Learning Solutions for Increased Project Performance

AfR/mScholar Partners with BEDC to Deliver Life Science PM Course

Action for Results (AfR) is partnering with San Diego-based Biotech Employee Development Coalition (BEDC) to provide a 2-day workshop “Project Management Fundamentals for Life Sciences” to its members on March 6-7, 2012.  This is a unique opportunity to gain industry specific project management skills, learn best practices and share project experiences with life science colleagues. With registration fees discounted over 50%, this highly interactive, foundation level course is a great value that will provide 15 contact hours/PDUs upon successful completion.

If your organization is a BEDC member (see listing here), don’t miss the chance to attend this affordable, comprehensive project management learning experience.  For details and registration information, contact AfR today.

This course is also open to non-BEDC member organizations. For more information, or to register, visit the enrollment page.

PMI Exam Update

On August 31, 2011, the Project Management Institute updated its Project Management Professional (PMP®) Exam based on findings from its latest Role Delineation Study.  Approximately 30% of the PMP Exam has changed, primarily to accommodate the fact that the Professional and Social Responsibility content area (Domain 6) will now be tested across all domains rather than as a separate area on the exam.

What Has Not Changed

Neither the PMBOK Guide nor any other aspect of the PMP credentialing process has been changed other than the exam. Eligibility criteria, score report, exam format, etc. – all will remain the same. 

Exam Calibration Period

As part of the changeover process, PMI instituted a “calibration period” wherein exam results in the first 2 months of administration were not immediately given to the PMP candidate taking the exam. This process has been completed and any candidate now sitting for the exam will receive immediate results.

What Should You Study?

Since the PMBOK Guide has not been changed or affected by latest exam updates, study materials based on it should be sufficient to prepare for the PMP exam. However, because Professional and Social Responsibility now cuts across all domains, special attention should be paid to how this aspect (which includes ethics) is incorporated into all areas of project management, as well as the spectrum of a project manager’s responsibilities and actions.

Helpful Links

PMI FAQ on Update (Oct 2010) 
PMI Tips to Help You Prepare

Dee Suberla Joins Action for Results

Dee Suberla Releases New Book and Joins Action for Results

ACCOMPLISHED PHARMA PROJECT MANAGER WRITES:  POOF! YOU’RE A PROJECT MANAGER… AND OTHER DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR

Andover, MA – June 7, 2011 – Action for Results (AfR), an international consulting firm to pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies, announces that author and accomplished pharma project manager Dee Suberla has joined their consulting team. The announcement follows the release of Ms. Suberla’s latest book, Poof! You’re a Project Manager… and Other Delusions of Grandeur—a humorous and informative look at project management. Ms. Suberla’s achievements include 25 years of experience leading pharma R&D, manufacturing engineering and marketing projects. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with a track record of successful corporate project management office (PMO) launches. Currently she serves as the vice-chair of the Chicago BioPharmaPM organization. Ms. Suberla joins Action for Results as a senior-level consultant to AfR’s corporate client base.

According to Action for Results Marketing Director Janice Laskey, “Dee is a welcome addition to the Action for Results team. Her extensive background in pharma and dedication to project management mesh with AfR’s core philosophies. What’s more, Dee has a winning track record managing projects in various phases of drug and medical device product development, in addition to acting as a well-respected project management coach and mentor.

“Dee’s new book is indicative of her creative and thorough approach towards project management. The book paints a humorous yet practical look at how project managers use their discipline to meet the needs of a business. It’s reaffirming for project managers and very insightful for the senior managers they report to. We’re eager to put Dee’s innovative thinking and unique perspective to work. She’ll be a great asset to our clients,” concluded Laskey.

Dee G. Suberla, MBA, PMP, has worked in various positions with increasing responsibility in R&D, manufacturing engineering, marketing, and program management.  Ms. Suberla was most recently a Senior Program Manager at Baxter Pharmaceuticals and Technologies. While at Baxter she worked within the Project Management Office (PMO) leading project and portfolio management initiatives in addition to owning the stage-gate decision making process for the business. Ms. Suberla has set up and managed PMOs and implemented a standard approach to project management and product development processes across the Baxter organization. Ms. Suberla has a BA from Columbia College and an MBA from Webster University.

Purchase Poof! You’re a Project Manager

Order Poof! You’re a Project Manager

Written by Action for Results consultant, Dee Suberla, PMP, Poof! You’re a Project Manager is a fun and informative resource for the person who has been thrown into the role of project manager to bring a troubled project back on track. The book also serves as a refresher for the veterans out there with a sense of humor. The senior managers tasked with finding a new project manager will find it useful because it offers them a behind the scenes look at how a project manager uses the discipline of project management to meet the needs of the business. The book provides insights as well as references for more information.

Purchase Poof! You’re a Project Manager

Changes to the PMI PMP Exam Coming in August 2011

In 2010, the Project Management Institute (PMI) made updates to the professional role of PMPs based on their latest Role Delineation Study (RDS).  While the new RDS does not affect the PMBOK Guide, there will be some changes made to the PMP credential examination, starting in August 2011.

What does this mean?

According to PMI, approximately 30% of the PMP exam content will change because the Professional and Social Responsibility content area will not be treated as a separate domain. Rather, it will be tested across all domains (initiating the project, planning the project, executing the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project), adding another level of complexity to exam questions.

How will it affect PMP candidates?

This leaves potential PMP candidates with a choice as to when to take the exam to gain their PMP certification. Some individuals will prefer not to risk the additional intricacy that will be reflected in the exam questions.  The last day to take the current PMP examination is 30 August 2011. Candidates who would like to take the current version of the examination should study for and schedule their examinations early to better ensure that they are able to obtain a test date before August 31, 2011. No extensions will be granted.

Helpful links:

More about the PMP Role Delineation Study

FAQ About Upcoming Changes from PMI

mScholar PMP Exam Prep Options

BioPharmaPM Boston Chapter Succeeds with Inaugural Event

Distinguished Speakers and Timely Topics Drive Turnout Among Life Science Professionals

Andover, MA – November 1, 2010 – While national conference attendance is on the decline, the Boston Chapter of BioPharmaPM (BPPM) successfully launched its first event. Sponsored by Action for Results, Inc,, the conference, Delivery Value Through Projects was held at the Reggie Lewis Center, Boston, MA and featured keynoters Cubist Pharmaceuticals CEO Mike Bonney and Day Health Strategies President Rosemarie Day, the founding Deputy Director & Chief Operating Officer of Massachusetts’ health insurance exchange.

The conference audience of project managers from biotech and pharmaceutical companies cited the challenging economy and widespread industry change as factors that added purpose to the event and the organization’s mission—to learn, grow and network. Presenters addressed a variety of topics including, Healthcare Reform Trends and Implications to Life Sciences Products and Programs; Green Project Management within BioPharma; Optimizing Project Team Performance from Discovery through Commercialization; and Applying Project Management Principles to Life Science Product Development.

According to Janice Laskey, marketing director of Action for Results, Inc., a BPPM member company and sponsor of the event, “We are really pleased with the outcome of our chapter’s first event.  The high turnout and first-rate attendees really lend credence to our mission and validate the need for an event of this nature.

“Speakers and attendees alike came from all parts of the industry—publicly traded companies, private consultancies, government organizations, educational institutions and non-profits. As a result, we gained a holistic view of the industry and a fusion of ideas. Between panel discussions, breakout sessions and interactive speeches, attendees enjoyed genuine dialogue and a lively exchange. It was a quality event. We’ve built a solid foundation and we look forward to expanding upon it next year,” concluded Laskey.

Boston BPPM conference information, including agenda, photos and presentations, can be found at www.mscholar.com/bppmboston.

About BioPharmaPM
BioPharmaPM is a global, non-profit organization founded in 2008 with a mission to provide learning, growth and networking opportunities for project managers within the pharmaceutical, biotech, CRO and medical device industries. The 2010 Boston Regional event was sponsored by Action for Results, Inc., an international consulting firm serving the life science, pharmaceutical, biotech and healthcare industries, and Roxbury Community College, a coeducational public institution for higher education serving the greater Boston community.

Delivering Value Through Projects - Boston Conference, Sept 21

Action for Results, Inc. (AfR), mScholar’s parent company, is delighted to be sponsoring an exciting regional educational event being offered by the non-profit group, BioPharmaPM (BPPM), a volunteer-based, global network of local communities that are dedicated to sharing of project management best practices within the pharmaceutical, biotech, CRO and medical device industries.

BPPM is kicking off their series of regional education events with “Delivering Value Through Projects” on September 21, 2010 at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, MA.  This highly interactive conference will be focused on sharing learnings and best practices for program and project success in the Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, and Biotech industries. Conference speakers will include project managers, project management vice presidents, program managers, portfolio leaders and other industry experts.

AfR CEO, Tarja Mottram, will be providing her extensive skills as a facilitator for the conference, as well as for an afternoon workshop. Ms. Mottram’s expertise on market-driven strategic management, portfolio and pipeline governance, and program/project management, along with her dynamic style, make her a sought after speaker in conferences and practitioner forums worldwide.

As part of our sponsorship, AfR is providing registration services to BPPM for this event. Find out more about the conference and registration here.

Find out why project management is one of the top capabilities for competitive advantage in Life Science companies, how it’s defined differently from other industries, and how it will evolve as a result of the industry trends.

CEO Tarja Mottram Speaks on Project Conflict, April 8, Andover, MA

Life Science Project Management Experts Share Advice on Resolving Project Conflicts

ACTION FOR RESULTS, INC. AND BIOPHARMAPM HOST APRIL EVENT AT ANDOVER, MA LOCATION

Andover, MA – March 24, 2010 – Life science and medical device companies looking to kick-start stalled projects and get derailed project teams back on track can tap into a wealth of knowledge when industry experts discuss “From Conflict to Collaboration: How to Handle Difficult Project Relationships.”  CEO Tarja Mottram from Action for Results (an international consulting firm to pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies) will make the presentation to the Boston chapter of BioPharmaPM (a national, non-profit organization dedicated to the sharing of project management best practices in the pharmaceutical, biotech, CRO and medical devices industries) at their April 8, 2010 meeting. 

Hosted by Action for Results at their 200 Andover Street, Andover, Massachusetts office location, the meeting is open to the public as well as local and regional industry professionals. The 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM event begins with a complimentary breakfast and then the formal presentation from 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM. Interested parties may register online at www.biopharmapm.org (calendar/breakfast meetings) or via telephone 978-824-0400, extension 104.

According to AfR Marketing Director and BioPharmaPM chapter member Janice Laskey, “Unsettling economic times can cause strife within an organization and its key project teams. Even in the best scenarios, leading a successful, cross-organizational product development process is not an easy thing to do. Our April meeting offers a great opportunity for attendees to explore conflict in a safe environment. More importantly it’s about learning how to make conflict work for you rather than against you—creating the best outcomes for your product development process and your organization.

“In her presentation, Tarja will draw upon mini-case studies and encourage dialogue in order to explore real choices in the face of conflict. In fact, I encourage attendees to bring their most challenging conflict situations for discussion. It’s an invaluable opportunity to gain insight from the knowledge and experience of Action for Results, BioPharmaPM and your peers. With this sort of subject matter and the caliber of professionals in attendance, I expect a really engaging and productive session,” concluded Laskey.

Tarja Mottram is a sought after speaker on portfolio and stage-gate management, customer-focused product and service development, and project effectiveness. She’s worked with clients across the globe, helping to connect their portfolio strategy and execution in order to enhance product development decision making and productivity.

About BioPharmaPM

BioPharmaPM is a global network of local communities that are dedicated to sharing of project management best practices within the pharmaceutical, biotech, CRO and medical device industries. The organization was founded in 2008 to provide learning, growth and networking opportunities for project managers within the healthcare industries. BioPharmaPM is an independent, 100 percent volunteer based organization with a membership of over 6,000 professionals from countries including Australia, Brazil, China, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States. For more information on BioPharmaPM, visit the organization’s website at biopharmapm.org

About Action for Results

Founded in 1994, Action for Results, Inc. (AfR) is an international consulting company serving organizations in the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and other healthcare industries. Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, AfR works with their clients to connect their strategy and execution to produce innovative products and services that respond to the needs of patients and customers worldwide. Their specialties include strategy definition, organizational capability building, product development process optimization and governance, and portfolio and project management.

Free Change Request Form

Change in projects is inevitable, so be sure to have standardized documents such as this free Change Request Form ready when you need them.

Free Negotiation Worksheet

A successful negotiation not only means getting what you want and need as a project manager, team member or stakeholder, it also means coming to an agreement that works for the other party as well. Before embarking on a negotiation session, use this worksheet to help you formulate what you must gain from the process, what you can live without, and what’s important to the other party.

Negotiation Strategy Worksheet

mScholar Extends Free Enrollment to Unemployed Project Managers

July PMP Certification Prep Course Offered; Features Updated Curriculum

30% Early Registration Discount Extended to July 17th! See mScholar Events for Details.

Andover, MA – June 18, 2009 – mScholar®, a leader in project management learning solutions, is offering five free seats in its July Project Management Professional (PMP®) Exam Prep course on a first-come basis to unemployed project managers to help them gain PMP Certification, useful skills and greater marketability.  mScholar designed its five-day study retreat to fully prepare attendees for PMP Certification based on the Project Management Institute’s (PMI®) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®)—a project management guide that is internationally recognized as the industry standard.  mScholar’s course utilizes PMBOK’s newest edition and incorporates the most up-to-date industry information along with related team and individual exercises, practice exams and online software.  Unemployed project managers interested in participating must show proof of unemployment, meet PMI eligibility requirements and dedicate themselves to a program of serious study.  mScholar will conduct the course July 27 – 31, 2009 at its Andover, MA Training Center. Project managers can contact mScholar Customer Relations Manager Erkki Goodwin at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to enroll, or for more information.

According to mScholar Marketing Director Janice Laskey, “We’re excited about our newly updated mScholar PMP Exam Prep curriculum. Project management professionals preparing for certification will find the coursework challenging, the information comprehensive and our course guarantee an assurance that this is a risk-free way to prepare for PMP certification. We even have a significant discount in place for those who enroll by the 30th of June.”

“Additionally, we’re offering five free seats in our July retreat for project managers who are currently unemployed and want to get their PMP certification to better position themselves within today’s challenging job market. PMP certification is an important credential now required my many employers, especially for IT, product development and life sciences project management positions,” concluded Laskey.

The mScholar® PMP Exam Prep Study Retreat is an intensive, five-day course lead by a PMP certified instructor. The course includes a thorough review of essential project management material interspersed with team and individual exercises, written practice exams, home assignments, online exam software, Q&A sessions and a final exam that provides a true assessment of PMP Exam readiness. Finally, upon successful completion of the course, students will receive 35 contact hours or professional development units (PDUs), which can be used towards satisfying the Project Management Institute’s contact hour training requirement for certification eligibility.

The course will be held on July 27 – 31, 2009 at mScholar’s Training Center located at 200 Andover Street, Andover, MA. To enroll, qualify for the free enrollment offer, take advantage of early bird specials or for further information visit http://www.mscholar.com or call mScholar at (978) 824-0400, extension 107.

About mScholar
mScholar, a division of Action for Results, Inc., is a leading developer and provider of pragmatic project management education and certification programs, including structured self-paced courses, classroom programs, and customized curricula designed to build individual and organizational project capability. Action for Results, Inc. is a Project Management Institute Global Registered Education Provider. For more information on mScholar project management learning solutions and services, visit http://www.mscholar.com.

PMI,  PMP and PMBOK are registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute, Inc. mScholar is a trademark of Action For Results, Inc.

CEO Tarja Mottram Presents at Project Management Conference for the Drug & Device Industry

AfR CEO Shares Insights on Identifying Profitable Drugs & Medical Devices for Development in an Economic Downturn

Andover, MA – April 10 , 2009 – Pharmaceutical and medical device companies looking to develop innovative, viable products amidst a challenging economic climate will receive pragmatic guidance from CEO Tarja Mottram at this year’s Project Management Conference for the Drug & Device Industry (April 28-30, 2009 at Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando, FL). Mottram, president and CEO of Action for Results (AfR)—an international consulting firm to pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies—will share timely, strategic information in a presentation entitled, “Building the Business Case for Your Development Project.”

According to AfR Marketing Director Janice Laskey, “There’s a constant demand for innovative drugs and medical devices, but a solid business case is critical to profitability—especially during an economic downturn. The business case is truly the foundation for defining whether or not an organization should invest in a product development effort.

“Conference attendees will find that Tarja’s hands-on presentation helps them define just what should be in their business case. It also addresses crucial timing issues and the collaboration required in order to effectively apply it to a development project. The presentation draws on years of proven policy that Tarja has put in to practice for many organizations. She looks forward to working with the professionals in attendance at this year’s PMDD event,” concluded Laskey.

Ms. Mottram is a sought after speaker on portfolio and stage gate management, customer-focused product and service development, and project effectiveness. She’s worked with clients across the globe, helping to connect their portfolio strategy and execution in order to enhance product development decision making and productivity.
About Action for Results

Founded in 1994, Action for Results, Inc. (AfR) is an international consulting company serving organizations in the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and other healthcare industries. Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, AfR works with their clients to connect their strategy and execution to produce innovative products and services that respond to the needs of patients and customers worldwide. Their specialties include strategy definition, organizational capability building, product development process optimization and governance, and portfolio and project management.

For more information on the conference, visit www.biopharmapm.org.

Webinar Now Available for Download: Introduction to Project Management Certifications

Are you thinking about getting a project management certification but aren’t sure where to start or what your options are? On March 12, 2009, we hosted a webinar that discusses why certification matters, what is required to qualify for it, and what your options are for certification and for study programs.

PMI’s Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification is the most well-known project management credential available, but there are a number of other certifications that have similar goals. In this 1-hour webinar, we’ll explore the PMP Certification as well as the scope and sources of other popular certifications. Participants will also learn about project management industry trends and resulting demand for certified project managers.

To download this webinar, visit our Resources section.

Action for Results is a PMI Registered Education Provider. mScholar is a division of Action for Results, Inc.

Webinar Now Available for Download: What’s New with the PMBOK Guide?

The Project Management Institute (PMI) has released the latest version of their Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. In June 2009, the Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam will be updated to reflect the transition to the new PMBOK® Guide, Fourth Edition. What does this mean for project managers and team members, current PMPs and future PMP candidates? On February 12th, we hosted a free webinar “What’s New with the PMBOK® Guide and PMP® Certification?” and a recording is now available in our Resources section. 

This webinar provides:

• General overview of the PMBOK® Guide: What it is (and isn’t), how it’s used, and how it applies to project management certification.
• High-level overview and examples of changes reflected in the PMBOK Guide, Fourth Edition
• Tips for individuals heading for PMP Certification in 2009, including which version to study

Note: PMPs who download and view the recording are eligible to receive 1 PDU.

Action for Results is a PMI Registered Education Provider. mScholar is a division of Action for Results, Inc.