Agile and Project Management - DrunkenPM Radio

In this conversation, Mun-Wai Chung, author of 'Slay the Meeting Monster', shares her mission to improve corporate meeting effectiveness. She discusses how ineffective meetings mirror company culture and have worsened with remote work. Mun-Wai emphasizes the need for intentionality, scripts to guide discussions, and collaboration over traditional formats. The chat also highlights how evaluating the necessity of meetings can significantly enhance productivity and respect participants' time, urging leaders to adopt new approaches for a more engaging meeting culture.

In this episode of Drunken PM Radio, Dave Prior discusses how to make daily standups more effective for teams that feel they are merely status calls. He shares ten actionable suggestions to enhance the value of these meetings, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, preparation, and maintaining a focused and respectful environment. The conversation also touches on the need for team members to take responsibility for their contributions and the dynamics of remote work. Takeaways • Daily standups should foster conversation, not just status updates. • Avoid rigid structures like the three questions in standups. • Team members should update their work status before the meeting. • Focus on collaboration rather than individual assignments. • Encourage camera use during virtual meetings for better connection. • Limit standup meetings to 15 minutes to maintain efficiency. • Rotate the facilitator to promote collective ownership. • Use inclusive language to reinforce team unity. • Preparation is key to a productive meeting. • Respect your teammates by being prepared and engaged. The Agile Netork's CONVERGE MicroConference January 27-27, 2025 Over 100 Sessions! Free Access During The Conference! Use Discount Code DRUNKENPMCMC33 for 33% of Membership to The Agile Network https://theagilenetwork.com/

Today PMI announced that The Agile Alliance was joining PMI to form the PMI Agile Alliance. This is obviously going to cause a great deal of debate in the Agile and project management communities. I am very excited about what this could mean for the future of Project Management and Agile - and here is why.

Summary In this conversation, Dave Prior and Jim Benson discuss the challenges of remote work, the impact of collaboration tools on productivity, and the importance of creating humane workspaces. They explore the dynamics of meetings, the toxicity of over-communication, and the need for regular maintenance in team processes. Jim shares insights from his course on cleaning toxic waste in workplaces, emphasizing the significance of visual management and effective communication to foster a healthier work environment. Takeaways • Work should be done without fear or trepidation. • Remote work requires understanding information needs within teams. • Meetings often become unproductive due to over-communication. • Context switching can lead to frustration and decreased productivity. • Creating humane workspaces is essential for team dynamics. • Regular maintenance of team processes prevents issues from escalating. • Collaboration tools need to be used intentionally and effectively. • Visual management can help reduce workplace toxicity. • Toxic systems lead to hiring toxic leaders. • Addressing workplace toxicity is a collective responsibility. Chapters 02:11 Introduction to Jim Benson and Work Dynamics 05:09 The Challenges of Remote Work and Collaboration Tools 08:07 Meeting Overload and Productivity Killers 11:14 Communication Tools and Their Inefficiencies 14:11 The Impact of Context Switching on Work 17:07 Creating Humane Workspaces 20:10 The Role of Tools in Team Collaboration 23:08 Cleaning Toxic Waste in Work Environments 26:15 Conclusion and Course Information Links from the episode Cleaning Toxic Waste Course: https://modusinstitute.com/course/toxic-waste Modus Institute: https://modusinstitute.com/ The Collaboration Equation: https://www.collaboration-equation.com/ The Agile Network December Micro Conference (Dec 16-17): https://theagilenetwork.com Contacting Jim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimbenson/ Email: jim@moduscooperandi.com

In this conversation, Galen Low, co-founder of the Digital Project Manager and host of the Digital Project Management podcast, shares insights into the evolving world of digital project management. He discusses the complexities of decision-making under pressure, emphasizing the significance of trust and integrity in client relationships. Galen highlights the importance of learning from experiences, navigating stakeholder expectations, and fostering a humane work culture. He advocates for continuous development and the necessity of communication in a dynamic environment.

Summary In this conversation, Dave Prior and Kate Kaiser discuss the challenges faced by non-technical project managers, particularly in overcoming fear and embracing difficult conversations. Kate shares her experiences in project management, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, communication, and building trust with clients. They explore strategies for managing energy and maintaining transparency in client relationships, ultimately highlighting the significance of creating positive experiences in every interaction. Takeaways - Embracing fear can lead to better outcomes. - Self-awareness is crucial in managing stress and energy. - Being shameless helps in uncomfortable conversations. - Asking questions is essential for clarity and understanding. - Trust and honesty build strong client relationships. - Every interaction should be a positive experience. - Fear is a common experience; it's okay to feel it. - Having a plan B can ease communication challenges. - Project managers don't need to know everything; leverage your team. - Building relationships is more important than the project itself. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kate Kaiser and Her Background 03:21 Embracing Fear in Project Management 06:16 Navigating Non-Technical Challenges 09:17 Self-Awareness and Energy Management 12:09 Honesty and Transparency in Client Relationships 15:19 Building Trust and Positive Experiences 18:26 Closing Thoughts and Conference Preview To learn more about the 2024 Digital PM Summit - https://bureauofdigital.com/event/digital-pm-summit-2024 Contacting Kay - Plank: https://plank.co/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-keizer/

Summary In this conversation, Dave Prior and Val Hinze discuss the evolution of project management roles, the importance of creating a supportive PMO structure, and the significance of servant leadership in fostering a healthy work environment. Val shares insights on how Mighty Citizen has redefined project management to focus on career growth, client relationships, and sustainable practices. The discussion also touches on the upcoming Digital PM Summit and Val's talk about the journey of project management within her organization. If you'd prefer to watch the video version of this podcast you can find that here: https://tinyurl.com/3nwsmyud Takeaways • Creating a structure for project manager success is essential. • Support from leadership is crucial for project managers. • Client happiness is a key measure of project success. • Fostering growth and safety for project managers is rare but necessary. • Innovating together as a team leads to better outcomes. • Building sustainable client relationships is a new approach. • Continuous improvement should be a focus in project management. • Val's journey reflects the evolution of project management roles. • The PMO can be a supportive entity rather than a hindrance. • Val's superpower lies in her ability to adapt and innovate. Chapters 00:18 Introduction to Project Management and Personal Journey 03:09 Creating a Supportive PMO Structure 06:09 The Importance of Career Trajectory in Project Management 09:06 Fostering a Healthy Work Environment 12:07 Defining Success in Project Management 15:10 Performance Reviews and Growth Opportunities 18:11 Val's Talk at the Digital PM Summit 21:08 Val's Superpower and the Future of PMOs 2024 DIGITAL PM SUMMIT LINKS Digital PM Summit: https://bureauofdigital.com/event/digital-pm-summit-2024 Val's Speaker Page at the 2024 DPM Summit: https://bureauofdigital.com/val-hinze-dpm-summit-2024 Dave's Speaker Page at the 2024 DPM Summit: https://bureauofdigital.com/dave-prior-dpm-summit-2024 CONTACTING VAL LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valhinze/ Val at Mighty Citizen: https://www.mightycitizen.com/team/valerie-hinze Mighty Citizen: https://www.mightycitizen.com/

Summary In this conversation, Dave Prior and Sara Doubleday discuss the complexities of managing change within creative teams, the integration of AI in creative processes, and the importance of maintaining human connections in a remote work environment. Sara shares her experiences with team mergers, the challenges of efficiency versus human connection, and the need for a supportive agency culture that fosters collaboration and creativity. The discussion highlights the nuances of change management and the significance of treating team members as individuals rather than mere processes. If you'd prefer to watch the video version of this podcast, you can find it here: https://www.projectmanagement.com/blog-post/77403/leading-creative-teams-through-change-with-sara-doubleday Takeaways • The role of a creative lead involves clearing blockers for the team. • AI is a tool to enhance creativity, not replace it. • Change management requires grace and understanding of individual differences. • Team dynamics are crucial for successful project execution. • Building connections in remote teams takes intentional effort. • Efficiency should not come at the cost of human connection. • Successful change is a complex, non-linear process. • Agency culture can significantly impact team morale and productivity. • Recognizing the value of individual contributions is essential. • Continuous learning from past experiences is vital for growth. Chapters 00:18 Introduction to Chaos and Collaboration 03:32 Navigating Change in Creative Teams 06:13 The Role of AI in Creative Processes 13:01 Building and Rebuilding Teams 16:04 Misconceptions About Change Management 19:49 Reflections on Change and Team Dynamics Digital Pm Summit: https://bureauofdigital.com/event/digital-pm-summit-2024 Sara's Speaker Page at the 2024 DPM Summit: https://bureauofdigital.com/sara-doubleday-dpm-summit-2024 Dave's Speaker Page at the 2024 DPM Summit: https://bureauofdigital.com/dave-prior-dpm-summit-2024 Contacting Sara: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-doubleday/ Web: https://www.saradoubleday.com Seer Interactive: https://www.seerinteractive.com

Summary In this episode, Jimi Fosdick joins Dave for a conversation about his journey from traditional project management to agile. They discuss the challenges of applying traditional project management to software development, the importance of understanding the context and problem domain when choosing project management approaches, and the misuse of the term 'agile' in the consulting industry. They also touch on the legacy of Frederick Taylor and the need for a people-centered approach in project management. The conversation explores the challenges of traditional project management and the need for a more empirical and agile approach. They discuss the problems with big upfront planning, the importance of shorter cycle times, and the fear of failure. The conversation also touches on the need for more humane workspaces and the changing nature of work. The principal themes include the limitations of traditional project management, the benefits of an empirical approach, and the evolving workforce and work environment. Takeaways • Traditional project management is effective for problems that can be solved on paper upfront, but may not work well for software development. • Agile approaches, such as Scrum, are better suited for software development and other complex, empirical problems. • The term 'agile' has become an overloaded and misused brand in the consulting industry. • Hybrid approaches that combine traditional project management and agile practices can be problematic and may not fully embrace the values and principles of agile. • A people-centered approach is essential in project management, and the focus should be on collaboration, respect, and solving the right problems. Traditional project management relies on upfront planning, which can lead to longer cycle times and higher failure rates. • An empirical approach, such as Agile, allows for shorter cycle times and the ability to adapt and change as needed. • The fear of failure often hinders organizations from embracing more agile and iterative approaches. • There is a growing emphasis on creating more humane workspaces and allowing for more flexibility and creativity in the workplace. • The nature of work is changing, and organizations need to adapt to the expectations and needs of the new generation of workers. Chapters 02:20 Introduction and Background 05:52 The Challenges of Traditional Project Management in Software Development 08:33 Differentiating Scrum from Traditional Project Management 12:13 The Misuse of the Term 'Agile' 14:38 The Problem with Hybrid Approaches 22:17 Legacy Code in Our Heads: Shifting the Project Management Paradigm 26:21 The Benefits of an Empirical Approach 28:46 Overcoming the Fear of Failure 33:18 Creating More Humane Workspaces 39:03 The Changing Nature of Work Contacting Jimi - Web: https://fearlessagility.com/ - X: https://x.com/FearlessAgility - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FearlessAgility/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realFearlessAgility/ - Courses on the Scrum Alliance site: https://tinyurl.com/yjc2rtmf Links from Dave's Intro - The Art of War for Collaboration Course http://modusinstitute.com/course/art-of-war-collaboration - Guided Personal Kanban (September 2024) http://modusinstitute.com/course/guided-pk-sep-usa The Agile Network* https://go.theagilenetwork.com/l/web-dprior Use the discount codes below to get either 20% or 2 months of free access 2 Free Months - DRUNKENPM10CM 20% off Annual - DRUNKENPM10C20 Contacting Dave Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mrsungo

In this conversation, Dave Prior and Richard Chang discuss the challenges that product owners face when they don't receive the support and direction they need from their leadership. They explore strategies for product owners to navigate these situations, including having open and honest conversations with leadership, running experiments to validate assumptions, and finding mentors or support networks. They also emphasize the importance of understanding the needs and perspectives of stakeholders and users, and the need for product owners to manage their space and hold their ground, even in the face of power dynamics. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of effective communication, collaboration, and continuous learning in the role of a product owner. Takeaways * Product owners often struggle when they don't receive the support and direction they need from their leadership. * Having open and honest conversations with leadership can help product owners gain clarity and alignment on product strategy and goals. * Running experiments and validating assumptions can help product owners make informed decisions and mitigate risks. * Finding mentors or support networks can provide guidance and help product owners navigate challenging situations. * Understanding the needs and perspectives of stakeholders and users is crucial for product owners to make effective decisions. * Effective communication, collaboration, and continuous learning are key skills for product owners to succeed in their role. Chapters 04:55 Introduction and Background 07:12 Challenges of Product Ownership 11:49 Taking Initiative and Creating Strategic Direction 17:39 Validating Assumptions and Removing Bias 27:56 Coping Strategies and Social Engineering 31:01 Conclusion and Plug for Richard's Classes Contacting Richard Web: www.agilityprimesolutions.com Email: richard.cheng@agilityprimesolutions.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richardcheng/ Twitter: twitter.com/richardkcheng Contacting Dave Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mrsungo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrsungo/ Links from Dave's Intro The Agile Network* https://theagilenetwork.com/ *If you’d like a discount on an annual membership or want to try a month for free, send an email to dave@theageilnetwork.com and let me know. Agile 2024 Interviews: https://drunkenpm.blogspot.com/2024/07/agile-2024-all-interviews.html The Art of War for Collaboration Course https://modusinstitute.com/course/art-of-war-collaboration Guided Personal Kanban (September 2024) https://modusinstitute.com/course/guided-pk-sep-usa Public Scrum Training CSM/CSPO/A-CSPO https://www.scrumalliance.org/courses-events/search?tr=14153&cnty=US