Benefits of 'Agile Project Management'
A large portion of new project management (PM) literature is generated with reference to IT projects and software development. Many of these ideas are as relevant to construction and real estate projects as they are to Internet and software development. The IT blog article "The Roots of Agile Project Management" issues a challenge to tradition PM right up front: "Let's start by acknowledging that there are accepted issues with standard project management methods," writes blogger Rick Freedman, who then cites the 1989 work of Harvard Business School academics Robert D. Austin and Richard L. Nolan: "The first flawed assumption is that it is possible to plan such a large project; the second flawed assumption is that it is possible to protect against late changes; [and] the third flawed assumption is that it even makes sense to lock in big projects early." Agile project management (APM) provides an approach to dealing with these challenges. For example, following the APM model a project manager will share plans with customers early in the project process, update customers frequently and make sure the PM teams have all of the skills on hand to deal with typical project issues.

Participate in IAMC's Online Business Networking
Stay "linked in" year-round with fellow IAMC members through IAMC's LinkedIn online business networking group, which is open exclusively to members.  Once you join, you can post discussion items for group input and share your knowledge by answering others' questions.

Source: blog.linkedin.com

If you're not periodically checking IAMC's discussion group, you're missing some great CREM Q&A. Recent activity includes two new members and one fresh discussion question. Check them out today.

To jump to the LinkedIn logon screen, click here.  Once logged on, go the top of the left-hand column and click on "groups." For more information on LinkedIn or the IAMC Group on LinkedIn, click here.

Find a Real Estate Job; Post an Opening; Post a Resume
Go to the IAMC Career Center to read about dozens of corporate real estate, economic development and real estate service provider jobs. Here's an example: Project Manager/Resident Engineer for Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc. The position description reads, "The successful candidate will manage design and construction management projects located in southern Utah and supervise a team of construction engineers and design engineers. The successful candidate will also be responsible for development of new business opportunities and on going relations with clients."

New Prefab Building Concept Taking Off

This Sprung Instant Structure is occupied by Intel in Costa Rica.

• While new manufacturing facilities may take months if not years from planning to ribbon cutting, sometimes companies need to put up new space fast. Traditional construction is too slow. A company called Sprung Instant Structures services this market niche. The Site Selection magazine article "Instant Space" by John McCurry says, "government investment agencies and major outsourcing firms are looking at a potential quick-build solution that has been used by other manufacturing sectors for more than a decade. Sprung Instant Structures, a Calgary-based firm, has been manufacturing stressed membrane structures for a variety of uses, and is now poised to enter the call center market through a partnership with Colliers International's Toronto-based Call Center Services Group."

Industrial Asset Management Council Lease Handbook

• Industrial leases are generally customized to reflect the relative bargaining leverage of the parties, the state of the economy, the business climate in the area where the facility is located, and the specific type of industry involved. This handbook covers key provisions, presenting the extremes favored by landlord and tenant and the typical "middle ground" that is hammered out during negotiations. The Industrial Asset Management Council Lease Handbook is a joint venture of the Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC) and the American Law Institute of the American Bar Association (ALI-ABA). It covers the 15 most commonly contested industrial lease clauses, ranging from rent and affirmative obligations to alterations and real estate taxes. Every leasing professional should have a copy of Industrial Asset Management Council Lease Handbook on his/her shelf. Purchase a copy today; click here.