PM-Talk Discussion List
Are you new to project management (PM)? Are you looking for practical insight into the field? Are you an experienced PM veteran who would like to share some tips, tricks, and war stories? Or are you looking for some help with a specific PM problem? Then our newly forming PM-Talk Discussion List may be just what you're looking for.
Intended Audience
This discussion list is for both newcomers and veteran project managers, as well as anyone who simply wants to learn more about project management (PM). We assume that many of the members of this group will be full-time practitioners of a particular profession and only secondarily play the role of part-time project manager. We also assume that all list members are looking for practical solutions to their PM-related problems.
List Focus
Our goal is to provide a forum for sharing tips, tools, and techniques that will make it easier to plan and manage successful projects. While esoteric and complicated PM processes might be legitimate topics of brief discussion, we would prefer to emphasize PM methods, references, and strategies which are practical, step-by-step, or easily accessible to busy professionals who have more to do than simply manage projects. In addition, because we expect PM novices to have questions about PM fundamentals, questions and answers about basic PM terminology and concepts are welcomed.
How the List Works
PM-Talk is an e-mail based discussion group hosted by Yahoo! Groups. The Yahoo! Groups computer maintains a list of all people who subscribe to the list. As a subscriber you may send in your questions or comments in the form of an e-mail message to the Yahoo! Groups computer. Yahoo! Groups will then send this message to all PM-Talk subscribers. In this way, we are able to carry on an asynchronous conversation about topics of interest to list members. Anyone, anywhere may subscribe to the list, as long as she or he agrees with some basic list guidelines.
Participation Guidelines
Subscribers may post any question, announcement, or concern that is consistent with the list focus and audience as outlined above. Newcomers to PM need not fear -- seemingly obvious or simple questions about PM fundamentals are welcomed. And PM experts are encouraged to provide thoughtful guidance to newcomers as well as to challenge all list members with meaningful discussion of advanced PM topics.
Remember that every message you send to the list will be sent to the e-mail box of all list members. Because e-mail systems differ in their ability to handle attachments, the list will not forward attachments of any kind with your message. If you have a document or graphic you would like to share with the group, then we suggest you make it available on the web and simply send in the URL (web address) where the document may be found. Alternately, you might invite list members who want more information to write to you directly and request that you send the attachment directly to them.
Blatent advertising is discouraged; however, if you have a PM-related product or service which will make life easier for list members, then you should write a one or two-sentence announcement inviting people to e-mail you or visit a web site for details. Also, please exercise common sense, be kind, and be polite to your fellow list members. If you feel the need to rave or behave in a less-than-cordial way, please do not indulge it here.
The bottom line: Consider PM-Talk as an ongoing professional conference and participate as you would at any such event.
Visit the PM-Talk Archives
If you'd like to see the kinds of things we've been discussing you can visit the PM-Talk archives at
Visit the PM-Talk Home Page and Join PM-Talk
To visit the PM-Talk Home Page and become a PM-Talk subscriber, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PM-Talk/ and click on "Join this Group."
Or you can simply send an e-mail to PM-Talk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com -- no message content or subject is needed.
Disclaimer... and a Promise
"I created PM-Talk because I believe we need a common place for PM newcomers, experienced project managers, and PM experts to get together and talk about PM. From my admittedly limited research, I've concluded that many PM-focused discussion lists are geared solely toward the experts or members of a particular professional organization. I intend for PM-Talk to be broadly inclusive, with no particular PM credential, expertise level, or professional affiliation required."
"Yes, I am a consultant who sells PM workshops and textbooks. And I encourage other PM consultants and authors to join the list and share their insights. However, in my role as List Moderator I have a duty to see that no one, myself included, uses PM-Talk as a soapbox from which to hawk his or her wares. While brief announcements of new PM products or services may be appropriate, monopolizing PM-Talk bandwidth (and member mailboxes) with unbridled sales pitches will not be tolerated. I promise list subscribers that I will impose these guidelines upon myself and my fellow consultants."
Michael Greer, PM-Talk List Moderator