PM Point of View

The podcast features a panel discussion with Laura Barnard, the author of "The IMPACT Engine," and three professionals who have utilized her strategies: Willetta Love, an Associate Director of Project Management, Andrea Cirelli, Senior Director of a PMO, and Gregor Androjna, a business consultant. The conversation is moderated by Kendall Lott.
The IMPACT Engine is about accelerating strategy delivery, focusing on the human element in project management and change implementation. The panelists emphasize aligning projects with business strategy, fostering clear communication, and empowering leaders to drive impactful change. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding leadership needs, addressing root causes of problems, and ensuring that PMOs focus on delivering business value rather than just executing projects. The episode concludes with a call to action for project management professionals to adopt a strategic mindset and become impactful leaders.

Host Kendall Lott, along with guests Galen Low and Mike Hannon, discuss the evolving role of project managers (PMs) in the age of AI, emphasizing the need for PMs to adapt to stay relevant. While AI can handle routine administrative tasks, it cannot replace the strategic thinking, human relationship-building, and ethical decision-making that PMs provide. The conversation highlights the importance of shifting from task management to a strategic focus, where PMs are seen as leaders who drive business value. We like the right training, as we need more strategic thinking, business context, and ROI understanding. Effective PMs must bridge the gap between executive vision and project execution, fostering collaboration and communication to align projects with broader organizational goals. In the face of AI tools, which of course we should incorporate in our work, PMs need to be  ambassadors for their discipline in an increasingly automated world.

Dive into the future of project management within the U.S. government in this engaging and insightful interview with key players from the USDA and NOAA. Hear from Jason Traquair, Kellie Cenzano, Daryl Frazier, and Joe Giraldi as they unveil their pioneering efforts and collaborations aimed at enhancing program and project management disciplines across their respective organizations. Discover the innovative strategies, such as building vibrant communities of practice and leveraging integrated value networks, that are set to redefine how government agencies achieve mission success and tackle challenges like catastrophic wildfires more efficiently. This conversation covers the tactical steps these leaders are taking today and also casts an exciting vision for 2029, where project management is not just a discipline but the fabric of effective and predictive government operations. Whether you're a seasoned PM professional or new to the field, this energetic discussion will leave you inspired about the future of project management in government service.

Risk-- again!  This episode with guests from the upcoming UMD Project Management Center for Excellence symposium is a thought-provoking discussion that takes a closer look at a crucial aspect of project management – risk management. We've gathered a dynamic trio of experts from diverse backgrounds to share their insights, experiences, and groundbreaking strategies on tackling risks head-on, making your projects more resilient and successful.
Joining us from the realms of technology, clinical research, and literary scholarship, our speakers, Lakshmi Sowjanya Uppala from Amazon, clinical project manager Jiwan Giri, and accomplished author John M Quigley, will share their unique perspectives on risk management. Whether it's developing prevention frameworks in software projects, navigating the challenges of clinical trials during an Ebola outbreak, or invoking the wisdom of the muses to refine our approach to risk, this episode will enrich your understanding and inspire you to view project risk management through a new lens.
So, buckle up and prepare to explore the intricate dance of risk and resilience in project management. Let's delve into the strategies that empower project managers to foresee the unforeseen, plan with precision, and lead their teams to triumph.

Heralding the annual arrival of the flagship UMD Project Management Center for Excellence symposium, this episode has 3 of the presenters in the People and Projects track: Kevin Coleman, a visionary leader and the founder and CEO of KMC Empowerment, John Eskandar, a seasoned professional in project controls at Exelon and graduate of the UMD PM program, who brings a wealth of experience managing large-scale construction projects and Abbigail Meah-Ali, a manager of construction services at the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago. From Trinidad to Maryland to Virginia, our guests span a wide geographic and professional spectrum, each contributing to a rich dialogue on the intersection of people and projects. Whether you're a project management veteran or a newcomer to the field, this episode is packed with golden nuggets of wisdom that you won't want to miss.