Projectified

PMI’s 2021 Most Influential Projects highlights nearly 250 initiatives that deliver serious innovation in everything from healthcare to mobility. We discuss two of those projects with:Josh Katz, founder and CEO of YellowHeart, New York City: Katz discusses how his company collaborated with the Kings of Leon to create a first-of-its-kind NFT package—paving the way for other artists to use the emerging tech.Patrick Omondi, PhD, director, Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Naivasha, Kenya: Omondi discusses how the team overcame the challenges it faced conducting Kenya’s first systematic wildlife census and how the data will be used to protect the country’s wildlife—and its tourism sector.

Infrastructure projects form the bedrock of modern society­—delivering expressways, clean water supplies, internet access and a bevy of other essentials. Yet project leaders must also ensure these initiatives deliver value now—and for decades to come. We discuss this with:Innocentia Mahlangu, PMP, senior civil engineer and project manager at Hatch, Johannesburg: Mahlangu discusses the socioeconomic impact of infrastructure projects, the need for meaningful stakeholder engagement and future-proofing for long-term value. Casey Canfield, PhD, assistant professor, engineering management and systems engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri, USA: Canfield discusses how COVID-19 heightened awareness of the need for digital infrastructure, the pilot project she’s leading to expand broadband access in rural areas and how she’s measuring social impact.

As the world grapples with the effects of climate change, consumers are increasingly interested in electric vehicles (EVs). And that means lots of projects, not just to deliver cool new products, but also the underlying infrastructure that supports them. We discuss e-mobility trends with: Gaurav Batra, global advanced manufacturing and mobility analyst team leader at EY in New Delhi: Batra discusses how the pandemic—and climate change—shifted EV adoption rates, and the role of government leaders in boosting the EV ecosystem.Dan O’Shea, director of utility strategy and business development, EV infrastructure at ABB in Seattle: O’Shea talks about what’s needed to build out EV charging infrastructure and how projects leaders can adapt to the industry’s rapid rate of innovation. 

Data fuels collaboration and innovation—but it can also be a vulnerability. That means project leaders must keep security and risk top of mind—at all times. We discuss this with: Tim Hurley, PMP, cybersecurity project manager, Sempra, San Diego, California: Hurley discusses why teams must address security concerns early—and often—and offers his advice to project leaders on how to keep data secure. Maxine Holt, senior research director, cybersecurity at Omdia, London: Holt talks about the cybersecurity practices organizations should be implementing and why teams need to analyze cyber risks—as well as their potential impact. 

With disruption a near constant, project leaders must be able to solve complex problems in uncertain situations. We discuss this with: Raquel Selem Moreira, design and innovation project manager at Pierre Fabre Group, Rio de Janeiro: Selem Moreira talks about breaking down complexity on projects and using design thinking to deliver innovative solutions.Marianna Sarmiento, assistant director of administration at Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, Riverside, California, USA: Sarmiento shares how she’s using PMI’s Wicked Problem Solving framework to take her team virtual. 

When the pandemic hit, many hallmarks of city life—public transportation, skyscrapers with shared amenities, bustling streets—flipped from pros to cons. But don’t count cities out. We discuss how project teams are reimagining the urban environment with:Jun Huang, partner, Wei Yang & Partners, London: Huang discusses the aspects of urban life most strained during the pandemic—and how cities can change in response. He also shares ways project leaders can best collaborate with multiple stakeholders to keep citizen needs at the forefront.Zhengkai Jiang, PMP, senior project manager, CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co. Ltd., Zhuzhou, China: Jiang discusses rail transit trends and his project to design and manufacture fully autonomous trains. Soo-Jin Kim, head of the urban policies and reviews unit, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris: Kim discusses how cities can become more sustainable, walkable and resilient, plus how digital transformation is changing urban life. Key themes[01:13] The growth—and evolution—of cities[03:33] COVID-19’s stress test on urban life[06:15] Urban development trends: creating sustainable, inspiring cities[09:15] Collaborating with stakeholders while keeping citizens’ needs at the forefront[12:18] Next-gen public transit: autonomous rail[17:04] Three steps for a more resilient city[19:15] Urban digital transformations [20:54] Making cities more adaptable, walkable and eco-friendly

In today’s competitive world of work, career-focused project leaders are learning to set themselves apart from the pack with a strong personal brand story. We discuss branding tips and tricks with: Pascale Sablan, associate at Adjaye Associates, and founder and executive director of Beyond the Built Environment LLC, both in New York City: Sablan shares how she created—and redefined—her personal brand and how it influences her thinking on projects. Jon Michail, founder and group CEO of Image Group International, Melbourne: Michail offers advice for project leaders on building and marketing their personal brand—and the ROI they can expect.Key themes[00:21] Everyone has a personal brand—and can market it[01:46] Conveying your mission and values in personal branding[05:25] Using your personal brand as a guidepost[10:03] Showcasing your value in a changing world of work[11:55] Personal branding tips for project leaders

The pandemic has drastically changed the way many people live and work—and also brought a new focus on mental health. What does that mean for project teams? We discuss the issue with: Carrie Fletcher, PMP, vice president, people and experience at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto: She discusses how a healthy staff can boost company performance, the signs a team member may be struggling with mental health issues, and the challenges and rewards of her own organization’s initiative to support employee well-being.  Aga Swiatowa, PMP, vice president, technology and innovation at Discovery Inc., Wrocław, Poland: She discusses how project leaders can improve their teams’—and their own—mental health, connect with virtual and hybrid teams, and help team members returning to work after mental health leave.  Key themes[00:17] The growing focus on mental health in the workplace[04:30] How a healthy staff improves company performance[07:10] Rolling out a mental health program across an enterprise[15:05] Signs a team member may be struggling with mental health issues[18:46] Check-ins with virtual or hybrid teams[20:03] Supporting a team member returning from mental health leave

Fueled by bold thinking and a deep commitment to social impact, a new generation of leaders is out to build a better world. PMI Future 50 leaders both past and present discuss how young people are changing the world of projects. The episode includes a conversation between Ackeem Ngwenya, co-founder of Reframd in Berlin, and Julissa Mateo Abad, PMP, digital transformation manager at Distribuidora Corripio in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The two discuss social impact, inclusion and other shifts they see on the project landscape. Teen inventor Gitanjali Rao also drops by to discuss her iterative process of innovation, building credibility as a young woman in STEM and her advice on how people can create positive change—no matter their age.  Key themes[01:13] Future 50: Young project leaders making their mark[05:05] Driving change and inclusion[08:13] A new, more collaborative leadership style[16:50] Taking an iterative approach to innovation [18:10] Age versus ability: Proving leaders can make a difference at any age 

From digital twins to 3D printing, cutting-edge tech is disrupting the construction industry. Guests are: Miguel Monteiro, project director, Besix, Dubai: Monteiro discusses how technology is helping improve efficiency and safety on the Uptown Tower project. He also talks about how project leaders can encourage teams to try out new tech and how to measure ROI. Matt Gough, director of innovation, Mace, London: Gough discusses how changing government regulations and COVID-19 accelerated the growth of tech in construction. He also talks about the importance of creating a culture that’s open to technology and innovation.  Key themes[01:16] Increased investment in tech on construction projects[02:24] How tech is improving efficiency on Uptown Tower[05:43] Helping project teams accept, adopt new tech in construction[09:24] Measuring the ROI of tech [12:41] New government regulations accelerate digitization in construction[16:39] Using tech to minimize the need to be on-site[19:09] How to encourage tech innovation on construction teams