2010 Presentation Abstracts and Speaker Biographies

Presentation Abstracts and Speaker Bios - Arranged by Track:

(Click on any title below for more information)

Soft Skills	PM Tools	PM Best Practices	Methodologies
Presenting with Power and Passion The Project Manager and Business Analyst: A Winning Combination Too Busy to Share, Promoting Successful Collaboration Growing to Fit the Leadership Boots Release Your Creative BIRD	Effective Project Risk Management Development Using the WBS Resource Management Made Simple Building Better Communication Plans Project Planning: Estimation and Scheduling The New Role of the Project Leader - 21st Century Transformation	Managing Virtual Teams By Using Technology A 'State of the Union' Address on Project Management: An Examination of a Profession in Crisis Avoid Creep--Discover the REAL Requirements	In Defense of Waterfall - Deconstructing the Agile Manifesto Lean Project and Program Management: Practices and Tools for Accelerating Business Value and Creating High-Performing Teams

 

Presentation Abstracts and Speaker Bios - Arranged by Session/Time:

Opening Keynote - Ballroom A/B STAYING UP IN A DOWN WORLD: How To Be A Positive Project Manager Who Builds A Positive Work Environment - Dr. Alan Zimmerman 8:15am - 9:15am

 

Session A 9:30am - 10:30am

 

Topic: Managing Virtual Teams By Using Technology	Track: PM Best Practices
Presenter: Tom Mattus	Room: 26-27	9:30am - 10:30am

Course Description:
A fun session regarding how to manage virtual teams and virtual people. There will be tips and discussions about communication tools to be used to get team members involved and motivated as well as a diagnostic tool to see how you measure up as a virtual leader. How to deal with cultural and other issues such as time zones and technology are addressed.

Tom Mattus is the president and founder of Successful Strategies International, Inc. a worldwide training, mentoring and leadership firm. Tom was formerly a senior executive at American Express and Travelers Insurance. At SSI he does extensive work with key clients such as Johnson & Johnson, L-3 Communications, Olympus and Baker Hughes. Tom has presented at over 70 PMI events worldwide and also in Dubai, UAE for HR leaders. Tom has had several articles published and recently published his book, Boss Talk in the 21st Century: A Leadership Guide by Arseya Publishing.

 

 

Topic: Effective Project Risk Management Development Using the WBS	Track: PM Tools
Presenter: Charles Jones, PMP	Room: 21-23	9:30am - 10:30am

Course Description:
Effective Risk Management is critical to successful projects, but maintaining focus on risk and communicating it effectively to key stakeholders often wanes as a project progresses. Using a standardized risk register template and developing risks based on the project work breakdown structure will add discipline to the risk management process and promote more focused communication with project stakeholders.

This presentation will review key concepts on project risk management and provide tips and techniques for creating project risk registers which are tied to the WBS deliverables.

Charles Jones, PMP is the Strategy and Risk Manager for The United Illuminating Company. He has over 20 years of project and risk management experience in a variety of business environments. As a member of the UI Business Strategy and Development department, he develops and implements the company’s Enterprise Risk Management process, leads risk training & mentoring, and manages projects at all levels of the organization. Charles is a certified PM trainer and regularly teaches a variety of project management and risk classes.

 

 

Topic: Presenting with Power and Passion	Track: Soft Skills
Presenter: Gilda Bonanno, PMP	Room: 11-13	9:30am - 10:30am

Course Description:
As Project Managers, we often need to present in front of groups, including the project team and the stakeholders. It is crucial to be able to convey knowledge and passion to the audience. In this interactive workshop, you will learn how to project a powerful, engaging and persuasive presence while presenting. Participants will learn techniques for projecting a powerful, engaging and persuasive presence while presenting, including:

• Overcoming anxiety
• Using voice and body language
• Developing a powerful and engaging presence
• Persuading the audience

Gilda Bonanno, PMP is a trainer, speaker and coach, specializing in communication and leadership skills. She designs and delivers high-energy, client-focused training programs and workshops for corporate, academic and community clients, including Praxair, Bristol-Myers Squibb, The Hartford, and Southern CT State University.

She is a certified Project Management Practitioner (PMP) and a Prince 2 Project Manager. Prior to beginning her speaking and training career, she worked in project management and process reengineering in the pharmaceutical and information technology industries.

Gilda also is qualified in the administration of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® and is an Authorized Distributor of Inscape Publishing instruments, including DiSC® assessments. She is President of the Southern CT chapter of the American Society for Training and Development and a member of the National Speakers Association.

 

 

Topic: Resource Management Made Simple	Track: PM Tools
Presenter: Howard Berger, PMP	Room: 24-25	9:30am - 10:30am

Course Description:

Resource Management can be a complex, daunting task, potentially requiring a large investment in software tools, training, and data maintenance. The minimum entry cost is high, which creates a barrier to entry for organizations with a small project portfolio. But it is possible to perform effective resource management without a large investment using a tool we are going to show you today. We are going to present an approach to resource management that utilizes the project planning and spreadsheet tools you are likely to have in your organization already. You will be able to leverage the investment you have in existing project schedules, and use that data to feed a spreadsheet template that provides the management information needed for effective resource management. We will also provide access to a copy of the template, so you can begin using this method immediately.

Howard Berger, PMP, is the IT Portfolio Manager for Heritage Holdings, a division of The Hartford. In this position he is responsible for supporting a widely varied portfolio of applications used to manage complex claims and reinsurance runoff operations. His experience includes the management of small to complex portfolios, programs and projects. Howard previously worked for Insurity, CSC, ING, and several startup companies. He has a BA in Systems Management from the University of Massachusetts and an MBA also from the University of Massachusetts.

 

 

Topic: A 'State of the Union' Address on Project Management: An Examination of a Profession in Crisis	Track: PM Best Practices
Presenter: Gary Heerkens, PMP	Room: 14-15	9:30am - 10:30am

Course Description:

Project management has tremendous potential to improve any organization or type of business that embraces its application. But sadly, there are several indications that project management is a profession in crisis, having suffered a considerable loss of respect over the past 15-20 years. This is evidenced by the reluctance of corporate managers to elevate project management to a meaningful position in many organizations today. It is further evidenced by the way that many of today's project practitioners are leading extremely difficult and challenging existences.

In this presentation, Gary R. Heerkens conducts a no-holds-barred look at the "dark side" of the project management profession through the eyes of people who practice it under exceedingly difficult circumstances-project managers. Although our profession may be viewed as being "in crisis", all is not lost, as the presentation offers a number of constructive suggestions on what can be done to return a measure of effectiveness and ultimately respect to our positions and our profession.

Gary R. Heerkens, PMP, CPM, CBM, CIPA, PEng is President of Management Solutions Group, a firm that provides progressive and effective project management training and consulting solutions. At Eastman Kodak Company, he managed projects for 20 years, then served as staff assistant to the director of project management, developing and delivering PM training, and developing project process methodology.

Mr. Heerkens is a long-standing seminar provider for PMI's SeminarsWorld series, and is the project management education provider for the Purchasing Management Association of Canada. He has been invited to speak at 10 of the last 11 PMI Global Congresses - including encore requests in 2007 and 2008.

He's a contributing editor to PM Network magazine, writing on "the business of projects". He authored McGraw-Hill's Briefcase Book on Project Management, still a leading seller today, then 'The Business-Savvy Project Manager', released in 2006.

He's an active member of PMI, IAPPM, APBM, and IPMA, receiving several professional certifications and was honored as a Fellow by IAPPM. He was president of the PMI Rochester Chapter from 1998-2001, and was re-elected president in 2005-2006. He's a licensed Professional Engineer in New York and holds an MBA from RIT.

 

 

Session B 10:45am - 11:45am

 

Topic: The Project Manager and Business Analyst: A Winning Combination	Track: Soft Skills
Presenters: Sue Lach, PMP and Donna Gendreau, CBAP	Room: 26-27	10:45am - 11:45am

Course Description:
Project Managers and Business Analysts are integral components to the project team. Some may say that the roles are interchangeable but is this true? Sue and Donna are currently collaborating and working together on an Enterprise Project for the Hartford Financial Service Groups, which won their team the 2008 Chairman’s Award, the highest award recognition that can be achieved. We will describe in this session the real-world situations that we faced and will highlight from our own experiences the winning combination of skills sets that are needed in these key roles and provide an understanding of how these roles compliment each other throughout all the stages of group development to reach the end goal.

The session will also include an opportunity for the audience to do their own “pulse check” as to the health of their existing BA/PM relationship(s) and walk away with a Collaboration Checklist to ensure their next team project is a collaborative one!

Sue Lach, PMP is currently employed with the Hartford Technology Services Company serving as a Project Manager. She has twenty three years of experience in the Insurance, Printing and Document Management industries and has been employed by The Hartford since 1986. She has held various Project Manager roles in the Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, Corporate and Life divisions of the organization leading key initiatives. Sue’s experience outside of The Hartford includes two years with Aetna serving as the Print Commodity Manager in the Procurement organization.

Sue is a graduate of Western New England College in Springfield MA, has a Masters Certificate in Project Management, George Washington University, DC and is a certified Project Manager. Sue is currently a member of the SNEC-PMI Association for Project Management and is serving on the Programs Committee. She has held major leadership roles for XPLOR International, the leading educational forum organization in the electronic print industry. She served on the International Board of Directors from 1994-2000 and served as the Chairman for 3 years.

Donna Gendreau, CBAP - Toting a wide-array of models and techniques in her BA tool-kit, Donna is a Senior IT Business Consultant for Hartford Technology Services Company, currently working as a Business Analyst on an Enterprise-wide initiative in the Data protection space. She helps her clients and fellow team members understand and analyze their business and system environments. Achieving Certified Business Analysis Professional TM (CBAP™) status in May, 2007, she was one of the first 100 to successfully sit for this exam. Donna now leads the Hartford Facilitators Roundtable, a group of individuals from the local area who are committed to personal and professional growth in the field of facilitation. This forum provides a safe environment in which to share experiences, practice, and learn from one another.

Donna is a member of the IIBA and was instrumental in the start-up of the local IIBA Hartford, CT chapter. She served on the chapter board as Chair of the Communications and Marketing team. Donna continually seeks to raise awareness of the IIBA in her local area. Donna presents often to area business groups and professional events providing insight into the IIBA’s Body of Knowledge (BABOK™) and certification exam for the CBAP™.

Before joining Hartford Technology Services Company, Donna had over 20 years experience working with The Hartford’s P&C Business and IT Operations. She served as a data modeler and administrator, IT Business Analyst for multiple financial systems, a Supervisor and Quality Assurance auditor for Receivable Management operations.

 

 

Topic: Building Better Communication Plans	Track: PM Tools
Presenter: Deborah Ketai, PMP	Room: 21-23	10:45am - 11:45am

Course Description:
Many projects suffer from ineffective communication — and inadequate project communication often results from poor planning. This session will demystify the nuts and bolts of communication planning and make it one of your most productive project management tools.

Session Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes:

• Learn to construct and decompose a project communication plan
• Understand the triggers and outcomes of planned communication
• Choose the best modalities for different types of communication and different stakeholder groups

A consultant for most of her working life, Deborah Ketai, PMP came to project management after satisfying careers in training, music, marketing, and IT. The link between these fields? Her core talent and primary interest: communication. As a project manager, Ms. Ketai is known as a diplomatic straight shooter. She builds open, mutually respectful forums in which diverse – and even antagonistic – stakeholders find common ground and develop workable solutions.

Ms. Ketai serves SNEC-PMI as AVP – E-mail Communications and AVP – Chapter Meeting Presentations. She was previously Director – Communication for NAWBO-CT, the Connecticut chapter of the National Association of Woman Business Owners.

Ms. Ketai has written articles, given workshops, and lectured on such topics as Packaging the Professional, Inventing Your Own Career, and Confident Communication in a Changing Business World. A former contributing editor for Business New Haven magazine, Ms. Ketai is also a published, award-winning poet and essayist.

 

 

Topic: Lean Project and Program Management: Practices and Tools for Accelerating Business Value and Creating High-Performing Teams	Track: Methodologies
Presenter: Dr. Jerry Julian	Room: 11-13	10:45am - 11:45am

Course Description:
In this session, Dr. Julian will provide a framework and toolset for systematically accelerating delivery at the project, program and portfolio levels. Drawing on over 15 years of experience working with teams to deploy lean principles, participants will have the opportunity to learn how some of the best organizations in the world are using these practices to reduce cycle time, improve quality and develop a high performing learning organization that continuously improves from one phase, iteration and project to the next.

Dr. Jerry Julian is an operations & technology strategist with an eighteen-year career helping organizations achieve new levels of performance with lean principles and learning organization practices. He has worked with hundreds of teams in blue-chip companies including J.P. Morgan Chase, Pfizer, GE Capital, Gartner, BMW, Sotheby’s, Vanguard, Johnson & Johnson, and others.

Before assuming his current role at Julian Advisory Group over eight years ago, he began his career at Accenture as a software engineer and was a Vice President at Rath & Strong, a leading global consultancy in the field of lean operations improvement, where he served as Master Black Belt Coach and practice lead for Fortune 500 clients. He is the author of an upcoming book entitled “Facilitating Project Performance Improvement: A Practical Guide to Multi-Level Learning” to be published by AMACOM, the publishing arm of the American Management Association. His ongoing research focuses on applying the principles of lean and the learning organization to improve performance in project-based organizations.

Dr. Julian holds a doctorate in adult and organizational learning from Columbia University, an MBA from the UNC-Chapel Hill, and a Bachelors of Science in Operations Research from Columbia University’s Fu School of Engineering.

 

 

Topic: Project Planning: Estimation and Scheduling	Track: PM Tools
Presenter: John Slack, PMP	Room: 24-25	10:45am - 11:45am

Course Description:
This session covers the fundamentals of effective project planning and control to help establish an understanding of cutting-edge project management concepts and methodologies. You will learn what estimation and scheduling entails and the objectives of a sound estimate as well as basic methods for project estimating. You will also learn the importance of the critical path and how to identify it.

Objectives and Expected Learning Outcome:

• Estimation and Scheduling (Definitions and Interdependency)
• Objectives of a sound Estimate Basic methods for project estimating (resource planning: effort & duration)
• Developing an accurate scheduling network What’s the Critical Path all about?

John Slack, PMP, MBA, is a Principal Consultant at Advanced Management Services, Inc. (AMS), a full service management consultancy servicing an international client base. John is a leading expert in the area of BA and has contributed to the best practice models used for many of AMS’ clients. He has managed projects for business processes ranging from product development and maintenance to customer support and product training. John has over 30 years of experience in business development, project management, business analysis, and professional development. For the past decade he has focused his time on a mixture of active project management and analysis of business operations as well as the development of training for project management and business analysis. His projects have ranged from the retail to high tech sectors including the planning and rollout of business strategy for companies such as Digital Equipment Corp and Intel, to the development and rollout of software applications for companies such as DirectTV, Motorola and American Airlines.

 

 

Topic: Too Busy to Share, Promoting Successful Collaboration	Track: Soft Skills
Presenter: Daniel Suppin	Room: 14-15	10:45am - 11:45am

Course Description:
This presentation discusses practical strategies, tips and lessons learned for successful collaboration with subject matter experts on projects in order to improve project results and to promote a learning organization. The presenter draws on personal experience from a variety of organizations including a global Center for Excellence. Session Objectives and expected learning outcomes include:

• Increase awareness of the human motivational elements underlying project success
• Provide practical ideas to improve collaboration and overcome project challenges
• Promote the concepts of a learning organization to increase project success rates

Mr. Daniel Suppin is a Senior Program Manager with over 33 years of experience managing and delivering information technology services to Fortune 500 corporations in a variety of industries. Since joining Keane in 1994, Mr. Suppin has championed process improvement initiatives aimed at driving Keane's strategic business including the development of a global Center for Excellence. Most recently Mr. Suppin led the successful implementation of a payment processing and accounting system for the Department of Revenue for a major U.S. municipal government. Mr. Suppin earned a B.A. in Psychology from New York University. He also holds an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hartford, and an M.S. in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In addition, Mr. Suppin earned a certificate in Business Strategies from the Babson School of Executive Education..

 

 

After Lunch Keynote - Ballroom A/B Networking for Results: The Power of Personal Contact - Michael J. Hughes 1:15pm - 2:15pm

 

Session C 2:30pm - 3:30pm

 

Topic: Growing to Fit the Leadership Boots	Track: Soft Skills
Presenter: Melissa Evans, PMP	Room: 26-27	2:30pm - 3:30pm

Course Description:
Growing to Fit the Leadership Boots’ is a career development session intended to provide intermediate level program managers with inputs on growing to senior managerial roles and acquiring the skills, competencies and attitude needed to lead Project Management teams in a complex and dynamic environment. The key objective of this session is to aid mid- level project managers with about 5-6 years experience with practical inputs on how they can further career goals and move up to take on leadership roles successfully.

Melissa Evans, MHA, PMP is an accomplished business executive with more than 15 years of multi-disciplinary experience. A Certified Project Management professional, her expertise also includes other areas such as business coaching, management consulting, change management, process improvement, new business development and technology.

Melissa is currently the Program Manager for the Systemic Treatment Information Program (STIP) at Cancer Care Ontario in Canada. Besides managing the development, migration and implementation of the STIP solution at locations throughout Ontario, she helps team members achieve Project Management certification through a well organized corporate-wide study seminar where she provides training and counsel.

She is also President and CEO of The Broshe Group Inc., a firm she established in 2001 to help business people become more effective, profitable and successful while increasing their free time and enjoyment of life. The company offers a variety of in-depth consultation and programs, including business coaching, consulting, and mentoring. Melissa takes a results-oriented approach to helping business people succeed and has established herself as the "Guru of Implementation."

Prior to joining Cancer Care Ontario in 2008, Melissa held leadership roles at McKesson Corporation and Microsoft Corporation. At Microsoft Corporation, Melissa was hand-picked for a select 420-member team that launched a new worldwide division to help companies leverage their technology investments.

Melissa holds a Master of Science degree in Health Care Policy and Administration from Mercer University’s Stetson School of Business and Economics in Atlanta, preceded by a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Exercise Science from Furman University of Greenville, S.C.

 

 

Topic: In Defense of Waterfall - Deconstructing the Agile Manifesto	Track: Methodologies
Presenter: Kenneth Katz, PMP	Room: 21-23	2:30pm - 3:30pm

Course Description:
Ken critically analyzes the Agile Manifesto and its principles, demonstrating that they are based on assumptions that, in certain circumstances, are just as invalid as the generally discredited assumptions underlying waterfall. He describes when waterfall methods are most appropriate and how to choose between agile and waterfall.

Session Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes:

• An appreciation for the strengths and weaknesses of agile and waterfall.
• An understanding that no methodology is a panacea.
• Guidelines to consider when selecting the best methodology for a project.
• How to use agile concepts to improve waterfall.

Educated as an aerospace engineer at MIT and the University of Michigan, Ken Katz, PMP spent the first part of his career in the US Air Force and the aerospace industry. With the end of the Cold War and the downturn in the aerospace industry, he considered new careers as a circus clown and a country music superstar before settling on project management. For the past nine years, Ken has been employed by DST Output, managing projects in software development and information technology. Ken has earned the PMP certification from the Project Management Institute and has taught project management courses at the graduate level. He is a named contributor/reviewer to the PMBOK 4th edition and the PMI standards for WBS and risk management.

 

 

Topic: The New Role of the Project Leader - 21st Century Transformation	Track: PM Tools
Presenter: Cathy Cassidy	Room: 11-13	2:30pm - 3:30pm

Course Description:
An organizational strategy is nothing more than the senior leader’s intent for the future of the organization. In order to execute that strategy, projects that deliver creative solutions to address the gaps between where the organization is today (status quo) and where it wants to go (the strategy) are required.

Over the years, the profession of project management and leadership has developed and changed. It has grown into a profession that requires more knowledge and more expertise in not only checking off the boxes and controlling work but managing work cross-functionally and without authority.

Now, in addition to the ever growing knowledge and expertise, project leaders of the future need to be able to drive strategy execution, which means you need to drive change - and change is about innovation.

During this discussion, the speaker will explore the transformation of the Project leader role to Innovation Leader. Offering a new innovation process and sample tools for identifying creative solutions and improving adoption of the project deliverable, you’ll gain valuable insight into a future path for your career.

Cathy Cassidy is CEO of Martin Training Associates, the global leader in leading and working effectively in a matrix organization. Martin Training provides workshops, consulting and publications on the components of New Matrix Management which include, but are not limited to, project and portfolio management, accountability, horizontal governance structures, and collaborative leadership skills.

Cathy has written or co-written several Quick Guide publications on topics related to the New Matrix Management including: Leading Successful Meetings, Change Accountability and Accountability for Leaders in a Matrix.

Cathy’s corporate experience included leadership positions with J.P. Morgan Chase and The Dreyfus Corporation.

Raised in Bronx, New York, Cathy lives with her husband and two sons in Carmel, NY.

 

 

Topic: Avoid Creep--Discover the REAL Requirements	Track: PM Best Practices
Presenter: Robin F. Goldsmith	Room: 24-25	2:30pm - 3:30pm

Course Description:
Scope creep is a major cause of project overruns. Creep continues because scope is not defined appropriately and thus cannot help creeping. In this interactive presentation, Robin Goldsmith shows how to use the powerful Problem Pyramid™ to discover REAL, business requirements to define scope that doesn’t creep so much.

• Distinguish REAL, business requirements from product/system/software requirements
• Explain how the Problem Pyramid™ gets the REAL requirements right
• Describe 7 guidelines for documenting the REAL, business requirements

Robin F. Goldsmith, JD, President of Go Pro Management, Inc. consultancy since 1982, works directly with and trains business and systems professionals in requirements, quality and testing, software acquisition, project management, leadership, metrics, and process improvement. He partners with ProveIT.net in providing ROI Value Modeling™ tools, training, and advisory services.

Author of the Proactive Testing™ and REAL ROI™ methodologies, numerous articles, and the recent Artech House book Discovering REAL Business Requirements for Software Project Success, he is a frequent featured speaker at leading professional conferences and was formerly International Vice President of the Association for Systems Management and Executive Editor of the Journal of Systems Management. He is a subject expert on requirements and testing for TechTarget and a subject expert and reviewer for the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK).

 

 

Topic: Release Your Creative BIRD	Track: Soft Skills
Presenter: Lisa DiTullio	Room: 14-15	2:30pm - 3:30pm

Course Description:
Innovation is about doing things differently and doing different things. It's critical for companies that want to remain competitive in the long term. Yet, most companies are cutting back on innovation and creativity, focusing on cost cutting, people cutting and reducing the number of priority projects. This program is designed to provoke thought about the extent to which creativity supports business success. It challenges participants to adopt BIRD behaviors: bravery, inquisitiveness, receptiveness and drive. Not intended as a ‘test' of creativity, this program helps individuals identify some of their personal barriers to creativity and learn how to adopt creative practices to enhance business outcomes.

Lisa DiTullio is a leading force in project and business management. She is the principal of Lisa DiTullio & Associates, LLC, a practice dedicated to introducing project management as a business competency, enabling organization to improve decision-making, instill accountability and enhance communications. She is also the founder of Your Project Office, a service firm providing virtual project office support services. She is the editor of ProjectBestPractices, a quarterly newsletter from ProjectWorld, a regular blogger for the Silicon ValleyPM and ProjectConnections sites, and a contributor to PM Network Magazine. She’s also the author of Simple Solutions: How "Enterprise Project Management" Supported Harvard Pilgrim Health Care's Journey from Near Collapse to #1. Her second book, Project Team Dynamics: Increased Speed, Enhanced Performance is due out early next year.

Lisa is a recognized international speaker and trainer in her field. Scores of organizations – from college campuses to governmental agencies to Fortune 100 companies have gained from Lisa’s insights and tell-it-like-it-is keynotes and programs. Audience members and workshop participants leave educated, engaged, and energized – armed with actionable practices for immediate success.

 

Closing Keynote - Ballroom A/B The Power and the Passion of Project Management Can Literally Change The World - Amy Barzach 3:45pm - 4:45pm

 

Program Subject to Change (last revised 21-Apr-2010)

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