Wednesday, August 15, 2018

PMI's Projectified Podcast Focuses on Pertinent Management Topics


Friday, August 10, 2018

Relief Pitcher Jesse Chavez Traded from Rangers to Cubs


A member of the Project Management Institute and resident of the Dallas, TX, area, Chad Greenslade has managed information technology functions for numerous application development and infrastructure projects throughout the course of his 19-year career. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chad Greenslade is an avid baseball fan who counts the Texas Rangers as his favorite Major League Baseball (MLB) team. 

Sitting in last place in the American League West division following the MLB All-Star break, the Rangers dealt veteran relief pitcher Jesse Chavez to the Chicago Cubs on July 19 in exchange for left-handed pitcher Tyler Thomas. A 34-year-old native of San Gabriel, California, Chavez was originally drafted by the Rangers in the 42nd round of the 2002 MLB Amateur Draft and has spent 11 seasons with nine different teams. Through 30 games this season with Texas, Chavez registered a 3.51 earned run average (ERA), while allowing 58 hits and striking out 50 batters in 56 and one-third innings.

Thomas, meanwhile, is the third minor-league pitcher acquired by Texas via trade since the beginning of the season. The 22-year-old lefthander was selected by the Cubs in the seventh round of the 2017 MLB Amateur Draft. He compiled a win-loss record of 3-5 and a 2.88 ERA at Class-A South Bend in the Midwest League.

Monday, August 6, 2018

The Four Ps of ITIL Service Design


Chad Greenslade, a resident of Dallas, TX, has been working in the IT industry for more than a decade. He most recently handled all strategic projects and programs at Cardtronics, Inc., as vice president of the IT project management office (PMO). In addition to his professional responsibilities, Chad Greenslade maintains an interest in Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL).

One of the stages of the ITIL service lifecycle is service design, which focuses on helping a company differentiate its business offerings and determine its target market. This stage involves four Ps - people, products, processes, and partners. Each of these is briefly described below:

1. People: The successful development and operation of all IT services depends on the people who provide the services. These people will all have the necessary competencies and skills as well as a good understanding of customer service outcomes.

2. Products: In this category, people can find the management systems and technologies needed to provide the various IT services. Choosing the right technology is extremely important for ensuring services are delivered properly.

3. Processes: All processes are measurable and are designed to manage and support the IT services offered to customers. Without good processes in place, IT services may not fully meet agreed service levels and the expectations of customers.

4. Partners: Any manufacturers, suppliers, or vendors that support and help with IT services must be considered during service design. These partners are responsible for keeping the service operational after it goes live.

Friday, August 3, 2018

When to Visit Playa Del Carmen


An experienced IT project and service management professional in Dallas, TX, Chad Greenslade most recently served as the vice president of the IT project management office (PMO) at Cardtronics, Inc., in Frisco, TX. In his free time, Chad Greenslade enjoys traveling, and he has visited such tropical destinations as Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

In terms of weather, Playa del Carmen has a sub-tropical climate, staying under 80 degrees Fahrenheit throughout most of the year. Summer, which usually lasts from May to September, brings higher levels of humidity that can make the city feel warmer. Meanwhile, many areas have cold winds during winter months.

Beyond temperatures, visitors do have to consider hurricane weather and precipitation in the city. Hurricanes may come through the area between June and March. While they aren’t extremely common, the risk plus the humidity from June to September is usually enough to keep tourists away. Meanwhile, the chances of precipitation is lowest in March, April, and December, and highest in September and October.

Finally, visitors must consider accommodation prices and crowds when deciding on a time to visit Playa del Carmen. Between October and March, cruise ships are extremely common in the area, thus driving up both crowds and accommodation prices. Crowd sizes shrink between April and May, expect for around Easter Week and the Spring Equinox, and usually remain small through summer. This lack of crowds doesn’t affect accommodation prices much, but some hotels offer hurricane specials during summer.

Monday, July 30, 2018

Texas Rangers Announce Signing of Three International Players


Chad Greenslade most recently served as vice president of the Information Technology (IT) Project, Program, and Project Management Office (PMO) of Cardtronics, Inc. in Frisco, TX. In this role, he managed all strategic and program development in the delivery of approximately 65 capital and operational projects. A former high school baseball player, Dallas resident Chad Greenslade is an avid Texas Rangers baseball fan.

On July 2, 2018, which was the official start of Major League Baseball's international signing period, the Texas Rangers announced the team had signed three international players to contracts. The team had almost $5 million to spend in this area. One signee included catcher Jose Rodriguez, who is the 21st-ranked prospect among international teens according to MLB.com and the 36th-ranked prospect according to Baseball America’s international free agent list. The 16 year old, who signed for $2 million, hails from Venezuela.

The two other signees included Dominican Republic shortstop Junior Paniagua, who signed for $300,000, and Venezuelan shortstop Luisangel Acuna, who agreed to a $425,000 deal. Acuna is the brother of Ronald Acuna, one of the Atlanta Braves’ star prospects.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Project Management Institute Issues Management Certifications


Involved in information technology (IT) management for nearly two decades, Chad Greenslade most recently worked as the director of the IT Project Management Office (PMO) at Cardtronics, Inc. in Houston, TX. To help him remain current with industry trends, Dallas resident Chad Greenslade belongs to the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Established in 1969, PMI seeks to further the project management profession. The nonprofit organization works closely with 2.9 million professionals scattered across the globe through educational opportunities, research, advocacy efforts, and collaboration. It also offers eight certifications that acknowledge competency in the field of project management. Four of these designations are briefly described below.

* Project Management Professional (PMP). This is the premier certification offered, and organizations recognize this certification throughout the world. It signifies that the person is competent to perform as a project manager and can lead and direct teams and projects.

* Program Management Professional (PgMP). This certification indicates that the person is capable of managing multiple complex projects.

* Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP). An individual with this certification has the advanced experience and skills of a proficient portfolio manager.

* Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). This designation demonstrates the knowledge, terminology, and processes required for effective project management.

Monday, July 23, 2018

ITIL - A System for Ensuring Proper IT Service Management


Chad Greenslade is a Dallas, TX-based IT project manager with more than 15 years of leadership experience. Focused on efficiency and responsiveness, Chad Greenslade has extensive knowledge of the information technology infrastructure library (ITIL) framework for managing IT departments. 

One of the five core ITIL components is Service Strategy, which involves creating a service lifecycle pathway that aligns with core business objectives. Using a bespoke demand management process, user profiles are created. These profiles represent those groups of users that typically require access to specific services over a given time period. Understanding user behavior helps to ensure that the right pieces are in place, at the proper capacity, to ensure seamless operations.

Another aspect of ITIL is Financial Management, which brings focus to understanding the specific costs and opportunities involved in providing a suite of services. This includes real time accounting of the money flow associated with the service provider and setting in place a workable budget. It also extends to ensuring that customers pay the correct amount for services provided.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Dallas Cowboys Poised to Regain Momentum in 2018


Based in Dallas, TX, Chad Greenslade is an accomplished IT project management professional. A fitness and outdoors enthusiast, Chad Greenslade follows professional sports teams such as the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys.

With the Cowboys’ offense having failed to produce as expected in 2017, the team is preparing for September by building up an offense around quarterback Dak Prescott. Now in his third season, Prescott has a level of mobility in the pocket that his team has not fully taken advantage of. 

One key to capitalizing on Prescott's skill set will be getting running back Ezekiel Elliott back to full production. Despite sitting on the bench for more than a third of the season due to a six-game suspension in 2017, Elliott averaged 98.3 yards per game, which was the highest in the NFL. 

The young defense is also stepping up to the plate and poised to take pressure off the offense. Players that have emerged as leaders include Sean Lee and DeMarcus Lawrence, with Rod Marinelli anchoring the defensive secondary. With the NFC lacking a single dominant team, the Cowboys are confident that they can compete at a high level and reach the playoffs once again.

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

High School Stars Are Rangers' Early MLB Draft Selections


A former IT manager and executive with Think Finance and Cardtronics, Inc., Chad Greenslade is skilled at providing oversight and leadership to capital and operational projects across various business lines. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chad Greenslade is a passionate fan of Major League Baseball's (MLB) Texas Rangers.

The Rangers missed the playoffs in 2017 and appeared early-on in the 2018 season to be on pace for a similar result. That meant increased expectations were placed on the 2018 MLB Amateur Draft, where the team had a chance to stockpile its system with talented, young players capable of contributing to a winning team in the future. 

With its first-round pick, 15th overall, the Rangers drafted right-handed pitcher Cole Winn out of Lutheran High School in California. He throws a fastball in the mid-90s and boasts a simple pitching motion that could see him reach the big leagues in the not-too-distant future. Texas used its first picks to draft high school players rather than already-established college players, though the high schoolers probably won’t make it to the “big show” until at least 2020, according to the Dallas Observer.

With its second-round pick, the team added right-handed pitcher Owen White out of Jesse Carson High School in North Carolina, although he had originally committed to the University of South Carolina. Shortstop Jonathan Ornelas, right-handed pitcher Mason Englert, and outfielder Jayce Easley rounded out the team's first five selections in the 40-round draft.

Sunday, July 8, 2018

PMI Global Conference 2018 Coming to Los Angeles


A magna cum laude information-systems graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, Chad Greenslade is an experienced IT professional who most recently served as vice president of the IT Project Management Office at Cardtronics, Inc. Additionally, Chad Greenslade is a member of the Dallas chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI).

PMI is the global leader in professional development opportunities and certifications for project and portfolio management business professionals From October 6-8, thousands of like-minded individuals will have a chance to network and advance their capabilities at the PMI Global Conference in Los Angeles. The three-day event is preceded by a four-day pre-conference and followed by a three-day post-conference, both of which are hosted by SeminarsWorld. The main event begins October 6 with an introduction from keynote speaker Jon Dorenbos as well as several programs and courses along with the PMI Professional Awards Gala. 

Participants can build their own conference schedules and attend the seminars they are most interested in. Examples of topics include "Project Financial Planning Simplified" and "Overcoming Challenges in User Acceptance Testing Using a Single Data-Source Software." In addition to Dorenbos, who is a former long snapper with the New Orleans Saints, generational-change expert Cam Marston and strategic-planning specialist Abigail Posner will conduct keynote presentations.

Monday, July 2, 2018

The PMI Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge


Chad Greenslade is an experienced IT professional and project manager who served as vice president with the Dallas, TX-based ATM manufacturer Cardtronics from 2015 to 2018. To augment and inform his professional activities, Chad Greenslade holds active membership in the Dallas chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Currently serving a membership base of nearly 3 million professionals, PMI has been spearheading a range of global advocacy, education, and research initiatives since 1969. The organization’s flagship publication, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), entered its sixth edition in 2017.

The PMBOK Guide is widely regarded as a fundamental resource for effective project management using agile practices. Written by project managers for project managers, every section in this book undergoes extensive peer review prior to publication. Its various editions reflect changes in project management best practices over the years, and the PMI must update Part 2 of the PMBOK Guide every four to five years in order to ensure unbroken accreditation through the American National Standards Institute.

Monday, June 25, 2018

Five Best Practices for Organizational Change Management


Based in the Dallas, TX, area, Chad Greenslade formerly served as the Vice President of the IT Project Management office of Cardtronics, Inc. There he oversaw the delivery of approximately 65 concurrent capital and operational projects. An innovative project management leader, Chad Greenslade also possesses a solid understanding of frameworks for managing the effects of new business processes, also called organizational change management (OCM). The list below details some of the best practices for OCM.

1. Careful planning. Successfully implanting change requires careful planning and accounting for each possible end result. Keep the overall objective in mind throughout the planning stages and create an outline that incorporates project timeline, how to implement changes, and who will conduct them. 

2. Designate leaders and advocates. Establish a chain of command and identify leaders at each level of the organization. This helps stabilize the process and ensure changes occur according to plan. In addition, finding advocates who support the changes can foster a positive environment and get others on-board with them. 

3. Maintain communication. Keep communication lines open throughout the implementation process, and personnel informed on all organizational levels. Employees who are kept fully informed of changes and given ample time to prepare will more readily accept them and be less resistant. 

4. Attend to workforce concerns. Give everyone in the organization the chance to share their concerns, and take the time to address them. Ensure that managers and leaders understand how the changes will affect their workforce and act accordingly. 

5. Practice continual review and assessment. Monitoring the results and effectiveness of changes throughout the implementation process can help prevent costly mistakes and allow you to address problems as they arise.

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Tips for Adventurous Eaters


An accomplished information technology (IT) leader, Chad Greenslade most recently served as vice president of IT project management with the ATM manufacturer Cardtronics in Dallas, TX. Outside of the professional arena, Chad Greenslade is an avid world traveler who loves to try new and exotic foods.

In the online publication Serious Eats, Queens-based food writer and culinary tour guide Joe DiStefano offers a number of “commandments” for culinary adventurers everywhere. Much of his advice is borrowed from other influential food writers such as Calvin Trillin and Jim Leff. 

First and foremost, any eater who calls himself or herself adventurous must be willing to try everything not just once, but twice if necessary. In other words, give all types of foods a true chance. 

Citing the culinary opportunities on the streets of Bangkok, Mr. DiStefano encourages adventurous eaters to look outside traditional restaurant settings for new fare. He also recommends giving special attention to house-made hot sauces and ordering off the menu for more unusual meals.