Army of Awesome (Manage + Digital)

This is an updated version of a previous talk; edited for the Manage + Digital conference in Minneapolis.

DPM. What’s that mean? It means Digital Project Manager. Okay? What’s that mean? Think about it—very few people know what it is you actually do every day. Even your mom scratches her head when you explain your job.

You need a simple explanation for the awesomeness that you unleash at work every single day. We all do. We also need a set of standards by which we all operate, because there is no path to follow when it comes to DPM. That ends now. This presentation will rally the DPM community around a set of principles that elevate and strengthen us individually, and as a community of practitioners. Let’s get fired up about who we are and what we do!

Transcript

1. brettharned.com @brettharned ARMY OF AWESOME |
2. DPM?
4. DPM.
5. I HAVE QUESTIONS.
6. …for more than 5 years? Who holds the title “Digital Project Manager” (or something similar)? 

7. Who came into their career straight out of university as a DPM (or is a student)?
8. Would you consider yourself to be an Accidental DPM?
9. YOU ARE NOT AN ACCIDENT!
10. A VERY BRIEF HISTORY OF THIS DPM
11. AGE: 5-12
 CAREER GOAL: DOCTOR SKILLS: ART, PLAY, ORGANIZING TOYS
12. AGE: 13-18 CAREER GOAL: DOCTOR SKILLS: ART, READING, WRITING, SCHOOL TO-DO LISTS, ORGANIZING CDs
13. AGE: 18-21 CAREER GOAL: ??? SKILLS: DRAWING, WRITING, SOCIALIZING, QUESTIONING EVERYTHING
14. AGE: 31-CURRENT CAREER GOAL: MANAGEMENT SKILLS: WRITING, PLANNING, LEARNING, SOCIALIZING
16. ORGANIZED.
17. CURIOUS. ORGANIZED.
18. CURIOUS. ORGANIZED. COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE.
19. CURIOUS. ORGANIZED. COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE. HELPFUL.
20. CURIOUS. ORGANIZED. COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE. HELPFUL.COURAGEOUS.
21. CURIOUS. ORGANIZED. COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE. HELPFUL. DETAIL ORIENTED. COURAGEOUS.
22. CURIOUS. ORGANIZED. COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE. HELPFUL. COMMUNICATOR. DETAIL ORIENTED. COURAGEOUS.
23. CURIOUS. ORGANIZED. COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE. HELPFUL. COMMUNICATOR. DETAIL ORIENTED. COURAGEOUS. WHO CAN RELATE?
24. YOU ARE NOT AN ACCIDENT!
25. WE’RE HERE BECAUSE WE ARE NEEDED
26. BUT…DO PEOPLE REALIZE THEY NEED US?
27. “WHAT DO YOU DO?”
28. NON-INDUSTRY PERCEPTIONS
29. “A Digital PM manages, coordinates, executes and implements the development and sometimes maintenance of digital projects such as websites.” 
 VANESSA BURK EXECUTIVE CHEF
30. “So what kind of projects do you manage then?” 
 MR. MAN UK IMMIGRATIONS OFFICER
31. “You help teams organize their work.” 
 SUSAN HARNED MOTHER
 WIFE TO VERY PROUD AMERICAN
32. “YOU’RE FIRED!” DONALD TRUMP THE APPRENTICE PUBLICLY FIRED MANY “PMS”
 IS NOW OUR PRESIDENT
33. THEY KINDA GET IT…
34. THEY KINDA GET IT… BUT THEY DON’T REALLY.
35. INDUSTRY PERCEPTIONS
36. “DPMs keep projects moving. They maintain a clear grasp of the big picture, while noticing (and addressing!) little issues before they turn into headaches. They’re experts at articulating what’s happening, who’s responsible for it, and when it needs to get done, so no one— team, clients, stakeholders—leaves a conversation unsure what they’re supposed to be doing.” 
 SARA WACHTER-BOETTCHER CONTENT STRATEGIST AUTHOR, CONTENT EVERYWHERE
 DESIGN FOR REAL LIFE @sarawb
37. “As far as I can tell project managers do nothing. But if they stopped doing it then I am pretty sure everything would fall apart.” 
 PAUL BOAG UX CONSULTANT AUTHOR, DIGITAL ADAPTATION @boagworld
38. “Digital project managers are the stage managers of the Internet. They keep productions running smoothly, from the first rehearsal to the final bow. As the communications and organizational hub for all things creative and technical, they ensure that all disparate parts are working in unison, overseeing the cast and crew and pitching in when necessary. Without them, the director's vision would never become reality, and all of us would be out of work.” 
 WHITNEY HESS EMPATHY COACH
 CO-HOST, DESIGNING YOU @whitneyhess
39. “A project manager captains the ship. Pilots the aircraft. Conducts the orchestra. Mans the torpedoes. Drives the bus. Alone they are nothing—but with the right process and team and resources—they are vital. They are everything.” 
 NANCY LYONS CEO, CLOCKWORK CO-AUTHOR, INTERACTIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT:
 PEOPLE, PROCESS, PIXELS @nylons
40. “Project management is like sweeping up after the elephants, only less glamorous.” 
 JEFFREY ZELDMAN FOUNDER, HAPPY COG, 
 A LIST APART, A BOOK APART, AN EVENT APART AUTHOR, DESIGNING WITH WEB STANDARDS @zeldman
41. THEY KINDA GET IT…
42. THEY KINDA GET IT… BUT WE CAN DO BETTER.
43. WE HAVE NOTHING TO PROVE.
44. WE HAVE NOTHING TO PROVE. BUT WE CAN EDUCATE OTHERS ABOUT DPM.
45. WHAT IS OUR PLACE WITHIN THE GREATER PM COMMUNITY?
47. WUT?
52. WE’RE SOMEHOW RELATED.
53. BUT WE DON’T GET IT. WE’RE SOMEHOW RELATED.
54. BUT WE DON’T GET IT. AND THAT IS OUR FAULT. WE’RE SOMEHOW RELATED.
55. I WILL FIND ANSWERS
57. SOURCE: https://www.projectsmart.co.uk/brief-history-of-project-management.php
58. SOURCE: https://www.projectsmart.co.uk/brief-history-of-project-management.php …
59. SOURCE: https://www.projectsmart.co.uk/brief-history-of-project-management.php … DPM!!!
60. HOW DO WE MAKE OUR MARK?
61. ROLE
 VS.
 TITLE
62. ROLE
 VS.
 TITLE
64. DIGITAL PM
65. DIGITAL PM PRODUCER
66. DIGITAL PM PRODUCER INTERACTIVE PM
67. DIGITAL PM PRODUCER INTERACTIVE PM ACCOUNT MANAGER
68. DIGITAL PM PRODUCER INTERACTIVE PM ACCOUNT MANAGER PROJECT MANAGER
69. DIGITAL PM PRODUCER INTERACTIVE PM ACCOUNT MANAGER PROJECT MANAGER PROJECT COORDINATOR
70. DIGITAL PM PRODUCER INTERACTIVE PM ACCOUNT MANAGER PROJECT MANAGER PROJECT COORDINATOR SAME-SAME
72. PMP
73. PMP CSM
74. PMP CSM CAPM
75. PMP CSM CAPM CompTIA
76. PMP CSM CAPM CompTIA PRINCE2
77. PMP CSM CAPM CompTIA PRINCE2 CPMP
78. PMP CSM CAPM CompTIA PRINCE2 CPMP AWESOME FOR YOU!
79. PMP CSM CAPM CompTIA PRINCE2 MPM CPMP AWESOME FOR YOU!
80. PMP CSM CAPM CompTIA PRINCE2 MPM PPM CPMP AWESOME FOR YOU!
81. • Eagle eye for issues • Clear, calm communicator • Empathetic • Curious • Invested in the work QUALITIES OF 
 GOOD PROJECT MANAGEMENT:
82. • Eagle eye for issues • Clear, calm communicator • Empathetic • Curious • Invested in the work QUALITIES OF 
 GOOD PROJECT MANAGEMENT:
83. WE NEED STANDARDS
84. WE NEED STANDARDS
85. 7 DPM PRINCIPLES
86. WE ARE …
87. CHAOS JUNKIES 1
88. WE THRIVE ON PROBLEMS BECAUSE WE KNOW WE CAN SOLVE THEM
89. WE BREAK PROCESSES TO MAKE NEW ONES
91. WE DON’T SIMPLY FOLLOW TEMPLATES.
92. WE DON’T SIMPLY FOLLOW TEMPLATES. WE ASK QUESTIONS.
93. WE DON’T SIMPLY FOLLOW TEMPLATES. WE ASK QUESTIONS. WE SEEK ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS.
94. WE MAKE OUR OWN TEMPLATES IF AND WHEN WE NEED THEM. WE DON’T SIMPLY FOLLOW TEMPLATES. WE ASK QUESTIONS. WE SEEK ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS.
96. CHECK THESE OUT & ADAPT THEM brettharned.com/blog
97. WE MANAGE WITH OUR MINDS, NOT WITH TOOLS.
98. MULTILINGUAL COMMUNICATORS 2
99. WE SPEAK: MARKETING, IT, FINANCE, LEGAL, DESIGN, UX, CONTENT STRATEGY, CODE, AND MORE
100. WE SPEAK WITH:
101. EXPERTISE. WE SPEAK WITH:
102. EMPATHY. EXPERTISE. WE SPEAK WITH:
103. EMPATHY. EXPERTISE. CONSISTENCY. WE SPEAK WITH:
105. WE CREATE ROUTINES:
106. STATUS. WE CREATE ROUTINES:
107. STATUS.CHECK-INS. WE CREATE ROUTINES:
108. ONE-ON-ONES. STATUS.CHECK-INS. WE CREATE ROUTINES:
109. ONE-ON-ONES. STATUS.CHECK-INS. WE CREATE ROUTINES: EMAIL.
110. ONE-ON-ONES. STATUS.CHECK-INS. WE CREATE ROUTINES: EMAIL. PHONE.
111. ONE-ON-ONES. STATUS.CHECK-INS. WE CREATE ROUTINES: EMAIL. PHONE. SLACK.
112. ONE-ON-ONES. STATUS.CHECK-INS. WE CREATE ROUTINES: EMAIL. PHONE. BASECAMP. SLACK.
113. ONE-ON-ONES. STATUS.CHECK-INS. WE CREATE ROUTINES: EMAIL. PHONE. BASECAMP. SLACK. MEETINGS.
114. WE LISTEN AND TAKE CUES FROM OUR TEAM AND CLIENTS
115. LOVEABLE HARDASSES 3
116. R-E-S-P-E-C-T
117. 1. Be Honest 2. Be Reliable 3. Communicate 4. Admit Fault (when it’s yours to admit) BUILD TRUST:
118. WE ARE ACTIVE MEMBERS OF OUR TEAMS.
119. I’M NOT YOUR SECRETARY.
120. CONSUMMATE LEARNERS & TEACHERS 4
121. WE LEARN ON THE JOB
122. WE LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER
123. http://teamgantt.com/guide-to-project-management/continuous-pm-learning/
124. 1. Build Trust 2. Gain Predictability 3. Gain Consensus 4. Test New Ideas WE TEACH SO WE CAN:
125. TEACHING= WIN-WIN
126. LASER-FOCUSED 5
127. FACT: PEOPLE COMPLICATE PROJECTS
128. WE FOCUS ON PROJECT GOALS
129. -NAPOLEON HILL, 
 AMERICAN AUTHOR, 1883-1970 “A goal is a dream with a deadline.”
130. WHAT IMPACTS PROJECT GOALS? EVOLVING BUSINESS NEEDS FEEDBACK (OR LACK THEREOF) BRILLIANT IDEAS! 
 UNINFORMED STAKEHOLDERS SHRINKING BUDGETS MISSED DEADLINES NEW REQUIREMENTS 
 POOR COMMUNICATIONS
132. GOALS CHANGE
133. GOALS CHANGE
134. GOALS CHANGE IT’S OKAY,
135. GOALS CHANGE IT’S OKAY, I PROMISE
136. DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL GOALS
137. It’s too easy to forget about yourself when you’re responsible for everyone and everything else.
138. • Set achievable goals • Discuss them with someone • Plan for them • Check in on them regularly • Adjust as you see fit BE SURE TO:
139. HONEST, ALWAYS 6
140. CULTIVATE A REPUTATION FOR STRAIGHT TALK
141. • Difficult conversations • Outcomes you might not be prepared for • Not being liked immediately THIS CAN MAKE FOR:
142. “Sometimes telling the truth will not make people happy, or make you the winner of a popularity contest. In some cases you may suffer from ‘loss of grace’ for telling the truth or for standing up for what is right.”
 -THOMAS M. CUNNINGHAM, US NAVAL ACADEMY FIRE DEPT.
 Leadership 101: Integrity
143. We don’t cover up mistakes; we illuminate them with the intent of not repeating them.
144. We stay transparent when it comes to scope, budget, and timeline changes.
145. We resolve conflict by remaining neutral and honest about causes and solutions.
146. -MICHELLE OBAMA, 
 FORMER FLOTUS “When they go low, we go high.”
147. PATHFINDERS 7
149. BUDGET & TIMELINE
150. BUDGET & TIMELINE
151. BUDGET & TIMELINE STRATEGIC PATH
 & SUCCESS
152. ACHIEVE SUCCESS WITH PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF DELIVERABLES, PROCESS, TOOLS & EXPERTISE.
153. BE CONFIDENT.
154. BE CONFIDENT. BE A LEADER.
155. BE CONFIDENT. BE A LEADER. MAKE WORK FUN.
156. THAT’S WHERE I STARTED.
158. sprintsandmilestones.com
159. WHERE WILL YOU TAKE US?
160. WE ARE… #dpmprinciples
161. AWESOME #weareDPM
162. THANK YOU! brettharned.com @brettharned