17th - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
Speaker: PM Resource Group, LLC
Topic: Improving Planning and Portfolio Selection using Microsoft Office Project Portfolio Server 2007 (MOPPS)

The April 2007 MPA Atlanta chapter meeting, presented by PM Resource Group, will focus on MOPPS and how this web-based application can help organizations realize their potential by identifying, selecting, managing, and delivering portfolios that best align with their initiatives.

The presentation will highlight how executives can use MOPPS to gain visibility, insight, and control across their projects, programs, and applications. It will also demonstrate the value of the software for PMOs and portfolio managers by identifying financial and resource gaps, conflicting efforts and opinions, and silo inefficiencies throughout the portfolio of active and proposed projects.

Finally, we will take a look at how MOPPS extends the enterprise project management capabilities currently offered through Microsoft Project Server. By using MOPPS with Project Server we can apply decision/approval criteria around business case information such as resource constraints, standardize project lifecycles through customizable workflows, and generate rich dashboard

March 1st - MPA Charlotte Chapter Meeting
Speaker: PM Resource Group, LLC

Topic: Optimizing Your Project using Total Slack

March’s meeting will be a demonstration and discussion of how to optimize your project using Microsoft Office Project 2003. We will discuss how to identify a project that is behind schedule as well as several ways to get the project back on track. Topics that will be discussed include:

When to optimize a project

Using Total Slack during the Planning Phase

Differences between Total Slack and Baseline Variance

February 20th 2007- MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
Speaker: PM Resource Group, LLC

Topic: PMRG Project & EPM Trivia Night!

Please join PM Resource Group and Atlanta MPA for a very special Microsoft Project event! Come network with your peers during this fun and entertaining learning experience. Share and expand your knowledge of Microsoft Office Project and Project Server. Four evenly matched teams will compete in 3 rounds of questions on topics related to Project and Project Server. The questions will increase in difficulty with each round. Minimum experience with Project is required but you must have a sense of humor, team spirit, and willingness to have fun! Members of the lucky team with the most points will receive prizes.

We look forward to seeing you there!

2006 Events

December 19th 2006- MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting

Topic: Optimizing Your Project using Total Slack

December’s meeting will be a demonstration and discussion of how to optimize your project using Microsoft Office Project 2003. We will discuss how to identify a project that is behind schedule as well as several ways to get the project back on track. Topics that will be discussed include:

When to optimize a project

Using Total Slack during the Planning Phase

Differences between Total Slack and Baseline Variance

Friday November 10th- PMI Central Ohio Professional Development Day
Stop by our Microsoft booth at the Columbus PDD

PMI Central Ohio PDD Site

Thursday October 26th- PMI Memphis 6th annual Professional Development Day!

Manage projects more effectively and improve communication with your team!
In this demonstration of the much anticipated Microsoft Office Project Server 2007, we will provide an overview of the exciting new features and enhancements in the upcoming product release. We will demonstrate the new functionality including:

� Pre-project planning module
� Program-level attributes
� Portfolio Server
� Multi-level undo
� Task drivers project guide
� Named calendar exceptions
� Improved Outlook, Visio and Excel Integration
� New resource type
� Highlighted changes to project plan
� New reporting toolbar
� Performance improvements
� And much more!

Bio:

Amy Klein is the Manager of EPM Training Solutions for PM Resource Group, LLC. She has worked with Enterprise Project Management products for more than eight years as a trainer, instructional designer, implementation consultant and mentor. Amy specializes in developing role-based training programs to coincide with implementations, beginning with training PMOs and determining the training needs for an organization, and ending with the team members reporting time to the projects. She has implemented EPM solutions and developed customized training programs for Fortune 100 customers. Amy’s experience spans many industries including construction, engineering and government agencies. She has presented at several industry conferences on such topics as scheduling concepts, training and project management, and has earned her certification as a Primavera trainer.

Wednesday October 11th - SharePoint User's Group meeting at Georgia Tech
Join us at the SharePoint User's Group meeting at Georgia Tech. Amy Klein from PM Resource Group will present and demonstrate SharePoint integration with Project Server including risk and issue tracking and document management. Follow the link below to register:
https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=111682
September 7th - MPA Charlotte Chapter Meeting
Don't forget to put the meeting on your calendar. Starts at 5:30pm.
Topic: PMRG Project & EPM Trivia Night!

Please join PM Resource Group and Atlanta MPA for a very special Microsoft Project event! Come network with your peers during this fun and entertaining learning experience. Share and expand your knowledge of Microsoft Office Project and Project Server. Four evenly matched teams will compete in 3 rounds of questions on topics related to Project and Project Server. The questions will increase in difficulty with each round. Minimum experience with Project is required but you must have a sense of humor, team spirit, and willingness to have fun! Members of the lucky team with the most points will receive prizes. We look forward to seeing you there!

Saturday August 26th - Atlanta PMI Professional Development Day 2006
"Project Management for the Evolving Global Community"

PM Resource Group is a sponsor of the Atlanta PMI Chapter’s annual Professional Development day on Saturday, August 26^th at the Home Depot Store Support Center. PM Resource Group is dedicated to helping organizations achieve strategic objectives through improved project management. There will be various speakers on topics such as Advanced Project Management, Sarbanes Oxley, Leadership, Quality Project Management and Portfolio Management. We hope you will stop by our booth and challenge us with your Project Management questions or to see a demo of one of our solutions!

Thursday August 24th - Project Management Regional Conference Northeast Florida PMI
The Conference will feature:

Keynote Speaker Doug DeCarlo “eXtreme Project Management™ - How to Lead and Succeed in the Face of Volatility”

13 other renowned gurus of Project Management and Business Analysis

Microsoft MS Project Tutorials Classroom

Special track for Business Analysts

PMP Exam Preparation 2.5 day Boot Camp

July 25th - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting

Topic: Customizing Windows SharePoint Services Sites

Attendees learned how to customize SharePoint sites to facilitate team communication. Tips and tricks for creating custom lists to track project information such as announcements, event calendars, action items, picture libraries, links, contacts and meetings, as well as modify a home page with custom content were taught. We discussed the ways in which an EPM solution can aid in communication planning and the distribution of information. This session was intended for those with some knowledge of SharePoint and interest in using it to collaborate on projects.

June 23rd - PMI Region 5 2006 Professional Development Symposium
PMI REGION 5's - 1st Annual
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM 2006
PROVING THE VALUE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT

June 20th - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
Speaker: PM Resource Group, LLC
Topic: PMRG Project & EPM Trivia Night!

Please join PM Resource Group and Atlanta MPA for a very special Microsoft Project event! Come network with your peers during this fun and entertaining learning experience. Share and expand your knowledge of Microsoft Office Project and Project Server. Four evenly matched teams will compete in 3 rounds of questions on topics related to Project and Project Server. The questions will increase in difficulty with each round. Minimum experience with Project is required but you must have a sense of humor, team spirit, and willingness to have fun! Members of the lucky team with the most points will receive prizes. Food, beer and wine will be provided.  We look forward to seeing you there!

June - PMI Atlanta Chapter Meeting
Speaker: PM Resource Group, LLC

Topic: Automating Project Initiation with SharePoint and Project Server

Amy Klein, the manager of EPM Solutions for PM Resource Group, skillfully presented two project management tools, SharePoint and Project Server. The presentation featured technical highlights from each software package noting specific uses, limitations and system compatibility. According to Klein, "Project automation and initiation will become more common place, and more software packages such as these [SharePoint and Project Server] will become more common place."

May 2006- MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
Project, Program and Portfolio Reporting with Microsoft Project and Project Server

Project, program and portfolio reporting techniques were presented in the May session of MPA. In this session we discussed the ways in which Microsoft Project and/or an enterprise project management (EPM) reporting could be used to significantly improve project communication and plan management. We demonstrated techniques to achieve the greatest benefit from Microsoft Project (stand-alone) and Microsoft Project Server (enterprise) reporting. Attendees learned how to:

create phase-oriented views in Project to quickly get to the project details needed depending on plan status (i.e., planning view of estimating/staffing details, update view of indicators and incomplete tasks)

create role-based views in Project to quickly get the right information to the right people (i.e., phase-level Gantt and indicators, TCO resource usage of hours and costs)

properly use master projects for program-level reporting and plan management (i.e., PMO view of milestones across projects, leveling projects by priority, linking cross-project dependencies)

use value lists (stand-alone) and outline codes (EPM) to enhance reporting (i.e., select a status or priority for each task)

use indicators to enhance reporting (i.e., show status as red/yellow/green with hover indicating the actual value selected)

use the Copy Picture to Office wizard to produce Project-based status reports in Word, Visio or PowerPoint

add snapshots of SharePoint's open Issues and Risks to complete the status report

March 20, 2006: Atlanta PMI Professional Growth Event: Automating Project Initiation with MS Project Server

By Michelle Thomas

In a response to the high demand for project initiation workflow, PM Resource Group demonstrated their custom-designed solution exhibiting the major benefits an organization could achieve through automating project initiation with SharePoint and Project Server. This solution used InfoPath to provide process flow for initiating a project through Microsoft Project Server.

PM Resource Group demonstrated and emphasized how the Project Initiation process could be used to:
- enforce a standard flow for initiating projects
- provide an electronic step-by-step guide to initiating a project
- email alerts to individuals involved in particular steps
- validate such that only certain people can perform certain actions
- generate user reports to show items awaiting that user's input.

The demonstration was conducted within a virtual Microsoft Project Server 2003 EPM environment so that attendees could see real-world examples of how this solution could be used to realize the above-referenced goals. The session ended with Q&A from the audience.

March 2006 - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
“Why did Project decrease the duration of my task just because I added another resource to it?”
If you have ever found yourself asking a question like this, you are not alone.   But this MPA meeting was the time for all of the myths and rumors to be dispelled.   Tracy Jacob, founder and CEO of PM Resource Group, tackled the toughest questions that MPA Atlanta members could throw at her. Tracy demonstrated the tips and tricks to tame Microsoft Office Project (stand-alone or enterprise version). Topics included: Task types, multiple baselines, resource leveling, constraints, predecessor relationships, lead and lag time and more.

February 2006 - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
Tracy Jacob demonstrated features of the upcoming version of Microsoft Office Project Professional showcased at the January Microsoft Partner Technical Briefing in Seattle. Tracy presented using a beta copy of the P12 version to show improvements such as highlighted changes to a schedule, named calendar exceptions, the task-drivers project guide and multi-level undo. Tracy concluded showing the new reporting toolbar and creating visual reports with Visio and Excel integration.
2005 Events

November 2005 - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
As a follow-up from last month’s session, Tracy Jacob from PM Resource Group discussed the major benefits an organization could achieve through automating project initiation. Tracy demonstrated a custom-designed solution using SharePoint and Project Server as an alternative to InfoPath to provide process flow for initiating a project. She explained the pros and cons of using SharePoint vs. InfoPath as the tool for this solution.
She also demonstrated and emphasized how the Project Initiation process could be used to:
a     Enforce a standard flow for initiating projects
a     Standardize dashboard reporting capabilities
a     Provide an electronic step-by-step guide to initiating a project
a     Email alerts to individuals involved in particular steps
a     Link additional forms with a project or project request
Tracy presented this topic within a virtual Microsoft Project Server 2003 EPM environment so that attendees could see real-world examples of how this solution could be used to realize the above-referenced goals. The session ended with Q&A from the audience.

October 2005 - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
In this session Tracy Jacob from PM Resource Group discussed the major benefits an organization could achieve through automating project initiation with SharePoint and Project Server. Tracy demonstrated a custom-designed solution using InfoPath to provide process flow for initiating a project through Microsoft Project Server.
She demonstrated and emphasized how the Project Initiation process could be used to:
a     enforce a standard flow for initiating projects
a     provide an electronic step-by-step guide to initiating a project
a     email alerts to individuals involved in particular steps
a     validate such that only certain people can perform certain actions
a     generate user reports to show items awaiting that user’s input.
Tracy presented this topic within a virtual Microsoft Project Server 2003 EPM environment so that attendees could see real-world examples of how this solution could be used to realize the above-referenced goals. The session ended with Q&A from the audience.

August 19, 2005 - Memphis PMI - Collaborating with Microsoft Office Project Server and Windows SharePoint Services
By Amy Klein

Improving Communication through Enterprise Project Management: Utilizing Microsoft Office Project Server and Windows Share Point Services for Collaboration and Performance Reporting
Amy Klein demonstrated the improvement of team communication using Microsoft Office Project Server 2003 to disseminate information and performance reporting. Amy explained issue and risk tracking, as well as demonstrated the importance of having a vehicle for document sharing and team communication.

July 2005 - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
The July session focused on process improvement through the use of Microsoft Project Server 2003 and related components. Best practices were looked at in building project templates and sharing those templates through Project Server in order to standardize the organizational approach to project management. This included reviewing the Microsoft Six Sigma Solution Starter to Project Server. This solution can streamline communication management through project planning, consistent methodologies, standard processes and business templates appropriate to the type of project selected. We reviewed the DMAIC Six Sigma template content, as well as the documents automatically populated in SharePoint when using the Six Sigma Solution Starter.

The Microsoft Sarbanes Oxley Solution Starter, utilizing InfoPath and SharePoint capabilities, was demonstrated so participants could see how it is used to enforce workflows around any type of business process. This solution can help organizations manage/govern documents, controls, tasks and routing. Custom reports can be created through SharePoint to analyze the data being tracked, facilitating continuous process improvement.

June 2005 - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
The June EPM topic was about Task Management from the Team Member (resource) perspective, aligning with Communications Management. This session was beneficial for understanding how resources can manage task assignments through the internet via Project Web Access. By using a dynamic web interface, users can easily enter their project task progress, and even change the appearance of their timesheet by altering the timescale, date range, outline levels, and creating filters. In addition to managing their tasks, Team Members can also utilize the collaboration options available in Project Web Access. These include attaching notes to tasks, identifying and managing risks, issues, and project documents, and submitting status reports. Since resources are the most knowledgeable about the tasks they are working on, having them understand and manage their tasks can help improve overall communication, promote collaboration and increase the likelihood of having a successful project.

May 17, 2005 - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
Case Studies with actual Project Server users were presented at this chapter meeting.

April 26, 2005 - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
Portfolio Management techniques were presented in the April session of Microsoft Office Project Server 2003 training. We discussed the ways in which an EPM solution aligns with communication management and showed how to achieve the greatest benefit from portfolio reporting. This session expanded on the topic of scorecards and dashboards, including the development of scorecards and enterprise reporting.

March 15, 2005 - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
The March session of training focused on Project Management techniques including how an enterprise can enhance the scope management (i.e., enterprise templates, analysis of performance against multiple baselines), time management (i.e., stop light indicators), and resource management (i.e., forecasting resource needs using generic place holders, matching generic needs to available enterprise resources) efforts of the project manager. Attendees were taught the ways in which an enterprise environment could improve visibility, planning efforts, status reporting, and communication among stakeholders. Continuous process improvement techniques and tips for schedule optimization and analysis were also reviewed.

February 15, 2005 - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
This session of training concentrated on Enterprise Resource Management, aligning with project human resource management and project cost management. Techniques were shown for organizational resource planning including tips on creating a Resource Breakdown Structure and using generic resources for project planning and resource forecasting. Attendees learned how to create a custom outline code of skill sets to assist in building a project team based on skill sets available in the current resource pool. Attendees also learned how costs could be established at the enterprise level to provide consistency across the database.

January 18, 2005 - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
This session of training concentrated on SharePoint collaboration with Microsoft Office Project Server 2003, including InfoPath. Tracy Jacob discussed the ways in which an EPM solution could aid in communication planning and the distribution of information. Attendees were also taught how InfoPath forms could enhance business process, specifically in managing/governing pre-project information and prioritization, and how creating and managing SharePoint sites for projects would further increase team communication.
2004 Events

October 10, 2004 - MPA Atlanta Chapter Meeting
At this Atlanta Microsoft Project User's Group meeting, Larry Shutzberg from Rock-Tenn Company discussed the benefits his organization has seen with Project Server 2003 and PM Resource Group's role in turning around a flawed implementation.

September 10, 2004 - PMI Memphis Professional Development Day
The Memphis Chapter of PMI held its 4th annual Professional Development day on Friday, September 10th at the Racquet Club of Memphis. For the 3rd year, PM Resource Group was a sponsor and attendee to the conference. Over 150 participants attended various tracks on subjects such as Advanced Project Management, Sarbanes Oxley, Leadership, Quality Project Management and Portfolio Management.

August 03, 2004 - PMI Memphis Chapter Meeting
At the August meeting of the Memphis Chapter of PMI, Amy Klein discussed the major benefits an organization can achieve through the implementation of an enterprise project management solution (EPM). Top on the list were portfolio reporting, resource management, team collaboration on project issues/risks/deliverables, tools to enforce business processes and workflow, forecast and historical reporting, and analytics to support continuous process improvement. She presented and led a discussion on these benefits and demonstrated how they are achieved using the Microsoft Project Server 2003 EPM solution.