Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Manage This - The Project Management Podcast

AI is making teams faster, but is it helping them deliver more value? In this episode, Galen Low explores why organizations must move beyond productivity and focus on outcomes. We discuss how AI is reshaping project management, the importance of questioning whether work should be done at all, and the evolving role of project leaders in orchestrating people, technology, and results in a rapidly changing world.

AI is rapidly reshaping project management, pushing routine tasks to automation and elevating the need for human judgment. Peter Taylor warns that this shift may create The Invisible Project Manager, a role focused less on administration and more on strategic leadership, influence, and ethical decision-making as PMs learn to guide AI driven work.

Yadi Caro shares insights from her book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. We discuss empathy, leadership, communication, team motivation, and strategies for building more effective project teams.

Even the most complex challenges can be overcome when teams stay aligned, adaptable, and focused on a shared mission. Tammy Ashraf shares lessons from NASA Earth Science missions on leading complex, high-stakes projects. She discusses aligning diverse teams, spotting early warning signs, breaking down silos, and managing uncertainty, along with the evolving role of AI and the human skills still essential for project success.

Trevor Smith shares about advanced composite materials designed to protect satellites and astronauts from hypervelocity impacts. He discusses building for impact with rapid prototyping, phased project delivery, and team culture in innovation. We also learn about space-based data centers and Atomic-6’s Light Wing™ deployable space structure platform.

Practical strategies for leading meetings that improve decision-making, strengthen team participation, and drive better project outcomes. In this conversation Evan Unger explores tools like the POPRA model, techniques for managing conflict and encouraging diverse perspectives, and how humble, curious leadership can create healthier and more productive team dynamics.

The PMP® certification is evolving in 2026 with a major exam update. Bill Yates and Ren Love break down what these changes mean for project managers, from shifting success metrics toward value and outcomes to a stronger emphasis on strategy, AI, and sustainability. Hear about updated exam domains, new question formats, and practical exam tips.

New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 manager Brent Beaven explains what it takes to run a nationwide effort to eliminate invasive predators and protect native wildlife. He describes the scale of the challenge and the long‑term coordination across communities, scientists, and government.

In this episode, we look ahead at what’s next for the profession and what it means for your career. With insights from PMI’s latest Salary Survey and Global Talent Gap Report, along with expert perspective from Dr. Kelly Heuer, this episode highlights where the greatest opportunities are emerging, how AI is reshaping the role, and the steps you can take now to stay competitive and grow with confidence.

Landing a job today isn’t just about qualifications. The hiring process is more competitive and complex than ever, and even strong candidates can get filtered out before a human ever sees their résumé. In this episode, we talk with HR leaders about how to stand out, avoid common interview mistakes, and position yourself for success.

Quantum computing is speeding up, and organizations are racing to protect long‑lived data. Security expert Chris Basener joins us to talk about post‑quantum cryptography, the rising “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” threat, and how PQC is already being tested. We ask what project managers can do now to assess risk, strengthen governance, and prepare their careers for a quantum future.

Turning strategy into action isn’t accidental—it’s project-driven. This conversation looks at how strategy gets delivered inside the project-driven organization. Hear guidance on prioritization, navigating stakeholders, and moving beyond incremental work to spark real innovation. Challenging how leaders think about focus, impact, and the future of project work.

Lean-Agile is easy to talk about but hard to pull off in a “chunky” corporate. Hear practical strategies for navigating layers, budgets, and oversight, keeping teams moving, communicating vision, handling legacy data, fostering experimentation, and leveraging AI—actionable advice for project managers making Agile work at scale.

What if a corporate headquarters could generate, store, and manage its own power—independently, reliably, and sustainably? Cobb EMC has done exactly that. Tim Jarrell, Vice President at Cobb Electric Membership Corporation (EMC), talks about the creation of a self-contained microgrid that powers their campus using solar energy, battery storage, and natural gas. Hear how this innovative project was conceived, planned, and executed, along with the project management lessons learned along the way.

In this special 10th anniversary episode, we have a scenario-driven conversation that puts real-world project challenges front and center. Since 2016, the podcast has grown into a global community of project managers, made possible by loyal listeners and expert guests. Join us as we celebrate 10 years of learning, growth, and leadership in project management.

Has hybrid project management become the new sweet spot? As organizations balance structure, speed, and emerging technology, hybrid methodologies are rapidly becoming the go-to approach. Olivia Montgomery joins us to talk about why hybrid project management is rising so quickly, what “hybrid” really means in practice, and how AI is accelerating this shift. Project management isn’t “one size fits all” anymore, and today’s teams are proving it.

Crisis management expert Edward Segal shares why every project leader must be ready for the unexpected. In this episode, he shares guidance on preparation, response, and resilience—while warning against the “hero mindset” that often derails leaders in high-pressure moments. His message is clear: structured strategies, not spontaneous heroics, are what protect careers, reputations, and teams when crises inevitably arrive.

What happens when strategy, delivery, and client success all rest on one person’s shoulders? Daniel McCaulley talks about the unique challenges of being both project lead and business owner, as he shares lessons from building his company from the ground up, highlighting how leadership, technical expertise, and human connection intersect. He explains why true project success is rooted not just in skill, but in communication, trust, and a relentless drive to improve.

Dr. Colin M. Fisher, author of The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups, reveals the hidden forces that make some teams thrive while others falter. He shares research-based insights on team dynamics, challenging common assumptions about collaboration, group size, and the causes, and cures, of social loafing. Colin offers a new perspective on team development, and the best predictors of team success.

Deanna Landers, founder of Project Managers Without Borders (PMWB), shares how project management can deliver more than results, it can deliver hope. Now part of PMI, PMWB unites professionals worldwide to lead sustainable, humanitarian initiatives. Deanna discusses the organization’s growth, opportunities for volunteer project managers, and the parallels between navigating the open seas and managing complex projects. It’s an inspiring look at how our profession can create lasting impact, one project at a time.

In this episode, we explore the role of emotional intelligence in leadership. Dr. Robin Hills explains how EI enables project leaders to adapt, manage stress, build resilient teams, and guide with empathy. Hear practical strategies for applying EI in today’s complex environment and why it’s a defining factor in moving from good leadership to great.

Imagine turning uncertainty into your biggest advantage. That’s the power of risk. In this episode, we’re joined by Susan Schramm to uncover why risks so often get overlooked early in projects, the blind spots that trip up teams, and how a clear “why” can keep you steady when challenges hit. Susan also reveals the costly mistake of waiting until things go wrong to talk about risk—and what smart organizations do instead.

Stan Slovin, author of Better Listening: The Secret to Improving Your Professional and Personal Life, reveals how mastering the skill of listening can transform leadership, strengthen relationships, and enhance everyday communication. His simple yet powerful method:reveals how mastering the skill of listening can transform leadership, strengthen relationships, and enhance everyday communication and compassionate listener.

Bob Jewell reveals what “excellence” truly means in project management, how to steer clear of common pitfalls, and why he avoids the term “scope.” He discusses underrated tools, challenges the practice of building schedules backwards, and shares fresh perspectives on the work breakdown structure, the critical path, and the crucial handoffs that can determine a project’s success.

We explore the power of Hoshin Kanri—a strategic management system that sets mid- and long-term goals, aligns objectives across all levels of an organization, guides annual execution, and develops people’s capabilities to sustain progress. Mark Reich brings insight from his 23 years at Toyota, where he helped implement this enterprise-wide approach to continuous improvement.

As AI tools become more advanced, what does effective project leadership look like? In this episode, Rich Maltzman, co-author of AI-Powered Leadership, discusses what effective project leadership looks like in an AI-driven world. He emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach between human judgment and machine intelligence, advocating for a “both/and” mindset that blends human insight with technological precision.

In this episode hear fresh insights to help you lead with impact, empower your team — and get the job done. Kevin Torf, author of Getting the Job Done, shares practical advice for leaders managing fast-moving projects and cross-functional teams as we explore what it truly means to empower a team, and why it's the secret sauce behind high-performing project leadership and long-term success.

We explore the intersection of adventure, innovation, and sustainability with Jacques Barreau, co-founder of Grain de Sail. This pioneering project is transforming maritime shipping with wind-powered cargo vessels, carrying organic chocolate and coffee across the Atlantic. Jacques shares how he and his twin brother, Olivier, turned their passion for eco-friendly transport into managing this complex project, which spans food production, shipping logistics, and international partnerships.

Alison Coward shares insights on Workshop Culture, as she introduces her five-pillar framework for building strong team culture. Hear how teams can infuse their everyday collaboration with the energy and effectiveness of workshops. By adopting a "workshop mindset," teams can transform meetings, improve communication, and achieve stronger alignment around shared values, ultimately avoiding common pitfalls that lead to unproductive habits.

Explore what sets thriving teams apart from dysfunctional ones; and how project leaders can build a culture of energy, engagement, and sustainable success. Hear about a capacity-building framework: spiritual, intellectual, physical, and emotional, and how strengthening these four dimensions drives performance and boosts team productivity.

Steven T. Collis, author of Habits of a Peacemaker: 10 Habits to Change Our Potentially Toxic Conversations into Healthy Dialogues, shares strategies to turn potentially toxic conversations into healthy dialogues. His approach includes embracing intellectual humility, asking sincere questions, assuming the best in others, and resisting the need for personal validation. Productive dialogue prioritizes mutual respect and understanding over persuasion, even in the face of significant disagreements.

Ben Lamorte talks with us about the power of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) as a transformative tool for project leaders. He introduces a simple framework: define the destination, articulate its importance, set measurable key results, and outline an action plan. Hear about the impact of strong OKRs, and how tracking progress fosters motivation through small wins and helps teams maintain focus.

Dave Garrett, Senior Advisor to the CEO, discusses the PMI Project Success Initiative, a 2023 research project by the Project Management Institute. The initiative redefines project success and offers actionable insights for project professionals. Dave describes shifting the focus and accountability beyond project management success to overall project success as he talks about the three key measurement factors crucial for project success and the Net Project Success Score, a tool used to evaluate a project’s success.

If you’re dealing with an overdue project or looking to prevent delays before they happen, listen to Mark Woeppel as he shares real-world examples, hard-earned lessons, and practical frameworks to help organizations get struggling initiatives back on track—and what leaders can do to prevent delays from happening in the first place. Hear how poor schedule and risk reserve management can lead to delays and learn early warning signs to identify minor versus systemic issues.

Project management is more than just schedules and deadlines—it’s a powerful force for driving change across industries. In this episode, we welcome Professor Adam Boddison, Chief Executive of the Association for Project Management (APM) who talks about APM’s Golden Thread research, conducted by PwC. He offers valuable perspectives on the skills that are essential for success, as well as strategies for breaking down common stereotypes about project managers.

As the workforce evolves, so does the opportunity to harness the power of a blended approach. In this episode, author and researcher Sara Daw, MBA, joins us to discuss the increasingly relevant topic of the blended workforce. Sara discusses how combining full-time employees with fractional, freelance, or contract team members can drive innovation, increase flexibility, and provide access to specialized expertise when and where it’s needed.

Volunteering: A pathway to improving leadership skills, broadening networks, and exploring new fields. In this episode, we explore how volunteering can shape project management careers, with our guests, Yasmina Khelifi and Mayte Mata Sivera. They share how volunteering has been a cornerstone in their professional journeys, enriching their experiences, opening new doors, and helping them grow as leaders.

Staying updated on innovative methodologies empowers project managers to tackle challenges and spark creativity. In this episode, Arash Parsania introduces HYPERID, a flexible hybrid new methodology for project management. Arash shares the innovative project estimation techniques HYPERID incorporates, what sets it apart from other methodologies, and his "person-day" estimation method.

Focus on what truly matters while maintaining balance and reducing stress. This episode is packed with practical advice for building resilient teams, preventing burnout, and aligning efforts with meaningful goals. James Louttit shares his journey from managing intense stress to adopting approaches that reduce strain, foster balance, and maximize value. Hear about strategies for setting boundaries, tackling "HiPPo" influences, and maintaining focus on high-value, low-effort tasks.

Is your mindset holding your team back? Self-deception can quietly erode team dynamics and productivity, leaving leaders and team members blind to their own roles in workplace challenges. Desmond Lomax, a clinical mental health therapist, shares how this pervasive mindset impacts relationships, trust, and team culture. Desmond explains how shifting from an inward mindset to an outward one—moving from “me” to “we”—is the key to fostering healthier, more collaborative teams.

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing project management, including risk management, by significantly enhancing efficiency. Karanveer Anand, a Technical Program Management Leader at Google, offers practical advice on integrating AI into workflows. He emphasizes three key pillars where AI impacts project management, including identifying risks using accurate historical data and ensuring data security.

Transform your project teams into high-performance delivery engines! In this episode, we talk with Laura Barnard, author of The IMPACT Engine, who shares her powerful framework for transforming project teams into top-performing teams. Listen in to learn Laura’s insights on creating low-stress, high-impact success in project management, building trust, and adopting valuable strategies for driving successful change and avoiding common project management pitfalls..

For project managers aiming to improve their project planning and drive successful outcomes, this episode provides practical advice and real-life examples. Focusing on the distinction between conversation and communication, Clint Padgett shares strategies for fostering trust and accountability through authentic dialogue and offers insights on creating adaptable, realistic project plans. Clint emphasizes the importance of in-person team meetings to secure buy-in and boost project success.

Ready to rethink leadership? Hear about an innovative framework built around four key management streams: downstream, upstream, sidestream, and the reservoir stream. These streams represent different aspects of managing oneself, managing teams, engaging with upper management, and collaborating with peers. Dalmo Cirne explains how his cross-disciplinary strategy can transform the way we lead and manage our projects.

Industry 5.0 is the next phase of the industrial automation revolution where humans collaborate with AI-powered robots and devices. Tim Jaques breaks down how Industry 5.0 builds upon the foundations of Industry 4.0, transitioning from pure automation to a more human-centered approach, integrating technology with sustainability, ethical decision-making, and advanced customization. Hear why project managers should care about Industry 5.0’s shift from economic to societal value and its impact on their roles.

In this episode, we explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on project management and how it’s transforming the profession. Oliver Yarbrough shares how project managers can leverage AI to enhance their skills and stay competitive in an evolving, AI-driven landscape. Hear about AI's impact on Agile teams, how SLMs and LLMs are revolutionizing data refinement, how to balance data security while leveraging AI, and how to treat AI as a key stakeholder in the evolving landscape of project management.

The podcast for project managers by project managers. Is Scope Creep derailing your project? A lack of control can lead to projects spiraling out of scope. Join us as Shannon Keenan shares strategies to keep your team focused, avoid delays, and deliver successful outcomes. Learn how to manage scope effectively and prevent projects from spiraling out of control.

The podcast by project managers for project managers. How do successful project managers turn tough project negotiations into win-win outcomes? Discover a practical seven-step approach to managing claims, negotiating with customers, and closing negotiations effectively, offering a competitive edge for project managers handling complex projects.

The podcast by project managers for project managers. The Key Crossing Reliability Initiative by Baltimore Gas and Electric (BG&E) is a critical project replacing aging transmission lines across the Patapsco River, spanning 2.25 miles. Managed by Cody Duplisea, PMP, it powers over a million homes and businesses in Baltimore. Completed before the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, it gained high visibility for ensuring reliable power transmission.

The podcast by project managers for project managers. For the past 25 years, the Guédelon Castle project has been a mesmerizing journey into the past, building a medieval castle in the forest near Paris using authentic 13th-century methods. Sarah Preston details this project where a dedicated team of artisans and history enthusiasts have revived medieval construction practices, with meticulous attention to detail.