Project Management not only plays an important role in large-scale companies, but smaller organisations and informal teams also interact with project management tools when they start working on unusual tasks and those that must be completed within a specific time frame. Smaller teams, in particular, usually do not have enough time or money to familiarise themselves with special PM tools. Five simple tools will be outlined in the following article which offer something to suit everyone, whether Classic PM is the methodology of choice or Agile.

Even though the year is drawing to a close, we are still stepping on the gas. In recent months, we have developed a new Agile project management certification programme, the Cert. Junior Agile Project Manager, which can be taken with immediate effect. This certification programme is a logical extension of our existing portfolio of programmes, such as the Cert. Junior Project Manager (IAPM), which is primarily aimed at novice project managers, students, entry-level professionals and young professionals. The certification programme is a perfect way for aspiring project managers, who would prefer to work in an Agile project environment, to lay the foundations as they start a career in Agile project management and acquire knowledge of the Scrum methodology through IAPM certification which is recognised and well-respected around the globe. Once the course has been successfully completed, the certification is permanently valid and there are no re-certification costs and requirements. This applies to all certification programmes offered by IAPM. A basic understanding of Agile and Scrum methodologies are tested in the Junior Agile Project Manager (IAPM) certification examination, whereas additional subjects such as Extreme Programming and Kanban are tested in the higher level examination, the Cert. Agile Project Manager.

Many project managers probably avoid agile project management because of lack of self-assurance. In fact, agile project management and traditional project management are not that different: The elementary parts are the same. Both types need to be well planned and organized before the project starts and during the project it must be monitored.

The IAPM team has informed me that we have now broken through the 100 country mark. The recent addition of Armenia to our list of countries now means that we have project managers from 100 different countries who have passed one of the IAPM examinations (achieving certification in Classic, Agile or International project management). We would like to warmly congratulate our colleagues from Yerevan in Armenia on passing their examinations. I would also like to highly praise and acknowledge all the tremendous efforts undertaken by the IAPM team and everyone who has helped us in recent years to become the most successful project management association. Our growth figures speak for themselves not only in terms of the number of certificates awarded, but also in relation to the many other activities which we have become noted for.

In Project management it is of the utmost importance to be well informed of current project developments, in order to lead a project to success. Information is therefore a fundamentally important basis forProject management. Over the last few years, the distribution and exchange of information has increasingly been taking place in digital formats, however traditional types of information exchange, such as telephone calls, letters and plans have not become obsolete. By means of the new media and methods, many things have been simplified, however, it has also been observed that the abundance of information has increased as, for example, it is very easy to send information via email to a large number of people. Every day, Project managers receive unending amounts of information of various kinds by means of the most diverse channels. Therefore, it is important to have a system that allows you to differentiate between important and unimportant information and thereby maintain an overview.

An event took place at the Pforzheim University on the subject of Agile Transformation which was called "HR Trends of the Future - Business meets Science" and was led and opened by Professor Stephan Fischer. This HR event was held as part of a series of events on Agile Transformation which, thanks to its great success, was already in its eleventh edition. The event, as the entire series of events, has the goal of combining business and research. Within the framework of the event, workshops were held on various topics involving representatives of companies as well as scientists.

Being able to reach decisions promptly is extremely important in project management. In every project plan and construction schedule several milestones occur concurrently which are often dependent on one decision. The building contractor or customer needs to reach a decision in order for the project to actually proceed. The architect needs to decide on which colour the railings should be painted and the site technician needs to decide how the ventilation grille openings need to be spaced out. Each project is full of small and large decisions which dictate processes and order deadlines. It goes without saying that any deferred decisions or decisions that are not ...

A press release that was published in the press box focuses on the role that the concept of Agile project management is playing in logistics and trade. A survey carried out by AEB GmbH and the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University in Stuttgart has examined the trend towards Agile project management. Managers of logistics departments, supply chain managers and personnel responsible for export and customs were surveyed in order to gain a picture of the situation and to obtain a professional assessment from the users’ perspective.

Tools like SharePoint play an important role in modern project management. Anyone who works in project management that is either unfamiliar with the range of programs and tools available or is unable to use them, is regarded as old-fashioned, behind the times and their competence may well be questioned by their colleagues. It is therefore worth taking a closer look at this topic and keeping up with developments in this area in relevant journals and on Internet forums. ...

When a company undergoes major changes, some people see mainly the opportunities and others mainly the risks. When discussing the topic of digitisation, the younger generation frequently likes to highlight the opportunities and advantages that the digital world offers, while large portions of the older generation tend to see the risks. Digitisation is undoubtedly changing everyday life and the professional world. Thanks to smartphones and countless apps, anyone who embraces this technology can quickly and easily access the Internet. Even people who are less computer-savvy can ...

In a working world of increasing digitisation, you are often torn between enthusiasm for the beauty of this new world and confusion about how complicated it is. As a project manager however, you have to get to grips with this new technology to ensure that you don’t miss the boat. The virtual team is a way of working which is increasingly coming into modern project management due to globalisation – if this doesn’t set alarm bells ringing, it’s high time to get involved. Project meetings are a completely everyday task for project managers. In the past few decades, the team, the customer or expert, sat together at a table, discussing plans, making decisions and then shaking hands and saying goodbye. ...

The Internet has not only changed the world of work and everyday life but is also taking government affairs to a new level. First and foremost, the "Internet of Services" as it is known is what enables the state and administration to be a new smart government. The aim is an intelligent and networked government that optimises its administrative tasks and simplifies and facilitates them for citizens. Different governments around the world are pursuing different approaches and ideas. However, it is noticeable that digitisation is almost everywhere and is changing the nature of administration. ...