
PMO Strategies
In this podcast, PMO leaders and those wanting to capitalize on the best of project management to deliver the organization’s strategy,will uncover the hidden secrets of the best PMOs, learn the game-changing techniques that transform any PMO into a value-driven IMPACT Engine, and explore the best ways for the PMO to become an integral part of the fabric and future of an organization. After spending two and a half decades helping organizations deliver change, with 15 of those years in the shoes of PMO leader inside organizations, Laura strongly believes that there is more to making an IMPACT than templates, tools, and process. She’ll show you how to make the shifts necessary to becoming a business focused PMO that will become an invaluable organizational asset. With her guests and insights, we explore the sticky situations and tough challenges PMO leaders face, from sorting through all of the “noise” about what the PMO “should” do to finding the best ways for your PMO to make an IMPACT. Listen in and you can discover how to shift your focus from outputs to outcomes, fundamentally changing the game for your PMO and personal success.
Latest episodes

May 13, 2024 • 25min
255: IMPACT Engine Book Sneak Peek
The podcast discusses the launch of a new book for PMO and transformation leaders. It emphasizes the importance of driving change and accelerating strategy delivery. Listeners are invited to join a free International PMO Day celebration and become an IMPACT Insider by pre-ordering the book.

May 6, 2024 • 13min
254: Invitation to Celebrate and Elevate
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills
Hey, IMPACT Driver!
I have a very important message for you in today's episode.
Are you celebrating International PMO Day on May 14? I'd love for you to join me here. It's free, plus you'll get a sneak peek into my new book The IMPACT Engine and learn how to get access to it months before it's available in stores!
See you soon! 🙂
P.S. Bring your team and join me for free on INTERNATIONAL PMO DAY ON MAY 14! Plus, you'll get a sneak peek into my new book!
P.P.S. Become an IMPACT Insider by pre-ordering my new book, planning to submit a review in September, and sharing about the book online (you can start reading now)!
P.P.P.S. Pre-order The IMPACT Engine physical book and get the digital copy now plus other bonuses, learn more here.
Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!
I welcome your feedback and insights!
I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!
Warmly,
Laura Barnard
GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES
TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN
PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Apr 29, 2024 • 35min
253: AI in Portfolio Management: Transforming Transformation with Stuart Easton
Stuart Easton, CEO of TransparentChoice, discusses using AI in portfolio management for maximizing ROI and driving strategic change. The podcast delves into the role of AI in project prioritization, portfolio governance, and the transformative impact on decision-making. Learn how AI can streamline project scheduling and provide quick access to critical information for efficient strategy delivery.

Apr 22, 2024 • 35min
252: 5 Steps to Earn Your Seat at the Table with Bill Dow
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills
Hey, IMPACT Driver!
Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a PMO leader who commands the respect and attention of the executive team? If you've always wanted to know the secrets to earning your seat at the leadership table, this episode is for you.
In this episode, I'm joined by Bill Dow, PMP, a long-time PMO leader and 2023 World PMO Influencer of the Year, for a review of the five building blocks every PMO leader should embrace to amplify their influence and have a voice in executive-level decisions.
Join us for this episode to uncover the insider strategies that will transform your PMO into a driving force for organizational success and unlock your own potential as a leader. Don't miss this opportunity to take your PMO leadership to the next level.
Your seat is waiting...
Enjoy!
Connect with Bill
Check out Bill's Latest Publications
Subscribe to Bill's YouTube Channel
Connect with Bill on LinkedIn
P.S. – Celebrate International PMO Day on May 14, 2024, 11-1 EDT | 3-5 GMT with a FREE 2-hour training and coaching workshop! Plus get a sneak peek into the brand new IMPACT Engine book.
P.P.S. - The IMPACT Engine book is coming. Make sure you check our newsletter each week because you will be the FIRST to know when you can get an early sneak peek. 🥳🎉👏
Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!
I welcome your feedback and insights!
I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!
Warmly,
Laura Barnard
GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES
TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN
PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Apr 15, 2024 • 34min
251: Courageous Leadership: Women in Project Management with Apriel Biggs
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills
Hey, IMPACT Driver!
Did you know that currently only 26.7% of tech jobs are filled by women? The majority of those are entry-level positions, which means an even smaller percentage of women are in leadership roles in the industry.
All too often, women find themselves struggling to balance personal and professional demands, lacking the necessary support to thrive in their careers. I know this all too well, spending many of my earlier years working in PMOs and building my company as a single mom!
Some would say that the odds are stacked against women in the workplace, but I’m not OK with that.
What can we do to fix this problem and give everyone the support they need to thrive in the workplace?
In this episode, IMPACT Summit speaker and a Certified Enterprise Agile Coach (CEC) with the Scrum Alliance, Apriel Biggs, and I will have an honest conversation about women in project leadership. She will share empowering insights from her career that will help you overcome any setbacks you may face in the professional world.
This podcast episode isn’t only for women! It’s for anyone who wants to create opportunities for their teams to thrive. In fact, you might be surprised by what I share regarding how I was treated in the workplace by men and women.
Check it out now.
Enjoy!
Connect with Apriel Biggs
Find Apriel Biggs in LinkedIn
P.S. International PMO Day is just around the corner. That's right, on Tuesday, May 14th, 2024, we'll be celebrating the vital role that Project Management Offices play in organizations across the globe. Reserve your seat today and learn more about how you can participate!
Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!
I welcome your feedback and insights!
I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!
Warmly,
Laura Barnard
GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES
TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN
PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Apr 8, 2024 • 37min
250: Navigating Projectland with Dawn Mahan
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Ways of Working
Hey, IMPACT Driver!
Do your project teams ever feel like they're wandering aimlessly without a map? Do misaligned expectations lead to disappointment in the project outcome? Our next podcast guest and my dear friend, Dawn Mahan, is here to help!
Dawn's new book Meet the Players in Projectland®: Decide the Right Project Roles & Get People On Board breaks down the unique dynamics of "Projectland" - where cross-functional teams come together for a temporary endeavor. Her insights equip project leaders with clarity around role expectations to set their teams up for success.
In this episode, Dawn shares practical tips like:
How to get buy-in from execs to front-line
Defining clear responsibilities for project sponsors & teams
Ensuring no role feels like an "extra" player
With Dawn as our travel guide through Projectland, you'll discover how to align your team around a common mission to bridge gaps and achieve collective wins.
Be sure to check out this episode and learn more about Dawn's book for more role clarity essentials your project people need today. Enjoy!
Connect with Dawn
Follow Dawn on LinkedIn
Check out Dawn's website
Check out Dawn's Udemy Course
P.S. – Grab your copy of Dawn's book here!
P.P.S. – Love books? AWESOME! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter emails so you're the first to get a sneak peek into my new book, The IMPACT Engine.
Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!
I welcome your feedback and insights!
I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!
Warmly,
Laura Barnard
GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES
TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN
PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Apr 1, 2024 • 23min
249: Is Project Failure OK?
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen
Hey, IMPACT Driver!
What if I told you that failure could be the key to your PMO's long-term success? It may sound counterintuitive, but in this episode, I'm sharing the surprising benefits of embracing failure in project management.
You'll learn why I challenge the conventional wisdom that failure is something to avoid at all costs. Instead, you can look at this as a strategic opportunity to address some of your toughest challenges (can we say there's never enough resources?) and position you, IMPACT Driver, to be the strategic business partner your C-Suite is looking for.
Listen now and discover how embracing failure could be the game-changer your PMO needs.
Happy listening!
P.S. The IMPACT Engine book is coming soon. Make sure you're staying connected to our newsletters for a very early sneak peek into the book, plus some other surprises I have in store only for our subscribers!
Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!
I welcome your feedback and insights!
I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!
Warmly,
Laura Barnard
GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES
TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN
PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Mar 25, 2024 • 30min
248: When Workplace Conflict Strikes with Karin Hurt
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills
Hey, IMPACT Driver!
Do workplace conflicts leave you feeling drained and frustrated?
Do you wish you knew how to handle disagreements more effectively to get better results?
In this episode, I'm joined by my friend, Karin Hurt to discuss practical tips based on a nationwide workplace collaboration and conflict survey. You'll learn specific techniques to communicate effectively, problem-solve productively, and even prevent tension in the first place.
If you're thinking, "I'd love to know exactly what to say when I'm in the heat of the moment with that frustrating stakeholder," then Karin has you covered with 300 powerful phrases to help you turn even the most stressful conflicts into productive discussions that keep everyone driving toward the IMPACT you need! She shares some of her favorite phrases with us in this episode. You don't want to miss it!
Enjoy!
Connect with Karin:Follow Karin on LinkedIn Preorder your copy of Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict
Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!
I welcome your feedback and insights!
I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!
Warmly,
Laura Barnard
GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES
TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN
PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Mar 18, 2024 • 29min
247: The Power of Workstreams
Explore the power of workstreams in project management, enhancing collaboration, coordinating work effectively, and providing visual representations. Learn from real-world examples in various industries and how workstreams can transform your project management approach.

Mar 11, 2024 • 22min
246: Sustainably Delivering IMPACT with Brian Cohn & Mark Adler Madsen
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills
Hey, IMPACT Driver!
Last week, we explored the challenge of sustainability in business. This week, in part two of our series with Mark Adler Madsen and Brian Cohn, we dive into practical strategies for helping your project teams consistently perform at a high level while navigating the relentless pressure to deliver more value, faster - and sustainably.
Join us in this episode as we explore the key areas to focus on, from building intrinsic motivation and embracing servant leadership to prioritizing stakeholder analysis and incremental value delivery. Mark and Brian also share insights on the potential pitfalls of external processes and tools, emphasizing the importance of an empirical, team-centric approach to sustainable improvement.
You'll learn the secrets to sustaining high performance in your project teams and learn how you can lead the way in creating a more sustainable, purpose-driven organization.
Enjoy!
P.S. - Attention PMO leaders! Don’t settle for being considered just “administrative overhead.” Learn how to make a real IMPACT and drive measurable business value with our free training. Become the strategic asset your leaders need and earn your seat at the table for good. Register now for this FREE one-hour PMO Advantage training and start driving success today!
P.P.S. – The IMPACT Engine book is coming, and you will be the first to know when you can get a sneak peek. Make sure you're checking these emails each week, because we're about to get this party started!
Connect with Brian and Mark
Find Brianand Markon LinkedIn
Follow Aspire Innovation on LinkedIn
Learn more about Aspire Innovation
Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!
I welcome your feedback and insights!
I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!
Warmly,
Laura Barnard
GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES
TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN
PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS