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In this article, Preetam Kaushik explains what Kaizen is and how it is used in project management. It is an introduction to Kaizen - a philosophy developed by engineers while manufacturing cars at Toyota. It basically involves continuous improvements in all stages of any process with every small improvement making its own contribution to the final process.

another blog that has all sorts of elearning topics, but also some wrting about project management. I especially enjoyed the post, "Top 10 ways to Annoy a Project Manager".

This looks like a great resource/site. Like you said, there are several interesting looking e-learning topics that are worth checking out. The "Top 10" you mention is a funny, but informative article - i especially liked number 10, which is "Forgetting to thank me when I help you out" :) I also noticed there is a workshop available for this topic, although pricey - if you have the money to burn it could be worth it! Thanks for posting this.

Harvard Business "Working Knowledge" archive article that I found very helpful, regarding the need for clarity when starting projects

In the article it mentions the concept of "Work Backwards." In education, when planning, it is called "Backwards Design," beginning your plan at where you want to end up, which is usually the the state standard of learning.

Build the community: I couldn't agree more that the initial relationship building in a project is key component for success later.

This site has a lot of great media resources. It includes two podcasts (a PM 101 for beginners and a more advanced one) which both have multiple casts. It also includes Google Hangouts that the host has put together, which speak to many topics related to Project Management. The Hangout pages include videos of the sessions, and suggested websites and books that came up during the videos. This is a great way to listen to experienced PMs and benefit from their list of recommended resources. An added bonus is that the site itself recommends related content and postings at the bottoms of pages, so you can easily browse around for information that interests you.

This is a pretty neat concept. Have you used it much? I would be interested in hearing some first hand feedback - but maybe I'll check it out and then we can discuss further!

Melissa, thanks for sharing I like the approach to search for resources that suits your specific needs.

The International Journal of Project Management offers wide ranging and comprehensive coverage of all facets of project management. Published eight times per year, it provides a focus for worldwide expertise in the required techniques, practices and areas of research; presents a forum for its readers to share common experiences across the full range of industries and technologies in which project management is used; covers all areas of project management from systems to human aspects; links theory with practice by publishing case studies and covering the latest important issues. Application areas include: information systems, strategic planning, research and development, system design and implementation, engineering and construction projects, finance, leisure projects, communications, defence, agricultural projects, major re-structuring and new product development. Papers originate from all over the world and are fully peer-reviewed, on the 'double-blind' system. In addition, the journal carries conference reports, and book reviews. Topics Covered Include: Project concepts; project evaluation; team building and training; communication; project start-up; risk analysis and allocation; quality assurance; project systems; project planning; project methods; tools and techniques; resources, cost and time allocation; estimating and tendering; scheduling; monitoring, updating and control; contracts; contract law; project finance; project management software; motivation and incentives; resolution of disputes; procurement methods; organization systems; decision making processes; investment appraisal. The journal is published in collaboration with the Association for Project Management (APM) and the International Project Management Association (IPMA) and is their official journal.

The very cool IDEO methodology Kenny mentioned in a discussion during our course: It is a mindset Design Thinking is the confidence that everyone can be part of creating a more desirable future, and a process to take action when faced with a difficult challenge. That kind of optimism is well needed in education.

This is a pretty accessible, concise outline for using ADDIE for project management in ID. I find it interesting because there is criticism that ADDIE is not adequate for project management, but I am still not entirely sure why. This adaptation looks pretty sound.

FreeMind is a premier free mind-mapping software written in Java. The recent development has hopefully turned it into high productivity tool. We are proud that the operation and navigation of FreeMind is faster than that of MindManager because of one-click "fold / unfold" and "follow link" operations. This tool is open source and free to download and install.

I am reading the book written by the founder of this group. It is an enjoyable read and this company also runs a helpful blog. I think it is great for people and organizations that feel challenged by having those difficult conversations.

Looks interesting. Seems like a good communication resource.

Looks like a good support system for project managers!

OneNote is a great product from Microsoft, and it's basically a digital series of binders that you can create and customize. You can create and label binders, sections, and individual pages. You can add notes, checklists, links to web pages, embed documents...almost anything you find can be placed there. The two most beneficial features: everything you put there can be made searchable, and your binders are sharable via SkyDrive (Microsoft's cloud) and by emailed link. A project manager could use this for anything from their own simple notes to an official file of collaborative information about a project! View a demo at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/onenote-help/demo-what-is-onenote-HA010168634.aspx.

I use OneNote all the time and wonder how I managed without it! I tried Evernote, but the bugs finally drove me away and then I discovered OneNote. I don't know why Microsoft doesn't promote it better... it's a great tool!

I am also a big fan of OneNote. I use it a lot to share information with other teachers.

According to the description it is an issue tracking app. This is very useful for managing a project by prioritizing tasks by tracking timelines, milestones (enter title, due date, and the goals or focus for each milestone). The app integrates client emails and also in the message creation it is possible to attach files up to 50 MB in size. To create a project the PM only needs to write the project title and description.

#2 is important to recognize. When one can identify emotional triggers then it is easier to learn to work with others who may accidentally set off those emotions without meaning too. Human beings unconsciously reflection and interpret others emotions so it is important to understand your own.

#1 Mindfulness meditation has been practiced by the buddhist monks for centuries. Brain imaging studies show that an eight week course of this meditation can affect the brain by reducing flight/fight and increasing concentration http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2014/06/12/what-does-mindfulness-meditation-do-to-your-brain/

Can't agree more with the idea that we need to reflect on and recognize our emotions. We spend far too much time doing it to others, but often forget to look inside.

WBS is an acronym for "Work Breakdown Structure". Simply said it is the work required to break PM down . It is true that PMs are usually overburdened with project work they are on the verge of breaking down. However, WBS makes PMs life easy.

Here is a link to a waterfall PM model. Although maybe over simplistic, I like the fact that is suggests a phase can't start until a the previous is completed. You also find the spiral model that suggests that we go through specific phases again and again-at first take, I find this spiral model a bit worrisome. It lacks defined milestones and benchmarks, and perhaps it implies a ambiguity when it comes to roles.

A Project Charter is a must-have in any project, as prescribed by the PMBOK® Guide and other methods. It is a document that summarizes the key information about a project and that announces to the world, aka, your organization, that there is a new project on the block.

Asana is the shared task list for your team. The place to plan, organize & stay in sync. Free for up to 30 team menbers.

This looks like a great way to keep a project team organized and informed. The tutorial was helpful and gave a nice overview of the system. Free is also a wonderful feature!

For a simple, light Project Management tool, Asana worked great to keep a list of tasks and when they were completed.

Very informative article from the Harvard Business Review. Using many real life examples, this article reviews the problems and solutions to managing a multicultural team. Problems can be overt such as language and accents to something subtle such as how to deal with conflict. Four categories were identified by the researchers that could create barriers to effective teamwork. These categories are direct versus indirect communication; trouble with accents and fluency; differing attitudes toward hierarchy and authority and conflicting norms for decision making.

I think that one thing that was interesting is that it stresses being careful in how you establish groups and subgroups otherwise you may see a strengthening of differences. It is something that I see in the classroom all of the time. Kids break up based on common culture, language, or backgrounds.