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Make sure your team-building event has a purpose. You've probably been involved in a team-building exercise at some point. Perhaps it was a weekend retreat, or an afternoon at the climbing gym learning to rely on one another, or a day on the golf course getting to know everyone.

Building Relationships in Project Management Get the PDF Version By Michael L Young

I love these guys... always simple and straight forward. For me this is a bit of a reality check. When things get a little too heavy and a little too complex, it's good to focus on the basics.

Tom Kuhlmann's advice is always practical when it comes to eLearning design and I see his advice about project management is no different. I found his advice to not view the things he discusses as a linear progression but as a set of activities that need to be done to get through a project.

I like something that is so practical and simple. Good advice we all need to keep in mind and in an easy-to-read format.

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.

I'm posting this link to Debra Fine's website. I've read two of her books: "The Fine Art of Small Talk" and "The Fine Art of the Big Talk." While they're not directly about project management, they do relate to the ability to communicate and build relationships both personally and professionally. The content of these two books has helped me build rapport and relationships with teams and stakeholders, open discussions about sensitive topics and project difficulties, and improve my ability to get what I want out of conversations big and small. I would recommend these books to any PM looking to get better at communicating.

Debra, that book sounds very useful to integrate EQ with the PM experience.

step by step project management through the eyes of a young girl. Kids have a hard time finding relevance in school and what they study. This resource walks the reader through the steps of creating the ultimate tree house, which the child wanted to build. For young girls especially it teaches them that they can do the same thing boys do.

Here's everything you need to know to set up a project management group in your organization. I have included links to several free tools-spreadsheet, sample business case document, and PowerPoint slides-to help you.

Nice article Victoria. They make setting up a PMO sound so easy! Could very well be the case in a smaller organization. Taking on something like this in a larger organization can be a challenge. Thanks for the post!

This article breaks down the stages of a project. It is an easy read.

Interesting article, I learned something new in the section releasing the benefits. Specifically, "to gain benefits, you must have change." I know some can be afraid of change but then how does a company grow. Change needs to occur to have everything stay current and up-to date. thanks

This was a great article since it appealed to all skill levels. Whether new to project management or a "seasoned" professional these tips could apply to all. I also like how it was broken down into 21 ways so you could pick one topic and work on that and then move on to the next if need be. A great way to gradually build better PM skills.

Sharepoint is a great project management tool, most especially for eLearning. Our online department utilizes it to manages tasks and build online resources for the department. It's a great place to share files and also comment on those files. It has discussion boards and announcement boards. Users can view files and edit them with versioning.

I agree that SharePoint is a great collaboration tool, although it's nice to have someone around who is an expert with using it. Sometimes it can be a little hard to handle. My favorite thing about SharePoint is that you can set up a workflow where a project manager can approve all document updates and new content before it goes live on the site. The manager can even leave comments to help the person revamp their submission. It's a great cloud-based collaboration and information management tool!

I agree, Melissa - it is a great tool but a bit cumbersome. We have a Sharepoint SME in our office who is working on revamping all of our sites. I am hoping it will make our teams use their sites to their fuller potential. If you have a content management plan, it is fantastic - but it can spiral out of control very quickly!

This site has 3 prerecorded webinars on Project Management that address the building blocks, practical examples and applying PM principles to your workplace. Although geared toward library application, the PM skills addressed can be adapted and serve as a good refresher, introduction to or continuing education. This site is hosted by the Colorado Dept of Education and the Colorado State Library, which lends reliability to the content. The webinars are FREE and always accessible, and you can download the slides in Powerpoint or as a handout, which is great for note taking.

This is a fun comprehensible video for new users regarding building and using a Wiki. It shws how it can be utilized

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.

It might be possible to build upon your recent class INTE 5160, "Managing Information and Learning Technology Programs". The University of Colorado offers a non-degree PM certification program. This web page provides the information.

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team has become the world's most definitive source on practical information for building teams. The book's impact extends beyond business schools, churches, non-profit organizations, professional sports teams and the military. * When you work with a team it is important to understand the dynamics. When you understand what can hinder the team then it is easier to understand ways to help rebuild/strengthen the team - Vail*

Features of a true servant leader "If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea", these are the words of Antoine de Saint-Exupery, one of my favorite writers, which can consolidate the philosophy behind a term - servant leadership.

WBS Tool is a free web software for building Project Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), WBS Charts, Organograms and other types of hierarchies. The Tool works with any web browser with the adobe flash plugin installed. Simple to use.

I like that you do not have to create a log in to use the program. Also the ease of use. Very intuitive.

The tool is very intuitive to use. It has the ability to export as an image, word document or MS project file. That's an important feature. Looks like a great tool.

In this internationally acclaimed text, Marshall Rosenberg offers insightful stories, anecdotes, practical exercises and role-plays that will dramatically change your approach to communication for the better. Discover how the language you use can strengthen your relationships, build trust, prevent conflicts and heal pain. Revolutionary, yet simple, Nonviolent Communication offers you the most effective tools to reduce violence and create peace in your life-one interaction at a time.

There is a lot of information on this site! They could use a little help with their web design to make it a little less overwhelming though...

I love this approach to communication! I've used in all aspects of my work and personal communications and when I really implement it has really helped me navigate some high conflict situations. It does take practice and is easier to work with if you have others you can engage with to practice the techniques.