Projectified

Doug shares experiences and insights from managing PMI's 2017 Project of the Year. You’ll learn how the team overcame dangers of the work environment and the technical, talent, and communications challenges of the project.   About our Guest: Roland (Doug) Greenwell has led highly complex projects at U.S. Department of Energy sites for more than 30 years, bringing expertise in nuclear waste retrieval, safety-conscious work environments and continuous improvement.   Doug shares experiences and insights from managing PMI's 2017 Project of the Year. The project was replacing an underground tank that was leaking radioactive waste in Hanford, Washington, USA. Highlights of the award-winning project includes finishing the project ahead of schedule and US$8.7 under budget, and no safety issues were encountered while transferring nuclear waste. Doug’s conversation details dealing with technical and talent challenges, communicating to diverse stakeholders and negative media, risk management, and the rewards of the job.   For an easy way to stay up-to-date on Projectified with PMI, follow the podcast at: iTunes, Stitcher,  Google Play, or Pmi.org/podcast.   Key Takeaways: [2:13] project background and site history [6:56] project begins with an unexpected leak [10:50] dangers of the work environment [13:30] technical challenges, timeline and cost [16:23] the talent challenge, skillsets and training [25:10] the stakeholder communication challenge [28:27] dealing with media and negative coverage [32:38] the shared attributes of complex projects [36:20] risk management is indispensable [39:43] the rewards of the job, the impact on society  

After building a successful IT consulting career in the corporate world, Jane invested a decade leading global development projects and programs for World Vision International and CARE USA.   In this episode, Stephen Maye sits down with Jane Canniff who discusses how project management is changing and how it differs between the for-profit and global development sectors. Jane also shares what she's learned about transition, adaptation and finding purpose in work that can save lives.   For an easy way to stay up-to-date on Projectified with PMI, follow our podcast at: iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or Pmi.org/podcast.     Key Takeaways: @01:30 — the global development landscape, goals @04:00 — the need for project leadership @05:45 — moving from corporate to development sector @11:45 — building local capability and commitment @15:20 — communication and cultural considerations @19:40 — technology and infrastructure challenges @25:00 — the value of curiosity and encouragement @27:00 — returning to for-profit world with new perspective @28:55 — working with a cross-cultural, global team @31:50 — making the transition to social-good project work  

Picking up our previous conversation on "pitching projects," Oren practices what he preaches — diving right into describing "a path to payoff" to follow when running team meetings or presenting a solution to stakeholders.   About our Guest: Oren Klaff is author of Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal and an investment banker who has raised more than $1 billion for entrepreneurs.   For an easy way to stay up-to-date on Projectified with PMI, follow the podcast at: iTunes, Stitcher,  Google Play, or Pmi.org/podcast.   Key Takeaways: [02:46] Describe problems in ways that solutions are valued [10:57] Establish why meeting is important and worth the time [12:35] Build a narrative arc about what's new or changing [18:54] 'Unpack' the solution with facts then 'sell' benefits with emotion [21:30] Only present for as long as you can be compelling [23:13] Remember and believe that YOU are the value   Links: Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal,by Oren Klaff PitchAnything.com

Anand Swaminathan, a senior partner at McKinsey and Stephen W. Maye continue their conversation about what digital transformation means today, and why it’s important to almost every organization’s future. Real-world business examples of digital transformation enlighten part two of our conversation with Anand, as we dive more deeply into the role of cross-functional teams and discuss the culture challenges that must be addressed.  Anand Swaminathan is also one of the authors of Digital @ Scale: The Playbook You Need to Transform Your Company. Anand covers some of topics in the book such as the changes in strategy that happen as part of the digital transformation, changes in culture, the organization model and operating model, as well as the changes in fundamental capabilities.   For an easy way to stay up-to-date on Projectified with PMI, follow the podcast at: Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, SoundCloud, Stitcher, or pmi.org/podcast.   Key Takeaways: [04:35] Breaking down silos with cross-functional teams [07:05] Examples of digital transformation in healthcare [10:05] Culture change and reinvention are mandatory [12:15] Emerging roles to build bridges, drive transformation [14:08] 'Intentionally temporary' jobs, processes and models [17:00] Preparing for your digital work future   Links: McKinsey & Company Digital @ Scale: The Playbook You Need to Transform Your Company, by Anand Swaminathan and Jürgen Meffert  

Best-selling author of The Dance of the Possible, The Year Without Pants and other books, Scott is a former Microsoft project manager, a creative-thinking teacher, and a popular speaker. Episode Description: We return to the oft-neglected role of creativity in project management as Scott shares insights on bringing fresh-thinking and innovative problem-solving to your projects and teams, regardless of the work environment. For an easy way to stay up-to-date on Projectified with PMI, follow our podcast at: iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or Pmi.org/podcast.   Episode Notes: @01:15 — overcoming 'creative block' by lowering the bar @04:26 — keeping a journal to spark ideas and solutions @09:21 — bringing creative thinking to traditional work cultures @12:29 — balancing quick solutions with deeper exploration @16:40 — an idea-generation technique using 'opposites'   Links: Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management, by Scott

Lauri Bingham, Director of Technology PMO at T-Mobile. Responsible for managing over $100M across a diverse, high-profile portfolio of national programs and projects.   Episode Description: Stephen W. Maye is your host for Projectified with PMI. In this episode, Stephen sits down with Lauri Bingham who shares insights and lessons learned on adopting and integrating agile principles and practices into a variety of work environments. Lauri also covers the PMO’s role in supporting teams, hybrid approaches, and dealing with complexity.   For an easy way to stay up-to-date on Projectified with PMI, follow our podcast at: iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or Pmi.org/podcast.     Key Takeaways: 2:44 — the importance of 'soft' and 'big-picture' skills @06:15 — moving from waterfall to agile/hybrid methods @08:44 — finding the right fit for right team for right project @11:01 — communicating successes, benefits and lessons @12:20 — the challenges of going first and changing habits @14:40 — a culture shift throughout organization @19:57 — balancing waterfall and agile principles @22:25 — letting the data lead you to the answers @25:43 — listen to your customers, build a relationships @30:30 — the learn-trial-learn process @33:57 — career advice to women and young project managers   Links: Lauri Bingham LinkedIn

Oren Klaff, pitch expert and author of "Pitch Anything," shares invaluable insights on pitching for project leaders. He highlights pitching as a vital skill, emphasizing the importance of building a compelling vision and establishing trust. Oren discusses common pitfalls like the 'information dump' and how to structure a presentation effectively. He also delves into the neuroscience behind communication, offering strategies to keep your audience engaged and foster credibility, thus ensuring effective decision-making and buy-in from stakeholders.

Scott Berkun is a bestselling author, sought after speaker, and former Microsoft project manager. Stephen W. Maye is your host for Projectified with PMI. In this episode Stephen discusses creativity withScott explains creativity’s often misunderstood and neglected role in project work, how to foster and apply creativity in process-oriented environments today, and why it will become even more important in the future of project professionals.   Scott describes creativity as a creation and problem-solving process within project roles. He emphasizes that the process of creation and being creative is to not only create something new but to maintain and improve pre-existing ideas. Scott discusses the importance of defining ‘good’ when it comes to creativity, the relevance of creativity in the project management role, the benefits of applying creativity to any role, and where creativity fits in an increasingly automated and digitized world.   For an easy way to stay up-to-date on Projectified with PMI, follow the podcast at: iTunes, Stitcher,  Google Play, or Pmi.org/podcast.   Key Takeaways: [:28] Stephen provides some background on Scott and welcomes him to the podcast [1:09] What’s the deal with Scott’s hair? [2:49] Scott’s definition of creativity [5:12] Scott’s early project manager role with Microsoft [6:04] Reflecting back on his role as a project manager: Where was creativity relevant? [7:34] The importance of defining ‘good’ and who gets to define ‘good’ [11:08] Where creativity fits in a world that is becoming increasingly more automated and digitized. [14:14] Who is at greatest risk for losing their job to automation? [16:02] Creativity’s relevancy in projects in an ever-increasing automated world and how project managers can better bring creativity to their job. [20:15] The opportunities and benefits of applying creativity in the role of project management.   Links: Making Things Happen: Mastering Project

Jacqueline Van Pelt, a rising star at BAE systems, recounts her experiences in a number of project management roles and shares the deep insights she’s gained along the way. Jacqueline’s insights will benefit both up-and-coming and mid-career project professionals alike. Stephen W. Maye is your host for Projectified with PMI.   Jacqueline is a young professional that has already amassed an impressive level of experience. She started as a consultant in the defence industry doing project management and business development consulting and is now employed with BAE Systems — a leading defence contractor where she has spent the last year immersed in a project management role and has gotten to see project management from a number of perspectives and angles. Jacqueline has a lot to bring to the community of project professionals, project managers, and those involved in PMOs and related work.   For an easy way to stay up-to-date on Projectified with PMI, follow the podcast at: Itunes, Stitcher, Google Play or pmi.org/podcast.   Key Takeaways: [:28] Introduction to Jacqueline and her current work [2:24] Jacqueline’s role in reinvigorating a PMO: The challenges and mission [5:19] The importance of mentorship [6:18] The biggest challenge of reinvigorating a PMO [7:42] Jacqueline’s transition from an engineer-focused mind to focusing on her interactions with people [9:07] The switch to relationship-focused PM [11:25] A window into how building these relationships began [13:19] Valuing your own perspective as a project manager [15:00] Jacqueline’s ‘backstage’ tips [17:01] Jacqueline’s basic principles when it comes to trust and building relationships [19:14] The key to building trust with those that you need to influence [20:43] Learning to ask the awkward questions [23:27] The experiences Jacqueline carried with her as a consultant into her current work [26:35] Jacqueline’s excellent mentors [29:13] Developing a leadership style

Dr. Michael Chui of the McKinsey Global Institute. Dr. Michael Chui is a technologist by training, a computer and cognitive scientist, author, and frequent speaker at major global conferences. Stephen W. Maye is your host for Projectified with PMI. In this episode, Stephen talks with Michael Chui who has conducted lots of fascinating research around automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and digitization.   Michael shares research on the impact that artificial intelligence will have on the workforce, why A.I. presents new opportunities in the project world, how it affects work and the future potential of work, and how project professionals can prepare themselves to thrive in an emergent, exciting and uncertain landscape.   For an easy way to stay up-to-date on Projectified with PMI, follow the podcast at: Itunes, Stitcher, Google Play or pmi.org/podcast.   Key Takeaways: [:28] Steven introduces Dr. Michael Chui and he gives us some background into his work [1:40] What Dr. Michael Chui’s research has been about, the motivation behind it and the biggest surprises to come out of it [8:40] Where Michael sees the significant differences in the project world with the adoption of technological automation [12:17] The good news: Emphasis on leadership roles and developing connections with people [14:20] Where Michael anticipates the most significant impacts from automation and digitization [16:25] Where we are from a social acceptance perspective about machines and robotics [19:20] Awareness of robotics and automation adoption across the country and on socioeconomic levels [22:17] How people in professional roles will prepare for a world of increasingly smart technology [24:48] The good news for project management and project leadership: Immense value placed on leadership and motivation skills   Links: Michael Chui’s McKinsey & Company Profile