FEATURED ARTICLE:

Project Management: Using Data to Increase Profitability and Reduce Risks

Project management data - which is obtained from time tracking information - is often an area that could be improved in many companies. Recent studies have shown that cost reductions of 6.5 percent are common from improvements in tracking time from the project management area alone. This compares with improvements of about 5 percent for billing automation or 1 percent for payroll automation.

time tracking data (payroll, billing, project management, and strategy) can be used to improve project management in the areas of…

Read more at: http://www.accountingsoftware411.com/AcctSoftware.nsf/00/pr22D482665570BB9A862570840019C5E6

Using Project Management Data to Increase Profitability and Reduce Risks

“Project management data - which is obtained from time tracking information - is often an area that could be improved in many companies. Recent studies have shown that cost reductions of 6.5 percent are common from improvements in tracking time from the project management area alone. This compares with improvements of about 5 percent for billing automation or 1 percent for payroll automation.

“time tracking data (payroll, billing, project management, and strategy) can be used to improve project management in the areas of…”

Learn more at: http://www.chiefprojectofficer.com/article/121

Are You Motivated By Challenge?

“Businesspeople are motivated to go to work each day by more than just the money they make. In fact, about four-fifths of senior executives and managers say it is the challenge that motivates them, followed by pride in their job and responsibility.

“Compensation is rated as the number four motivator, based on a nationwide survey of senior executives and managers conducted by NFI Research. However, these same executives and managers say that compensation is the number one motivator for those who work for them, followed by people they work with and pride in their jobs.”

Read more at: http://www2.darwinmag.com/read/feature/aug05_challenge.cfm

Achievement-driven Project Management Approach

Our AdPM approach is a little different. We don’t just start work the moment the project sponsor or client mentions some vague mission statement mush. That would be foolish, yet project managers do it all the time. A little story may help.

Imagine that you work at the drive-thru window of a fast food joint. A customer drives up and says, “I’m hungry.”

Would you launch into a frenzy of hamburger flipping and taco rolling? Most assuredly not, you’d ask some questions because the answers to them would substantially improve your chances of satisfying the customer. Our AdPMT approach has the same focus. We spend a lot of time asking questions, structuring the project, detailing accountabilities and making clear the achievements (measured achievements) that we expect from everyone.

Read more at: http://www.4pm.com/articles/broadbrush.html

Revised CAPM Credential Expands PMI’s Offerings To Increase The Effectiveness of Project Teams

“Project management is on the rise, covering virtually all business sectors and becoming one of the most sought-after professional competencies by employers worldwide. Organizations need people who have clear direction, are efficient, can easily adapt to change, are effective communicators and are committed to quality deliverables. Finding individuals with this broad range of expertise is challenging, which is why project management skills are highly desired and valued in today’s workforce.

“While work experience helps build these qualities and encourages professional growth, there is another option for individuals who recognize the value of project management. Individuals can differentiate themselves from their team members not only through serving on a variety of project teams, but also by gaining professional credentials. Obtaining a professional credential helps provide a distinct advantage in accessing new opportunities and increases visibility in team-oriented environments. As the demand for skilled project team members continues to increase, the benefits of credentials are increasingly evident.”

Read more at: http://www.projectmagazine.com/v6i1/pmi1.html

Project management key to career advancement

“The security job market is experiencing a classic case of supply versus demand. As an increasing number of certified security professionals browse the want ads, the pay for such positions is decreasing. As a result, competition is tougher. One way to get your resume noticed - and move up the security career ladder - is to hone your project management skills, experts say.

“Project management skills, such as value and risk analysis, relationship management and communications, can make all the difference. ‘They help me to align business needs with security needs,’ said Tom Bowers, a manager of security operations at a pharmaceutical company. ‘They bridge a lot of the gaps from a security standpoint. I can literally go to our drug research folks and we can talk the same language.’ Bowers holds several certifications including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional and the Project Management Professional.

Learn more at: http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid14_gci1117462,00.html

Five Facets of Successful Business Analysis

“Gathering and managing client requirements is one of the most difficult and critical aspects for any project. For a project to be successful, the needs and goals for the product being built must be understood and translated into complete specifications from which the product can be built. You can build anything with quality and sophistication - whether it is software, a house, or a car, etc. - but if the needs of the client aren’t met, the product will either be reworked or scrapped, and the project called a failure…”

Read more at: http://www.chiefprojectofficer.com/article/110

After the fact: How to find out if your IT project made the grade

“Ask most IT managers why their organizations don’t regularly conduct postmortem reviews on completed IT projects, and the typical response is, ‘We’d like to, but we just don’t have the time or resources.’

“But that hasn’t stopped organizations such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Solo Cup Co. from regularly reviewing at least a portion of their completed IT projects. And while some of the reviews are done to see if a project met its anticipated objectives, many postmortems are conducted simply to determine what the project teams could have done better.”

Read more at: http://www.computerworld.com/managementtopics/management/project/story/0,10801,103104,00.html

Maintenance Contracts From Journyx

No one at Journyx ever likes to think about customers having problems with timesheet - we pride ourselves on making sure it is the easiest to use and most reliable time and expense application on planet earth. But just in case something goes wrong, just in case a customer comes across a place where they need help, Journyx keeps a well-trained cadre of support ninjas locked away in a dark room, ready to be unleashed at a moment’s notice to get things working right again.

The services of the support ninjas are available to everyone, even to our beloved “10 free” customers. But, since the care and feeding of support ninjas does impact our bottom line, we do have to prioritize their services. And one of the best ways to make sure you’re at the top of the line for the ninjas’ attention is to have a current maintenance contract with Journyx. With one of those on file you’ll be certain to be among the first to feel the power of the support ninjas should you ever need it.

Oh, and lest you think that the attention of the support ninjas is the only benefit you receive with a Journyx maintenance contract, allow me to note that paid maintenance customers also get free access to the latest patch level as well as any new minor releases. But wait, there’s more… you also receive a 50% discount on any new major releases you purchase. New major releases like the aforementioned timesheet 7.0.

You read that right… 50% off of timesheet 7.0 is yours if your have a maintenance contract with Journyx. And if you act fast and order or renew your maintenance contract now, I’d bet you a dollar that you’ll get that 50% discount, too.

Get covered at: http://www.journyx.com/rss/support/maintenancecontracts.html

Our Best Timesheet Advice for Today:

Editor's Note on Timesheet Product Selection :

Evaluating the best timesheet product in the market will not be an easy job. There are numerous timesheet products ot timesheet software to chose from. Our suggestion is look first into your company's objectives - why do we need a timesheet? who are the users of the timesheet? what are the problems that the timesheet keeping system will solve? how much are we willing to spend to get the best time keeping product in the market today?
We hope that this website can you some perspective on this timesheet issue. We won't be recommending what timesheet software to buy and what not to buy. Our purpose will be to provide you with relevant timesheet news, information and data that might help you in your decision making process of whether you should buy a timesheet system or not. Or if you do decide to buy a time tracking application, what are the options available in the market today.
You can find the most useful timesheet resources above, study themn first and all the best to you!