Laugh, Learn, Lead - The Project Ecosystem

In this episode I catch up with Kasanndra Rotolone an experienced project professional with a passion for new, innovative technologies, software, big data & the creative digital space.
She has delivered small to large scale projects for Government & Private Enterprise throughout Australia, Asia Pacific, UK & Northern America.
With a technical background in business intelligence, data driven marketing, business & systems analysis & software application testing, Kasanndra is hands-on and engaged throughout the full lifecycle of projects and works with clients to manage the end to end delivery & beyond.
Kasanndra compliments her experience & success in projects with an always optimistic approach, a can-do attitude, an eager eye for continuous professional improvement and a no-bull management style - earning her at times the nickname “rhino”.
She recently pressed pause on her career to take on a whole new kind of project with the birth of her daughter, Francesca (Frankie). In the very near future, she hopes to return to Project Management full time.
We talk about:

• What got her into project management;
• What she likes about her project management roles;
• Her three key points for all projects; and
• The struggles to return to work as a new mum.

Connect with Kasanndra on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasanndra-rotolone-72144849/

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Last two episodes with Sam Higgins were incredibly insightful and honest.We talked about his career journey from programmer to strategic advisor, what excites him about technology, the challenges facing organisations, the impact of a change in program sponsorship and what is a good project manager.Today I want to talk more about trusted project relationships, in particular the project manager and project sponsor. Yes, Sam & I laughed about my professional crush on him and he believes it’s because we trust each other’s expertise and the work we do.
Definition of trust:“firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something”.
What type of relationship do you have with your project sponsor?When you trust someone, what do you see, hear and feel?
JC Three Tips

• Trust is an investment, take time to get to know them
• Practice authenticity, vulnerability and empathy
• Be consistent, follow through on what you say you will do

Quote from my conversation with Sam ‘technology becomes so advanced that it is indistinguishable from magic’.

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Hope you enjoyed last week's Part A episode with Sam Higgins. His passion and knowledge about business technology is extraordinary.Sam is a regular and respected facilitator, panellist and speaker at both local and international conferences. He is widely published in industry journals and is regularly sought by the ICT industry press for his expert opinion.
Today we continue our conversation about:

• The key problems facing organisations
• The lessons from a change in program sponsorship; and
• What is a good project manager.

Connect with SamLinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelhiggins/Strategic Advisor https://ibrs.com.au/sam-higgins

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In this episode I catch up with Sam Higgins with two decades of tactical and strategic experience in the application of information and communications technology (ICT) in diverse industries such as transport, financial services, and education.
Through his roles as a leading ICT industry analyst, program consultant and architect, Sam obtained extensive experience in digital transformation, data science, as-a-service (cloud) computing, enterprise architecture (including service-orientation and information management), the open source market, enterprise applications and development, business intelligence, along with ICT management and governance practices such as ICT planning, strategic sourcing and portfolio management.
Sam was a major thought leader behind an ICT planning method, associated architecture practices and governance models, elements of which were adopted by the Queensland Government. He was commissioned in 2007 to lead the major revision of the Queensland Government ICT Planning Methodology (Version 3.0). and the development of Queensland Government Enterprise Architecture (QGEA) Framework (Version 2.0).
Sam is a regular and respected facilitator, panellist and speaker at both local and international conferences. He is widely published in industry journals and is regularly sought by the ICT industry press for his expert opinion.
We talk about:

• His career journey starting as second-generation IT
• What excites him about technology

This is a two part interview, listen for next week's Part B.
Connect with SamLinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelhiggins/Strategic Advisor https://ibrs.com.au/sam-higgins

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Last episode I caught up with Leonie McCarthy retail project delivery specialist and owner of 6R.We talked about the retail online industry, the need to translate technology to make sense of the complexity, building teams and everyday there are lessons.Today I want to unpack our conversation about customer (or user) experience.What triggers a bad experience and what you promote as good experience.
JC Three Tips

• Understand different customer personas
• Put yourself in your customers shoes
• Ask your customer for feedback

Quote from my conversation with Leonie ‘think about the success criteria, what does it look like, how do we explain it to our customer’.

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In this episode, I catch up with Leonie McCarthy Owner of 6R working with retailers on ERP (enterprise resource planning), PLM (product lifecycle management) and e-commerce projects focusing on setting up internal structures and skills so both the retailer and vendor get good results.
Leonie has worn many hats from subject matter expert, business analyst and project manager. She loves building great teams, leading people through change and contributing to practical solutions that get to the heart of solving problems.
More recently 6R have been working closely with Accent Group digital team to deliver a whole ecosystem from new websites, integration with ERP and logistics including warehousing.
We talk about:

• Working with your client and being the technology translator;
• The challenges facing the retail industry; and
• Making our customer experience simple.

You will find more about Leonie and what she does on her website https://www.6r.com.au/

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Last episode I caught up with Mike Stapleton Deputy Director-General Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. He oversees the delivery of safety, regulatory and transactional transport services for the department.It was a privilege to have Mike on the show and I appreciated his openness to our conversation.You must listen to Episode 09 Program Executive Lens for insights to how a government executive leads and his enthusiasm about how technology is changing our lives.
Today I want to unpack status reporting and why there should be no surprises for Executives.
JC Three Tips

• Understand your project in the organisational landscape
• Agree tolerances and report expectations
• Escalate early

Quote from my conversation with Mike ‘some project managers seem to suffer what I call optimism bias, I’ll solve this and get on with it’.

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In this episode, I catch up with Mike Stapleton Deputy Director-General Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads B.Bus, MPA, MANCAP, MNRSS, MAustroads, MQLCSG.
He was appointed as Deputy Director-General (Customer Services, Safety and Regulation) in January 2016 and is a Champion for Cultural Diversity.
Mike oversees the delivery of safety, regulatory and transactional transport services for the department.This division is critical to Queensland’s current and future transport system, managing the State’s regulation, marine and road safety, and frontline services for Queenslanders.
He held former positions at Transport and Main Roads as Deputy Director-General (Infrastructure Management and Delivery) & General Manager (Land Transport Safety).
Mike has worked in the state public transport sector in finance, general management, infrastructure management and delivery, and transport safety roles for more than 20 years.
We talk about:

• Using data to measure success;
• The three things he looks for in status reporting; and
• How technology is changing the way we live.

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/

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Last episode I caught up with Alex Moloney who has over 20 years’ experience in delivery of business and technology change. I’ve been fortunate to work with Alex on two occasions and I know first hand how awesome she is in her leadership.If you haven’t yet listened to Episode 07 Project teams & delivery you may want to catch up on our chat about her journey from study to project delivery, why it is important to build project relationships and advice for progressing your project careers.
Today I want to unpack how important it is to invest in an effective project establishment phase and I don’t just mean a kick off meeting.
JC Three Tips

• Define project success
• Get to know each other’s strengths
• Agree on role responsibilities & processes

Quote from my conversation with Alex ‘enjoy what you are doing and make the most of the opportunities when they come your way’.

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In this episode, I catch up with Alex Moloney who has worked as a leader and manager in the delivery of business and technology change for over twenty years, with an interest in program/project management, requirements and quality/testing. She has worked across a variety of industries from Banking Finance, health, higher education, government and not for profit. Alex is a wonderful Mum to three gorgeous boys under 11. She enjoys CrossFit, a little bit of very slow running and now that Netflix is a thing occasionally binge watches something fictional.
There is no doubt Alex is awesome in her ability to connect with people and get the job done.
We talk about:

• Her journey from study to project delivery;
• Why it is important to build project relationships; and
• Advice for progressing your project careers.

Alex Moloney LinkedIn Profile

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