Project World Vancouver 2009 Panel Karl Sproll has accepted the invitation to participate with leading industry experts on the project management panel discussion titled: “The Methodology Melting Pot” at Project World 2009 in Vancouver on October 27. Conference organizers say, “Prince2, RUP, Scrum, Agile, Extreme Programming, the 10 Steps, SDLC, Lean Development. It seems that we have a lot of options out there but it does get very confusing. And would everyone please stop suggesting the PMBOK is a methodology! This panel promises to help those of us dealing with too many methodologies or not enough or none at all! How to select an appropriate methodology? How do you deal with different methodologies in one company? Even within one division?? Is it worth a fight?”
Look for insights from Karl and his industry colleagues.
Scared of the competition? IT Depends Karl Sproll is a fan of profiling: Profiling the personalities of information technology professionals, that is. A consultant on the ‘people side’ of technology implementation for over 25 years, Sproll has turned his own IT firm into a mecca of information on how to manage interpersonal issues that inhibit change. The best part: He works for his competition. As CEO of Alitra Inc., a Winnipeg-based IT consulting firm, Sproll has spent years guiding his clients’ efforts to implement solutions to their technological needs. He observed that one of the biggest stumbling blocks to their success was often human – a failure to communicate. “Our industry is making amazing strides every day, but at the end of that day technology is still just a tool. If we don’t know how to use it, or we can’t work together to optimize its benefits, then it really isn’t worth much.” Enter Alitra. Karl went back to the office to develop a series of tools his clients could use to help them navigate the people side of project management and analysis. It worked so well, he started working with other IT consulting firms to help them deliver that same support to their clients. The result, he says, has been astounding. “We’ve worked with some of the most creative IT people in the business, and it’s always invigorating. Our latest workshop: IT Depends – The Art of Situational Thinking, is designed to walk the client through challenges they’re facing and provide them with a toolkit tailored to addressing those specific issues. The workshop’s collaborative nature enhances the learning value because participants share their experiences and broaden their perspectives on matters directly related to their ability to perform.” Kristin Jacobs, Director of Client Services at Tell Us About Us, agrees. A participant in the March 2009 workshop in Winnipeg, Jacobs is sold on Sproll’s ability to identify and address the kinds of project management issues that IT people are sometimes loathe to tackle. “A ton of great dialogue came out during the case studies portion. Using attendee scenarios was particularly helpful in engaging the group, as we could all see and feel the benefit of sharing our ideas. It was also a great experience in terms of developing a network among participants.” “The workshop definitely adds skills to your toolkit in terms of handling management situations,” says Terry Davison, CEO of Great White North Software Solutions. “It would definitely benefit a mid-level manager in their daily situation responses.” Building a network among members of the competition might seem strange, but to Sproll and his team there is simply no downside. “Being able to tackle teamwork or communication issues that surround project management and implementation is absolutely key to our success as IT consultants,” he says.. “There’s no way around it: this is the next step in customer service. As suppliers of IT solutions, our clients expect us to not only address the challenge, but to equip them to navigate the process. And the process is human. We have lots of work to go around in this province and beyond, but the ones who will really thrive will be the organizations who can deliver on the people side. We’re changing the way we see each other in this industry. At Alitra we view our clients as collaborators. The competitive landscape is shifting.” Sproll will take IT Depends on the road this fall with a presentation in Vancouver, and has his eye on markets such as Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City and Denver. “My next project is developing a workshop tailored to the healthcare and biotechnology sectors,” he says. “The possibilities are endless.”
|
