Project Management Survival Skills:  How to Succeed in Deploying the PM Function! 

Presented by Matthew M. Persohn, PMP,Engineering LIG Director and 
                        Christopher G. Walker, PMP, MSEE, LEED, IEEE 

8 November 2012
5:00 PM, prior to monthly chapter meeting
Location:  ESWP, 337 Fourth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Abstract: An open discussion on organizational Project Management (PM) maturity levels and how they can impede or enhance the organic growth of PM practices in various organizations.  Interactive experience session discussing specific challenges and solutions tied to select PMBoK Knowledge Areas.

Leveraging Systems Engineering to Improve Program Performance 

Presented by Joseph P. Elm 

9 February 2012  5:00 p.m. 
Engineering Society (ESWP)
337 Fourth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 

Abstract: An understanding of the value of Systems Engineering (SE) is necessary to justify a project’s investment in SE resources and activities. To identify the value of SE, National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Systems Engineering Division, in collaboration with the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), developed and executed a survey of defense industrial contractors (i.e., suppliers to the government). The survey, conducted anonymously, collected information regarding the SE practices deployed on development projects, and the performance of those projects, as measured by conformance to budget, schedule, and technical requirements. Responses received from 64 projects were analyzed to identify the statistical relationships between the deployed SE capabilities and project performance. The analysis of the responses revealed quantitative relationships between specific SE efforts applied to the project and the overall success of the project. This information is used to develop recommendations on the deployment of SE for both system acquirers and system suppliers.

Westinghouse Electric Company Global Headquarters , Cranberry PA 

Presented by Russell Bussard  
                        Joel R. Bernard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP  
                        Bob Hennessy  

10 May 2012
5:00 p.m., ESWP