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Archive for August, 2008

Will VoIP Take Over From Traditional Calling?

The question of whether VoIP will take over from the way most of us make calls is certainly debatable. However, with the benefits that VoIP already possesses it would be hard to argue that it will certainly dominate a large proportion of the communication market for both individuals and business in the near future.

VoIP is a technology that has been around for several years, but has only recently begun to develop and advance into a real alternative to regular analogue phone systems. VoIP offers a more flexible and cheaper alternative for almost anyone that uses it, along with some major benefits.

Businesses stand to cut cost significantly by switching to VoIP, especially those that regularly make long-distance calls. With calls being carried over a broadband internet connection means that many taxes and charges from telephone companies, are not incurred.

Business employees can also benefit from a great feature of VoIP in that it provides the possibility to access an office phone network away from the office premises. So for example, an employee could work from home but still keep track of all office calls and have access to the office phone system features.

Another great feature is that your number is assigned to a converter that you use. This makes it possible to plug this converter into any high-speed internet connection and immediately utilize your usual number for making and receiving calls. So if you move from one side of the country to the other, you are still able to keep the same number.

High-speed internet access is a necessity for using VoIP, and it was not so long ago that this would have made it difficult for many homeowners to use this technology. However, the spread of high speed internet connection and the potential of VoIP go hand-in-hand. It now means that many can benefit from switching to VoIP should they choose to, rather than not even having this option before.

The cost-saving opportunity that is already available by using VoIP over analogue phone systems is already evident, but with more advancements expected with VoIP technology over time, and with more VoIP service providers likely to enter the market and compete in a price battle, this can only be good news for us as consumers.

If VoIP is something that interests you then it’s certainly worth shopping around to see the sort of deals that service providers are currently offering. Many VoIP providers may offer caller ID, call waiting, 3-way calling, speed dialing, call forwarding, and free voicemail so take a look a round first.

VoIP Service Providers provides a great opportunity to find a wealth of information on the technology, and also offers many resources for those interested in VoIP. We recommend you visit the site at http://www.voip-serviceproviders.info

Air Pollution Predictions Using Artificial Intelligent Prediction Data Set Input

Can it be possible to use the hurricane tracker and supercomputer systems, which predict whether to also predict the airflow in path of air pollution? During the 2005 Atlantic tropical hurricane season we saw a massive devastation along our Gulf Coast. Luckily the supercomputers, which track and predict the path of Hurricanes gave us lots of warning, which indeed saved thousands of lives.

Now then, knowing this and understanding that air pollution merely does not stop due to some manmade line drawn in the sand or created border between states or countries, Can we use the same supercomputers to track all the air pollution in the United States whether it came from inside the country or blew here from somewhere else. If we can track the air pollution like NOAA hurricanes then we are well our way to figuring out what air in what regions needs to be first looked at. If air pollution comes from a given region and then quickly disperses itself in areas that are not highly populated by humans or animals then those particular areas are not as important as those areas, which do pollute in whose airflows do contribute unhealthy air to more populated regions.

If we are truly serious about diminishing the amount of air pollution in our country we should work on those regions first which are the most problematic the human health. There are a number of reasons why; for instance lowering of health care costs and increasing productivity of our civilization. If we take the NOAA supercomputers in add in and artificial intelligence we should be able to get the computer to program its self and help us regulate the cleanness of our air for the American people. Consider this and 2006.

Lance Winslow - EzineArticles Expert Author

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Pain Relief Drugs 101 What You Need to Know

Ever given a piece of thought to how actually one feels that a part of his/her body is paining? Majority of the response to this question will be in the negative. And ironically it is one piece of information that a person should be aware of.

Whenever a part of our body is hurt, the pain makes that part ache but the actual sensation is felt in the brain. There are various kinds of receptors in our brain and each is attributed with a different type of sensation. The process can be explained as follows. Every time part of our body is damaged, the damaged tissue releases chemicals - called prostaglandins - making the pain more acute. These chemicals on coming in contact with the cells in the damaged tissue, with the help of enzyme called cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), further release chemicals. Also, these prostaglandins react with the nerve endings to send signals to the brain where the sensation of the pain is felt.

One importance of pain that can be highlighted here is that they keep reminding a person of the hurt, so that till the time injury is healed they are more careful about it. Pain can also result without a direct injury being caused, for example arthritis.

Thankfully because of the advancements of the medicine, various types of medications are available to deal with different types of pains felt. A wide range of medicines start right from one as mild as Aspirin to something as strong as Narcotics, which should be only taken through a proper prescription of a medical practitioner and thus, it becomes necessary to take such medicines with highest degree of caution as every medicine has its own kind of side effects.

One of the most common pain relievers is Acetaminophen (popularly also known as paracetamol , and has established its 30 years of usage. It can also be used for curing fevers in children and adults apart from relieving pain.

As against acetaminophen, Narcotics are also used to cure pain but is adopted if no other medicine is able to effectively affect a patient, even though it is the greatest pain reliever than any medication prescribed. This is due to the numerous side effects that are associated with it, which includes chemical dependence. There are various types of Narcotics (OxyContin, Demerol, Hydrocodone) and have their own set of side effects. One of the most peculiar features of Hydrocodone is that it can even cause death.

There are various cautions that one should adopt while undergoing a pain relief medication, as many risks are associated with it. Primarily one should make the doctor aware of the medicines that are normally taken by the patient in the normal course for ordinary pains or any other thing as they can react with the pain relievers to cause side effects. Also, it should be told to the doctor if the patient is already associated with any disease apart from the on for which the doctor is consulted. Another thing to be kept in mind is that the pain relievers taken by the patient should not be stopped without consulting his doctor.

So now knowing this every one has a reason to take utmost precautions. God bless us all.

Mansi aggarwal writes about pain relief drugs . Learn more at http://www.drugsandpain.com

Organizing a Sewing Room

5 Solutions for Organizing a Sewing Room - Spend less time searching for supplies and more time sewing!

Whether sewing is a relaxing hobby or an income-generating profession, you can make organizing a sewing room into a fun and productive project. If you are lucky enough to have a room just for sewing, then you will have more flexibility in your organizing design, but if you need to share this room with a home office or guest bedroom, then you will need to keep some considerations in mind while organizing a sewing room.

Before you begin organizing, make a thorough inventory list of all the items you need in your sewing room, such as: •Sewing machine •Sewing table •Fabric •Cutting board •Patterns •Threads •Mirror •Notions: thimbles, threaders, rulers, tracing tools, needles, pins, cushions, bobbins, elastic, seam rippers, pins, ribbon, dyes, fabric care, etc. •Iron and ironing board •Garment steamer •Dressforms •Other

Next, designate areas within your sewing room. I have simplified the process for you by dividing your room into five separate areas below.

5 Easy Ways for Organizing a Sewing Room:

1.Create a Sewing Table Area - This should include the sewing table or desk, sewing machine, and a small basket or organizer for your daily sewing needs. This should also include enough open space for you to keep the material and supplies of your current project within easy reach.

Your sewing table is best placed by a window to maximize natural lighting. If that is not possible, use halogen bulbs. There are a variety of desktop and floor lights available, some are even equipped with a magnifier.

For floor covering, the flatness of a tile or linoleum is usually preferred over soft carpet to keep the machine in balance.

2.Create a Fabric Storage Area - As a sewer, you probably have quite a vast collection of beautiful fabrics. Help these fabrics maintain their beauty and structure by storing them safely.

There are different ways to categorize your fabric:

•By Color: whites, blues, tans, reds, greens, etc. •By Style: plaid, stripe, toile, polka dots, floral, contemporary graphics, holiday, etc. •By Texture: cotton, rayon, denim, velvet, silk, canvas, leather, etc. •By Purpose: clothing, home furnishing, crafts, etc.

Safely store your fabrics by: •Folding neatly and place in plastic containers. Label the outside by cutting small swatches of each fabric. •Hanging fabric in a closet with a skirt or pant hanger. Multi-tiered hangers with clips can save space and help prevent wrinkles. •Placing smaller amounts of fabric in large Ziploc bags. However you decide to store the fabric, just make sure it is in a temperature-controlled environment to protect the fibers.

3.Create a Pattern Storage Area - Rather than keeping patterns scattered all over the place, keep them neat and tidy in a designated area. Lining up your patterns in drawers work especially well, either dresser drawers or durable cardboard or plastic drawers. You could also keep your patterns tucked inside a sturdy photo box, plastic container, pretty rectangular baskets, etc. Label the drawers or boxes based on one of the categories below.

•Style: shirts, slacks, skirts, dresses, etc. •Size: infant, children’s, teens, adults •Gender: male, female •Brand: Butterick, McCall’s, Vogue, etc.

Pick one system and stick with it.

4.Create a Sewing Supplies Area - Are your sewing supplies scattered all over the place? The exercise of organizing a sewing room would be incomplete without finding a home for all your little tools. Depending on what your current inventory is, you may find the following items useful:

•Sewing caddies - many of these include lots of dividers and pull out drawers as well as handles for easy transportation. •Thread boxes - these are convenient for seeing what colors you have available. •Drawer organizers - help you keep supplies separated and identifiable. •Household items - things you have around the house (for example, jars, plastic containers, etc.) can help you keep small items together.

These supplies don’t need to be on or even next to your sewing table if you have open space for all of your daily sewing needs.

5.Create a Miscellaneous Area - This does not mean a “left over” area, rather this is for bigger items such as a full-length mirror, cutting board, iron and ironing board, garment steamer, and dressform. If you are tight on floor space, try hanging your mirror and ironing board on the wall. The cutting board can be tucked away in a closet or behind a desk or dresser. You may also want to find a spot to keep your gift wrapping supplies organized.

With these useful tips, organizing a sewing room can be time-saving event so you spend less time searching and more time sewing!

Copyright 2005 by Kathleen Elias - Editors are welcome to use this article for content as long as the article and author biography are reprinted in their entirety and an active weblink remains intact.

Is Your Understanding Of Network Marketing Outdated?

I knew things in our industry had changed, but I didn’t realize just HOW MUCH they had changed until recently. Now we all know nothing stays the same, and progress is always welcome in Network Marketing, but I don’t think many of us are truly aware of the vast differences we’ve seen technology bring in just the past few years.

Ten years ago–even five years ago–a successful couple or individual working in Networking limited themselves to a single program. Why? Because working direct sales or MLM took a TON of work.

Mike and Rita were about the best Networking team around a few years ago. They held weekly meetings at the public library and held even more meetings at their home. If you made any contact whatsoever with Mike and Rita, they would keep your phone and fax warm for days until you finally signed up on their program.

Not only that, but a BIG part of Mike and Rita’s success was due to their non-stop mailing of sales letters and postcards. Rita spent many a night posting their prospecting ads on Internet sites and newsgroups.

More than once they got kicked off of AOL and other ISP’s for being too aggressive when contacting prospects — a new no-no in the online age.

I supposed all the work Mike and Rita did was worth it, but at what cost? They worked night and day for years. And even then, I don’t think they were pulling in more than a few thousand dollars a month.

Now let’s fast forward to today. Mark and Sandra are the talk of the neighborhood. They live in a big expensive house and drive a luxury car. Most people can’t figure out how Mark and Sandra afford it. They’re seen at home all day and go on lengthy vacations five or six times a year.

That part makes me smile, because I KNOW what Mark and Sandra do. They’re working in direct sales and MLM from home. Only there is a key difference in what they’re doing from what Mike and Rita were doing a few years ago.

Mark and Sandra use completely automated online systems to find huge numbers of leads, then filter through the leads to find only the best. Only then do Mark and Sandra start talking to their leads.

You see, Mark and Sandra don’t spend their days prospecting. They let the technology do all that prospecting and cold calling for them. The only time Mark and Sandra talk on the phone or answer an email is when a very hot prospect calls them to place an order.

And here’s the good part: Because the technology takes so much of the work out of direct sales, Mark and Sandra are able to work several very successful networking businesses. Rather than earning a few thousand dollars a month, they’re bringing in TENS OF THOUSANDS.

Plus, with all that automation (and help from their upline organization) Mark and Sandra are able to take off and travel the world just about anytime they like.

Now that’s progress!

Mike Bergeron has discovered what could well be the most advanced home-based business opportunity ever created. The automation and upline assistance is astounding. He started earning good money within 17 days of joining. You can too! See Mike’s program at www.247IncomeStreams.com Reach Mike at bergeron12@msn.com

Pocket Aces and a Real Ace Hand

Pocket aces in Texas Holdem poker can mean a life or death sentence for your hand. It is common practice to bet high before the flop lands on the table. However, pocket aces don’t always guarantee you the winning hand. There is still the turn and river card to deal with.

So how does one know if these particular pocket aces will win the game? They take the risk by betting high before the flop and are hopeful after that. A bluff will normally come through on what seems to be a flush drawn out or possibly a straight.

The bluff for pocket aces can backfire, as someone may call you on it and the cards turn ugly in your direction. Aces are only worth as much as the cards on the table, so bluffing needs to be used cautiously. Pocket aces don’t always mean a pocket hand.

Is there a time where you should fold aces? Yes, if the flop has come through and you notice that neither of the suits of aces you have are going to make a difference. Even with the highest pair, the aces, you would loose.

When it comes to folding, most will not fold the pocket aces and will go forward with bluffing the other players. This could be because they have already invested a high chip count into the pot. Sometimes a player will feel they have no choice but to say in the poker hand and see where they go.

Gallstones - All You Need To Know

About the gallbladder and bile. The liver makes bile, which then trickles down channels of tiny tubes called bile ducts. These tiny tubes join together and form the main bile duct. Bile constantly flows through the bile ducts, into the main bile duct and then into the first part of the gut, which is the duodenum. The gallbladder is a sac lying under the liver and joins the main bile duct through the ‘cystic duct’. It is filled with bile and acts like a ‘reservoir’ for bile. When we eat, the gallbladder contracts (or squeezes), pumping bile into the duct systems and ultimately into the duodenum and helps with digestion of fat.

Gallstones - What are they? Gallstones are solidified bile in the gallbladder. Bile is normally fluid, gallstones occur when it forms stones. There are many types of gallstones, some people get multiple small stone while others get one large stone, some have a mix of both. Gallstones commonly contain bits of cholesterol-like stuff that has hardened and occasionally are formed by bile pigments or calcium deposits.

How common are they? According to an epidemiology study, gallstones are very common, be it symptomatic or asymptomatic. Approximately one out of every three women and one out of every seven men, form gallstones at some stage in their lives. Other risk factors associated with gallstone formation include increasing age, pregnancy, obesity and certain drugs. If you are a vegetarian and if you consume a moderate amount of alcohol, the chances of you getting gallstones are less. Other rarer causes include a special type of anemia called hemolytic anemia and certain blood-borne infections.

What are the symptoms of gallstones? Usually none. Most people form gallstones in their gallbladder without realizing their presence. Most of the time, gallstones sit in the gallbladder without causing any symptoms. Given this reason, gallstones are usually picked up incidentally when people go for scans or x-rays of their abdomen. These tests may be done for other reasons. If gallstones are found they do not mean that treatment is needed, in fact most people who die from other diseases, do not know that they have gallstones.

Symptomatic gallstones only happen in about three out of 10 people who have them. These symptoms or problems include:

Biliary colic. Colic means intermittent, wavelike pain. Biliary pertains to the gallbladder. So biliary colic basically means pain that originates in the gallbladder. It is usually felt in the upper abdomen on the right side, just under the rib (where the gallbladder sits!). Usually described as sharp in nature and can be very distressing. A stone that gets stuck in the cystic duct usually causes it. The pain usually eases off when the stone falls back into the gallbladder. People with biliary colic commonly describe of having the pain after consuming a hearty, fatty meal. This is because fat in the duodenum stimulates the gallbladder to contract, thus causing the stone to jam at the cystic duct. The pain can last for several minutes to an hour or so.

Cholecystitis or inflammation of the gallbladder. This is usually caused by infection of the gallbladder. Symptoms include fever, constant pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting and being generally unwell. You will usually be admitted to the hospital and have your gallbladder removed urgently if you develop cholecystitis.

Jaundice. A term used to describe yellow discoloration of the skin and the sclera (white part of the eye). This is uncommon. This occurs when the stones come out of the gallbladder and get stuck in the main bile duct. Bile cannot flow forward and thus moves in the opposite direction and ultimately seeps into the bloodstream. A procedure called ERCP is usually needed to get the stones out of the way.

Other problems include pancreatitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) and cholangitis (inflammation of the main bile duct).

What are the treatments? In most cases, no treatment is necessary. It is often better to leave gallstones alone if they cause little symptoms.

Surgery. Keyhole surgery is the commonest way to remove a gallbladder. It is commonly referred to as laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Several small cuts are made in the abdomen with few remaining scars afterwards.

Medicine. Medicines are usually used to control pain and to fight infections in gallstone diseases. Medicine cannot cure gallstones, thus surgery is the preferred way to go.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Medicine

Michael Russell - EzineArticles Expert Author

Help with Picking a Discount Ceiling Fan

To get the best fan for $150 and under, there are many routes you can take:

1. Buy used. If you’re lucky, you might be able to get a $300+ fan for under $20. Of course, this is always hit and miss. Most used fans are missing pieces or have repair issues. This is really only an option if you are familar with ceiling fans and have technical know-how.

2. Similiar to the above: buy overstock and/or closeout products. Here you’re getting a brand-new fan with warranty at a much reduced price. Many internet lighting showrooms offer over closeout and overstock specials posted directly on their sites.

3. (the most important): Dont go for a fan with a lot of fancy design or features, you’re paying for those things, not actual quality. For example, dont got for a fan with a remote or a stained glass light or a cutting edge design. Get the simple, stripped down, brass & wood (or all white) fan without all the extra features. Example: Casablanca Concentra. Hunter Sojourn. I believe Hampton Bay even has a higher end, simple model, but I forget what it’s called. The Cameron maybe? The Craftmade CXL. Etc.

4. Look on eBay for NIB and factory-renewed items. Often times you find a good deal, but dont forget to factor in shipping.

This article written by my editor, Dan “Spiffy” Neuman. If you have a ceiling fan related issue, are looking for replacement parts or would like to buy a fan, please come check us out at http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com. We also have a forum for ceiling fan related issues.

Free Line Rental on Nokia handsets

Strangely the Nokia N95 8GB failed to sell as many as predicted, which strange as it is a very decent mobile phone. As a entry level mobile handset the N95 8GB is very featureful (lots of bells and whistles!) when compared to some of the more popular phones at this price. The Nokia N95 8GB is a very well designed handset with a cutting edge feel to it.

The Nokia N95 8GB is that is supplied with a Standard battery, Li-Ion 1200mAH (BL-6F) battery cell. In terms of the all important battery duration the Nokia N95 8GB has 6:00 talk time and 280 hrs standby charge. The N95 8GB has Polyphonic (64 channels), Monophonic, True Tones, MP3 ring tones enabled plus a vibrating alert . The Nokia N95 8GB has support for 2G GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and 3G HSDPA 850 / 1900 - US version . A 5 MP, 2592 x 1944 pixels, Carl Zeiss optics, autofocus, video(VGA 30fps), flash; secondary CIF videocall is integrated into this mobile phone camera. If you use the Internet on the move, you will be pleased to know a WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML compatible browser is included. The Nokia N95 8GB comes equipped with bluetooth, making the vast majority of devices compatible. Regarding the the display the mobile phone is equipped with a 2.8 inch screen, which is a good sized display taking into consideration alternatives for the price. The display is a TFT, 16M colors. We found the N95 8GB compact and convenient. At 128 g in weight the N95 8GB is a little heavy for a phone in its price bracket. This handset can only be bought in Black. The N95 8GB also features a few extras, for example , 3.5 mm audio output jack, Voice dial/memo, A-GPS function, Stereo FM radio, TV out, Push to talk, Java MIDP 2.0, Built-in GPS receiver, Built-in handsfree, Office document viewer, Dual slide design, Installed Maps application covering over 100 countries, Organizer and MP3/AAC/AAC+/eAAC+/WMA player.

Although this is a pretty recent model, it has already been surpassed. This means that it is relatively easy to pick up a fantastic bargain on the N95 8GB.

Mobile cell phones have become such an essential part of every day life that large numbers of users do not want to make time to shop around for a bargain. Because they can so easily identify a phone in a local store, or by mail order from a news paper at a competitive price that it hardly seems worth putting in a bit more time finding a bargain. The thing these individuals are not aware of is that the majority of the great offers are only available via websites, where massive savings can be had from the comfort of your home. Through the use of a cell phone comparison site is not only the simplest but is also one of the chepest method of finding a mobile phone.

Why Does Project Management Fail?

“It must be remembered that project management is first and foremost a philosophy of management, not an elaborate set of tools and techniques. It will only be as effective as the people who use it.”

- Bryce’s Law

INTRODUCTION

I often run into companies who ask the simple question, “Why can’t we get our act together? Why does Project Management routinely fail in our company?” I do not believe a company’s overall problems in Project Management can be attributed to a specific tool or technique (although some certainly do not help matters). Instead, I believe it is based on how important a company considers Project Management to be. If they believe it to be a vital part of the company’s overall performance, it will be more successful than a company who considers it irrelevant. In other words, I view Project Management as integral part of the corporate culture.

Let’s consider the indicators of how a company values Project
Management:

  • LACK OF KNOWLEDGE - employees simply lack the basic knowledge
    of the mechanics of Project Management. I do not run into too many companies anymore with a total absence of knowledge in this regard. The conceptual foundation of Project Management has been around for a number of years. There is a multitude of training programs in Project Management, both at the college and commercial level. There are also several discussion groups on the Internet and professional associations dealing with this subject (e.g., the Project Management Institute of Newtown Square, PA). Hiring or contracting people with absolutely no knowledge of basic Project Management concepts is becoming a rarity.

  • LACK OF ORGANIZATIONAL POLICY - the company has not adopted a formal policy for managing projects. Consequently, informal and inconsistent approaches to project management are used with mixed results. This is a much more common occurrence than finding a company devoid of knowledge in Project Management.

  • LACK OF ENFORCEMENT OF POLICY AND PROCEDURES - even though a policy has been established, it is not enforced. As a result, inconsistent results emerge. If a standard and consistent approach to Project Management is devised by a company, it must be routinely policed in order to assure accuracy and uniform results. It is one thing to enact legislation, quite another to enforce it.

  • LACK OF CONSIDERATION FOR THE MAGNITUDE AND COMPLEXITIES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ATTACK IT IN PIECE MEAL - People seem to naturally underestimate the magnitude of project management. For example, project planning involves defining work breakdown structures and dependencies which is a precursor to estimating, planning, reporting and control; estimating is a prerequisite to scheduling; time reporting impacts project estimates and schedules; resource allocation is based on availability of qualified people (skills inventory) and current project schedules; etc. There is an overwhelming number of software packages on the market attacking various aspects of Project Management, but very few addressing it is an integrated whole.

It must be remembered that project management is first and foremost a philosophy of management, not an elaborate set of tools and techniques, nor is it an administrative function. Rather, it is concerned with managing human beings towards the accomplishment of work (it is a “people management” function). As such, project management will only be as effective as the
people who use it.

Ultimately, project management represents DISCIPLINE, ORGANIZATION, and ACCOUNTABILITY; which are three areas people seem to have a natural aversion to these days.

DISCIPLINE - In the western world, people tend to resist discipline because some believe it inhibits creativity and personal freedom. As a result, teamwork is often sacrificed in favor of rugged individualism.

ORGANIZATION - Pursuant to discipline is the problem of organization. Again, in the western world, people prefer to maintain their own identity and organize themselves to meet their needs as opposed to the needs of the organization. There are also those who claim, “A cluttered desk is the sign of a brilliant mind.” Hogwash. In contrast, I am a believer of the Navy’s regimen whereby you either work on something, file it, or throw it away. This forces people to get organized. If we need more files, let’s get them. A cluttered desk is a sign of a disorganized person. Shape up, or ship out.

ACCOUNTABILITY - This is an area people tend to rebel against the
most. The approach to project management, as advocated by “PRIDE,” ultimately represents visibility and responsibility to produce according to plan. Unfortunately, some people shun commitments and, instead, prefer to hide their activity, thereby they cannot be measured and evaluated. This is typically the reaction of people who are insecure. People who are confident in their abilities have no problem with the accountability issue.

REACTIVE VS. ACTIVE MANAGEMENT

The old adage, “If you do not make the decision, the decision will be made for you,” is valid. This also sums up the difference between an active and a reactive manager. True Project Management requires an “active” manager, not “reactive.” The active manager takes care of the problems before they happen. They plan on the future. The reactive manager deals with yesterday and waits until problems occur, then tries to take care of them. Today, more and more IT organizations find themselves in a constant “firefighting” mode of operation. Why? Because of a “reactive” management style. The “reactive” manager never seems to get ahead, yet probably enjoys the highest visibility in the company. As an aside, beware of your “firefighters,” they are probably your chief arsonists.

Managers don’t wait for things to happen, they make things happen.

HOW MUCH PROJECT MANAGEMENT IS NECESSARY?

Can the philosophies of project management be adopted and implemented by a single group of people for a single project? Yes. A department or division? Certainly. The entire company? Definitely. In fact, as the scope grows, communications improves and the philosophy is more consistently applied.

The scope of project management affects many people:

  • The individual worker will prepare estimates and schedules,
    perform project work, and report on activities.

  • The project manager will plan and direct the use of resources on projects, and solve problems.

  • Department managers will administer resources and control projects within an area.

  • Executive management will establish project priorities and monitor project progress.

Obviously, project management should not be restricted to a handful of people or projects. Dozens of projects may be active at any one time, involving hundreds of workers across departmental boundaries. Synchronization of the work effort is required to maximize effect and minimize confusion. Project
management, therefore, should be viewed as a corporate philosophy as opposed to a technique used by a select few. Only when a standard and consistent approach to Project Management is adopted by a company will it become an integral part of the corporate culture. We will then hear less about why Project Management fails, and more of how the company is prospering.

For additional information on “PRIDE” Project Management, see:
http://www.phmainstreet.com/mba/pride/pm.htm

Tim Bryce is the Managing Director of M. Bryce & Associates (MBA) of Palm Harbor, Florida, a management consulting firm specializing in Information Resource Management (IRM). Mr. Bryce has over 30 years of experience in the field. He is available for training and consulting on an international basis. His corporate web page is at:
http://www.phmainstreet.com/mba/

He can be contacted at: timb001@phmainstreet.com

Copyright © 2006 MBA. All rights reserved.

Tim Bryce - EzineArticles Expert Author

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