Greetings!
I was recently asked to be course consultant for a company in the Boston area called MindEdge. And, this wasn't your run-of-the-mill-consult-at-a-desk gig either. It was an on camera appearance for an educational content provider of online training and course ware to colleges, universities, associations, and corporations world wide. Since my camera time has been fairly limited (as in none, zero, zip, nada), this invite looked especially challenging.
My credo of late has been, if it's out of my comfort zone, but could pay off in the form of learnings and/or experience - and doesn't involve swimming with sharks or skydiving - I'm in.
The folks at MindEdge were developing a Project Management education program, and asked me to provide commentary regarding how quality concepts intersect with the project management discipline. If you take nothing else away from this article, know that MindEdge is spot on regarding the interdisciplinarity of quality management and project management. Each one links to the other by proven methodologies. In fact, your basic ASQ-CQM/OE exam covers an area entitled 'Project Management'. Working with quality methods or project management methods is one thing, understanding quality concepts while practicing project management methods , or vice versa, is a one-two punch that can really accelerate understanding, collaboration and ultimately reach organizational goals for initiatives in these areas more efficiently.
The folks there were excellent to work with, and helped prepare me as much as I needed - and I definitely needed some help. They guided me regarding topic options to discuss, and I even was able to add in topics I didn't see on the list - but felt needed to be covered if we were to discuss quality and project management in the same setting.
On the day of the shoot (Oh ya, I know all the lingo now), they were very helpful in teaching me about how the filming would work, and helped me get situated in the studio before the camera rolled. However, if you've never sat in front of a camera in a studio before to discuss ANYTHING, it can be quite overwhelming. Honestly, I didn't realize my body could twitch so fast in so many places.
After I heard the producer say; '3-2-1...' I really don't remember much of some of my early commentaries. I did try to draw on my Toastmasters learnings to present in the most personable and informational manner possible; but again, with so much twitching going on, just trying not to spasm right off the chair was a feat in itself.
I was able to complete all the topics I had signed on to cover. When I went back and looked at the work, I was pleased that 1) I was coherent, 2) my comments made sense and blended well with the PM topic areas, and 3) I looked calm - with no visible twitching.
Thanks again to MindEdge for their progressive approach to course material development, and seeing what many do not - which is the interrelationship of Quality Management and Project Management. And, thanks for being so kind working with a 'rookie'. Tom Cruise has got nothing to worry about.
Here's wishing every success for MindEdge.
Fran
Next topic: Method To The Madness: Rise of the idea system (which I've been meaning to get to for a while now)
