The Project Chatter Podcast

In this week’s pod, we were joined by Bojan Tasevski to discuss how to turn your schedule into effective communication and delivery tools.For over 12 years, Bojan Tasevski has been a noteworthy leader in the project management technology space, primarily focusing on creating software products that ease the life of project teams of all sizes. Many people may know him as the Managing Director of Synami, the company behind Seavus Project Viewer, ScheduleReader, and ScheduleCleaner software products. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: ·        Project schedule information is often sent as a PDF and not communicated to those executing the project ·        Planning software is more important than the project management methodology due to the complexity of projects ·        Many organisations do not have tools that can be built around Primavera P6 ·        In-depth planning can be passed down to the Project Manager. This can be in the form of breaking down activities into steps. The project planner should be focused on simplifying the plan and communicating this with the various stakeholders ·        There isn’t a specific KPI to measure schedule effectiveness. The main measure will be whether stakeholders can understand the data ·        Most people focus on minimization waste when discussing lean project management, we should be focusing on maximizing value ·        The role of a project planner is unlikely to change in the next 5-10 years. Technology will become more prevalent in major projects but planners are likely to still be using toolsets such as Primavera ·        It is a question of how fast the industry will adopt and accept new planning technologies rather than a question of how fast the technology solutions become available ·        Many companies are exploring solutions that can include all project staff in schedule based communicationsTune in next time when we’re joined by Kate McAlpine to talk about Data design & behavioural intelligence that equips Social Purpose Organisations & ESG investors to make sense of & communicate the change that they create in the world for more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by:  JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/  PlanAcademy - https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course)  InEight - https://ineight.com/  Prosci - https://empower.prosci.com/project-ch... (FREE resource kit)

In this episode, Dale and Val talk to Al Simmonite and Alexander Shakespeare from Advance on what is Professional Collaboration. This touches on a subject close to all of us. When it comes to projects what is needed from leadership? how do we establish the right cultures and values? According to our guests, Professional Collaboration is the ability, license, and courage for teams to openly discuss and resolve contentious subjects not only in a collaborative way but also as a mechanism to reinforce the collaboration between them.  Al Simmonite is a dynamic and experienced leader with a proven track record in delivering complex programmes and change initiatives of significant value in a multi-functional and dynamic environment in both the public sector and in a FTSE 100 global company. Able to simplify complex issues and identify clear value drivers. A skilled and highly confident presenter, communicator and facilitator, experienced in managing diverse (culturally and geographically) stakeholders and motivating teams to deliver the best value. Significant experience in safety-critical and quality management environments. A pragmatic and decisive individual who thrives on challenge and change and demonstrates innovation and vision. Always on the lookout for new ideas and fresh thinking. • Leadership at up to Board level with a focus on accountability and empowerment • Leadership of large teams, small teams, virtual teams, cross-functional teams • Portfolio, Programme and Project management (qualified MSP, APM(Q), Prince 2) • Change and transformation management • End-2-End collaborative working (Supply chain through to Customer) • Risk and opportunity management as an integral part of business operations • Developing pragmatic project control, compliance and governance environments • Stakeholder development and management. • Communication and engagement strategies • Performance and process improvement • Customer and Supplier Relationship Management Alexander Shakespeare is a leader, manager and business consultant with a proven record of achievement and high performance in Leadership Development, Transformation and Change Management. MBA, Project Manager and Business Coach qualified with Board level exposure to developing relationships and managing stakeholders, risk and strategic analysis to plan, implement and succeed in complex multi million-pound projects and demanding environments. Driven, committed and innovative. An empathetic leadership style to build successful relationships, coach and mentor teams; creating fun, vibrancy and a positive, business winning culture. Key Skills: • Strategy development: delivery of innovative and dynamic solutions. • Transformation and Change: assessing the impact of change, developing solutions and creating plans tailored to needs of the programme or project. • Leadership Development: improving and developing talent agendas to support operational performance. • Programme & Project Management: project planning, scheduling and implementation. • Business & Personal Coach: Developing team and individual performance, aligning business strategy and success with people Proudly Sponsored by:  JustDo.com InEight.com  PlanAcademy.com (discounted training) Prosci.com (free resources) 

In this week’s pod, we were joined by Bahar Maghsoudi to discuss when governance can be too much.Bahar is a passionate chartered Civil Engineer who, for the past 20+ years, has worked on fantastic projects across multiple sectors. She has an idea or two about what it takes to deliver successful projects, working as a team, and pulling together to deliver.The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: ·        Governance is the framework for how project decisions are made ·        If it doesn’t add value, it shouldn’t be there ·        There is a risk that Project Managers will play the system to pass governance approvals ·        Businesses need to empower and give confidence to Project Managers to deliver major projects ·        In order to be effective, governance needs to be done at the right time and the right amount ·        Joint ventures can build more risk into a project due to the differing ideologies of the businesses ·        Listen to your project teams! Delays can be discussed and managed if the management team are aware of the real level of progress ·        Politics can drive the key dates for major government projects. This can lead to poor expectation management if target dates are unrealisticTune in next time when we’re re-joined by Al Simmonite to talk about professional collaboration in complex projects.For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.comIf you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website.You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast.Proudly sponsored by:  JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/  PlanAcademy - https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course)  InEight - https://ineight.com/  Prosci - https://empower.prosci.com/project-ch... (FREE resource kit)Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! #projectmanagement #governance #assurance

In this episode, Dale and Val talk to Dave about the additional elements of the Hexi approach and implementation guide for the Cynefin Framework and facilitation in your organisation. Following on from our previous discussion with Dave (Episode 83), Dave takes us on a linguistic trip of rhetoric and insight on his views about projects and how Hexi can be utilised. David John Snowden (born 1954) is a Welsh management consultant and researcher in the field of knowledge management and the application of complexity science. Known for the development of the Cynefin framework,[1] Snowden is the founder and chief scientific officer of Cognitive Edge, a Singapore-based management consulting firm specialising in complexity and sensemaking.[2] Dave is the Director of the Cynefin Centre, Chief Scientific Officer Cognitive Edge. Creator of the Cynefin Framework. Lead author EU Field Guide to managing in Complexity (and crisis). His focus is on naturalising sense-making as an emerging trans-disciplinary field of study. Here are links to some of the topics that were discussed: Cynefin Framework – A Leader’s Framework for Decision Making (hbr.org) Cynefin Method Kits (Hexi) - https://thecynefin.co/method-kits/  Complex Acts of Knowing: Paradox and Descriptive Self-Awareness (PDF) Complex Acts of Knowing: Paradox and Descriptive Self-Awareness (researchgate.net) —————————————– Proudly sponsored by: JustDo – https://www.justdo.com/ PlanAcademy – https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course) InEight – https://ineight.com/ Prosci – https://empower.prosci.com/project-ch… (FREE resource kit)Stay safe, be disruptive, and have fun doing it! #ProjectManagement #Cynefin #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture #ProjectCertifications

In this week’s pod, we were joined by Magnus Olsen to discuss career challenges, opportunities and trends - a student's perspective. Magnus has a background in the science of learning, having been a headmaster for a decade, managing organisations with complex stakeholder context. He has five years’ experience as a strategy advisor in public management and is now an entrepreneur engaged in multiple start-ups including own his consultancy firm. Magnus has always been a student but for the last two years he been taking a life changing Master of Science in Project Management at Karlstad Business School in Sweden. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: We need to understand what technology will help us with on projects. It will not give us everything! Project Managers need sustainable working conditions in order to deliver more sustainable projects Higher education should aim to develop experiences for students by giving them more practical experiences before they join the workplace There may be trend towards universities offering shorter degrees and people re-training later in their careers to learn new skills to adapt to the ever changing workplace As a project manager, it is better to work in different industries in order to get the best experience to Use toolsets such as LinkedIn to build a network when starting out in the industry Start-ups are often the best companies to gain experience as a project manager as they may focus too much on the product rather than the business Knowledge isn’t worth anything if you don’t know how to use it. Find your tribe!  Here are links to some of the topics we discussed:  Magnus Olsen - Political Astuteness in Project Management: http://kau.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1653426/FULLTEXT01.pdf Tune in next time when we’re re-joined by Dave Snowden to talk about the hexi approach and what it means to Cynefin Framework. For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by:  JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/  PlanAcademy - https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course)  InEight - https://ineight.com/  Prosci - https://empower.prosci.com/project-chatter (FREE resource kit) Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! #ProjectManagement #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture #ProjectCertifications

In this week’s pod, we welcomed Nick Fewings to discuss achieving high-performance teamwork and greater success. Nick Fewings, Director of Ngagementworks, calls himself a Teamologist, someone who specialises in the study of the dynamics of teamwork, using this knowledge, to help teams become more effective. After a 20-year career in banking, working his way up from a cashier to a project leader, and finally a change director, Nick has spent the last two decades, developing teams across the globe, encouraging, facilitating, and helping them to make a positive difference to the effectiveness of their teamwork. During this period, he has profiled thousands of individuals across hundreds of teams. Nick is also the creator of the Team DyNAmics Model that measures overall team effectiveness across 16 areas of teamwork, important in helping to achieve high performance. When not working with teams, he is also a highly regarded, award-winning keynote conference speaker and to date, has spoken at over 500 conferences worldwide, including every branch of the APM, in the UK. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows:·        Research suggests only 10% of teams are high performing, 50% are average and 40% dysfunctional·        Most teams do not know which category they fall into because they do not measure their teamwork·        It is useful to view the traits of people on good days and bad days when reviewing Insights profiles·        Purpose is more important than trust in developing high performing teams·        Purpose is a task-based element whereas trust is more about the relationship. Many teams were driven by tasks to the detriment of relationships·        Good leaders will tap into the preferred communication styles of red, yellow, blue, and greens within their teams when briefing team members·        Anonymous feedback is the best way to enable more honest feedback when measuring team effectiveness over a period of time·        Excellence is impossible to achieve within a team. Some teams will come close·        There is a correlation between high performing teams and project success but it is not apparent in the Project Management industry·        Having the right skill set and adaptability to inspire teams is important when recruiting future leaders as opposed to trying to force the right balance upon a team here are links to some of the topics we discussed:·        Team, Lead, Success – Nick Fewings: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Team-Lead-Succeed-high-performance-teamwork-ebook/dp/B09SZHC6P9·        Team Dynamics Model: https://ngagementworks.com/teamwork/·        Clarity 4D Profile – Nick Fewings: https://ngagementworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Nick_Fewings-Clarity4D-Profile.pdf·        Google – What Makes a Good Team: https://rework.withgoogle.com/print/guides/5721312655835136/ Tune in next time when we’re joined by Magnus Olsen to discuss career challenges, opportunities, and trends - a student's perspective. For more information,

In this week’s pod, we welcomed back Martin Paver to discuss what’s been happening in the Project Data Analytics Hackathons Martin is the CEO and Founder of Projecting Success, a consultancy that specialises in leveraging project data to transform project delivery; from high end strategic consultancy through to apprentice training. He has led a $1bn megaproject and a multi $billion portfolio office. He is the founder of the Project Data Analytics community, comprising ~6,000 members who share a passion for leveraging the exhaust plume of project data. He regularly blogs and presents at international conferences, helping to ignite the professional imagination and inspire change.  He is also the co-chair of the Project Data Analytics Task Force and is helping to lead the charge for disruptive change. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows:  · Many project professionals do not realise they are working with data but see it individual cost / schedule toolsets · We need to think differently, too many projects have failed using the Prince 2 / APM methodologies · 9,000 people are currently in the project data analytics community. We do not have enough data to back up the knowledge and skills of the individuals which will lead to better decisions · Need to do more work to get the solutions adopted within organisations · Data from construction companies will have an independent “steward” to monitor the usage of the information · Hackathons bring a variety of Project Professionals together to solve problems. The teams are made up of data analysts, project managers, students to ensure a diversity of thought · The investment in data analytics has increased 100 fold in the last year · Change is happening. Some people will choose to not evolve their skillsets and risk becoming harder to employ · Jeff Bezos “I want people in my team who are right most of the time”. Data supports leaders to justify business decisions based on past performance · There needs to be a support eco-system to incentivize using analytics and demonstrating the benefits · If you are interested in contributing to the Project Data movement, the following options are available o Join the London Data Analytics Meetups (past videos on website)  o Attend the Project Hacks o Get trained up. Join the apprenticeship Here are links to some of the topics we discussed: · Project Hack 15: https://www.projectdataanalytics.co.uk/projecthack/ · Cognitive Biases: https://www.teachthought.com/critical-thinking/cognitive-biases/#:~:text=The%20Cognitive%20Bias%20Codex%3A%20A%20Visual%20Of%20180%2B%20Cognitive%20Biases&text=In%20a%20single%20image%2C%20we,we%20might%20begin%20to%20improve · Top Ten Behavioral Biases in Project Management: An Overview: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3979164 Tune in next week when we’re re-joined by Nick Fewings to talk about achieving high-performance teamwork and greater success. For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by:  JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/ PlanAcademy - https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course) InEight - https://ineight.com/ Prosci - https://empower.prosci.com/project-chatter/ - (FREE resource kit) Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! #ProjectManagement #Blockchain #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture #ProjectCertifications TeachThoughtTeachThought The Cognitive Biases List: A Visual Of 180+ Heuristics Cognitive biases are tendencies to selectively search for or interpret data in a way that confirms one's existing beliefs. Written

In this week’s pod, we welcomed Ines Lopes to discuss The Spiritual Project Manager. Ines fell in love with Project Management at University. So much so that after her Engineering degree she completed an MSc in Strategic Project Management. She spent 9 years working at Transport for London leading complex high-profile highways and sustainability projects such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone to improve air quality in London and the programme to help Transport for London (TfL) become zero carbon by 2030. During that time she also went through an awakening of sorts, embarking on a spiritual holistic journey to be able to heal her body. As a result, she felt in the middle of two worlds. On one side a structured work-life is guided by analysis and organisational skills. On the other side, an intuitive personal life looks into the energy behind everything to continue with her personal growth. In 2020 she left TfL to focus on her spiritual journey. But turns out you can't take the project manager out of her! She felt the pull to join a couple of initiatives as a project manager and decided to do things her way. She combined the two worlds she had been living in. Focusing on deadlines and outputs but also helping the teams involved to let go of limiting beliefs and anything else that was not serving them. And this is how Spiritual Project Management was born. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows:· Spiritual Project Management is the concept that a project can deliver growth for a business as well as personal growth for its contributors The concept does not focus on religion, just personal growth within the project space It aims to create a “safe space” for people to be themselves within a project environment The covid pandemic has helped to dispel the myth of presenteeism “I never knew how strong I was until I had to forgive someone who wasn’t sorry” Focus on what you have and how you will get what you want. Create lists and schedules to identify how you will  achieve your goals Turn chaos to order! Tune in next week when we’re re-joined by Martin Paver to discuss What's been happening at Project Data Analytics Hackathons. For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by: JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/ PlanAcademy - https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course) InEight - https://ineight.com/ Prosci - https://empower.prosci.com/project-ch... (FREE resource kit)Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it!

In this week’s pod, we welcomed Tim Creasey to discuss Organisational Agility as a Strategic Imperative.Tim Creasey is Prosci’s Chief Innovation Officer and a globally recognized leader in change management. His work forms the foundation of the largest body of knowledge in the world on managing the people side of change to deliver organizational results. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows:Change is hard, change is continuous Organisational agility definitions: Agility is the power of moving quickly, easily, and with nimblenessCapacity to identify and capture opportunities more quickly than rivalsTake advantage of change whether planned or unexpectedAbility to transform information into insight in regard to market movementsResult of integrating alertness to changesSustained ability while maintaining high performanceChange saturation is a function of change capacity and change disruptionBusinesses should always consider the hidden cost of saying yesWhat is the time difference between when the project sponsor said yes and when the project commencedMore organisations are hiring change portfolio managers rather than increasing change capabilityNever allow perfection to get in the way of progressBusinesses were obsessed with the digital revolution but not enough with digital transformationCould businesses have really adapted to remote working if the Covid pandemic did not happen?Paradoxical Humanity Infusion in 2D - The pandemic allowed us to see our colleagues in a different light over Zoom / Teams conversationsForced prioritization – rank what is important to youDe facto resilience – we made it through the pandemic! Workers have inadvertently become more resilient“Answers have a shelf a shelf life, questions can last a lifetime”When and where does the wear actually happen? There needs to be a purpose when we share space.What have we done since 2020 that we thought was impossible prior to this? This proves what is possible?12 conditions shaping the future of work and changeInvoluntary Digital TransformationInstantaneous Remote ExperimentIterative and Adaptive by NecessityShifting Success HorizonsTTWWADI ?!!?Paradoxical Humanity Infusion in 2DPeople's Side Cannot Be UnseenSame Storms; Different BoatsForced PrioritisationDe Facto ResilienceAnd it goes on, and on, and on…From Response to Evolution Here are links to some of the concepts we discussed:o   The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*** - Mark Manson - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Subtle-Art-Not-Giving-Counterintuitive/dp/0062457713Tune in next week when we’re joined by Ines Lopes to discuss The Spiritual Project Manager.For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.comIf you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website.You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast.Proudly sponsored by:PlanAcademy.com | InEight.com | JustDo.com

In this episode, Dale and Val bring back Dr Dan Patterson to talk about what he has been brewing since their last podcast. Wicked’ problems are problems that cannot be definitely solved – they can only be bettered. Tame problems can be definitively solved e.g. fixing a leaky pipe.  For 70 years, we have been trying to adopt tools to definitively ‘solve’ projects and as such we all too often run into what we think is ‘project failure’. The problem with a project is that there is no definitive ‘this is solved’ – there are too many competing objectives (eg cost vs schedule vs cope) and also too many stakeholders with differing objectives. Instead of striving for a finite outcome, in the context of the fact projects are under a barrage of constant change and influences, perhaps we should treat planning and execution as being bettered (tamed) and not solved? I see this as the science of meta-planning ie better plan the planning process rather than jumping into planning execution itself.  Tame problems can be solved. Wicked problems can only be tamed and that is what meta-planning is all about. Dr. Dan Patterson is a Schedule and Cost Risk Analysis thought leader. He was the CEO and founder of BASIS, a project management company specializing in schedule and risk analytics, which was acquired in 2018 by InEight, Inc. Prior to BASIS, Dan led the highly successful organization Acumen, a project analytics company, and is the inventor of Acumen Fuse, Risk and 360, a project analytics software suite that is used for project planning quality improvement, performance insight, and forensics analysis. Dr. Patterson conducts risk workshops for billion-dollar projects and has subsequently served as an expert witness on many. During the execution of these engagements he leads qualitative and quantitative risk analysis, prepares and presents executive summaries, and leads in-person executive briefings to company executives. Dr. Patterson acts as the primary lead on various company and project internal risk optimization procedures. He specializes in risk workshops, project audits, and strategic project analysis on various capital expenditure projects. With over 20 years of professional experience, Dr. Patterson is recognized as a global thought leader and visionary within the project management industry. Specifically, he is known for his risk and schedule analytics expertise and is frequently utilized on high-profile capital expenditure projects for workshop facilitation, expert witness testimony, advanced analytics, and board-level briefings. Dr. Patterson has an impressive track record with extensive commercial and technical project management experience on projects that in the aggregate are valued at over $200 billion. Today, Patterson continues to push the project management boundaries forward with InEight BASIS, the first AI planning tool for CAPEX projects. Prior to BASIS, Patterson was the founder and CEO of Acumen, and inventor of Acumen Fuse, Risk and 360, a widely-used project metrics analysis and risk management software suite. Acumen was acquired by Deltek in 2013 with the Acumen toolset now used on most major CAPEX projects worldwide. Prior to Acumen, Patterson founded Pertmaster NA. He brought project risk analysis to the masses with the introduction of an integrated Monte Carlo analysis and risk register solution. This led to the successful acquisition of Pertmaster by Primavera (now Oracle) in 2006. Proudly sponsored by: Prosci.com InEight.com PlanAcademy.com JustDo.com  #ProjectManagement #ProjectDelivery #ProjectControls