SSI’s Post

From Marine Scientist to Project Manager - meet Rhia Spall and her safety-conscious First Mate – a marine scientist-turned-project manager and her life-jacket-wearing cat, navigating both boardrooms and ocean waves! Back in 2010, you'd find Rhia diving with turtles in the Cook Islands, living every marine scientist's dream. But then came the plot twist that would change everything: the 2008 recession hit, and suddenly the depths of customer service became her new territory. "If my cat can embrace risk management, so can anyone!" Rhia jokes. But there's wisdom in that humor... When marine science opportunities became as rare as a calm day at sea, Rhia didn't just stay afloat – she learned to surf the waves of change. Trading coral reefs for contact centers taught her invaluable lessons in human connection and crisis management (skills that come in handy both underwater and in stakeholder meetings!). 2014 brought another adventure: New Zealand. Starting fresh at Europlan's customer service desk, what seemed like a temporary harbor became the launching pad for an impressive six-year journey from Sales Support to certified Project Manager. Today, she's: - A certified PMP Project Management Institute / Project Management Institute of New Zealand - Coastguard volunteer (with the most nautically prepared feline in the Southern Hemisphere!) - Living proof that the best project managers often come from the most unexpected backgrounds Her proudest achievement? Not the PMP certification (though that's a close second), but becoming an operational volunteer for Coastguard in 2018 – perfectly blending her love for the ocean with her newfound project management expertise. Rhia's Wisdom - "Don't give up, even if your journey looks more like a zigzag than a straight line. Every twist and turn is just part of getting to where you need to be". When she's not managing projects or volunteering, you'll find Rhia Spall and her seafaring kitty exploring NZ waters – because sometimes the best project managers are the ones who know how to navigate both stormy seas and stakeholder meetings! Has your career path taken unexpected turns? Share your story below! #WiPM #PMINZ #PMI

Sign up for my next FREE Master Class, How to Become a Project Manager in Defense, Government, IT, or Business, on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 4 pm. For many transitioning military personnel and their spouses, project management is the name of the game. These jobs require people who can organize a group, establish deliverables, and complete tasks on time and on budget. Does that sound like you?  Good. There are so many opportunities for you, including Defense, Government, IT, and Corporate. In our new 60-minute master class, you will discover: 1. What kind of military experience attracts employers looking for a project manager? 2. How you can get your PMP Project Management Professional certification. 3. Does a PMP make you a project manager? 4. What other paths can an organized person take into the business of business? 5. How your interview answers can demonstrate your skills and get you the job offer. https://lnkd.in/e6giuMAH

🚆 Thrilled to see how Crisis Prevention Institute is partnering with Network Rail to create safer environments for staff and passengers alike. Collaboration like this underscores the importance of equipping teams with the right skills to manage challenging situations effectively and with care. How do you see similar initiatives making an impact in your industry? Let’s start a conversation! #SafetyFirst #ProfessionalDevelopment #Collaboration

A PMP certification isn’t always the key to landing a project management role as a veteran. Military.com outlines 13 scenarios where it’s unnecessary, offering clarity for veterans navigating their next career steps. Check out this blog post to learn more!

This was me at the seaside in February 2024, a breath of fresh air it was... After a year of dedicated hard work, working on a project which appeared like it was never going to end, with endless unexpected obstacles, once it was finished a sigh of relief happened. 😅 Then, I took a little break to recharge and reflect on the project. What made the project a success... 1. Achieving client satisfaction upon project completion was a significant victory for our team. 💪 2. The collective effort put forth to overcome every challenge and reach this milestone was truly valuable to the client. 🌟 3. Every day we were optimistic and insisted we had to get it done when overcoming new development problems and conflicts each week. 😀 Upon reflection: We recognised areas for improvement in project management. As a result, we have implemented new streamlined processes to enhance project efficiency and client satisfaction. 🔄 When embarking on a new project, thorough consideration of all potential factors is essential. Persistence played a crucial role in this particular project, allowing us to address each challenge and deliver innovative solutions for learning students across the UK. ✅ Even though we went a bit past the client's deadline, we gave them a discount on the final bill, and they were pleased. 💸 When developing a custom platform with unique challenges, understanding the obstacles of the client's requests, devising solutions, and providing accurate deadlines and quotes are vital steps. 👀 Consistent communication with the client and not giving up throughout the project was fundamental to its successful completion. 🏆 The client was very happy in the end and the release of the software was successful 😎 Now we are in the works for phase 2 of the project, now with all the new protocols in place, it will be completed on time. Have you ever encountered a project that exceeded its expected timeframe?

𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒂 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒕? That was precisely my predicament when I made the decision to permanently relocate to Australia. Departing from a thriving career of over five years as a Quality Assurance Manager in a state-owned pharmaceutical enterprise was no simple decision. It meant bidding farewell to friendships cultivated over two decades, meticulously constructed professional networks, and the comfort of familial bonds formed since childhood. Navigating the process of having my qualifications and professional experience recognized in a new country was an uphill challenge. It became evident that obtaining recognition aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework would require a significant effort. Consequently, I found myself compelled to pivot towards a career trajectory closely aligned with my expertise. The construction industry emerged as a promising avenue for this transition. However, the scope of the construction industry is vast, requiring a deliberate narrowing down of preferences. After careful consideration, I determined that project management offered the most suitable path forward. Yet, mere aspiration wasn't sufficient. Clear and actionable goals were imperative: ⛏ Acquire transcripts of previous academic degrees. ⛏ Pursue enrolment in an undergraduate program specializing in Construction Management. ⛏ Seek recognition for prior learning through credit transfer. ⛏ Accept admission into the chosen program. ⛏ Dedicate myself to academic endeavours, ultimately graduating with First-Class Honours in Bachelor of Construction Management (Building). While a First-Class degree isn't a prerequisite for a career in project management, setting ambitious goals was part of my journey. Looking ahead, my ultimate career goal within project management is to assume the role of Practice Leader within the next decade. This experience underscores a broader truth applicable to everyday life: setting clear goals provides a sense of direction and motivation. Whether it pertains to financial objectives, skill acquisition, or health improvement, delineating specific goals enables individuals to maintain focus and monitor progress effectively. Rather than setting vague aspirations, precision in goal-setting empowers individuals to take deliberate steps towards realizing their objectives. What goal have you set for yourself recently? How are you smashing it? #ProjectManagement #EverydayLife #SettingClearGoals

Those who have experience will tell you not to engage in a project unless you possess the requisite skills; instead, invest in skill development as needed. It is a fact of life that undertaking a project without the necessary expertise can result in subpar outcomes, leading to resource wastage and potential dissatisfaction. Acknowledging your limitations and actively pursuing assistance or training can mitigate the risk of failure.

In my role as a Consultant , I’ve seen many skilled workers with years of experience but no formal qualifications behind them. One example is a project manager we helped who had been in the industry for 15 years. Whilst he had a lot of experience, he struggled to progress his career without a formal certification. Through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, we helped him convert his skills into a nationally recognised qualification, helping him land a better role with more money. RPL is a game-changer. It assesses your existing skills, whether gained through on-the-job training, self-study, or informal work, and turns them into formal qualifications. This process can help you get qualified faster, saving both time and money, and it’s recognised across Australia. If you’ve gained years of experience on Australian worksites but lack formal qualifications, RPL might be the solution. Evidence like site plans, project documents, video demonstrations, and references from your supervisors can all be used. Have you got years of experience with no formal qualifications? RPL might be a great option for you.

As we kickstart the week, remember that time waits for no one! Don't delay your career goals, especially when it comes to landing your dream project management role in Canada. We empower you to take control of your career, with or without certification. Our expert guidance and resources will help you stay on track and achieve your goals. You got this! Let's make this week count! #MondayMotivation #ProjectManagement #CareerGoals

Notice any similarities? In the military... MDMP, or 𝙈𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣-𝙈𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨, is a systematic 7-step process that provides a guide for making decisions, integrating the concerns and guidelines of the leadership, the mission, and the resources available. In the context of project management... The 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝗽𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 is the acceptance of a new project or task. Project managers must gather all available information, including constraints, resources, and expectations. A clear understanding of the project's scope, budget, timeline, and objectives is fundamental at this stage. During 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀... The project team assesses the environment, identifies constraints, opportunities, and risks, and develops information requirements. Critical aspects like stakeholder analysis, risk management, and a clear definition of goals are essential. 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗖𝗢𝗔) 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 involves brainstorming multiple ways (courses of action) to achieve the mission. In project management, these could include different methodologies, techniques, or resource allocations. It's about finding various paths to success and detailing them for further analysis. Then, each Course of Action is thoroughly analyzed to understand its potential impact and feasibility. This process can include simulating different scenarios to predict the outcomes. In project management, this might involve using tools like 𝗦𝗪𝗢𝗧 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀. Ready to learn more? Check out this article by Senura Fernando for more similarities https://lnkd.in/ebkGtBGf And see why military leaders make "natural" project managers 😎 And begin your journey here: https://lnkd.in/eZ3Nqybx #QuickNote #ProjectManagement #Military