Higher Education CoP Oct 2020: Beyond the PMBOoK: Journey to the Secret Sauce| A Discussion of ‘COVID-19: A 7-Step Response Plan for Project Managers’ by Michael Clayton

Abstract:

In 2020, we have experienced unprecedented impacts to the workforce in our lifetimes due to COVID-19 and political/ cultural unrest. As we continue to manage and plan to emerge from our COVID-19 lockdown, what do you need to be thinking about, as a Project Manager? This ten-minute video will spark you to consider if/how you may need to reframe your project, protect your greatest resources, and do what is “right” for your organization.  

While we will be watching the video during the session, you can view it here in advance: https://qrgo.page.link/osCAc 

Learning Objectives:

• Increasing project manager awareness and accountability of our roles in times of change/crisis
• Key items to consider/re-address regarding your current and future planned projects

Terri West, PMP from Duke University School of Medicine will discuss:

• How to protect your people during a time of crisis
• The importance of conducting an impact analysis and using a risk register
• How to inform and influence organizational decision

Facilitator Bio:

Terri West “fell in love” with the project management profession when she realized its demanding application of both soft and hard skills and the unlimited versatility of opportunities to which it can be applied.  Throughout her 25+ years of experience, Terri has led through crises such as union strikes; divestitures and acquisitions; Y2K; call center/plant closures; Tsunami disasters; HIPAA breaches; and now COVID-19.

Graduating with a BS in Mathematics from NC State in 1985, Terri went to work for AT&T in Atlanta, GA where she benefited from AT&T’s robust executive mentoring program that gave her opportunities in engineering, operations, and sales with formal training in TQM (total quality management), and PQMI (Process Quality Management Improvement).  After being awarded as the top (and youngest) sales manager in the US for Global Markets, Terri launched into the consulting industry with Coopers & Lybrand and E&Y where she prepared clients’ HR and Financial Systems for Y2K – including a 12-month assignment for the Puerto Rico Department of the Treasury. In December 1999, Terri joined a very entrepreneurial and growing Capital One in Richmond, VA.

While at Capital One in Richmond, VA, Terri co-founded the grass-roots organization that matured into a Level 5 project management operation within 7 years. Terri built and led a 25-person PMO to support a $300M portfolio and was highly recognized for leading a 3-year, $4.2M program to outsource the work of 7,000 personnel in 11 call centers across 4 states. In 2005, Terri led the Capital One team to set-up an emergency call center in just 5-days to raise $15M for the NBC Tsunami Aid Telethon “A Concert of Hope”.  Terri was an active volunteer and speaker for the PMI Central Virginia Chapter and provided free project management consulting services in the Richmond community.

In 2007, Terri joined the insurance industry at Mondial/Allianz and Wellpoint/BCBS where she led world-wide teams in extensive organizational and technical changes for corporate acquisitions, product launches, and call center applications. While at Mondial, Terri established the project management and strategic planning office.

Prior to coming to Duke University in 2015, Terri served as the Director of ITS Health and Medicine at Yale University where she mentored existing and upcoming project managers while leading strategic planning and portfolio management efforts for the School of Medicine’s technology needs.

Terri is now an IT Strategic Engagement Consultant/Project Manager for researchers in the Duke School of Medicine as a member of the Duke Health Technology Solutions’ (DHTS) Office of Academic Solutions and Information Systems team.

This is a joint event between NCPMI Higher Education Community of Practice (HECoP), and the Duke Project Management CoP. The event is free and open to anyone interested in project management.

Notes:

1. This event is a WebEx-Only event
2. After registering and upon approval by the host, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the session. Please join the session shortly before 12:00 pm.