Projectified

Project teams behind the biggest events must manage stakeholders and resources to deliver thrilling experiences. But there’s a growing focus on sustainability, too—making sure events mitigate negative impacts on the planet. We speak with project leaders making two major spectacles—the Paris Olympics and Formula 1’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix—more sustainable.

Key themes
[02:45] The Olympic and Paralympic Games’ growing focus on sustainability
[05:57] Using temporary infrastructure at the Paris Olympics
[15:03] How others can maximize sustainability in their projects
[17:41] Building buy-in for sustainability initiatives in the events sector
[21:59] Making the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix better for the planet—and fans
[26:11] Managing stakeholders while keeping sustainability at the forefront
[28:00] Ways to measure the success of sustainability-focused projects

A strong innovation culture can transform organizations—seeding a first-mover mindset that empowers teams to discover whole new ways of thinking. Guests discuss strategies to develop mindsets and create spaces where team members feel comfortable to explore, the project management office’s growing role to nurture new ideas, and how to ensure innovation initiatives drive real value.

Key themes
[02:07] The PMO’s role in fostering a culture of innovation
[03:46] Strategies to drive innovation within project teams
[08:29] Practices to avoid: What can hinder an innovation culture 
[10:30] Advice for PMO leaders on how to encourage innovation
[12:00] How an innovation culture brings big benefits to organizations
[21:09] Ways to create psychologically safe spaces for faster innovation
[28:09] Must-have skills for a culture of innovation

There’s a generational shift in the workforce—and the newest members are bringing new ideas to mentorship. Our joint discussion with a mentor and mentee explores their experience and the shared benefits. The conversation includes strategies for discussing and setting career goals, the biggest lessons they’ve learned from one another, and how those learnings have helped advance their careers. Plus, why project professionals should consider mentorship.

Key themes
[01:00] Gen Z crave mentors—and the opportunity to share their knowledge
[02:34] Mentor and mentee relationship: How Nigel and Joy became mentor and mentee
[04:59] Strategies for creating career goals
[13:04] Lessons learned: Taking skills gained from mentoring sessions into project management careers
[17:52] The benefits of mentee and mentor relationship
[20:14] Why project professionals should consider mentorship—as a mentor or mentee

Startups need to stay lean to deliver results in today’s stagnant global economy. As they reassess how to manage projects, startups are refining how they use agile. Guests discuss how their ways of working have evolved to meet the changing needs of their projects—and the marketplace—and how they’re finding opportunities to incorporate AI into agile.

Key themes
[01:53] FutureFit AI’s agile journey: Refining ways of working as company maturity increased
[07:36] Learning how to tailor agile for each project
[10:04] Incorporating AI into agile
[14:44] Why agile and startups are a great match
[16:25] Embracing agile to pivot fast and meet a changing marketplace and customer needs
[20:59] Improving agile to align ways of working across teams
[24:02] Tips for startup survival: Be data-driven, willing to learn and ready to navigate complexity and uncertainty

Artificial intelligence is transforming how project managers work, helping them build schedules, analyze data and identify risks. So what skills and knowledge will help project professionals thrive in the AI era? Guests discuss practical ways to build AI acumen—and how marketing your AI expertise can deliver a career advantage.

Key themes
[00:50] AI acumen: A career differentiator for project professionals
[03:16] How to build AI skills outside of work: Practice prompts and check out courses and webinars
[08:52] Ways to market your AI expertise
[11:16] AI knowledge sharing and use cases can help set you apart
[16:20] How to treat AI tools as “virtual colleagues”
[17:29] Why building AI skills will futureproof your project management career

Today’s tech-driven ways of working often mean more efficiency and flexibility. But all that hyperconnectivity can be a risk to the well-being of project teams. Guests flag the potential warning signs for digital burnout—and how they set boundaries. They also explain how project leaders can support teams to preserve a healthy relationship with work-related tech.

Key themes
[02:03] Technology is connecting more people—but with fewer communication limits 
[03:58] Creating work tech boundaries for your well-being 
[07:04] Watching out for tech burnout on project teams
[10:35] Tech positives for project professionals: Greater flexibility and a productivity boost
[13:53] Possible tech negatives: Changing stakeholder expectations and greater complexity in day-to-day work
[16:59] How reflection can create more balance

A career in project management isn’t always linear. Some people gradually advance from one position to the next, while others come to the profession from a different career path altogether. Guests discuss the moves they’ve made, how they assess when they’re ready for a new role, what they’ve learned from opportunities that didn’t work out, and why you should always invest in yourself—so you’re ready for next opportunity before it arrives.

Key themes
[02:17] How helping a colleague became a project management career
[04:51] Asking managers and colleagues for career advice and support
[06:20] Lessons learned from not getting hired—and upskilling for the next opportunity
[10:27] Starting a new position? Don’t be afraid to ask for help
[13:55] What’s the right time for a career move?
[15:54] Taking a job in a new sector—or a new country
[19:50] How transparency and vulnerability can help you succeed
[22:40] Gauging whether or not you’re ready to take on a new role

Technology is helping project teams make a positive social impact—an accelerator for addressing everything from the effects of climate change to gender equality. Guests discuss how they’re using tech in two projects: One helps adolescent girls develop skills in STEAM—science, technology, engineering, arts and math—to create future tech leaders and build a more inclusive sector. The other project pairs tech tools with Indigenous knowledge to ensure local communities can more safely travel across Canada’s arctic region.

Key themes
[01:21] How UNICEF is preparing girls for futures in tech
[06:39] Using tech tools to gather feedback from stakeholders across the globe
[09:10] Measuring the Game Changers Coalition’s direct and indirect social impact
[14:26] Using tech in your project? Ensure it’s making a real difference
[16:14] Pairing tech with Indigenous knowledge: How SmartICE works with communities to measure sea ice thickness
[21:41] Engaging with stakeholders to create customer-centric project processes
[23:14] Embracing continuous improvement to develop better tech and training practices
[27:16] How project managers can focus on the social impacts of any project—no matter the sector

Building sustainable infrastructure doesn’t just protect people and the planet—it boosts the bottom line. Project teams must deliver assets that can withstand the extreme effects of climate change. Guests discuss the growing focus on climate-resilient infrastructure, how to manage stakeholders across project partners and communities, and which skills project professionals need to lead these initiatives. Plus, an in-depth discussion about a major infrastructure overhaul program in Peru, with projects focused on climate resilience and delivering long-term value.

Key themes
[02:28] Climate change’s systemic effects on infrastructure—and why that’s a challenge for project professionals 
[07:49] Must-haves for climate resilience projects: Curiosity, communication skills and community engagement 
[13:49] What trends are next in climate-resilient infrastructure
[17:29] The growing momentum for climate-resilient infrastructure
[19:53] How Peru is rebuilding after 2017 El Niño, creating climate-resilient infrastructure, education and health centers
[25:39] Future-proofing Peru’s reconstruction program through knowledge transfer

Navigating change is nothing new for project professionals. And this year is no different. How can being flexible and resilient help them seize job opportunities—and deliver value for organizations? Guests in this roundtable discussion talk about sector-specific job trends, the must-have skills needed to navigate challenges and how AI is changing project management now and in the years ahead.

Key themes
[01:30] Job opportunities for project professionals in IT, renewable energy and construction
[07:13] Top challenges project professionals might face for the rest of this year
[11:18] Market knowledge, influence, and leadership skills: The must-haves for today’s project professionals
[14:27] AI’s effect on project management
[18:32] What trends are creating a buzz for project professionals in 2024 and beyond