May 29, 2009 Vol. 2, Issue 5

The Academy, in partnership with the Center for Project Leadership at Columbia University, will present “Project Leadership: Project Success Requires Leadership AND Management,” on June 26, 2009 at NASA Headquarters.

The purpose of the forum is to examine some of the current and anticipated challenges facing the project management community, and to discuss the critical role that project leadership will play in addressing the increasingly difficult project environment in the coming years, including:

• Delivering unique, innovative products and missions, at an accelerated pace, in the presence of a sometimes volatile and uncertain environment.
• Coping with the impacts of the current economic crisis, severely constrained financial resources, and the loss of confidence and trust by many stakeholders.
• Anticipating the changes to be undertaken by the new Administration—requiring project leaders and managers to be at the forefront of change, with increased transparency and accountability, and under the scrutiny of frequently skeptical media and the public.

The forum will provide an opportunity to hear from a panel of top leaders in this area from government, industry and academia. Speakers and panelists will include: Chris Scolese, NASA Acting Administrator (invited): “The Importance of Project Leadership at NASA.”

Dr. Alex Laufer, Director, Center for Project Leadership at Columbia University: “Projects Must Be Led, Not Just Managed: Why and How?”

Mr. Terry Little, Consultant, Spectrum Group, and, Associate Director for Leadership Development, Center for Project Leadership at Columbia University: “Leaders Creating Leaders: Wins and Losses.”

Dr. Alistair Cockburn, President, Humans and Technology, Inc.: “Software Project Development: The Pharmaceutical Analogy for Project Management.”

Dr. Ed Hoffman, Director of the NASA Academy of Program/Project & Engineering Leadership: “Growing Leaders: The Practice of Learning from Practice.”

Dr. Hoffman will also moderate a question-and-answer discussion with the panelists, who will discuss the best approaches and strategies to deliver successful projects in an uncertain environment, and proven principles and practices for seasoned project managers. The discussions will include both specific real-life examples as well as general concepts that are applicable to a wide range of organizations, projects, and people.

The forum will be interactive, and will include a question-and-answer session with the panelists to provide an opportunity for participants to gain an understanding of how to apply these principles and practices.

By the conclusion of the forum, participants will have gained significant new insights regarding how:

• To lead and manage a project in a dynamic environment.
• Organizations can foster the development of project leaders.
• Project leaders can identify and foster the development of new project leaders.
• Project leaders can foster their own personal leadership growth.

Learn more or register to attend the forum.