PM520: Professional Communication for the I'T' Project Manager

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PM520Professional Communication for the I.T.
Project Manager

• Steven D. Birmingham

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Review of Class 10

• Meeting problems wasted time, poor organization,
  etc.
• Meeting best practices objectives, agenda,
  format, etc.
• Good invitations and agendas
• Being a good facilitator
• Followup
• Meeting processes
• Nominal group
• Delphi
• Group communication
• Cognitive mapping
• Integrative group

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Business Presentations

• A formal, limited-duration multimedia event where
  one or more people share information to educate
  or persuade an individual or group.

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Business Presentation Competencies

• Communication model (class 1)
• Writing process (class 3)
• Verbal patterns (class 4)
• The look (class 5)
• Words (class 6)
• Speech (class 7)
• Meetings (class 9)

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Presentation Preparation

• Presentation elements
• Speech
• Audience participation
• Handouts
• Slides
• Props
• Create an outline before you attempt slides,
  handouts, etc.
• Consider choosing a theme
• Use powerful props
• Always explain terms and acronyms
• Make the audience do something physical
• Slides should highlight key points. Use blank
  (black) slides.

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(No Transcript)
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Slide Tips

• Format printed documents and projected documents
  differently
• Dont crowd slides
• Use images that serve a purpose
• Use animations and slide transitions consistently
  and sparingly
• Keep file size manageable
• Align and distribute
• Use consistent formatting

From 12 Tips for Creating Better Presentations
by Stephanie Krieger. January 7, 2005,
http//www.microsoft.com
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More Slide Tips

• Use slides to highlight key points, not to run
  your show
• Photo slides
• Careful about resolution and quality of graphics
• Use dark background, light text

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Bad Color Scheme
These colors dont look good together.
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Good Color Scheme
These colors do look good together.
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In-class Exercise

• You are an I.T. project manager leading a team
  responsible for implementing a new accounting
  system at your company. The old system used paper
  and calculators. The new system uses networked
  computers.Prepare a presentation to convince
  the accounting staff that the new system is a
  good idea.

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Assignment

• You are the I.T. project manager in charge of
  merging your main website with the website of a
  company you just acquired. You will be presenting
  to the C.E.O. and C.F.O. to gain their approval
  for this project. Make up any facts you like and
  prepare the presenation. For this assignment,
  submit
• A 1-page-or-less description of your presentation
• 5 slides that you would use
• A handout