Understanding Projects

By Dave C. Barrett

This podcast consists series of discussions with project management academics and practitioners about the real world aspects of projects and project management. The podcast is based on the text Unders... more

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FAQs about Understanding Projects:

How many episodes does Understanding Projects have?

The podcast currently has 51 episodes available.

Understanding Projects episodes:

October 30, 2023 #50 - PM challenges: bringing a gas drilling project back on schedule with Henry Hamud
My discussion today is with Henry Mamud.
Henry has an extensive background in project and risk anagement with over 14 years of Canadian and international experience in managing large and complex projects including construction, infrastructure, oil and gas, and energy. Henry is also the President of Canada’s Technology
Triangle PMI Chapter.
During our discussion we talked about a challenging project Henry managed in the past. The project was a gas drilling project that was multiple days behind schedule with a significant penalty for each day late. Henry describes it as a classical critical path project and outlined the approaches he took to bring the project back on schedule.
This is an episode of the Understanding Projects podcast which consists of a series of discussions with PM academics and practitioners about the real world aspects of projects and project management. The podcast is based on the text Understanding Project Management - A Practical
Guide by Dave C. Barrett.

...more
35min
September 20, 2023 #49 - The PMP and CAPM certifications with Marc Blanchette
My discussion today is with Marc Blanchette. For more information about Marc:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcblanchette/
Marc is an innovative Program Management Leader with extensive experience directing international, high-priority software & hardware projects and programs. He has been recognized for developing & motivating team members with diverse cultural backgrounds by empowering them to overcome challenges and exceed expectations. Marc has also been very active in the Project Management Institute having been President of two PMI chapters and selected by PMI to participate in their Leadership Master Class.
We talked about all things PMI certification. This includes their value, types of certifications, and the process of applying for and completing the certification process. We also talk about how the CAPM and PMP certifications relate to other Agile certifications.
This is an episode of the Understanding Projects podcast which consists of a series of discussions with PM academics and practitioners about the real world aspects of projects and project management. The podcast is based on the text Understanding Project Management - A Practical
Guide by Dave C. Barrett.

...more
34min
September 04, 2023 #48 - White Space Project Management with Pawan Premi
My discussion today is with Pawan Premi. This is her second appearance on the podcast.
Pawan has extensive experience in areas including design engineering, project management, and product management. She is also holds a P.Eng, PMP, and MBA.

In our discussion today we talk about the concept of white space project management. Those new to the project management field sometimes view managing projects as merely coordinating different activities that occur during the project but otherwise take a fairly passive role. This may also be referred to as a project coordinator role.

However, many experienced project managers realize that they need to play a more active role in the project by being the person who brings the different team members and areas of the organization together in order to complete the project. In effect, they are often the one who “connects the dots”. As Pawan explains, on a printed page, the white space between words connects the ideas and allows for the reader to better understand the concepts being communicated. This is what a white space project manager does – being that person who provides connections and actively guides the overall project.
This is an episode of the Understanding Projects podcast which consists of a series of discussions with PM academics and practitioners about the real world aspects of projects and project management. The podcast is based on the text Understanding Project Management - A Practical Guide by Dave C. Barrett.

...more
27min
June 14, 2023 #47 - The One-Page Business Case with Pawan Premi
My discussion today is with Pawan Premi.
Pawan has extensive experience in areas including design engineering, project management, and product management. She is also a P.Eng, PMP, and an MBA grad.
Our discussion today is on the topic of the business case. Many new to project management have difficulty distinguishing the purpose of a business case from a project charter. Pawan clarifies this point and also introduces a version of business case that she has successfully used: the One-Page Business Case.
This is an episode of the Understanding Projects podcast which consists of a series of discussions with PM academics and practitioners about the real world aspects of projects and project management. The podcast is based on the text Understanding Project Management - A Practical Guide by Dave C. Barrett.
...more
24min
May 19, 2023 #46 - Using power and influence to enhance project performance with Jennifer Beckett
Jennifer Beckett is a project manager working in the public service sector. Her background in sociology and project management, and her passion for public service has positioned her to work on projects in community housing, homelessness, Covid emergency response, immigration and settlement, and many other worthwhile endeavours. She has a special interest in the connections between community organizations and governing systems, and their impact on the lived experience of citizens.
Our discussion today is on the topic of power and influence. Jennifer talks about the importance of effective communication, leadership, and approaches for influencing project team members and other stakeholders in order to achieve project goals.

This is an episode of the Understanding Projects podcast which consists of a series of discussions with PM academics and practitioners about the real world aspects of projects and project management. The podcast is based on the text Understanding Project Management - A Practical Guide by Dave C. Barrett.

...more
43min
April 13, 2023#45 - Managing risk during construction projects with Robert Mansour
My discussion today is with Robert Mansour. Robert has extensive experience in delivering successful multi-million dollar projects in the commercial, industrial, retail, and oil & gas segments. His experience also includes contract management and negotiations, risk management, coordination of engineering, procurement, and quality monitoring and control.
For more information about Robert:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertmansourpmp/

Our discussion focused on the application of risk management within physical projects such as construction or within the nuclear industry. As Robert explains, while risk is sometimes challenging to quantify in certain virtual projects such as software development, this is not the case in physical projects. The application of sound risk management to these projects is absolutely essential.
This is an episode of the Understanding Projects podcast which consists of a series of discussions with PM academics and practitioners about
the real world aspects of projects and project management. The podcast is based on the text Understanding Project Management - A Practical
Guide by Dave C. Barrett.
...more
39min
March 30, 2023 #44 - Overcoming resistance to project management in organizations with Catherine Fox
My discussion today is with Catherine Fox. Catherine's background is diverse, with her experience including managing project managers, managing projects including those using Agile methodologies, business systems analysis, data warehousing projects, and most recently in the area of organizational development and employee success.
For more information about Catherine:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-fox-7041511/
Our discussion focused on the introduction of project management to organizations and now to overcome some of the potentially negative stereotypes in these organizations. Catherine also shared the type of role she sees for project managers and how they may best provide value for organizations.
This is an episode of the Understanding Projects podcast which consists of a series of discussions with PM academics and practitioners about the real world aspects of projects and project management. The podcast is based on the text Understanding Project Management - A Practical Guide by Dave C. Barrett.
...more
37min
February 08, 2023 #43 - Using project management in a real estate business with Nicole Lopez
My discussion today is with Nicole Lopez. In her role as a Real Estate agent, Nicole is dedicated to helping people achieve their real estate goals. She focuses on building strong client relationships and ensuring her clients are educated on the home buying and/or selling process so they know more, are prepared, and thus feel confident on their real estate journey.
Prior to her work in real estate, Nicole was a Senior Program Manager in the Biopharmaceutical industry. For more information about Nicole:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-l-0308447/
During our discussion, we talked about how her knowledge of project management has helped her be successful in her real estate practice. Our talk was an excellent example of how the tools and techniques of project management can be used in practically any profession or industry.
This is an episode of the Understanding Projects podcast which consists of a series of discussions with PM academics and practitioners about the real world aspects of projects and project management. The podcast is based on the text Understanding Project Management - A Practical Guide by Dave C. Barrett.
...more
36min
December 09, 2022 #42 - Moving from an IT PM to a senior management role with Dale Van Looyen
My discussion today is with Dale Van Looyen. During Dale’s career of over 25 years, she has successfully led global teams across IT and shared services in roles from operations and project execution to enterprise service management, strategic transformation, procurement, and contracts management as both a customer and a provider of consulting services. For more information about Dale:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalevanlooyen/
In our discussion, we talked about how Dale started her career as a project manager and how this progressed to more senior roles. We then discussed her move from a project & program manager role to a strategic role, as the Chief Operations Officer at her organization.
This is an episode of the Understanding Projects podcast which consists of a series of discussions with PM academics and practitioners about the real world aspects of projects and project management. The podcast is based on the text Understanding Project Management - A Practical Guide by Dave C. Barrett.
...more
42min
November 09, 2022 #41 - Leadership and developing a positive project culture with Malak Attia
My discussion today is with Malak Attia. Malak’s background focuses on leadership, as she has attained a Master’s degree in Leadership Development and a PHd in Business Administration and Management. She brings this leadership attention to both education and consulting. For more information about Malak:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/malakattia/
We discussed the role of a leader in developing a positive culture both in the classroom and in a project as well as other related leadership topics.
This is an episode of the Understanding Projects podcast which consists of a series of discussions with PM academics and practitioners about the real world aspects of projects and project management. The podcast is based on the text Understanding Project Management - A Practical Guide by Dave C. Barrett.
...more
38min

FAQs about Understanding Projects:

How many episodes does Understanding Projects have?

The podcast currently has 51 episodes available.