Projectified

A group of project professionals share their journeys with failure, turning setbacks into stepping stones for success. They discuss redefining failure as a learning opportunity and highlight how a supportive team culture can encourage innovation. Key insights include transforming mistakes into innovative solutions, harnessing pressure to foster collaboration, and the importance of open communication. The conversation emphasizes accountability and vulnerability as vital components for growth, making failure a pivotal aspect of a thriving project environment.

The agriculture industry will need to feed a projected 10 billion people by 2050. To meet this demand, project teams are transforming production—finding climate-friendly ways to maximize yields. Guests share how they’re helping agriculture giants like Cargill reduce carbon emissions through supply chain operations and farming practices. Plus, how indoor farms are delivering fresh produce year-round in Dubai’s desert climate.Key themes[01:06] What’s spurring innovations in agriculture [04:51] Helping food and ag giant Cargill decarbonize, implement regenerative agriculture practices[09:50] Building buy-in for change when stakeholders have long-held processes[11:37] Tips for managing a project with diverse stakeholder groups[14:24] Growing fresh produce consistently in an arid, desert climate[17:33] Sensors, internet of thing, the cloud: The tech behind sustainable indoor farming[19:51] Collaborating with partners to scale up—and share success

Project teams behind the biggest events must manage stakeholders and resources to deliver thrilling experiences. But there’s a growing focus on sustainability, too—making sure events mitigate negative impacts on the planet. We speak with project leaders making two major spectacles—the Paris Olympics and Formula 1’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix—more sustainable.Key themes[02:45] The Olympic and Paralympic Games’ growing focus on sustainability[05:57] Using temporary infrastructure at the Paris Olympics[15:03] How others can maximize sustainability in their projects[17:41] Building buy-in for sustainability initiatives in the events sector[21:59] Making the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix better for the planet—and fans[26:11] Managing stakeholders while keeping sustainability at the forefront[28:00] Ways to measure the success of sustainability-focused projects

Exploring how Project Management Offices foster innovation, strategies to drive innovative mindsets within teams, creating safe spaces for faster innovation, advice for PMO leaders on encouraging innovation, and must-have skills for a culture of innovation.

There’s a generational shift in the workforce—and the newest members are bringing new ideas to mentorship. Our joint discussion with a mentor and mentee explores their experience and the shared benefits. The conversation includes strategies for discussing and setting career goals, the biggest lessons they’ve learned from one another, and how those learnings have helped advance their careers. Plus, why project professionals should consider mentorship.Key themes[01:00] Gen Z crave mentors—and the opportunity to share their knowledge[02:34] Mentor and mentee relationship: How Nigel and Joy became mentor and mentee[04:59] Strategies for creating career goals[13:04] Lessons learned: Taking skills gained from mentoring sessions into project management careers[17:52] The benefits of mentee and mentor relationship[20:14] Why project professionals should consider mentorship—as a mentor or mentee

Startups need to stay lean to deliver results in today’s stagnant global economy. As they reassess how to manage projects, startups are refining how they use agile. Guests discuss how their ways of working have evolved to meet the changing needs of their projects—and the marketplace—and how they’re finding opportunities to incorporate AI into agile.Key themes[01:53] FutureFit AI’s agile journey: Refining ways of working as company maturity increased[07:36] Learning how to tailor agile for each project[10:04] Incorporating AI into agile[14:44] Why agile and startups are a great match[16:25] Embracing agile to pivot fast and meet a changing marketplace and customer needs[20:59] Improving agile to align ways of working across teams[24:02] Tips for startup survival: Be data-driven, willing to learn and ready to navigate complexity and uncertainty

Learn how project managers can thrive in the AI era by building AI acumen, marketing their expertise, and treating AI tools as virtual colleagues. Discover practical ways to enhance project management skills with AI, prepare for future success, leverage AI expertise for career growth, and empower professionals through AI integration.

Explore the effects of technology on team well-being in today's work environment. Learn about setting boundaries, watching for tech burnout, and balancing project demands. Discover the pros and cons of technology for project professionals and the importance of reflection for creating balance.

Guests on the podcast share their career journeys in project management, from switching industries to seeking advice for career moves. Lessons learned from missed opportunities, the importance of asking for help in new positions, and the benefits of transparency and vulnerability are discussed. Strategies for navigating career transitions, overcoming challenges in new roles, adapting to different work cultures, and setting goals for success are highlighted.

Technology is helping project teams make a positive social impact—an accelerator for addressing everything from the effects of climate change to gender equality. Guests discuss how they’re using tech in two projects: One helps adolescent girls develop skills in STEAM—science, technology, engineering, arts and math—to create future tech leaders and build a more inclusive sector. The other project pairs tech tools with Indigenous knowledge to ensure local communities can more safely travel across Canada’s arctic region.Key themes[01:21] How UNICEF is preparing girls for futures in tech[06:39] Using tech tools to gather feedback from stakeholders across the globe[09:10] Measuring the Game Changers Coalition’s direct and indirect social impact[14:26] Using tech in your project? Ensure it’s making a real difference[16:14] Pairing tech with Indigenous knowledge: How SmartICE works with communities to measure sea ice thickness[21:41] Engaging with stakeholders to create customer-centric project processes[23:14] Embracing continuous improvement to develop better tech and training practices[27:16] How project managers can focus on the social impacts of any project—no matter the sector