Offers Electronic Project Templates to Help Avoid Rework

Edina, MN February 16, 2004- Watermark Learning, a leading project management and requirements analysis training company, today announced the launch of its new training course; The Critical Steps to Managing Small Projects.

As a result of reduced staff sizes, smaller budgets and iterative IT lifecycle development, businesses are increasingly breaking large projects down into smaller initiatives. In order to effectively manage small projects, project management methodologies and frameworks designed for large projects are typically cumbersome and overkill.

On the other hand, due to the nature of projects being smaller, it is often tempting for businesses to skip the planning phase and dive right into work. Unfortunately, without a disciplined approach to managing the small project, essential steps are sometimes skipped, done out of order or done later than desired.

“We help project managers of small projects avoid costly mistakes made by executing too soon,” said Richard Larson, Watermark Learning principal. “Our new course, Managing Small Projects, educates our clients to recognize stakeholders early in the process in order to avoid both resentment and rework.”

The Critical Steps to Managing Small Projects is a practical two-day course with numerous hands-on workshops that encourage use of Watermark Learning electronic project templates.

Provides 5 Steps to Attaining & Maintaining Package Compliance

Eden Prairie, MN February 3, 2005 – http://www.testedandproven.com – DDL, a leading package, product and material testing laboratory, is helping packaging professionals understand complex Department of Transportation (DOT) compliance procedures.

Packaging companies that transport hazardous materials are required by law to comply with the requirements set forth in the Hazardous Material Regulations (HMR) published by the Department of Transportation, Title 49 CFR.

“Many packaging companies are really struggling to get their arms around DOT compliance,” said Patrick Nolan. “Not only do they need to understand the process for certifying their packages, but staying compliant thereafter is an involved process in itself.”

Patrick Nolan, COO of DDL, and Dick Strand, DDL Package Engineer, have co-authored an article on the 5 steps to achieving United Nations (UN)/DOT Package Certification, with the intention of summarizing and clarifying a very complex package certification procedure. The article presents a 5 step guide on how to complete the certification process using a Third Party Agent (TPA) and how to ensure that packaging remains compliant thereafter.

“With DOT regulations becoming so stringent, it is important that packaging professionals understand that they have to re-certify a package design every 24 months,” said Nolan, “overlooking or misunderstanding requirements will potentially jeopardize their business.”