PM Best Practice: Schedule Flexibility Hack - Deadlines vs. Constraints
Featured Article: Evaluating Multi-Cloud Services Providers
As organizations increasingly adopt multi-cloud strategies, knowing how to properly evaluate potential providers becomes critical. In this comprehensive analysis, Ronald B. Smith breaks down:
An objective rating system to fairly assess cloud service providers
Eight key criteria for evaluating cloud options, from reputation to compliance
How to plan for potential vendor migrations with effective exit strategies
Real examples of major companies leveraging multi-cloud for innovation
Ideal for IT decision-makers and project managers guiding cloud strategy transitions. Don't miss this valuable framework from one of MPUG's most experienced contributors!
Video Quick Tip: Top 6 Tips for Gantt Charts in 5 Minutes - Enhance Your Project Visualizations
Need to make your Gantt charts more effective for presentations and team reviews? This quick tutorial demonstrates six essential techniques to transform your Microsoft Project visualizations:
Add grid lines to better align table rows with Gantt bars
Display task names directly on bars for cleaner presentations without tables
Adjust font sizes throughout your project for optimal readability
Properly use constraints (and why "As Late As Possible" can cause problems)
Leverage the underutilized Start-to-Finish link type for just-in-time scheduling
Standardize row heights for more consistent views
Perfect for both beginners and experienced PMs looking to improve their project communications. These time-saving techniques will immediately enhance how you present schedule information to stakeholders.
Job Opening: Automotive Software Project Analyst at Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company's Advanced Driver Assist System department is seeking a Project Analyst to manage software development activities for their DAT2.0 project. Key responsibilities include:
Coordinating software development according to Ford's Product Development Processes
Supporting software change control and issue resolution
Maintaining project dashboards with key performance indicators
Developing data visualizations for senior management
Bachelor's degree in Software, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace or Controls Engineering
2+ years experience in automotive embedded software project management
Knowledge of Jira and SQL languages
Strong presentation and communication skills
Proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project, and SharePoint
Important Note: Candidates must currently reside within commuting distance of Dearborn, MI. This position requires being on-site and is not remote. No visa transfer/sponsorship is available.
This opportunity offers a great next step for project professionals looking to apply their skills in an advanced automotive technology environment!
Live Event (3/26): Scaling Scrum with CIPSA Framework - Part 3
Join us for the concluding session of our popular Scrum scaling series with expert Satya Narayan Dash! This hands-on demonstration will showcase:
Practical implementation of scaled Scrum teams in Microsoft Project
Advanced backlog management techniques for enterprise deployments
Essential dos and don'ts when leveraging the CIPSA framework
Real-world applications that bridge agile methodology with familiar tooling
🗓️ Wednesday, March 26
🕛 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
📍 Live on Zoom
🏅 1 PMI PDU: Ways of Working
Whether you've attended the previous sessions or are jumping in fresh, this practical demonstration provides actionable techniques that you can implement immediately.
MPUG host live events with leading experts on Wednesdays from 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET! MPUG members get access to live events where you get direct access to industry leaders, actionable insights, hands-on training, and opportunities to earn PDU's.
Learn more and register for upcoming events:
3/26: Scaling Scrum with Hands-on Applicability: Hands-on, Scaled Scrum with MS Project (Part 3) | Learn More / Register Here
*OPEN TO ALL!NO MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED!* 4/23: Empowering Your PMO with Cutting-Edge Technology To Improve Processes and Decision-Making | Learn More / Register Here
PM Best Practice: Schedule Flexibility Hack - Deadlines vs. Constraints
When urgent tasks threaten to derail your schedule, use the deadline feature in Microsoft Project rather than hard constraints. This maintains schedule flexibility while still highlighting missed targets with the red indicator flag - allowing you to prioritize issues without breaking dependency chains.
