I recently finished “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss. Here are a few takeaways to help your next negotiation:
➡️ People use time pressure or deadlines to make the other party do things against their best interest.
➡️ Let the other party commit first – they may be willing to offer more than you were happy to accept, and it gives you information on their position without having to reveal anything yourself.
➡️ Anchor people’s emotions before delivering bad news (like a low offer) – “Oh boy, you’re really not going to like this – I’m almost embarrassed to bring it to you.” “Exaggerating emotions” makes the real thing not look as bad.
➡️ If the other party gives you a low offer, counter with a range. “$4,000? I was expecting more in the range of $5,000 to 6,000.”
➡️ Use Specific / Odd Numbers – it makes it seem like you came to it through research and thoughtful calculation. e.g. $101,890 instead of $100,000.
➡️ Pivot to non-monetary terms – if they can’t meet your price, ask for high-value resources or services to fill the gap. And always ask for a trade-off if conceding something yourself.
Negotiation is a critical skill in Project Management, as you often are accountable for results, but don’t have direct control over many things like Resources or Funding. It’s important that you continuously improve your skills to stay ahead of the game.
PMP Certification vs. MBA Degree: What’s the Difference?
Many people have asked about the differences between a PMP (Project Management Professional) certification and an MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree. While both focus on business improvement, leadership and value, they have distinct features, costs, and benefits. Let’s break it down!
Overview
PMP Certification: This is a professional certification designed to showcase your Project Management skills. To earn it, you need at least three years of project management experience and 35 hours of project management education. It’s recognized globally, so you can often use it anywhere.
MBA Degree: An MBA is a graduate-level degree that covers a broad range of business topics, including leadership, finance, and marketing. It’s often required for top-level management positions and is also internationally recognized.
Popularity
PMP: There are about 1.2 million PMP certification holders worldwide.
MBA: Approximately 2 to 3 million people hold an MBA, making it one of the most popular graduate degrees. The exact number can vary based on university records and different definitions of MBA completion.
What You Learn
PMP: Focuses on project management processes, frameworks, and delivering business value. You’ll learn about managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, and risk, as well as team leadership and resource management.
MBA: Covers a wide range of topics, including marketing, ethics, organizational behavior, finance and accounting, strategy, and leadership. It provides a broad business education, preparing you for various managerial roles.
Salary Expectations
PMP: The average salary for a PMP holder in the U.S. is around $130,000 per year according to PMI’s latest Salary Survey.
MBA: The average salary for MBA graduates is about $128,129, but graduates from top MBA programs can earn between $205,000 and $231,000. Consultants with an MBA can earn up to $251,000 annually.
Time and Cost
PMP: Costs $655 (or $544 for PMI members) and requires 35 hours of education plus three years of project management experience. It’s relatively quick and affordable compared to an MBA, but is still sufficiently difficult to pass and obtain.
MBA: On average an MBA costs around $56,000 and requires about two years of full-time study or approximately 600 classroom hours. The cost and time commitment are significantly higher than those for a PMP.
Networking Opportunities
PMP: Networking is limited compared to an MBA. While you can connect with other professionals through PMI, the scope is narrower. Some people have mentioned the benefits, as a PMI member, of joining your local PMI Chapter. These can give some networking opportunities to help your career.
MBA: Networking is a major benefit of an MBA. MBA programs often provide opportunities to connect with high level executives, alumni, and mentors through events and alumni networks, which can be invaluable for future career opportunities.
Prerequisites
PMP: Requires three years of project management experience and 35 hours of education.
MBA: Generally requires a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA, and some managerial work experience. Depending on the program, you might also need a GMAT score and/or IELTS scores.
Conclusion
Choosing between a PMP certification and an MBA depends on your career goals. The PMP is ideal if you want to specialize in project management and need a slightly faster, more cost-effective credential. An MBA offers a broader business education and more networking opportunities, but at a higher cost and time commitment.
I hope this helps you decide which path is right for you! If you have anything to add, leave a comment below.
Project management is a bit like juggling flaming torches—you’re constantly balancing resources, timelines, and expectations, often without having direct control over these things. But fear not! The secret to thriving in this challenging landscape lies in honing your influencing and negotiating skills. Enter Robert Cialdini’s Six Weapons of Influence, a toolkit that’s been a game-changer since 1984. Here’s how you can use these principles to steer your projects toward success.
1. Reciprocation: The Power of Give and Take
Reciprocation is the art of give and take. When someone gives something to you, it often creates a need to give something back.
Ever notice how charities send you a free pen, and then ask for a donation? That’s reciprocation in action. It creates a sense of obligation. In project management, this could come in the form of helping out another team with your resources. When you do this, they’re much more likely to return the favor when you need it.
Pro tip from Cialdini: when someone thanks you, you can reinforce reciprocation by saying, “I’m sure you’d do the same for me.” It subtly sets the stage for future exchanges.
2. Commitment and Consistency: The Power of Small Steps
People are more likely to follow through on a request if it aligns with their past actions, or their self-image. In project management, when you often don’t have direct control, here’s a strategy you can use.
Get people team involved early – if you’re trying to improve a system, start by asking for their input on improvements through a survey. When it comes time to ask for volunteers to help with those changes, they’ll be more inclined to step up because they’ve already committed to the idea, and they want to stay consistent with that initial involvement.
3. Social Proof: The Influence of the Crowd
Social proof means we’re influenced by what others are doing. Have you ever noticed you’re more likely to buy something if you see hundreds of five star reviews? But if there’s only one or two, we hesitate.
If your project involves rolling out a new system and the team is hesitant to use it, try introducing it across the organization gradually. Then showcase successful implementations and have people from the first team share positive feedback to the new teams. When others see their peers benefiting from the change, they’ll be more likely to embrace it themselves.
4. Liking: The Friend Factor
We’re more inclined to say yes to those we like. In project management, this translates to building rapport with key stakeholders. If you’re trying to gain support for a new feature, get to know the influential people involved. Compliment their past achievements, align with their goals, and be genuinely friendly. A little likability can go a long way in winning their support.
5. Authority: The Power of Expertise
Authority means people are more likely to listen to someone with credentials or experience. If you’re pushing for a new framework or tool, flaunt your qualifications. Share your relevant experience, industry standards, and any endorsements from higher-ups. Demonstrating your expertise will make your case more compelling.
6. Scarcity: The Urgency Effect
Scarcity creates a sense of urgency and increases perceived value. If you want your team to adopt a new tool, highlight any limited-time offers or exclusive benefits. Emphasize that the opportunity won’t last forever. By making something seem scarce, you can motivate quicker decisions and actions.
By mastering these six weapons of influence – reciprocation, commitment and consistency, social proof, liking, authority, and scarcity – you can navigate the complexities of project management with greater ease. So, get ready to put these strategies into action and watch your projects thrive!
Keep pushing forward, and remember, with these tools at your disposal, you’re not just managing projects; you’re mastering them.
If you’re working in or studying Project Management, becoming familiar with the Agile Manifesto is crucial. Although it is brief and straightforward, its principles have had a huge impact on project management techniques for more than 23 years now.
The manifesto emphasizes core values like individuals and interactions, working software, customer collaboration, and responding to change, which have proven to be effective when working through complex situations. The only trouble is – as human beings we somehow cannot wait to complicate it again.
We add processes, extra names, extra functions, extra job roles, heck we even add extra departments to handle all this extra stuff we’ve added. The core of the Agile Manifesto is being corrupted, because it is actually hard work keeping things simple.
But the simplicity in the Agile Manifesto highlights a key truth: simple approaches often yield the best results, fostering clarity and efficiency in software development and project management.
Just as simple, refactored code is easier to maintain and less prone to errors than complex code, simple designs are more user-friendly and effective than their intricate counterparts. Embracing the simplicity of the Agile Manifesto allows teams to focus on what truly matters, leading to better outcomes. And doing that often leads to greater success and effectiveness, helping you and your team win.
Handling a Project Crisis: What to Do When Things Go South
So, you’ve just been thrown into the deep end as the lead project manager, and things are looking pretty grim. You’ve got 300 people needing to move into a new building, but with just six weeks until the big day, you find out the new site isn’t even properly authorized, and it’s on tribal land in Arizona. To top it off, the current building is being sold, and the owner is adamant about not allowing remote work. Tomorrow, you’ll be negotiating with a business owner who thinks she’s always right. Sounds like a nightmare, right? Here’s how to tackle this mess like a pro.
1. Keep Cool and Don’t Take It Personally
First off, remember that project management is all about dealing with complex, often chaotic situations. It’s not about taking things personally but rather about finding solutions and options to move forward. If things are falling apart, it’s crucial to stay level-headed and focus on solving the problems rather than stressing over the situation.
2. Present the Reality with a Gantt Chart
One of the best ways to handle a crisis is to lay out the facts clearly. Start by showing the business owner the current status of the project, including the remaining deliverables. Use a project schedule like a Gantt Chart to highlight where things are going to be delayed. Explain which risks or issues are causing delays and how this could potentially push the project back by months. A clear, visual representation of the situation can help make the urgency and impact more tangible.
3. Identify and Manage Risks
Next, categorize what’s happening as either a risk or an issue. A risk is a potential problem that hasn’t happened yet, while an issue is something that’s already occurred. Document these and assess their impacts.
Then, brainstorm possible solutions—can you expedite the process or find temporary alternatives? Assign costs and benefits to each option to help make an informed decision.
4. Use Cost-Benefit Analysis to Prioritize Options
When evaluating solutions, weigh the costs versus the benefits. For instance, if you can speed up getting the certificate of occupancy, what’s the cost, and how much time would it save? Present these options to the business owner to help prioritize which solutions offer the best trade-offs between cost and speed.
5. Employ People Skills
Dealing with a business owner who always thinks she’s right as is the case in this video could use a few people skills to navigate this tricky terrain:
Yes, And:
This technique, borrowed from improv comedy, involves agreeing with the person’s ideas and then adding your own input. For example, if the business owner insists on a certain approach, acknowledge it and then explain what the implications are and what additional steps might be needed. This helps keep the conversation positive and collaborative.
Communication Preferences:
Understand how the business owner prefers to communicate. Do they want detailed emails or face-to-face meetings? Tailoring your communication style to their preference can reduce friction and make your interactions more effective.
Deliver Small Wins:
Build trust by achieving and showcasing small victories. Regularly update the business owner with progress and minor successes to demonstrate that things are moving in the right direction.
Ask Open-Ended Questions:
Use open-ended questions to gather more information and encourage discussion. Instead of asking yes-or-no questions, ask, “What do you think we should do about this issue?” or “How would you like to handle this situation?” This invites the business owner to contribute ideas and feel more involved in the solution.
6. Keep Learning and Adapting
Remember, project management is a skill that improves with experience and continuous learning. Each project, especially the challenging ones, provides an opportunity to enhance your abilities. Stay focused on learning both the technical aspects of project management and the softer people skills that can make or break a project’s success.
Navigating through a project crisis can be daunting, but with a clear approach, effective communication, and problem-solving skills, you can steer the project back on track. Keep calm, stay organized, and remember that every challenge is a chance to grow. You’ve got this!
Until next time, keep pushing forward and learning from each experience.
The latest 2023 Earning Power Report from the Project Management Institute (PMI) gives a few clues for the benefits of holding a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. For those considering whether to get their PMP, this might just be what you need to see, with some pretty compelling data on how a PMP can influence your salary across different regions and roles.
PMP Certification and Salary Impact
The report actually shows there is a decent salary boost for project managers who hold a PMP certification compared to those who do not. Here’s a quick overview of how PMP holders fare around the globe:
United States: Project managers with a PMP certification earn an average of $130,000, significantly higher than their non-certified peers.
Australia: PMP-certified project managers earn about $108,000, showing a strong return on investment.
Germany: With an average salary of $113,000, Germany also reflects the value of a PMP certification.
United Kingdom: Certified project managers earn around $94,000.
Singapore: The average salary stands at $82,000 for PMP holders.
Salary Increases by Country With a PMP
The percentage increase in salary from obtaining a PMP varies by country, but here are the ones that stand out:
South Africa: A remarkable 67% increase, translating to a jump from $38,000 to $60,000.
Colombia: PMP holders see a 65% increase in their earnings.
Nigeria: With a 60% increase, PMP certification proves highly beneficial.
Brazil and the United States: Both countries experience a 40-50% rise in salary.
Germany: Offers a 27% increase.
United Kingdom: Gives a 25% increase.
Australia: Provides a 10% increase.
In dollar terms, these increases can be substantial:
United States: An average increase of $40,000.
South Africa: Around $25,000.
Germany: Approximately $21,000.
Canada: $20,000.
Singapore: $9,000.
Advancing to Program Management
The report also highlights the financial benefits of transitioning from a project manager to a program manager. Program managers, who oversee multiple projects, typically see a 35% average salary increase. Countries like Saudi Arabia and Colombia report even higher jumps, making this career advancement a lucrative opportunity.
Managing Larger Projects
Managing larger projects with 20 or more team members instead of smaller teams can also enhance your earning potential. The report notes an average salary increase of 30% for those managing larger projects.
You Can Do It
Getting your PMP certification, advancing to program management, and managing larger projects can all make a big difference to your salary.
PMP Certification: Provides a 33% average salary increase.
Program Management: Offers a 35-40% increase.
Larger Projects: Results in a 30% increase.
For project managers aiming to increase their earning power, the evidence is clear: pursuing a PMP certification, advancing to program management roles, and managing larger projects are effective strategies. With determination and effort, you can leverage these insights to enhance your career and financial prospects.
See more PMP Articles and Tips for Passing your Exam:
If you’re investing in your education this year, the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is still a hot topic. Many people have heard that the exam may not be well-regarded enough, and that it requires ongoing maintenance through Professional Development Units (PDUs). Despite that, the PMP certification still offers significant benefits in 2024.
Benefit 1: It Makes It Easy To Hire You
Firstly, the PMP is valuable because it makes it easier to hire you. Recruiters frequently use “PMP” as a key search term to quickly identify qualified candidates, making it easier for job seekers with this certification to get noticed and shortlisted. This shortcut can be a significant advantage in a competitive job market.
Having the PMP itself shows recruiters that you have at least three years of experience leading projects, and have put many hours into your own education on Project Management – something many managers NEVER do. This sets you apart from the competition.
Benefit 2 – New Tools To Help Your Current Projects
Secondly, the process of studying for the PMP can help your current projects. Many professionals report gaining new insights and tools that enhance their project management skills. The certification covers essential areas such as project management processes, the business environment, and soft skills like leadership and communication, which can lead to practical improvements in your career.
I know it has personally helped me in my career, in starting new projects, getting the right support, helping stakeholders support the project, and ensuring the right value is delivered on time and on budget.
Benefit 3 – The PMP Is Still The Most Recognized PM Certification
Thirdly, the PMP is the most recognized project management certification globally, far surpassing alternatives like PRINCE2 or Scrum Master certifications. Its widespread recognition, with over 200,000 searches each month, just shows how valuable it can be, and its relevance across every industry where projects are managed.
Disadvantage – PDUs Too Hard and Expensive?
Many people say that having to maintain the certification every 3 years with ongoing “Professional Development Units” (PDUs) and more money to keep the certification current is too much.
This step is optional, however. You don’t have to maintain the certification. Simply gaining it in the first place is valuable, and shows you have put in the work. Often, your job experience would take over from there after a few years.
But a CPA in Accounting has a similar deal where they maintain their education and the CPA to show they are still current in the industry. It really is your choice.
Benefit 4 – It won’t make you less marketable
Lastly, earning a PMP certification will not diminish your marketability. Even if the certification does not lead to immediate job opportunities, it provides a strong foundation of knowledge and demonstrates a commitment to professional growth.
In summary, the PMP certification continues to offer valuable benefits, including improved job prospects, enhanced skills, and global recognition. For those willing to invest the effort, it remains a worthwhile endeavor in 2024.
Never Forget – You Can Do It
With a little hard work and persistence, you can gain this certification and improve your job prospects, improve your current projects with the things you will learn, and improve your options for your future career.
It can be hard, but I know you can do it. Keep going. Do something every day, no matter how small. In one years’ time you will have grown and changed, and you will not recognize the amazing person you have become.
See more PMP Articles and Tips for Passing your Exam:
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a widely used psychological assessment designed to help individuals understand their personality preferences and how they interact with the world. Based on Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types, the MBTI categorizes people into 16 distinct personality types across four dichotomies:
Extraversion vs. Introversion,
Sensing vs. Intuition,
Thinking vs. Feeling, and
Judging vs. Perceiving.
By identifying where you fall within these categories, the MBTI aims to provide insights into your natural tendencies, strengths, and potential areas for growth, ultimately fostering better self-awareness and more effective communication with others.
The Barnum Effect
The Barnum Effect on the other hand, is a cognitive bias where people believe vague, general statements about themselves are highly accurate and uniquely descriptive of themselves.
Named after the famous showman P.T. Barnum (made famous in the movie “The Greatest Showman”), the Barnum Effect explains why people might find personal horoscopes, personality descriptions, or fortune-telling surprisingly convincing. The Barnum Effect highlights how general statements can be interpreted as being uniquely specific to us as a person.
It shows our tendency as human beings to seek personal validation in open or general feedback.
Myers Briggs versus the Barnum Effect
So you can see that in getting a “personality assessment” or profile such as Myers Briggs Type Indicator, we might just be projecting our own personality onto the vague or general descriptions provided. But as long as we know that – let’s have some fun and get our own MBTI personality type!
Choose a single letter from each section to get four letters in total, then find your personality type at the bottom.
Introvert or Extrovert?
Select I or E – which ever you are MOST like:
Introvert: Reserved, private. Prefer slower time to communicate. Energized by time alone.
Extrovert: Outwardly focused, Work and think out loud, with others. Energized by people.
Select S or N – which ever you are MOST like for “Taking In Information”.
Sensing: Focus on reality, Facts and details, Practical applications, Make specific descriptions
INtuition: Imagine possibilities of how things could be, Big picture, how things connect, Ideas and concepts.
Select T or F for how you “Take in Information”:
Thinking: Impersonal, using logic, Value justice and fairness, Enjoy finding flaws in arguments
Feeling: Decisions through personal values, Harmony and forgiveness, Warm and empathetic
Select J or P for how you view your “Outer Life”:
Judging: Prefer matters to be settled, Rules and deadlines, Make plans, don’t like surprises
Perceiving: Prefer to leave options open, Improvise and make things up as you go
Spontaneous
Now you should have a four letter combination, such as INTP or ESFJ. Find your combination below for your MBTI personality type!
ISTP – The Mechanic
Strengths: You can remain calm while managing a crisis, quickly deciding what needs to be done to solve the problem.
Development Areas: You’re focused so much on what needs to be done immediately that you fail to see the big picture.
Characteristics: Analytical, practical, realistic but also logical and adaptable.
ISFP – The Creative
Strengths: You’re a creative visionary who enjoys providing practical help or service to others, as well as facilitating and encouraging cooperation.
Development Areas: You sometimes put off making decisions, in the hope that a better opportunity will come along.
Characteristics: Cooperative, modest and adaptable and also gentle and loyal.
ESFP – The Performer
Strengths: You’re adaptable, friendly, and talkative. You enjoy working with others and experiencing new situations.
Development Areas: You have trouble meeting deadlines, and do not always finish what you start.
Characteristics: Tolerant and spontaneous as well as playful, enthusiastic and resourceful.
ESTP – The Doer
Strengths: You apply common sense and experience to problems, quickly analyzing what is wrong and then fixing it.
Development Areas: Being so focused on immediate problems may lead to you ignoring long-term systematic problems.
Characteristics: Analytical, outgoing and enthusiastic as well as logical.
ISTP – The Duty Fulfiller
Strengths: You enjoy working within clear systems and processes.
Development Areas: You can become set in your ways and can sometimes be seen as rigid and impersonal.
Characteristics: Thorough, conscientious, realistic but also systematic and reserved.
ISFJ – The Nurturer
Strengths: You apply common sense and experience to solving problems for other people.
Development Areas: You may be overly cautious, and risk basing your decisions on what you think will please others.
Characteristics: Organized, practical and patient, but also dependable and loyal.
ESTJ – The Director
Strengths: You drive yourself to reach your goal, organizing people and resources in order to achieve it.
Development Areas: You tend to be so focused on the objective pursuit of your goal that you ignore the ideas or feelings of others.
Characteristics: Responsible and efficient but can also be assertive as well as logical and realistic.
ESFJ – The Caregiver
Strengths: You’re sociable and outgoing, understanding what others need and express appreciation for their efforts.
Development Areas: You are overly influenced by what you think others want, and may find it difficult to adjust plans in response to unexpected opportunities.
Characteristics: Warm and appreciative as well as outgoing and supportive.
INFJ – The Protector
Strengths: You enjoy finding a shared vision for everyone, inspiring others and devising new ways to achieve the vision.
Development Areas: You’re private and may do your thinking in a vacuum, resulting in an unrealistic vision that is difficult to communicate.
Characteristics: Compassionate, idealistic as well as imaginative and visionary.
INFP – The Idealist
Strengths: You enjoy helping others with their growth and inner development to reach their full potential.
Development Areas: You struggle to speak up in meetings, leading others to believe you have nothing to contribute.
Characteristics: Flexible, spontaneous as well as reflective and contained.
ENFJ – The Giver
Strengths: You’re able to get the most out of teams by working closely with them, and make decisions that take into account the values of others.
Development Areas: You often talk a lot, and may become discouraged if you do not receive a lot of feedback from others.
Characteristics: Warm, collaborative and supportive and organized.
ENFP – The Inspirer
Strengths: You’re willing to consider almost any possibility and often develop multiple solutions to a problem.
Development Areas: You may not follow through on decisions or projects, and risk burning out from over-committing or following every possibility.
Characteristics: Friendly and expressive as well as innovative and energetic.
INTJ – The Architect
Strengths: You’re able to define a compelling, long-range vision, and can devise innovative solutions to complex problems.
Development Areas: You may come across as cold and distant when focusing on the task in hand.
Characteristics: Strategic and conceptual as well as innovative, independent and logical.
INTP – The Thinker
Strengths: You can adopt a detached and concise way of analyzing the world, and often uncover innovative approaches.
Development Areas: You may struggle to work in teams, especially with others who you perceive to be illogical or insufficiently task-focused.
Characteristics: Independent and detached, as well as skeptical and innovative.
ENTJ – The Executive
Strengths: You’re able to efficiently organize people and resources in order to accomplish long-term goals.
Development Areas: You may overlook the contributions of others and the needs of the people who implement your plans.
Characteristics: Structured and challenging, they also tend to be strategic and questioning.
ENTP – The Visionary
Strengths: You enjoy developing strategy and often spot and capitalize on new opportunities that present themselves.
Development Areas: You avoid making decisions and may become excited about ideas that are not feasible because of constraints on time or resources.
Characteristics: Emergent and theoretical as well as imaginative and challenging.
Many people say you should focus on being a Leader, instead of a boss or a Manager. But when you look at the definitions for each you will begin to realize that you need both Leadership and Management in your skillset in order to get things done.
What a Leader Does
A Leader will focus on people and improvement with things like:
✅ Inspiring trust in their people
✅ Looking at the Long-term vision
✅ The WHY behind what the team is doing
✅ Ensuring their team are focusing on the right things to get where they want to go
✅ Challenging the status quo in order to improve and innovate
What a Manager Does
Meanwhile, a Manager will focus on the numbers, administration and getting things done, such as:
☑️ Using Directive leadership and their Positional Power to get things done quickly
☑️ Maintaining the way things are and administrating the day-to-day work
☑️ Focusing on near-term goals for the team to achieve
☑️ Looking at How and When things will be achieved
☑️ Doing things the right way
☑️ Operational issues and problem solving
☑️ Focusing on the bottom line
By combining both the skills of a leader and a manager, you will keep your team engaged and find success in working towards the right goals for your business and project.
A typical Work Breakdown Structure “decomposes” items, or breaks them down from a high level feature or deliverable, into smaller Work Packages or User Stories that a person can work on.
But once you’ve decomposed those deliverables, you need to add information to them to make them meaningful. And you do that with a WBS Dictionary.
What Goes In A WBS Dictionary?
A WBS Dictionary lists our deliverables, the work packages in those deliverables, and then any additional project information we need. It will usually include:
A Unique ID
Deliverable Name
Work Package Name
Description
And then Project attributes, such as:
Resources Required
Cost Estimates
Duration Estimates
Dependencies (what needs to be completed first)
Quality Requirements (tasks or acceptance criteria)
And lastly, the people involved, such as:
Who the item is assigned to
Who approved or signed off on the item.
Having all this information at a glance makes it easier to understand your project and see what is needed.