
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

Dec 25, 2023 • 29min
235: End of Year Recap
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen
Happy holidays, IMPACT Driver!
This time of year many of our listeners take some well-deserved downtime, so we created something special to make your break more productive and insightful. It's a bit of a "meta" episode. 🙂
We've organized all of our 2023 podcast content into useful categories based on the business problems you face and the IMPACT you want to drive.
In this episode, you’ll discover our 2023 episodes bundled into themes like:
PMO Establishment and Justification
Executive Engagement and Alignment
Project Management Techniques
Business Owners
Stakeholder and Client Engagement
Project Culture and Change Management
PMO Best Practices
I've listed the episodes you want to dive into in each of these categories and shared some insight as to why you might find each of the episodes useful.
Whether you want to set up a new PMO, better engage executives, or start thinking about the future, we've got it all covered in this list!
Grab a notepad and jot down the episode numbers to add to your holiday listening playlist.
And don’t forget to download our handy podcast discussion guide by filling out the Podcast Club form (located on the right of this page) to take notes on episodes that catch your attention. It also includes prompts to get you thinking about how to apply the content with your teams when you return to the office.
Wishing you rest, joy, and a little dose of productive inspiration this holiday season! We’ll see you in 2024 with a year jampacked with targeted content to empower you to maximize your IMPACT.
Enjoy!
P.S. – The IMPACT Entrepreneur Mentorship program is starting in January, but now through December 31, you can join for $5,000 off the 2024 price. As of right now, we still have a few seats left. Grab your seat today!
P.P.S. – This episode is sponsored by our annual PMO Health Assessment workshop. Join me in partnership with Sciforma on January 30 for a LIVE workshop to discuss the current state of your PMO and build a plan for high-IMPACT in 2024. Register for FREE today!
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
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Dec 18, 2023 • 39min
234: Starting Your Own Business
In this episode, the host shares their personal experience of starting their own business over a decade ago. They discuss the unexpected trigger that led them to take the entrepreneurial leap and how their business has evolved over time. The host also provides advice for anyone interested in starting their own business or getting into consulting, coaching, or training. They emphasize the importance of clarifying motivation, identifying expertise, and building a solid plan for success. The episode concludes with a discussion on investing in oneself when starting a business and the opportunities that can arise. Join the consultant mentorship program to start your own entrepreneurial journey.

Dec 11, 2023 • 31min
233: Mind-Reading Techniques for Project Leaders with Alex Chapman
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills
Hey, IMPACT Driver!
Who wouldn't love a little mind-reading prowess at work, right? 😉 It'd be a game-changer!
For project and PMO people, truly getting to what executives really want (beyond what they say) can feel like a puzzle.
But guess what? Our guest, IMPACT Summit speaker Alex Chapman, has some mind-blowing insights to help you unlock this skill!
With over 40 years of project mastery, Alex has honed her "mind-reading" techniques, starting with asking the right questions. Not only will this turbocharge your PMO's alignment with the big goals, but it'll also set the stage for more meaningful conversations and showcase the immense value you bring to the table.
Ready to dive in and start delivering the results they're craving? Join me in this episode!
Enjoy!
PS - Attention PMO leaders! Say goodbye to being labeled as "administrative overhead." It's time to make a real IMPACT and drive measurable business value. Join our FREE one-hour PMO Advantage training and become the strategic asset your leaders need. Claim your seat at the table for good, and let's elevate your PMO journey together!
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

Dec 4, 2023 • 30min
232: Shattering Ceilings: The Inspiring Journey of Women in PMO with Dr. Mona Zoughaib
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen
Hey, IMPACT Driver!
In the world of project management, women have faced uphill battles when trying to shatter glass ceilings and earn their seat at the leadership table.
What does it take to overcome challenges and excel as leaders of PMOs?
Yes, this is for you even if you aren’t a woman. 🙂 If you're smart, you're looking for ways to support everyone around you because you’ll go a lot further together than you can alone.
We all need to be mindful of how to create a culture of inclusivity, so the best ideas are driving the future of your organization.
In this inspiring discussion, you will meet IMPACT Summit speaker Dr. Mona Zoughaib.
Mona will share how she navigated barriers to drive success in this field. From trials and triumphs to resilience and empowerment, we will uncover the strategies and mindsets helping all PMO people ascend to new heights.
Take a listen now!
Enjoy!
This episode is sponsored by:
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

4 snips
Nov 27, 2023 • 34min
231: Organizational Change Maturity With the PMO with Isolde Kanikani
Isolde Kanikani, an expert in organizational change and PMO leadership, discusses the importance of organizational change maturity, ROI and happy employees in change initiatives, the increasing importance of change capability in organizations, and the significance of embracing change and evolving for organizational success.

Nov 20, 2023 • 34min
230: Missing Link Between Vision, Strategy, & Execution with Wolfram Müller
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen
Hey, IMPACT Driver!
It would be incredible if every project ran smoothly and on schedule every time, right?
Unfortunately, bottlenecks are a reality for any process. Knowing how to uncover and address those bottlenecks is critical to maximizing throughput, but how do you ensure you’re making the right decisions to achieve this goal, IMPACT Driver?
In this episode, I’m joined by my good friend and IMPACT Summit speaker Wolfram Müller, an internationally known speaker, author, and expert on self-organized changes based on the Theory of Constraints.
And if you don’t yet know what TOC is, you definitely need to check this out!
Wolfram walks us through the effective, accounting-based strategy he uses to find and exploit the constraints that hold projects back. He shares, based on his experience working with over 40 companies, the main factor that causes a PMO to fail.
Join us for this episode to find out how to maximize throughput for your projects – getting that higher ROI for projects your executives want!
Enjoy!
PS - This episode is sponsored by Planisware. Planisware offers cloud solutions that help you anticipate and shape tomorrow. By adding certainty in innovation and confidence to your decision making, Planisware cloud solutions allow you to make your vision a reality. Learn more today how Planisware can help you transform your projects.
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

Nov 13, 2023 • 29min
229: Driving Organizational Agility with Christoph Hirnle
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen
Hey, IMPACT Driver!
When it comes to Agile, it can be easy to get distracted by the methodology and terminology that comes with it (as Jesse Fewell put it in episode 210, we get so obsessed with the how, we forget about the why).
The reality is that things change fast. Successful organizations cannot thrive relying on terms and prescribed frameworks alone – they must focus on adapting continuously.
In this episode, I welcome my friend Christoph Hirnle, Managing Director of Meisterplan, to explore how PMOs can drive real IMPACT by anticipating what will matter, adapting plans when circumstances change, and accelerating execution - the Universal 3As of Agility.
Join us for this episode to learn how PMOs (and other parts of the organization) can leverage these principles to stay ahead of the curve.

Nov 6, 2023 • 38min
228: Customer-Focused Mindset for PMOs with Moussa Gherbi
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen
Hey, IMPACT Driver!
The project economy is booming and PMOs are at the heart of it all!
As companies shift toward project-driven strategies, PMOs play a pivotal role in driving success – and you need to know how to take full advantage of this opportunity!
But here's the kicker: How can PMOs best serve their internal partners, like project and resource managers, all while keeping the big business goals in sight?
I am thrilled to welcome Moussa Gherbi, head of Customer Success at Planisware, to help answer this question.
In this episode, we're diving deep into how adopting a customer-centric mindset can be a game-changer for your PMO. Because, let's face it, mindset is where the magic happens!
Tune in for some serious PMO power moves. You won't want to miss this!
Enjoy!
Learn More About PlaniswareConnect with us on LinkedInFollow us on TwitterFind us on FacebookLearn more about our productsRequest a demoQuadpack's Approach: A Case Study on Key Factors in New Product Development
P.S. – This episode is sponsored by Planisware. Planisware offers cloud solutions that help you anticipate and shape tomorrow. By adding certainty in innovation and confidence to your decision-making, Planisware cloud solutions allow you to make your vision a reality. Learn more today about how Planisware can help you transform your projects.
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

Oct 30, 2023 • 57min
227: How PMs Can Break the Glass Ceiling with Pierre Le Manh
The podcast features Pierre Le Manh, President and CEO of the Project Management Institute, discussing the challenges project professionals face in breaking through the glass ceiling. Topics include the importance of PMOs in driving organizational change, developing leadership skills to reach the C-suite, strategies to overcome obstacles, choosing leapfrog CEOs for transformation, and understanding executives' priorities in order to gain their support.

Oct 23, 2023 • 18min
226: Making the Case for a PMO
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen
Hey, IMPACT Driver!
Many executives today are frustrated by delayed projects, high budget overruns, and projects not resulting in the intended business outcomes and the first thing they usually do is blame project management. However, it might take some convincing that it will take more than some project management training to get their projects moving faster.
You know there’s more to it (because you listen to this podcast!) but how do you make the case for a PMO that can truly address the root causes of their pain points without having to push, convince, sell, beg, or plead for them to support you in setting up a PMO to solve their business challenges?
In this episode, I’m going to show you how to make the case for a PMO (or strategy delivery team) the right way and without having to spend a single minute feeling like a salesperson!
Join me for this episode to make an undeniable case for a PMO that your business leaders can’t ignore. In fact, they will be begging you to get started!
Enjoy!
P.S. – The IMPACT Engine System™ shows you exactly what to do to make the case for your PMO and then gives you the step-by-step-by-step for building a strong PMO that shows value fast. With our framework, you’ll be able to show your business leaders exactly what you’ll do in the first 90 days and how quickly they will see results. This program will help you drive measurable value for the business, making it easy to get your executives on board. Learn more today!
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