Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

When it comes to work there are lot more other than security or money. Maslow's hierarchy of needs picture depicts this.

True Leadership

True Leadership is one who guides and motivate the team to perform, help him in need, make them understand his mistakes and be a role model.

When it comes to guiding and motivating the team I would look into the word "Mentorship". Mentoring is foremost important for a person who gets inducted to new team or environment. Normally we do not emphasize more on this. But if it is done in proper manner one can really see the result and outcome of it.

Helping each other - this should be an integral part of th e team. We normally perform as a team. How does the work gets noticed? Till we complete the project as a whole our work is not recognized even though one person performs some outstanding work. Our job is just not to complete the given work but understand the responsibility in delivering the project as a whole. By helping others we too learn and deliver things in better way.

How to make one realize his mistakes? - Mistakes happens everywhere. One need to understand that noone is perfect. But we can achieve perfection by practice. It is all about how quick we learn from the mistakes we make during the practice. If someone does a mistake rather pointing finger they should rather explain to the person and make him understand what was the root cause of the problem. Instead of doing this if you point finger on them then there is something wrong with the person who is pointing finger. Mistakes would have been with him.
For example you ask someone to deliver some work. But there was some major bug which would have been the show stopper. Ofcourse he has committed mistake but how could have it been prevented. Obviously by doing reviews. Who's mistake this? But this chain can go on. Its all blaming game. So always try to overcome this problem as a team rather blaming each other.

I am sure each one of you would have come across all these scenarios. You can share your thoughts here.

PMBOK and Knowledge Areas

The acronym for PMBOK is Project Management Book of Knowledge. This is considered as the bible for project management. This is published by "Project Management Institute"
PMBOK is being derived and compiled from various resources and inputs from PMP's all over the world and they keep updating this manual periodically. The recent version is PMBOK 3rd edition. From where do you get this manual? If you become member for the Project Management Institute you will have access to this manual.
It helps to understand the various project management activities a project manager carries out during the project initiation, planning, executing, controlling and closing.
The book has been categorized into 9 knowledge areas, which are:
1) Integration Management
2) Scope Management
3) Time Management
4) Cost Management
5) Quality Management
6) Human Resource Management
7) Communications Management
8) Risk Management
9) Procurement Management

Any project will be undergoing all these knowledge areas. Under these there are many processes involved.

For those who are keen in pursuing their project management skills can I would suggest them to take membership from PMI and get to understand these processes. (www.pmi.org)

However I will keep blogging on the various topics of project management which will come under any of the above knowledge areas.

McGregor's Theory

According to this theory all people fall under two categories.
1) Theory X
2) Theory Y

Theory X - Manager's believe that this kind of people need to be watched all the time. They are incapable, avoid responsibility and avoid work whenever possible.

Theory Y - Manager's believe that this kind of people are willing to work without supervision, and want to achieve. They are independent and can direct their own efforts.

As per request (Topic 1 - Leadership Styles)

According to project managament there are different leadership styles

Directing - Telling others what to do
Facilitating - Coordinating the input of others
Coaching - Instructing Others
Supporting - Providing assistance along the way
Autocratic - Making decisions without input
Consultative - Inviting ideas from others
Consensus - Problem solving in a group with decision-making based on group agreement

Now by looking at the above you can match your leads style as per the above category

For those who Aspire to complete PMP Certification

I have been constantly being requested from various sources on how to prepare and appear for the PMP examination for which I have been anwering with the same mail. Now I have decided to post the details here. If you need any clarifications on this please mail me across.

Site Name - www.pmi.org
1) Membership Fees - 130$

2) Exam Fees - 405$ (for non0-member the price is different. It is better to take the membeship)

3) Pre-requisite course (for 35 contact hours) - Rangeto approx. 10000 to 20000 (before taking up thiscourse need to validate the registered user)
a) www.pmstudy.com (online course. They charge lesscompare to other providers)
b) Registered education providers in Chennai (hereone need to attend the classes directly for 5 dayscontinuously)
International Institute of ProjectManagement - www.iipmchennai.com Ph:24359078
JUMP Project Management Consultants -www.jumppmc.com Ph:248674664)
PMBOK Guide (this can be received as CD if youapply for membership).
It is better to apply formembership first

4) Rita Mulachy 5th edition - Book (Around Rs.6000/-)

5 ) Rita Mulachy - PMP Simulation (This has morepractice questions. Will be useful but very expensive.This costs around Rs. 16000/-. I did not buy this)

6) If you are registering the course throughPMStudy.com (as per point no. 3) you will receive 3model exams + 1 model exam free for everyone

7)If applied through www.pmstudy.com you need to keepreading the each knowledge area and take the test tomeet the required 35 contact hours. (This is simpleone. No need to worry on this)

8) After a month or so you need to submit yourapplication with your past experience. Finally thetotal need to come to 36 months of project managementexperience (you may have more than that, no problembut they will conside only 36 months for eligibility)

9) To fill up the point no.8 go towww.pmi.org/info/PDC_CertificationsOverview.asp?nav=0401and click on Online Application .

10) Once application is submitted PMI will evaluateand intimate you on the confirmation on youreligbility. (For approving normally they take 5business days. max)

11) Now you are ready to make the payment. Once youare confident that you can take the exam in nearfuture you can go ahead and make the payment. Thispayment is valid for one year.

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