- Shirien: You know, it was a great workshop. Might even be the best one I've been to. I can't say it was life-changing, but it was really excellent. Managing projects has always interested me, and if I were much younger I might consider looking into PM as a career after attending Ernie's workshop. It wasn't just the step-by-step proven processes that I liked: I liked the other tid-bits of wisdom that he passed out with all the rest. I really appreciated the idea of everything being fact-based. He said, "If you find yourself getting emotional about something, step back, shake your head, and go look at the situation some more. Find the facts and then come back into the conversation." Another: "You're not a victim," he'd say. "For example, if you feel like you're being micromanaged, then look at yourself and figure out what your boss isn't getting from you." Now that's brilliant!!! If my boss keeps asking me about something or making suggestions for doing it another way, maybe I've not understood what he wants. If I figure out what he's needing and I give it to him, and if my answer is accurate and fact-based rather than emotion- or reaction-based, then I've probably satisfied his needs. I'm not a victim!
During the three days I think I learned 1/50th of what Ernie presented. But I do have his notebook, and I can look up most of what I don't remember. I don't know if I'll be using his process from A-Z on too many projects: most of mine aren't as complex as would need that kind of tool. But I will use lots of it, and not just in projects. It can be used in my every day work life, and in my personal life, as well.
I really liked the tools he gave us. They help un-muddy my thought process. Example: the constraint matrix. What an easy way to see which of the three parts of a project have some "give", and which must be strictly adhered to!
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