New project management articles published on the web during the week of November 5 – 11, 2012.  Dave and Sandra read all of this stuff so you don’t have to!  Recommended:

• Mark Bashrum gives us some pointers on how to communicate with senior executives.
• Elizabeth Harrin reviews Chris Baréz-Brown’s book, “Shine: How to Survive and Thrive at Work.”
• Aaron Smith captures the key teamwork lessons in Dennis Perkins’ book, “Into the Storm.”
• Claudia Vandermilt looks at the advantages of developing leadership skills, to benefit both the workplace and individual, along with specific actions to become a great leader.
• David Williams notes the leadership skills of one James Bond, of Her Majesty’s Secret Service.  Aside from killing people and romancing women, I mean.
• Tanya Combrinck replies to an article by Andy Rutledge, arguing that PM’s sometimes do more harm than good, by asking an “expert panel” what the role of a PM should be.
• Matt Alderton offers two model examples of project risk registers.
• Kevin Korterud looks at 5 overlooked project risks. Termites anyone?
• Glen Alleman finds an excellent counter-example, of how to not do project risk management, and offers a better way!
• Jonathan Feldman agrees with the recent Hackett Group study that concludes a project management office, done badly, is a waste of money.
• Vaughan Merlyn opines on the relationship between the PMO and the “accidental” project manager.
• Bart Parkins notes that change management is not optional, but in many organizations, still neglected.
• Kailash Awati tells the story of the grass and the cloud.  Yes, it a fable.  But so many business decisions turn out to be based on fables that I thought you wouldn’t mind.
• Joel Bancroft-Connors looks at the diminishing returns of continuing past “good enough” to perfection.
• Samad Aidane addresses the age-old question: MS Project or MS Excel?
• Alexandra Samuel notes that more employees are establishing their own “brand,” through social media and blogging.  And it might be good for their employers, or it might not.
• Gary Nelson shares his thoughts on the “essential value proposition” we bring to our interactions with others.  At our jobs, for example.
• Timothy Bednarz notes that credibility is the underlying basis for successful leadership.
• Cheri Baker has some ideas for improving her work / life balance.  Like actually scheduling things besides work.
• Penelope Trunk (eventually) explains that productivity is about giving things up, to focus on other things.  Hey, it’s Penelope – she writes like that.
• The PMI Career Central LinkedIn group was asked, what are the biggest differences between managing a “traditional” project and managing an “Agile” project?
• Shim Marom found a really cool infographic: a guide to preventing software project failure, which may or may not be completely serious.
• Rochelle Curbow Wheeler shares three lessons learned from watching horror movies that might be applicable to our projects.  Pass the popcorn …

Enjoy!  And to all my fellow veterans – peace be with you!