Free Introduction to Project Management Workshop (free as in free beer!)

Recently our eldest daughter provided us with a tremendous example of leadership, generosity of spirit and self sacrifice that we are very proud of. Instead of receiving birthday presents for her recent 9th birthday party, she asked her guests to donate money towards the Haemophilia Foundation Australia, as her cousin has Haemophilia and it was her way to try and help someone else.

Now a nine year old selflessly saying no to birthday presents is pretty special in my book, and yes she is a pretty special girl, as are both our daughters.

However, this got me thinking. I take leading by example seriously in our house, so I thought about what I could do to help as well. So I thought that I have some time on my hands during the week, why don’t I give something back to society and help raise a few dollars towards the Foundation as well.

So here’s my idea, how about I run a FREE half day workshop on the fundamentals of project management for anyone who wants to come along, with a particular emphasis on attendees from non-profit organisations, government policy and IT areas and private sector change management and IT companies. Ideally targeting new-comers to project management or people who have found themselves in charge of running a project without any training or experience in doing so.

So firstly I’m giving something back to the project management fraternity through providing information to help build project management capacity and secondly, if I charge a gold coin donation for attendance that money can be donated to the Haemophilia Association. Lastly, I’m leading by example for my children. That’s what I’d call a win/win/win situation.

So, what do you think? Would you be interested in coming along to a half day workshop to learn a bit about the fundamental aspects of project management, such as managing time, cost, quality, human resources, quality, risk, and procurement in exchange for a gold coin donation to the Foundation?

If you would be please click here and leave your details. When we’ve collected 20 expressions of interest, I’ll go ahead an organise the event and let you know the details. The event will be held in Hobart, so if you are elsewhere, I can’t see why we can’t record it in a podcast and post afterwards.

If you’d like to help in some way, or would like to make any additional comments or suggestions, either leave a comment to the post, or use the additional comment field in the expression of interest form.

EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST TO ATTEND HERE

The Gershun Review of ICT in the Australian Government has been released

For those of us interested in finding out what is happening across the Australian Government ICT industry sector, the Gershon Review is available for reading by clicking on this link: Gershon Review

There is also articles about it in AustralianIT here and here, there are some interesting comments from the Australian Government Finance Minister, Lindsay Tanner, especially his suggestion that “the drift to contractors simply reflects a lack of internal controls.”

On the ground it’s more likely to be driven by an operational requirement that can’t be met via a Public Service Act that doesn’t always deliver the required skill sets.

I know, I’ve been there, the Public Service Act simply doesn’t deliver resources in a timely fashion, nor does it always provide resources with the required skillsets. Don’t get me wrong, Governments of any persuasion are filled with talented individuals working under their Public Service Acts, however the private sector ICT industry as a whole has surpassed the earning capacity provided by the public sector and their engagement processes are way quicker. This translates to a more efficient method of acquisition and remuneration, coupled with a higher output capacity expectation.

Anyway, I’m going to have a read of this review over the next few days and I’ll provide some input to the public debate in due course. Your comments are welcome.