Written by: NoriYah Yisrael, MSM, PMP

Presentation Overview 

On March 9, 2023, the Clinical Research Forum of the PMI Atlanta Chapter hosted the “BioPharma PMO: How to Scale Up for A Growing Organization in the Clinical Research Industry” Special Industry Forum event as presented by NoriYah Yisrael. Mrs. Yisrael spoke to the audience and shared her vast knowledge of clinical trials in the healthcare industry, looking through a lens filled with 35 years of experience. Ms. Yisrael took the audience on a journey from the definition of drugs and devices through the discovery and commercialization of a product that survives it to the marketplace.

As the main topic, Ms. Yisrael engaged the audience and described how agility is, and could be further incorporated, at the Project Management Office (PMO) level to stay in alignment with biopharmaceutical companies as their pipeline grows. Gap Analyses and Maturity Assessments are only part of the solution. Leading the audience through the FDA’s adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how vaccine manufacturers pivoted to answer the desperate call of Americans for a timely solution, the story was painted clear about agility in the biopharmaceutical environment. Mrs. Yisrael provided statistics and data to inform how the rising costs of medicines may be offset if the industry further adapted their way of working, at both the project and enterprise levels. By introducing more agility in the way we do clinical trials, there is the potential to increase product speed to market and decrease the overall cost of biopharmaceutical research and development.

Takeaways

• As biopharmaceutical companies grow their pipeline, PMOs can stay in alignment and upscale their delivery model in accordance with that growth.
• Gap Analyses and PMO Maturity Assessments can be done to determine where the company is, and where the company endeavors to go, from a value-driven perspective. Together with an Agile mindset and an aptitude for change, PMOs have a roadmap wherewith to evolve strategically.
• By introducing agility into their way of working, biopharmaceutical companies can potentially reduce research and development expenses, and increase the speed to market for their medicinal products.

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Chapter Clinical Research Forum on June 8, 2023

Register at www.pmiatlanta.org/events/event-calendar 

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Written by: Rishea Middlebrooks MHI, CAPM

“Eighty-five percent of the reasons for failure are deficiencies in the systems and process rather than the employee. The role of management is to change the process rather than badgering individuals to do better.” – Dr. W. Edwards Deming

Take a look at Nadine Bent-Russell’s presentation on DEI agility to learn how mutual enablers can foster collaborative practices and, in many cases, spur employees to greater heights!

Presentation Overview 

In this presentation, Nadine Bent-Russell, Global Program Manager at Honeywell, discusses how the integration of DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) and Agile practices can result in further effectiveness of collaborative practices and, in many cases, spur employees to greater heights.

Takeaways

What is Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and how does Agile Project Management come into play?

• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) are three closely linked values held by organizations working to be supportive of different groups of individuals including people of different races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, genders, and sexual orientation
• DEI is a system that only works as good as people allow
• PMI Culture Values directly align with DEI methodologies

Agile is a way of working and a mindset. Agile is the way that we choose to think and to act and is in harmony with DEI. The Agile Manifesto lists four core values. It reads, in its entirety:

We are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others do it. Through this work we have come to value:

• • Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
  • Working software over comprehensive documentation
  • Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
  • Responding to change over following a plan

That is, while there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more.

How can we enable employees to reach greater heights?

• Making them feel seen
• Providing an environment for frequent collaboration and idea generation
• Practicing blameless retrospectives

How can we become mutual enablers?

• Create genuine belonging for all, knowing that our differences make us stronger
• Be a spokesperson for diversity issues that are not necessarily personal
• Commit to continuous improvement

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Technology forum on Tuesday, March 28th, 2023

Register at www.pmiatlanta.org/events/event-calendar 

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Written by: Horatio Morgan

Medium to heavy duty vehicles transition to zero-emission is the way to the future of transportation. This is essential to solving our current energy crisis. It is a more efficient, less costly, and an affordable alternative to more expensive carbon-based energy options.

Presentation Overview 

The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) is a national leading non-profit organization in the development and deployment of battery-electric and hydrogen vehicles in the medium and heavy-duty transportation markets. The speaker was not only passionate and charismatic, but most notably, Dan Raudebaugh is a founding researcher in the application of renewable transportation.

There was a high-level of engagement with attendees throughout the event. Dan shared his industry expertise and spoke on the future state of technology within the sector. He also gave an overview on some of the 100 plus projects CTE managers are completing across the country in this critical space with special emphasis on progress-to-date of Georgia projects. Attendees learned about the deployment of battery-electric transit buses at MARTA and at the University of Georgia, as well as the CNG (compressed natural gas) stations and refuge trucks deployed with Waste Management in Savannah and other parts of the southeast.

Takeaways

• CTE has more request for projects than can currently be handled as request for assistance has multiplied over-time
• CTE is the home and world leader for research, development, and innovation in the battery-electric and hydrogen vehicles sector
• CTE aims to create a vehicle that is zero-emission free by 2050-2060

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Transportation forum on TBA

Register at www.pmiatlanta.org/events/event-calendar 

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Written by: LeDerrick Bouknight

Presentation Overview 

After a brief opening and introduction among all attendees, the presenter, Lee Jordan, opened with the meeting purpose to gather and prioritize PMI Atlanta Governance Forum topics for 2023 using the Lean Coffee format. After an overview of the Lean Coffee concept was completed, a poll was conducted to gather and rank all potential topics. The top three topics were transferred to the Lean Coffee template for an in depth discussion. Concurrence was received to proceed with all topics. Towards the end of the meeting, Lee reviewed the potential speakers for these topics and reviewed lower ranked topics with the audience. The overall Lean Coffee process was successfully executed.

Takeaways

2023 Top Topics from the Lean Coffee results:

• Governance in Agile
• Working with Project Sponsors
• Data stewardship, organizational assessment, and capability mapping

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Atlanta Governance forum on Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Keynote Presentation: The Predictable Outcome Model by Nelson Ingle

Register at www.pmiatlanta.org/events/event-calendar 

Written by: Alex Leonard, PMP

Presentation Overview 

On February 21, 2023, the Agile Forum of the PMI Atlanta Chapter hosted the “Forecasting with Monte Carlo Simulation” Special Interest Forum Event as presented by Andrew Fuqua. With over 35 years of professional experience in product development, product management, and project/portfolio management, Andrew provided new levels of insight into project planning and forecasting. Triangulation is the practice of utilizing 3-4 forecasting methods, for example Points/Velocity, SWAG Approach, or the Monte Carlo Simulation, to make accurate forecasts and estimates.

The Monte Carlo Simulation is considered one of the most accurate ways to forecast project or sprint completion. This is because it simulates outcomes based on the analysis of a wide range of available historical data from similar projects previously performed, whether internal or external to an organization. Some of the data analyzed through the simulation includes previous project completion timelines, project complexity, and probability of stories splitting into multiple stories (e.g., one story becomes two or more).

Once the Monte Carlo Simulation has been completed, those responsible for forecasting project completion timelines are able to complete their projection through various levels of confidence. For example, a mid-July timeline projection may have an 80% confidence level, while an early-July projection may be acceptable at a 70% confidence level. Andrew does, however, suggest that a confidence level of 80% is the most common benchmark because it gives project planners the flexibility to adjust forecasting based on the risk appetite within their respective organizations.

Andrew also presented and demonstrated a useful spreadsheet tool that aids in performing Monte Carlo Simulations. See link to the free resource below for more information:
https://www.focusedobjective.com/pages/free-spreadsheets-and-tools

Takeaways

• To make effective estimates & forecasts, it is paramount to use multiple forecasting tools through the Triangulation method. This will include the use of 3-4 different forecasting tools.
• When making estimates, avoid giving a single date. Actual results tend to be on the pessimistic side.
• Utilizing Monte Carlo Simulation allows you to make estimates for project/sprint completion based on assumptions around complexity, historical data, and ranges of story splits.

Next Event

Join us at the next PMI Agile Forum on March 21, 2023

Keynote Presentation: TBA, Varun Anand

Register at www.pmiatlanta.org/events/event-calendar 

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