9 Excel Features you MUST know – 15 Minute Zero to Hero

August 8, 2024Excel Tips and Trickscrash course, excel, functions, must know, pivot table, VlookupDavid McLachlan

comic boy learning at computer Excel is a powerful tool that can enhance your productivity in project management, data analysis, and many other fields.

What if you want to become a superhero in Excel in just 15 minutes? This video and article show you the 9 tips you need to be amazing in Microsoft Excel, and your boss and colleagues will truly be amazed! Here they are – the nine essential Excel features that you should know to amaze your friends:

1. Pivot Tables

Pivot tables are a great way to summarize large sets of data. They allow you to organize and manipulate your data to get a simplified view.

To create a pivot table:

Select your data range and format it as a table.
Go to Insert > PivotTable.
Choose the data range and decide where you want the pivot table to be placed.
Drag and drop fields to rows, columns, values, and filters sections to customize your pivot table.

For example, you can count the number of job titles in different countries and filter the data by departments.

2. VLOOKUP

VLOOKUP is used to find and retrieve data from a specific column in a table.

To use VLOOKUP:

Type =VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table array or area, column number you’re looking for, Exact Match yes or no).

For example, =VLOOKUP(A2, data_table, 2, FALSE) will search for the value in cell A2 within “table array or area” and return the corresponding value from the second (2) column. This is particularly useful when you need to match employee IDs with their names, job titles, salaries, and bonuses.

3. Quick Analysis and Data Bars

Quick Analysis allows you to apply conditional formatting, create charts, and more with a few clicks.

To use Quick Analysis:

Select your data range.
Click the Quick Analysis button that appears at the bottom right.
Choose options like Data Bars, Color Scale, or Icon Set to visualize your data quickly.

Data bars visually represent the value in each cell, making it easy to see variations at a glance.

4. IF Then Else Statements

IF statements help you perform logical tests and return different values based on the results.

To create an IF statement:

Type =IF(logical_test, value_if_true, value_if_false).

For example, =IF(B2 > 100000, “Yes”, “No”) will check if the value in B2 is greater than 100,000 and return “Yes” or “No” accordingly.

This can be used to check if salaries exceed a certain amount.

5. Spark Lines

Spark lines are tiny charts within a cell that provide a visual representation of data trends.

To insert spark lines:

Select your data range.
Go to Insert > Sparkline > Line.
Choose the data range and the cell where you want the sparkline to appear.

Spark lines are useful for displaying trends in salaries across different countries.

6. Wildcard

Wildcards allow you to perform partial matches in your data searches.

To use a wildcard:

Type =COUNTIF(range, “*criteria*”).

For example, =COUNTIF(B2:B10, “*manager*”) will count the number of cells that contain the word “manager” within the specified range.

This feature helps in searching for specific terms within job titles.

7. TRIM

TRIM removes unwanted spaces from text.

To use TRIM:

Type =TRIM(text).
For example, =TRIM(A2) will remove any extra spaces from the text in cell A2.

This ensures that your data is clean and free of unnecessary spaces.

8. Transpose

Transpose changes the orientation of your data from rows to columns or vice versa.

To transpose data:

Select your data range and copy it.
Right-click where you want to paste the data, choose Paste Special, and select Transpose.

This feature is useful for reorganizing data to fit your needs.

9. Case Conversion

Excel functions can change text to uppercase, lowercase, or proper case.

To change case:

Use =UPPER(text) to convert to uppercase.
Use =LOWER(text) to convert to lowercase.
Use =PROPER(text) to convert to proper case.
For example, =UPPER(A2) will change the text in A2 to all uppercase letters.

These nine features can significantly enhance your efficiency and effectiveness in using Excel. Practice these techniques to get up to speed with Excel quickly and make your data management tasks easier and more productive. Happy Excelling!

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Insights from the 2023 Project Manager Salaries Report

August 7, 2024PMPpmp, project management, salary reportDavid McLachlan

Maximizing Your Earning Potential

The latest 2023 Earning Power Report from the Project Management Institute (PMI) gives a few clues for the benefits of holding a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. For those considering whether to get their PMP, this might just be what you need to see, with some pretty compelling data on how a PMP can influence your salary across different regions and roles.

PMP Certification and Salary Impact

PMP Versus no PMP - Salaries

The report actually shows there is a decent salary boost for project managers who hold a PMP certification compared to those who do not. Here’s a quick overview of how PMP holders fare around the globe:

United States: Project managers with a PMP certification earn an average of $130,000, significantly higher than their non-certified peers.
Australia: PMP-certified project managers earn about $108,000, showing a strong return on investment.
Germany: With an average salary of $113,000, Germany also reflects the value of a PMP certification.
United Kingdom: Certified project managers earn around $94,000.
Singapore: The average salary stands at $82,000 for PMP holders.

Salary Increases by Country With a PMP

Percentage increase in salary with PMP - Project Management

The percentage increase in salary from obtaining a PMP varies by country, but here are the ones that stand out:

South Africa: A remarkable 67% increase, translating to a jump from $38,000 to $60,000.
Colombia: PMP holders see a 65% increase in their earnings.
Nigeria: With a 60% increase, PMP certification proves highly beneficial.
Brazil and the United States: Both countries experience a 40-50% rise in salary.
Germany: Offers a 27% increase.
United Kingdom: Gives a 25% increase.
Australia: Provides a 10% increase.

In dollar terms, these increases can be substantial:

United States: An average increase of $40,000.
South Africa: Around $25,000.
Germany: Approximately $21,000.
Canada: $20,000.
Singapore: $9,000.

Advancing to Program Management

Project Manager salary increase with larger teams

The report also highlights the financial benefits of transitioning from a project manager to a program manager. Program managers, who oversee multiple projects, typically see a 35% average salary increase. Countries like Saudi Arabia and Colombia report even higher jumps, making this career advancement a lucrative opportunity.

Managing Larger Projects

Project Manager Salary Increase when Program Manager - PMP

Managing larger projects with 20 or more team members instead of smaller teams can also enhance your earning potential. The report notes an average salary increase of 30% for those managing larger projects.

You Can Do It

Getting your PMP certification, advancing to program management, and managing larger projects can all make a big difference to your salary.

PMP Certification: Provides a 33% average salary increase.
Program Management: Offers a 35-40% increase.
Larger Projects: Results in a 30% increase.

For project managers aiming to increase their earning power, the evidence is clear: pursuing a PMP certification, advancing to program management roles, and managing larger projects are effective strategies. With determination and effort, you can leverage these insights to enhance your career and financial prospects.

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Is This The Only Thing You Need To Pass The PMP Exam?

August 6, 2024PMPExam Content Outline, pass the PMP exam, pmpDavid McLachlan

The Secret To Passing The PMP Exam – The Exam Content Outline

If you’re gearing up to take the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam this year, you may have come across various study materials and guides, each claiming to hold the key to passing the test. However, there is definitely one document you should prioritize: the PMP Exam Content Outline (ECO). While it isn’t a textbook or practice guide, it IS a detailed outline of the exam provided directly by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

The PMP Exam Content Outline is crucial because it goes into exactly what the exam will cover. You can get is for free on the PMI website, and it breaks down the exam into key domains: People, Process, and Business Environment. By understanding these areas in detail, you can focus your study efforts on exactly what is required to pass the exam.

Why the PMP Exam Content Outline Matters

The ECO provides a comprehensive breakdown of the domains and their respective weightings in the exam. For instance, it highlights that the:

“People” domain constitutes 42% of the exam,
“Process” makes up 50%, and;
“Business Environment” accounts for 8%.

This can help guide your study and help you allocate your time effectively.

Focus on What PMI Considers Important

Since the ECO is published by PMI, it reflects the specific areas of knowledge and skills that the institute deems essential for the PMP exam. Studying this document ensures that you align your preparation with the actual content of the test.

The ECO is also free and accessible – readily available for download from the PMI website. Simply search for “PMI ECO PMP” to find the document and use it as a foundation for your study plan.

Using the ECO Effectively

While the ECO provides a detailed outline, it does not delve into the specific techniques or methodologies required for each task. So personally I would pair this with some comprehensive project management education, including the 35 contact hours or professional development units required for the exam. Here’s a quick overview of what you need to know for each domain:

People:

Focus on managing conflict, leading teams, supporting performance, and building a cohesive team. It also covers skills in negotiation, collaboration, and virtual team management.

Process:

Encompasses the execution of projects from start to finish, including managing communications, risks, budgets, schedules, quality, and changes. It also involves determining the appropriate project methodology and governance structure.

Business Environment:

This is where we ensure compliance, evaluating and delivering project benefits and value, addressing external business changes, and supporting organizational change.

You Can Do It

The PMP Exam Content Outline is an indispensable tool for your exam preparation. By thoroughly understanding and using it alongside other study resources, you can enhance your chances of success. Dive into the ECO, combine it with solid project management education, and you’ll be well on your way to passing the PMP exam with confidence.

I believe in you, and I know you can do it! Remember – “Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard.” You can do this!

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Is the PMP Still Worth it in 2024?

August 5, 2024PMPpmp, project managementDavid McLachlan

PMP – Overpriced or Valuable Certification?

If you’re investing in your education this year, the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is still a hot topic. Many people have heard that the exam may not be well-regarded enough, and that it requires ongoing maintenance through Professional Development Units (PDUs). Despite that, the PMP certification still offers significant benefits in 2024.

Benefit 1: It Makes It Easy To Hire You

Firstly, the PMP is valuable because it makes it easier to hire you. Recruiters frequently use “PMP” as a key search term to quickly identify qualified candidates, making it easier for job seekers with this certification to get noticed and shortlisted. This shortcut can be a significant advantage in a competitive job market.

Having the PMP itself shows recruiters that you have at least three years of experience leading projects, and have put many hours into your own education on Project Management – something many managers NEVER do. This sets you apart from the competition.

Benefit 2 – New Tools To Help Your Current Projects

Secondly, the process of studying for the PMP can help your current projects. Many professionals report gaining new insights and tools that enhance their project management skills. The certification covers essential areas such as project management processes, the business environment, and soft skills like leadership and communication, which can lead to practical improvements in your career.

I know it has personally helped me in my career, in starting new projects, getting the right support, helping stakeholders support the project, and ensuring the right value is delivered on time and on budget.

Benefit 3 – The PMP Is Still The Most Recognized PM Certification

Thirdly, the PMP is the most recognized project management certification globally, far surpassing alternatives like PRINCE2 or Scrum Master certifications. Its widespread recognition, with over 200,000 searches each month, just shows how valuable it can be, and its relevance across every industry where projects are managed.

Disadvantage – PDUs Too Hard and Expensive?

Many people say that having to maintain the certification every 3 years with ongoing “Professional Development Units” (PDUs) and more money to keep the certification current is too much.

This step is optional, however. You don’t have to maintain the certification. Simply gaining it in the first place is valuable, and shows you have put in the work. Often, your job experience would take over from there after a few years.

But a CPA in Accounting has a similar deal where they maintain their education and the CPA to show they are still current in the industry. It really is your choice.

Benefit 4 – It won’t make you less marketable

Lastly, earning a PMP certification will not diminish your marketability. Even if the certification does not lead to immediate job opportunities, it provides a strong foundation of knowledge and demonstrates a commitment to professional growth.

In summary, the PMP certification continues to offer valuable benefits, including improved job prospects, enhanced skills, and global recognition. For those willing to invest the effort, it remains a worthwhile endeavor in 2024.

Never Forget – You Can Do It

With a little hard work and persistence, you can gain this certification and improve your job prospects, improve your current projects with the things you will learn, and improve your options for your future career.

It can be hard, but I know you can do it. Keep going. Do something every day, no matter how small. In one years’ time you will have grown and changed, and you will not recognize the amazing person you have become.

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Know Your Myers Briggs Personality Type – But Beware of the Barnum Effect

August 4, 2024Project Management Key ConceptsBarnum effect, leadership, MBTI, Myers Briggs, project managementDavid McLachlan

Myers Briggs Type Indicator

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a widely used psychological assessment designed to help individuals understand their personality preferences and how they interact with the world. Based on Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types, the MBTI categorizes people into 16 distinct personality types across four dichotomies:

Extraversion vs. Introversion,
Sensing vs. Intuition,
Thinking vs. Feeling, and
Judging vs. Perceiving.

By identifying where you fall within these categories, the MBTI aims to provide insights into your natural tendencies, strengths, and potential areas for growth, ultimately fostering better self-awareness and more effective communication with others.

The Barnum Effect

The Barnum Effect on the other hand, is a cognitive bias where people believe vague, general statements about themselves are highly accurate and uniquely descriptive of themselves.

Named after the famous showman P.T. Barnum (made famous in the movie “The Greatest Showman”), the Barnum Effect explains why people might find personal horoscopes, personality descriptions, or fortune-telling surprisingly convincing. The Barnum Effect highlights how general statements can be interpreted as being uniquely specific to us as a person.

It shows our tendency as human beings to seek personal validation in open or general feedback.

Myers Briggs versus the Barnum Effect

So you can see that in getting a “personality assessment” or profile such as Myers Briggs Type Indicator, we might just be projecting our own personality onto the vague or general descriptions provided. But as long as we know that – let’s have some fun and get our own MBTI personality type!

Choose a single letter from each section to get four letters in total, then find your personality type at the bottom.

Introvert or Extrovert?

Select I or E – which ever you are MOST like:

Introvert: Reserved, private. Prefer slower time to communicate. Energized by time alone.
Extrovert: Outwardly focused, Work and think out loud, with others. Energized by people.

Select S or N – which ever you are MOST like for “Taking In Information”.

Sensing: Focus on reality, Facts and details, Practical applications, Make specific descriptions
INtuition: Imagine possibilities of how things could be, Big picture, how things connect, Ideas and concepts.

Select T or F for how you “Take in Information”:

Thinking: Impersonal, using logic, Value justice and fairness, Enjoy finding flaws in arguments
Feeling: Decisions through personal values, Harmony and forgiveness, Warm and empathetic

Select J or P for how you view your “Outer Life”:

Judging: Prefer matters to be settled, Rules and deadlines, Make plans, don’t like surprises
Perceiving: Prefer to leave options open, Improvise and make things up as you go
Spontaneous

Now you should have a four letter combination, such as INTP or ESFJ. Find your combination below for your MBTI personality type!

ISTP – The Mechanic

Strengths: You can remain calm while managing a crisis, quickly deciding what needs to be done to solve the problem.

Development Areas: You’re focused so much on what needs to be done immediately that you fail to see the big picture.

Characteristics: Analytical, practical, realistic but also logical and adaptable.

ISFP – The Creative

Strengths: You’re a creative visionary who enjoys providing practical help or service to others, as well as facilitating and encouraging cooperation.

Development Areas: You sometimes put off making decisions, in the hope that a better opportunity will come along.

Characteristics: Cooperative, modest and adaptable and also gentle and loyal.

ESFP – The Performer

Strengths: You’re adaptable, friendly, and talkative. You enjoy working with others and experiencing new situations.

Development Areas: You have trouble meeting deadlines, and do not always finish what you start.

Characteristics: Tolerant and spontaneous as well as playful, enthusiastic and resourceful.

ESTP – The Doer

Strengths: You apply common sense and experience to problems, quickly analyzing what is wrong and then fixing it.

Development Areas: Being so focused on immediate problems may lead to you ignoring long-term systematic problems.

Characteristics: Analytical, outgoing and enthusiastic as well as logical.

ISTP – The Duty Fulfiller

Strengths: You enjoy working within clear systems and processes.

Development Areas: You can become set in your ways and can sometimes be seen as rigid and impersonal.

Characteristics: Thorough, conscientious, realistic but also systematic and reserved.

ISFJ – The Nurturer

Strengths: You apply common sense and experience to solving problems for other people.

Development Areas: You may be overly cautious, and risk basing your decisions on what you think will please others.

Characteristics: Organized, practical and patient, but also dependable and loyal.

ESTJ – The Director

Strengths: You drive yourself to reach your goal, organizing people and resources in order to achieve it.

Development Areas: You tend to be so focused on the objective pursuit of your goal that you ignore the ideas or feelings of others.

Characteristics: Responsible and efficient but can also be assertive as well as logical and realistic.

ESFJ – The Caregiver

Strengths: You’re sociable and outgoing, understanding what others need and express appreciation for their efforts.

Development Areas: You are overly influenced by what you think others want, and may find it difficult to adjust plans in response to unexpected opportunities.

Characteristics: Warm and appreciative as well as outgoing and supportive.

INFJ – The Protector

Strengths: You enjoy finding a shared vision for everyone, inspiring others and devising new ways to achieve the vision.

Development Areas: You’re private and may do your thinking in a vacuum, resulting in an unrealistic vision that is difficult to communicate.

Characteristics: Compassionate, idealistic as well as imaginative and visionary.

INFP – The Idealist

Strengths: You enjoy helping others with their growth and inner development to reach their full potential.

Development Areas: You struggle to speak up in meetings, leading others to believe you have nothing to contribute.

Characteristics: Flexible, spontaneous as well as reflective and contained.

ENFJ – The Giver

Strengths: You’re able to get the most out of teams by working closely with them, and make decisions that take into account the values of others.

Development Areas: You often talk a lot, and may become discouraged if you do not receive a lot of feedback from others.

Characteristics: Warm, collaborative and supportive and organized.

ENFP – The Inspirer

Strengths: You’re willing to consider almost any possibility and often develop multiple solutions to a problem.

Development Areas: You may not follow through on decisions or projects, and risk burning out from over-committing or following every possibility.

Characteristics: Friendly and expressive as well as innovative and energetic.

INTJ – The Architect

Strengths: You’re able to define a compelling, long-range vision, and can devise innovative solutions to complex problems.

Development Areas: You may come across as cold and distant when focusing on the task in hand.

Characteristics: Strategic and conceptual as well as innovative, independent and logical.

INTP – The Thinker

Strengths: You can adopt a detached and concise way of analyzing the world, and often uncover innovative approaches.

Development Areas: You may struggle to work in teams, especially with others who you perceive to be illogical or insufficiently task-focused.

Characteristics: Independent and detached, as well as skeptical and innovative.

ENTJ – The Executive

Strengths: You’re able to efficiently organize people and resources in order to accomplish long-term goals.

Development Areas: You may overlook the contributions of others and the needs of the people who implement your plans.

Characteristics: Structured and challenging, they also tend to be strategic and questioning.

ENTP – The Visionary

Strengths: You enjoy developing strategy and often spot and capitalize on new opportunities that present themselves.

Development Areas: You avoid making decisions and may become excited about ideas that are not feasible because of constraints on time or resources.

Characteristics: Emergent and theoretical as well as imaginative and challenging.

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David McLachlan Review – “I just passed my PMP exam having AT on all three parts.”

August 3, 2024David McLachlanDavid McLachlan, pmp, ReviewDavid McLachlan

“I just passed my PMP exam having AT on all three parts. David, your videos are the truth and I appreciate you Sir. Having the mindset of an Agile PM was such as important thing to make this happen. I appreciate your videos.” – Vensouv

This is yet another person working hard and passing their PMP with Above Target results. Getting these results are not easy, but they are worth it. If you’re working on your Project Management skills this year, you can do it. I believe in you.

See live comments and reviews on David McLachlan on YouTube, Udemy and Etsy.

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How to Find and Hire the BEST Project Managers

July 31, 2024Project Management Key Conceptscommunication, knowledge of the business, Project management process, Project Manager skills, soft skillsDavid McLachlan

Do you know how to pick and hire the BEST Project Managers?

Here are the three skills all the best Project Managers and Leaders have:

The Project Management Process

Knowing the right steps to take is so, so important. Find your Stakeholders, write or approve a Project Charter, then Plan Requirements, Scope, Schedule, Cost, Quality, etc. Miss a step and it could spell disaster. Know them all and win. The good news is you can learn the PM Process if you need to.

Knowledge of the Business

Having industry, system or business process knowledge will make things easier for you when managing change. You can sense-check decisions, costs, team-members, or vendors. You can help your team solve problems. The good news? There are ways to map out Business Knowledge if you’re starting from scratch.

People and Communication Skills

Knowing the first two is no good if you leave a trail of chaos in your wake. Know how to bring the best out of people. Know how to communicate effectively, how to influence and negotiate without being creepy. Know yourself, and know the arena you’re playing in. The good news is you can learn these skills too.

Use these three skills together to find the best Project Managers and win.

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How to Count Colored Cells in Excel (3 Ways)

July 31, 2024Excel Tips and Trickscolored cells, excel, filter, how to count color, name manager, VBADavid McLachlan

Excel doesn’t have a formula to count colored cells, so here are three fantastic, easy ways to count colored cells in Excel.

Way 1: Using a Filter

Select the range of colors with the header cell included
Go to Home > Sort & Filter > Add Filter
Click on the down-arrow in the header cell, Sort by Color, and select the color you want.

Now you can count the sorted cells and see how many of that color there are.

Way 2: Using Name Manager

This way is more powerful, faster, but a bit more complicated.

Select the cell NEXT TO the range you want to count color in (in this picture it’s C3)
Go to Formulas > Name Manager > New Name
Input the new name (something like ColorCount, but it’s your choice)
Input the formula: =GET.CELL(38, B3)
- (“38” checks the cell color attribute)
Now in the cell next to your colored column, input your new formula: “=ColorCount” and drag it down the column. It will give you the “Numbers” that associate with the colors in the cell next to it.
Now in a separate cell with the color you want to count next to it (E and F columns in the picture), input “=COUNTIF(E3, ColorCount)”
- Where E3 is the color you want to count, and ColorCount is our Named formula from before.

This will count ALL the colors that match that color!

Way 3: Creating a Formula to Count Color Using VBA

The final, coolest, fastest and most automatic way is to create our very own Formula in Excel that does exactly what we need. We’ll do this using VBA, and you can see how easy it is to create your own formulas!

Select Developer > Visual Basic
In the VBA Window, Select Insert > Module
In the Module window that appears, input the below VBA code, then close the window (it saves automatically).
Finally, use your new formula in any cell: =COUNTINGCOLORS( Range of Colors, Cell with the color you want to count)

The code is:

Function COUNTINGCOLORS(MYRANGE As RANGE, MYCOLOR As RANGE)

Dim COLORCELL As Integer
Dim CURRENTCOUNT As Integer

COLORCELL = MYCOLOR.Interior.ColorIndex

Set CELL = MYRANGE

For Each CELL In MYRANGE
If CELL.Interior.ColorIndex = COLORCELL Then
CURRENTCOUNT = CURRENTCOUNT + 1
End If

Next CELL
COUNTINGCOLORS = CURRENTCOUNT

End Function

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Leadership versus Management – You Need BOTH

July 30, 2024Project Management Key Conceptsleadership, management, project managementDavid McLachlan

Should You Be A Leader or a Manager?

Many people say you should focus on being a Leader, instead of a boss or a Manager. But when you look at the definitions for each you will begin to realize that you need both Leadership and Management in your skillset in order to get things done.

What a Leader Does

A Leader will focus on people and improvement with things like:

Inspiring trust in their people
Looking at the Long-term vision
The WHY behind what the team is doing
Ensuring their team are focusing on the right things to get where they want to go
Challenging the status quo in order to improve and innovate

What a Manager Does

Meanwhile, a Manager will focus on the numbers, administration and getting things done, such as:

Using Directive leadership and their Positional Power to get things done quickly
Maintaining the way things are and administrating the day-to-day work
Focusing on near-term goals for the team to achieve
Looking at How and When things will be achieved
Doing things the right way
Operational issues and problem solving
Focusing on the bottom line

By combining both the skills of a leader and a manager, you will keep your team engaged and find success in working towards the right goals for your business and project.

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What Is A WBS Dictionary?

July 29, 2024Project Management Key ConceptsDavid McLachlan, project management, WBS Dictionary, Work Breakdown StructureDavid McLachlan

Breaking Down The Work

A typical Work Breakdown Structure “decomposes” items, or breaks them down from a high level feature or deliverable, into smaller Work Packages or User Stories that a person can work on.

But once you’ve decomposed those deliverables, you need to add information to them to make them meaningful. And you do that with a WBS Dictionary.

What Goes In A WBS Dictionary?

A WBS Dictionary lists our deliverables, the work packages in those deliverables, and then any additional project information we need. It will usually include: