Christian Pratts presented slides for their final project in GEB 3213. The slides discussed updating their career vision statement to complete their B.A.S. degree by 2015 or 2016. One problem project managers face that was identified through an interview is unrealistic deadlines set by stakeholders. IBM was summarized as a large technology company that invests heavily in R&D and patents. Solutions presented for addressing unrealistic deadlines included gathering data, building a project plan identifying risks, considering creative alternatives, and presenting options to stakeholders rather than dictating solutions.

1. Final Project Slides
GEB 3213
Christian Pratts
03/02/14

2. Career Vision Statement
●
I have fixed my Career Vision Statement it's
vision and mission have been updated. The
mission I have set for myself will be to have
completed the B.A.S. Degree for Technology
Development and Management in Fall 2015 or
Spring 2016. To have this accomplished I have
will stay focused and begin with the end in
mind.

3. Career Vision Statement
(Continued)
●
I have interviewed a Project Manager and I
found one problem that all Project Managers go
through which is Unrealistic Deadlines.

4. How Does IBM work?
●
●
IBM manufacturers and markets computer
hardware and software and offers
infrastructure,hosting and consulting services in
areas ranging from mainframe computers to
nanotechnology. (CorporateLane,n.d.).
IBM has invented the ATM,the floppy disk,the
hard drive,the magnetic stripe card, and the
relational database .(CorporateLane,n.d.)

5. IBM Corporation differs from Apple
Corporation
●
●
●
A striking difference between the
companies,experts,say is in their approach to
research. (Lohr,2010).
IBM has laboratories around the world,spends
$6 billion a year on research and
development,and generates more patenets a
year than any other company. (Lohr,2010).
Apple,by contrast focuses only on product
innovation,not scientific invention. (Lohr,2010).

6. Problem that Project Managers
have
●
●
●
Unrealistic deadlines are a common
conundrum for all project managers.(Manello &
Gordon, 2010).
A stakeholder has already set a deadline.
(Manello & Gordon,2010).
Intent on meeting the date they tell you it “must”
be met for one reason or another –
compliance,a critical business priority,or maybe
a commitment made to the Board.(Manello
&Gordon,2010).

7. Offer solutions for a Project
Managers problem
●
Gather Your Data
First determine if data supports your instincts,or
if data shows that your feelings are simply
“FUD” – Fear.Uncertainity.Doubt. (Manello &
Gordon, 2010).
●
●
Build A Project Plan (Manello & Gordon,2010)
Identify and Document Risks (Manello &
Gordon,2010).

8. Get Creative
●
●
●
If your plan reveals an unrealistic deadline, next ask
yourself :''Are there creative solutions that might
make the deadline more acheivable?'' (Manello &
Gordon,2010).
Who could help you find alternatives to reduce the
timeline? (Manello & Gordon,2010).
Are there other project management approaches that
might accelerate delivery? (Manello &
Gordon,2010)

9. Craft and Deliver Your Message
●
●
●
Now that you have defined a plan,identified the
risks, and evaluated alternative approaches,you can
prepare to meet with the business partner.(Manello&
Gordon,2010)
Verify and review the data supporting your plan and
alternatives.(Manello & Gordon,2010).
Don't tell the business partner “this is what we have
to do” – present options. (Manello&Gordon,2010).

10. References
CorporateLane The Fast Track to Business
Information.(n.d.) Retrieved March 2, 2014, from
http://corporatelane.com/page/IBM.htm

11. References (Cont'd)
Lohr,S. (2010,November 6). Apple and IBM Aren't All
That Different. Retrieved March 2, 2014, from
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/business/07unbox

12. References (Cont'd)
Manello C. & Gordon E. (2010, November 1).
Overcoming Unrealistic Deadlines with Better
Communications. Retrieved March 2, 2014, from
http://blog.slalom.com/2010/11/01/overcoming-unreali
communication/