What is the business of Project Management?

Latest free newsletter discusses the business of project management and comes with money-back guarantee if you don't see your organizational project management service in a new light after reading it.

What is the value of your project management service? (Hint - your value is probably not reflected in your paycheck).

Project management service has value that is usually not defined nor marketed. You need to see the value and market the value of project management services if you are to prosper. You must help sponsors to distinguish valuable project management services from bureaucrats calling themselves project managers. Otherwise you will continue to be a commodity.

Graduated from Core Essentials Program

Recently received my certificate after graduating from the Core Essentials Program at Coach University.

I am proud as punch to now offer an even higher level of coaching services to my clients. As always, if you know anyone who is stuck trying to reach an elusive goal, then please pass my name along.

Systems Theory and Constraints

Great presentations at SNEC-PMI Chapter meeting in Cromwell, CT last night. Good speakers and thoroughly enjoyed talking shop with a long-time acquaintance who has taken a new position as an Enterprise Project Manager.

The main speaker - Michael de la Maza - facilitated a memorable presentation. Michael spoke about systems theory and constraints. If you have read Eli Goldratt's book "The Goal", then you understand systems theory. I read it years ago when we still lived in South Africa, and recall parts of the novel, but had forgotten the details.

On point that stuck with me from last night's event is this "It doesn't matter where you start, as long as your team continues to identify and work against the constraints in a system, you will improve. You create a learning organization. If you can learn at a faster rate than your competitors, then you will dominate your industry". For example, Toyota and Hyundai.

Therefore, your goal should be create learning organizations in your project teams. This means that you must foster anyone who identifies constraints and help them to work against the constraint to increase throughput. If you can iteratively remove constraints, then it doesn't matter where you started off, your systems will continue to improve and you are streets ahead of non-learning environment teams.

Michael's presentation was thought provoking and a lot of fun.

Remember "It is not where you start that matters in system theory, it is how fast you identify and work against constraints that matters". Sounds like a good motto for success in life as well.

Anniversary of landing in the USA

Today we celebrate 9 years in the USA. On January 20, 2001, our flight landed at JFK and brought my family to the land of opportunities. We had $400 in cash with us, six suitcases and our hearts were full of hope.

I am pleased with what the USA has already provided for us, and the many new opportunities that have opened up this year.

I am looking forward to a fabulous future in the coming years in the USA.

How to be a good Director on the Board

You should serve on the board of directors for the non-profits that you believe in. As a project manager, you should be involved in your project management association and serve on the Board of Directors for your local chapter, at the least.

The Board of Directors is the responsible entity to govern the association and serve the members of the association. You should volunteer to serve your profession as a Director for your association.

If you are wondering how to fill a Directorship role, without being Bored in the Boardroom, then read my latest article listing the 16 Top Tips to keep Boredom out of the non-profit Boardroom.

Below Zero, and more snow

The view at noon on January 3, 2010.

Voorspeodige nuwe jaar vir Afrikaners

Ek luister na "Rock Daai Lyfie" (Nicholis Louw) en "De La Rey" (Bok van Blerk) op CD wat ons gekoop het terwyl ons in Suid Afrika was in 2009. Ek is glad nie lus om uit te gaan nie want dit sneeu alweer hier in Connecticut. En toe besef ek dat ek nog nie Voorspoedige jaar gewens het vir Afrikaanse lesers.

Ons se baie "Dis 'n klein wereld". Eintlik was dit nog altyd 'n klein wereld. Terwyl ek saam met die Boy Scouts gekamp het in 2009, het ek 'n ou oom ontmoet. Hy het onmiddelik die aksent opgetel en gevra of ek ex-Suid Afrikaner is. Hy vertel toe dat sy oupa in die Boere oorlog baklei het. Sy oupa was 'n khaki en die oom vertel hoe hy stories gehoor het van die ander kant van die boere oorlog - soos wat die khakis dit gesien het. Interesante insig terwyl ek na woorde van "De La Rey" luister.

In elk geval - ek wens almal a voorspoedige 2010. Met of sonder sneeu.

New Year Revolutions

As I enjoy the last day of the New Year long weekend, reflecting on the activities of the past year and decade, my mind considers what can be achieved in the coming years. We overestimate what we can accomplish in the coming year, but severely underestimate what we can accomplish in the coming five years.

Here is food for thought on how we can revolutionize project management executions in the next five years.

1. Find innovate ways to communicate project status. Instead of the nauseating Green, Yellow, Red status on spreadsheet columns and 34 page PowerPoint status decks attached to three page status emails, lets find ways to automatically update project status from MS-Project to stakeholder iPhones for real-time status, and offer a the project manager's commentary on implications of status via MP3 for an executive to be informed of status on the daily commute or while working out in the gym. In other words, lets use innovative technology to mange innovative technology programs.

2. Focus on developing project leaders through professional coaching and mentoring. Stop relying on classroom style training and passing a text-based project management exam to develop exemplary and prosperous project leadership behavior. Archaic project management training programs and sorely lacking real-world effectiveness in developing project leaders of the future.

3. Educate project managers to manage their own time and set the example. Project managers should never complain that they "Have too much work and not enough time". If a project manager cannot schedule his/her own time, then how can he/she be scheduling tasks and durations for project team members with any credibility?

4. Train project leaders to identify and sell the value of their services. Project leaders should say "This project is worth $2 million dollars. The value of my management service is a mere $150,000. If you choose to manage it yourself or allow a bureaucrat into the building, then it will probably go over schedule and over budget, and ultimately cost you $3 million before you cancel the project. I recommend that you use my services, as other clients have wisely chosen to do". It is beyond amateurish to inform a project sponsor that you have no idea what it costs to manage a project successfully, but that appointing three full-time project managers working 50 hours a week will lead to a successful project. How can a project sponsor measure efficiency in this situation? How will you defend your position if a project sponsor receives a proposal from an outsourcing vendor promising to deliver the project with only two full time project managers in India? Project leaders need to understand and market the value of our services.

There you have it - let's see which of these New Year Revolutions can become reality over the next five years. Keep this posting and remind me to report back in 2015, via our portable hologram devices.

Compendium of study tips when preparing for your professional exams

After many requests to share my exam-preparation techniques, I have compiled them into an article. Hot off the press - get your copy today. Don't take your professional exam until you have reviewed this list of tips.

This is "Wayne's way to prepare for your professional exam", based on my decades of experience as student and instructor helping hundreds of adult students acquire professional education.

I encourage you to read Tony Buzan's books and work on use of mind-maps for exam preparation and also purchase a memory-improvement audio CD program.

Lessons from the ancient pygmy tribe in Africa to improve your 2010

Just posted January 2010 newsletter, with advice to improve your experience of 2010.

Read what the ancient African pygmy tribe's theme is 2010 and remove tolerations from your life.

How are you doing?

At the end of 2009, and planning for 2010, how are you doing? Have you developed new skills that make you a better project leader? What skills should you focus on developing in 2010?


Read my latest article to find out, and take the assessment to see which demonstrable project management behaviours influence positive project outcomes.

Announcing Mentor Program

People frequently ask for my advice on professional speaking, creating audio products and authoring their books. Although I willingly help out where I can, it has become too time consuming.

Therefore, I have created a mentor program now with two options to help people access my value in a way that provides equitable compensation and a win/win situation for both of us.

You can join the brand new mentor program here.

Thrive! by Alan Weiss

I received my autographed copy of Thrive! by Alan Weiss yesterday and read it last night. Everything that describes Thrive! on Alan's website is true - I am not going to repeat it here.

Take my word for it - you need a copy of Thrive! for your bookshelf.

Best Wishes for holiday season

With best wishes from Botha family in Connecticut - hoping that you have a great holiday season and prosperous New Year.

p.s. This is the first blog posting from my Christmas gift to myself - the Samsung NC10 Netbook. (Did I mention that I am thrilled with this device?)

Professional Networking Tips for Project Managers

Hot off the press is my latest article. This is the first value provided from my new Samsung NC10 Netbook.

I am thoroughly impressed by this Samsung NC10 Netbook. It is an innovative development in the world of portable PC devices and has made notebooks obsolete. Who wants to lug around a 15 inch notebook when you have more power in a portable 10 inch netbook? My notebook has already been relegated to the basement for storage while the Samsung NC10 is the vehicle of choice to provide written value to all the project managers in the world seeking prosperity.

So, without further ado, here are the Top Networking tips for Project Managers. Read this article before hitting the vacation parties over the next week and get your professional network off to a super-start for 2010.

White Christmas for 2009

Snow from this past weekend (Winter storm Albert) is going to be on the ground and roofs for Christmas. Looking forward to a long weekend with wife and son and a white Christmas.

A little sad that we won't be able to enjoy Christmas celebrations with South African relatives this year. Part of the price we pay for following our dream and moving to the USA.

What is the price that you pay to follow your dreams? How can you make the investment exponentially worth it?

Why Prosperous Project Leaders Have A Coach

Do you want to know why top performers seek out and engage a professional coach? Find out the benefits that project leaders get from working with a coach.

Perhaps you know someone who would also enjoy these benefits?

From Inbox Captivity to Email Ecstasy

Are you frequently in email jail? Do you feel as if your inbox dictates your schedule and your "to-do" list grows longer with every incoming email? Is your email holding you hostage and preventing you from devoting time to address important project issues?

I just posted a series of three free articles to help you gain control of your email and confidently use email as a project communication tool instead of allowing email to be the master of your time.

If you are a project leader then you would benefit from reviewing your philosophy towards email, and learning new email strategies and tactics for email success. You cannot afford not to master email if you want to continue prospering as a project leader.

Geloftes en simbole

16 Desember, 2009 het hierdie week verby gegaan in Connecticut, VSA. Daar was geen erkenning van Gelofte Dag in my kantoor nie of in die land nie.


In my hart sal ek altyd onthou wat ons in die skool geleer het en wat gebeur het by Bloed Rivier. My generasie heg sekere indrukke en betekenis aan 16de Desember elke jaar. Ander geslagte heg hul eie betekenis aan hierdie spesifieke datum.


Terwyl jy jou projekte bestuur, watter dae kan jy geskiedkundig maak? Hoe kan jy 'n datum kies en dit spesiaal maak vir jou projek span? Watter simbole kan jy tot stand bring? Jou projek span sal die projek onthou ongeag van waar hulle in die toekoms reis.

How to facilitate productive virtual meetings

Do you abhor attending conference call meetings that are unproductive? Do you want to learn how to facilitate productive and effective virtual meetings?

My latest article provides the twenty tips that superstar meeting facilitators employ to lead successful virtual meetings. Add these valuable skills to your repertoire and make sure to highlight them to your manager at review time.

How to get the most from training events

Do you attend training events and wonder how you can get more from your investment of time and energy?

Do you want to learn how to leverage training events? Read my latest article on how to get the most from training events along your professional development path.

2010 Reading list for Prosperous Project Managers

You need to continually expand your skills, and stretch your mind to be in a significantly better place when you start 2011. There is no time, nor excuse to be complacent with your career in 2010.

To keep you growing in 2010, I just released the official "2010 Wayne Botha list of recommended reading for Prospering Project Managers", free of charge.

Your 2010 Reading list should include:
1. "Tribes" by Seth Godin.
2. "Influence" by Robert Cialdini.
3. "Life Balance" by Alan Weiss.
4. "SPARK" by John M. Ratey and Eric Hagerman
5. "You're broke because you want to be" by Larry Winget
6. "The Black Swan" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
7. "Brag!" by Peggy Klaus
8. "Neal Whitten's No-Nonsense Advice for Successful Projects" by Neal Whitten.

Feel free to obtain these books on audio programs, instead of hard copy if audio copies are available. I prefer audio copies of books so that I can learn while driving or working out.

Intentions and mannerisms

You have to learn to distinguish between mannerisms and intentions of the people that you work with.

I was in a meeting where a person shook their head to every suggestion made. People interpreted this gesture to mean that the person was in disagreement with the suggestions. After harsh words, it turned out that the person was not aware that he was shaking his head, and was thoughfully processing the proposal on the table while listening intently.

As a project manager you need to learn how to distinguish between the true intention of your team members and your perception. Does the team member complete activities on time? Are you satisfied with the work produced? Or do you focus on the color of his shirt and interpret a green shirt to signify defiance of the corporate diversity policy?

You need to understand that we are all human - with strengths, habits and mannerisms. Just because a team member has blond hair, does not mean she is blonde.

It is your job to identify harmful intentions and adapt to human mannerisms.

Ignore your "body language dictionary". Put your perceptions in the closet and ask for clarification when needed. Your pop-psychology training has no place in your quest for becoming a prosperous project manager.