Project Management Templates

After 6 months unemployed and blaming the credit crunch, I’ve decided to be a little more proactive in my job hunt (the redundancy money is running out though secretly I’d still like the rest of the summer off!) My CV has been reviewed by an online expert for the princely sum of 10 and I got the following advice back.

You need to qualify and quantify each of your achievements by showing measurable results. A helpful way that you can do this is to use STAR – Situation – Task – Action – Result – as a template for each of your bullet points.

I’ve had a go but I’m struggling as I’m trying to use positive words to identify success and it makes it very wordy. My CV is already at 2 pages long which is apparently the max it should be.

As an example to help me, how would you STAR the following 2 achievements? Don’t worry if you make up lies, it is a CV afterall!

1. I was the Technical Business Analyst, Project Manager and Development Team Leader on this 6-month project to create a new DB2 database with a web front-end and CICS/COBOL back-end.

2. Project Manager on a new billing project to replace the old monthly billing with a new daily billing system. This included development and QA teams, DBA’s and senior managers in the finance department as well as working with two offshore development teams.

This is my attempt but I don’t think it follows STAR very well, but, like I say, I’d like to get the message across in less, not more words.

1. Technical Business Analyst, Project Manager and Development Team Leader on a 6-month project to create a new [product name removed] database and website. Organised design meeting across 4 separate companies to design a system that overcame management concerns over security and data sharing.

2. Project Manager on a new billing project to replace the old monthly billing with a new daily billing system. Coordinated two offshore development companies so they could work together effectively and successfully deliver the project on time.

It isn’t easy. I can do the job, just can’t write the CV to get the interview!

Thanks very much.

I always though CV’s are short, non wordy and easy to follow.
S~Project Manager Billing Contracts
T~Develop daily billing system to replace outdated monthly version
A~Oversaw outscourcing to offshore development companies
R~Project completed ontime within budget

I’m looking for an actual business plan (not a template) for a
residential waste removal company. In other words, the business plan
that Waste Management (www.wm.com) or Waste Connections
(www.wasteconnections.com) would have written early on – or, the
business plan that either of these two companies would now find
attractive as an acquisition target some day in the future.

Ideally, I would like to find a plan that was used to actually raise
money from angels or from bankers. Or, on the other end of the
spectrum, I could even use a plan written by an MBA or an undergrad as
part of a school project.

Practically every real waste management business plan available to the
public was written during the operation of the business.
Here are some business plans:

WasteCareSA Business Plan – Northern Alliance Incorporated
http://www.wrwma.com/businessplan.htm

Greater Dandenong Waste Management Business Plan
http://www.greaterdandenong.com/upload/0203wastemanagement.pdf

Public Services Department Business Plan – 2 year plan
(this business plan contains more information than just waste
management but the sections are divided clearly)
http://www.publicservicesdepartment.gov.je/Information/Documents/R%202002-4%20BPfinalversion.rtf.doc

This business plan, written by department of energy, is for
radioactive waste management. However, it is very extensive and there
are many useful aspects of this business plan.
http://www.ocrwm.doe.gov/pm/program_docs/busplan/busplan.pdf

I am supposed to be working closely with this lady on IT/document management projects. She is hogging all the work and what little work she does throw my way, she goes over with a fine-tooth comb, highlighting all supposed errors (which can be as minor as me writing script a different way than she does) and showing them to our bosses. I heard a rumor she is trying to get me fired. But she is always syrupy-sweet to me. Today, she sent an email to the whole office regarding our most important project..it said someone relatively new to the templates but doing IT/DM work (obviously me, but never named outright) had made so many mistakes that she was going to have to re-create them..so they can’t work in that project for the rest of the week. Now everyone is mad at me. I looked over my work log and not ONCE did I work in those templates. But it is her word against mine. I am not sure how to handle such a passive-agressive, conniving person. Any suggestions, besides poison darts?

I think you need to talk to your supervisor and express your concerns and show your documentation. If that is not effective, try HR and again, include your documenation.
Good Luck

Scanner
Mouse
Keyboard
Trackball
2. What are the three features that allow the user to copy or move text and graphics between windows? (1 point)
Cut, Copy, Paste
Cut, copy, Insert
Copy, Goto, Insert
Paste, New, Copy
3. Computers are electronic devices that accept instructions, process input, and produce: (1 point)
information
prewritten programs
data
system software
4. Which of the following is not a type of output device? (1 point)
monitor
speakers
disk drive
printer
5. Which of the following is not a type of storage device? (1 point)
floppy drive
CD-ROM
network medium
Zip disk
6. Which of the following is not considered application software? (1 point)
operating system software
project management software
word processing software
presentation graphics software
7. The three major discoveries of mechanical devices are: (1 point)
The abacus, the slide rule and the analytical engine.
The abacus, the computer, and the slide rule
The computer, the slide rule, programs
The abacus, programs, and programming languages
8. A microprocessor is: (1 point)
An electronic CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the computer.
A calculator
Graphical user interface
An operating system
9. RAM is: (1 point)
Random Access Memory is used to store things such as programs and data temporarily while the computer uses them.
It can be accessed at high speeds, however all information is lost when the computer is turned off.
A volatile memory technology
All the above
10. Which of the following was considered the first true programmable digital computer? (1 point)
UNIVAC
ENIAC
ERMA
Apple II
11. What characterizes first-generation computers? (1 point)
vacuum tubes and punched cards
magnetic tape and transistors
minicomputers
high-level programming languages
12. What invention enabled developers to create microcomputers? (1 point)
integrated circuits
transistors
vacuum tubes
magnetic disks
13. What are Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak known for? (1 point)
the first IBM compatible computer
UNIVAC
the first Apple computer
the stored-program concept
14. How can you create a new document using Microsoft Word? (1 point)
By clicking the blank page icon in Word.
By clicking File/New and choosing the default template.
By clicking Window’s Start button, then New Office Document.
All of the above.
15. The Word feature that makes some basic assumptions about the text entered and automatically makes changes based on those assumptions is ______________. (1 point)
AutoChange
AutoCorrect
AutoText
AutoFormat
16. The feature that allows you to preview a document before it is printed is __________. (1 point)
print review
page review
page preview
print preview
17. A ____________is a document file that includes predefined settings that can be used as a pattern to create many common types of documents. (1 point)
template
predesign
design document
format document
18. On an Excel sheet the active cell is indicated by _________. (1 point)
a dark wide border
a dotted border
a blinking border
none of the above
19. To select a column the easiest method is to _____. (1 point)
double-click any cell in the column
drag from the top cell in the column to the last cell in the column
click the column heading
click the column label
20. If you press______, the cell accepts your typing as its contents. (1 point)
Enter
CTRL + Enter
Tab
Both A and C
21. The cell reference for a range of cells that starts in cell B1 and goes over to column G and down row 10 is_________. (1 point)
B1-G10
B1.G10
B1;G10
B1:G10
22. Rows and columns can be: (1 point)
added
enlarged
made smaller
all of the above.
23. To create a chart with the Chart Wizard, you would use which button? (1 point)

24. Using the AutoSum button will place in the selected cell ______. (1 point)
the sum of the values in the cell’s column
nothing until you select a range of cells
the sum of the cell’s row unless you change the range
a formula which will add values in the range Excel guesses you want to add
25. Auto Sum will quickly add selected cells if you ______. (1 point)
right-click on the status bar and select SUM
click the Auto Sum button on the toolbar
use the key combo CTRL+$
double-click the selection
26. To arrange rows in alphabetical order based on column A, you need to use the command_____. (1 point)
Tools, Sort
Data, Sort
Edit, Data, Sort
none of the above
27. The formula that will add the value of cell D4 to the value of C2 and then multiply by the value in B2 is ______. (1 point)
(D4+C2)*B2
D4+C2*B2
=(D4+C2)*B2
=(B2*(D4+C2)
28. What happens if you type =A1 + A2 into a worksheet cell? (1 point)
The data is interpreted as a label
Excel interprets the first four characters as a number and ignores the remaining characters
The data is interpreted as a date function
The data is interpreted as a formula
29. To edit data in a cell you can: (1 point)
Click the cell and then type over its contents
Double-click the cell to position an insertion point within the cell contents
Type the correct data in the formula bar
All of the above
30. The symbol for the division operator is (1 point)
*
<
^
/
31. A formula containing a function will always begin with (1 point)
+
=
.
all of the above.
32. Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program, one that lets you organize your data into list and then: (1 point)
summarize, compare, and present your data graphically
only summarize your data.
only compare your data
b and c only
33. A new workbook consists of only: (1 point)
one sheet
multiple sheets
three sheets
five sheets
34. Formulas are: (1 point)
Mathematical statements
Visual statements
Formula statements
None of the above
35. In Microsoft applications, the main menu bar used to access commands is called the: (1 point)
formatting toolbar
standard toolbar
menu bar
scroll bar
36. After selecting the text, which of the following steps can be used to make text bold? (1 point)
click the B on the formatting toolbar
click Format, Font and select Bold in the Font style window
press Ctrl and B
all of the above
37. Which method is used to move text in a document? (1 point)
Drag and Drop
Ctrl + I
clicking the scissors icon on the standard toolbar
Insert, Break
38. What happens when a computer system is booted? (1 point)
The computer software shuts down and the computer turns off.
The operating system software is loaded into the computers main memory.
The computer system software breaks down.
The operating system software shuts down and the computer turns off.
39. What is the function of a browser? (1 point)
to scan a computer for viruses
to search for information on the Internet
to create web pages using a special computer language
to preview a document before printing
40. Which type of software is used to protect computers from programs that spread through the Internet? (1 point)
file compression software
PDF files
multimedia software
security software
41. When buying a computer, a consumer should: (1 point)
buy the least expensive system
buy the smallest system available
buy a system compatible with other systems used
pay cash for the system
42. When you purchase a new computer system it is important to save: (1 point)
the serial number of the equipment
the sales representatives name
the packaging for 2 years or more
the cost of the system for future reference
43. What is an advantage of an intranet? (1 point)
It allows users to access resources world-wide.
It limits a user to simple functions.
It provides a more secure network environment.
It blocks data-sharing.
44. Before text is edited or reformatted: (1 point)
the insertion point must be flashing in front of the text.
it must be selected.
it must be underlined
the insertion point must be flashing at the end of the text.
45. How does a user know a word, paragraph or section is selected? (1 point)
The insertion point flashes in front of the selection.
The insertion point flashes at the end of the selection.
The text appears highlighted in black.
The text appears in bold print.
46. If a user makes a change to a document accidentally: (1 point)
the change can be reversed with the Edit Undo feature.
the change is permanent and the text must be reentered.
the Copy and Paste feature corrects the error.
the AutoCorrect feature corrects the error.
47. Why do more users learn Microsoft Word compared to other word processing software? (1 point)
It is the easiest software to learn.
It is the word processing software most widely used in the world.
It is the least expensive software available for word processing.
It is a free software available online.
48. Why is the Template feature in Microsoft Word convenient for users? (1 point)
It prevents unnecessary documents from printing.
It creates documents that can be used repeatedly with similar formats.
It remembers text that is used repeatedly in a document.
It highlights text for editing and reformatting.
49. When creating documents, it is important to: (1 point)
print the documents often.
copy the document often.
use multimedia software.
save the documents often
50. When printing a document, the print window allows the user to: (1 point)
set the margins of the page.
choose and print background colors.
print individual pages.
search for saved documents.

Well, what did you use to put this question? Since you are in front of the computer it must be easy to answer.

I’m getting ready to get my PMP from the project management Institute (PMI), which is very respected in the industry. Does the Business Analyst certification from the International Institute of Business Analysts (IIBA) carry the same weight in that sector? Do employers really care whether their business analyst is certified?

http://www.theiiba.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home

Get all the certifications you can get. Can’t hurt. However, in this market….they expect you to work for minimum wage even tough you are so qualified…Take it from me, I’m an MBA and can’t find work to save my life.

hey there,
I have to deliver a ppt presentation on a networking project(Unified Threat Management). Any1 have templates abt it? or any other info tat can b useful for presentation..??

Do the needful… Thanks

u can use MS office 2007 in which so many attractive templets are available…………….

I’m doing some research on project management, specifically on Resource Management. I suppose a Resource Management Plan is a document or a process? I’m having trouble finding a template/format or information about it on the Internet. I hope any of you can help me. Thanks.

The resource management plan contains the decisions made by you for managing your natural resources. It is a record of the conservation practices and systems you use or will use. It may contain other useful information that helps you make your decisions: soil maps, economic analyses, farm program summaries, practice designs, and other decision support tools. Often, the resource management plan may be a component of your overall business plan.

Good luck,

There are many places on the web to find project management templates. You can find some free templates at the link below.

<<Project Risk Checklist

What you don’t know, can’t hurt you You sure, right not. When you are hooked on cigarettes, you smoke like a maniac, chances are you will claim you aren’t addicted. Even if you can’t stop, there’s always this "if I really want, I can stop right away." You are in denial. You know you have a problem, but you’re mentally not ready to accept it. In software projects you also have these kind of "denial" things.

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You know problems can occur, but you just ignore them hoping they will blow over, will not happen anyway, you don’t want to rock the boat, cross that bridge when we come to it (" if there is a problem, we get over it", lyrics of some old 80ties disco tune).

So, basically, there are things that you know you don’t know around software projects. If you ignore them that’s bad, but at least you know. And yep, there are more problematic things, the stuff you are not aware that you don’t know them. They will sneak upon you, and you’ll never know what hit you. It’s very difficult to prepare yourself for the REALLY unknown.

If you have done this software risk management thing for years, you develop some nose for it. You have feelings ("FEELINGS, hohohoho, FEELINGS lalala"), you have some gut stuff, etc. But how do you start this ability to identify risks? Or, how to bootstrap your gutt.

Develop risk checklists for software risk management

The answer my friend is checklists. Start creating lists of points that you want to review for risks. As you do this more often, your risk management checklist will grow, you can put all your experiences in it, in order to avoid having the problem in the future. But how to get started?

First of all, you are not alone. This is not a unique thing you are doing. So, of course, there are standard checklist you can start from. The Software Engineering Institute provides a very nice starting point. The SEI risk taxonomy is a structured risk checklist that organises software development risks into a certain framework. But, with all the work you have done in the previous sections, you also come a long way. We could name it "Stakeholders Risk Taxonomy", or, more appropriately "the bloody list." I created it by writing down 30 minutes some aspects I covered in the previous chapters. It is not intended to be complete, it is merely intended as an example on how you can deduct checklist from this book.

Stakeholders

* Have you identified all stakeholders?

* Have you identified from all groups the leader or spokesman?

* Have you ever met the stakeholders?

* Do you have information on the background of the stakeholders (history)?

Stakes

Fears

* Do you know what the fears are generally for the type of stakeholders you have (e.g. programmers)?

* Do you know what the fears are of the stakeholders per group?

* Do you know what the fears are for each individual?

* Do you know how this project affects the fears of the stakeholders?

Wishes

* Do you know what the wishes are generally for the type of stakeholders you have (e.g. programmers)?

* Do you know what the wishes are of the stakeholders per group?

* Do you know what the wishes are for each individual?

* Do you know how this project affects the wishes of the stakeholders?

Requirements

Product

* Are the cause and goal of the project clear to you?

* Is the project scope identified and does it include what you can change, what you must change, and what you can’t change?

Process

* Are the constraints identified (money, time, people)?

* Do you have any idea how much room there is to negotiate these constraints?

* If there are already estimations, do you know how much you can trust them?

* Is the project strategy clear and easy?

* Is the project organisation identified? Does every member have added value to the project?

Project management

* Are you able to negotiate?

* Are you able to think in win-win situations?

* Are you risk averse?

* Do you include your own stakes into the process?

* Are you able to give the project back in case it smells like a trap?

Feedback

* Is everyone aware for the need and use of giving feedback?

* Have you any idea how to provide feedback?

* Do you really understand the techniques you want to use?

* Did you schedule (time, money, people) activities to provide the feedback?

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Some of them yes, but not all

Do you know of any template in Joomla suitable for Software Project Plan?
to Kathy’s question: I’m trying to do 2 assignments in one. The first is to use any Joomla template and add content and the second not related to this one is a Project plan for a website development. Do you think this is possible?

Just out of curiosity, why are you choosing Joomla! instead of a more specialized Open Source program like http://www.dotproject.net/ for project management?