What's the Plan? is where project, portfolio, and resource management meet real-world solutions. Join host Samantha Varner for candid conversations with experts tackling PMO challenges from aligning strategy with execution to mastering resources and leading transformations. We skip the jargon and bring practical insights in a friendly, conversational style. Perfect for PMO leaders, portfolio managers, and operations pros. Sponsored by ProSymmetry. Subscribe for new episodes!
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Executives Don't Care About Your Projects: Why PMOs Must Focus on Value with Stuart Easton
Episode 8
Monday, October 5, 2026 • Duration 01:06:03
In this episode of What's the Plan?, Samantha sits down with Stuart Easton, CEO and co-founder of Transparent Choice, to explore one of the biggest challenges facing PMOs today: why executives and project leaders often seem disconnected, even when they're working toward the same business goals. Through practical examples, research-backed insights, and his memorable "duck and egg" analogy, Stuart explains why organizations must shift their focus from project delivery to business value.
Drawing on decades of experience helping organizations improve project prioritization, portfolio management, and benefits realization, Stuart shares why executives don't care about project methodologies, governance processes, or status reports nearly as much as project professionals think they do. Instead, they care about outcomes, business impact, and whether projects are delivering measurable value.
Together, they explore:
Why executives don't care about projects, they care about the value projects create
The "duck and egg" framework for understanding business value versus project delivery
Why PMOs often struggle to communicate effectively with executive leadership
How project managers can transition from project delivery to business leadership
The difference between reporting data and delivering actionable insights
How better project prioritization leads to stronger strategic alignment
Why resource capacity planning is critical to portfolio success
How overloaded teams actually slow delivery and reduce business value
The relationship between prioritization, resource management, and benefits realization
Why doing fewer projects can help organizations deliver more value
The balance between too little governance and too much bureaucracy
How PMOs can maximize portfolio ROI by focusing on business outcomes instead of process compliance
Stuart also shares practical advice for PMO leaders looking to gain executive support, improve decision-making, and demonstrate business value. From prioritization frameworks and portfolio governance to resource optimization and benefits realization, he offers a roadmap for moving beyond project management and becoming a strategic business partner.
Whether you're a project manager, PMO leader, portfolio manager, or executive responsible for driving organizational change, this episode offers actionable insights on how to align projects with strategy, communicate in the language of business, and focus on what matters most: delivering value.
00:00 Understanding the PMO-Executive Relationship 06:50 The Duck and the Egg: Delivering Value 12:48 Communication: Bridging the Gap 20:06 The Language of Value 27:07 Transforming Project Managers into Business Leaders 36:25 Insights Over Data: Prioritization Conversations 44:15 Governance and Methodology: Finding the Balance 52:39 Cultural Shift: Benefits Management as a System 01:01:34 The Executive Mindset: Embracing Change
In this episode of What's the Plan?, Samantha sits down with transformation leader and project management expert Noel Ransom to explore why today's project managers need to think beyond schedules, status reports, and task tracking. Together, they discuss the evolution of project management from an execution-focused discipline to one centered on influence, business value, and better decision-making.
Drawing from more than two decades of experience leading enterprise transformation initiatives, Noel shares practical insights on how project managers can connect project work to business outcomes, build stronger business acumen, communicate with executives, and become trusted advisors within their organizations.
Together, they explore:
· Why project managers are being asked to do more than manage projects
· The shift from status reporting to strategic decision support
· How to connect project execution to business value and outcomes
· The skills modern project managers need to stay relevant and influential
· Business acumen, financial literacy, and organizational change management
· Communication, emotional intelligence, and influencing without authority
· How PMOs can evolve from governance functions into decision intelligence organizations
· Why AI won't replace project managers who can interpret information and guide decisions
Noel also introduces her "Monday Morning Test," a simple framework for turning ideas into action and helping project managers shift their mindset from tracking work to driving meaningful outcomes.
Whether you're an experienced project manager, a PMO professional, or someone looking to grow your influence within your organization, this episode offers actionable insights on how to move beyond execution, think more strategically, and help leaders make better decisions.
Using AI in Project Management: Solving Real Problems with Curiosity and Context with Molly Beran
Episode 6
Monday, August 3, 2026 • Duration 55:13
Most conversations about AI in project management focus on meeting notes, summaries, and chatbots. But what happens when you use AI to solve a real project management problem?
In this episode, Molly Beran shares how she used Microsoft Copilot to build a custom reporting solution that transformed project visibility and executive reporting. Rather than chasing the latest AI trend, Molly started with a specific challenge: understanding project progress over time and providing leaders with the context needed to make better decisions.
We discuss:
· Why the best AI initiatives start with a real business problem
· How curiosity helps project managers build solutions without being developers
· The difference between point-in-time reporting and over-time reporting
· Why context is more valuable than raw project data
· Using Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT and Claude, to improve project reporting
· The role of AI in project management beyond note taking and meeting summaries
· Where human judgment is still essential when working with AI
If you're exploring AI for project management, Microsoft Copilot, project reporting, project visibility, or executive reporting, this episode offers a practical look at how AI can help teams solve meaningful problems and deliver insights that actually matter.
00:00 Introduction to Projects by Molly
06:04 Molly's Journey in Project Management
09:59 The Importance of Data in Project Management
16:01 Point-in-Time vs. Overtime Reporting
20:59 Leveraging AI in Project Management
28:10 Understanding Snapshots in Reporting
32:26 Tailoring Reports to Executive Needs
Project Management is Problem Solving: Navigating Complexity with Rebecca Woods
Episode 5
Monday, July 6, 2026 • Duration 51:38
In this episode of What’s the Plan?, Samantha sits down with PMO leader Rebecca Woods to discuss why modern project management is really about problem solving, strategic thinking, and navigating complexity — not just managing timelines and tasks.
Drawing from her experience leading IT and PMO initiatives, Rebecca shares practical insights on how project managers can uncover root causes, ask better questions, improve stakeholder communication, and guide teams through changing priorities, shifting requirements, and resource constraints.
Together, they explore:
• Problem solving in project management
• Continuous improvement strategies for PMOs
• How to identify the real business problem
• Why communication gaps derail projects
• Managing changing project requirements
• Strategic decision-making and stakeholder alignment
• Resource constraints, prioritization, and portfolio planning
• The human side of leadership, collaboration, and organizational change
Rebecca also shares real-world examples of navigating complex enterprise projects, balancing “keep the lights on” work with strategic initiatives and helping organizations become more adaptable in an increasingly fast-changing business environment.
Whether you're a project manager, PMO leader, operations leader, or executive navigating organizational complexity, this episode offers actionable insights into the mindset, communication skills, and strategic thinking needed to lead successful projects today.
00:00 Introduction to Rebecca Woods and Her Journey
Why Resource Management Needs Governance, Not Guesswork with Beth Hunter
Season 1 · Episode 4
Monday, June 1, 2026 • Duration 01:04:06
Resource management doesn’t fail because organizations lack effort. It fails because there’s no consistent process, governance, or structure behind it.
In this episode, Beth Hunter shares practical approaches to operationalizing resource management. From establishing governance and decision-making frameworks to creating repeatable processes teams can actually follow.
We discuss:
Why inconsistent resource planning creates chaos
The importance of governance in resource management
How mature organizations create structure around planning
Practical ways to standardize resource management practices
The role of frameworks like the JITR Wheel in improving visibility and alignment
If your organization relies on spreadsheets, disconnected planning conversations, or “tribal knowledge” to manage resources, this episode offers a more sustainable path forward.
00:00 The Importance of Governance in Resource Management
02:59 Understanding the Jitterwheel Framework
05:57 Skills as a Core Component of Resource Management
09:08 The Complexity of Staffing Decisions
12:04 The Role of Forecasting in Resource Management
14:55 Data Quality and Its Impact on Forecasting
18:08 The Challenges of Timesheet Management
32:24 Navigating Timesheet Management
34:24 Understanding the 10% Per Month Out Concept
36:15 Bridging Finance and Resource Management
38:40 Workforce Planning and Talent Development
40:13 Building Strong HR Partnerships
From Project Police to Value Driver: Unlocking PMO Value with Jerry Manas
Episode 3
Monday, May 4, 2026 • Duration 40:40
What does it take for a PMO to stop being the "project police" and start driving real organizational value?
In this episode, host Samantha Varner sits down with Jerry Manas, internationally bestselling author of the Resource Management and Capacity Planning Handbook, to explore why terminology confusion stalls progress, how PMOs can shift from methodology enforcers to strategic change drivers, and why storytelling is one of the most underrated tools in a leader's toolkit.
You'll learn:
· Why getting hung up on terminology blocks organizational progress
· How PMOs can shift from enforcing processes to delivering business value
· What leaders need to understand about resource and capacity planning — regardless of what they call it
· How storytelling drives adoption and helps teams understand the "what's in it for me"
If you're a PMO, portfolio, or resource management leader ready to move from compliance to impact, this one's for you.
00:00 The Importance of Productivity and Value
02:57 Terminology in Project Management
05:58 Core Concepts of Resource Management
08:55 Visibility and Decision Making
11:56 The Capacity Quadrant Framework
15:08 Patterns in Organizational Maturity
18:06 The Role of PMOs in Strategic Alignment
21:04 Deprioritizing Resource Management
24:01 The Evolving Role of PMOs
27:03 Aligning Productivity with Value
30:01 The Power of Storytelling in Leadership
33:00 Future Plans and Closing Thoughts
Resources are People: Creating a Culture of Resilience and Productivity with Jill Savage
Episode 2
Monday, April 6, 2026 • Duration 51:54
Resource planning often gets treated like a numbers game: capacity, utilization, and forecasts.
Our plans fail because we forget the people behind the work.
In this episode, Jill Savage, a resource management pioneer, shares how great resource management goes beyond a list of names and allocations. From understanding personalities and career goals to recognizing when someone is overloaded or misaligned, we explore how to build plans that actually work in the real world.
You’ll learn:
· Why treating people like “resources” leads to burnout and disengagement
· How to balance business demands with human needs
· What great resource managers do differently
· How to build trust, improve productivity, and retain top talent
If you’re leading projects or teams this is the side of resource planning you can’t afford to ignore.
00:00 The Dynamics of Labor and Exploitation
03:07 Resource Management: A Strategic Necessity
05:54 The Human Element in Resource Management
08:51 Balancing Tasks and Human Needs
12:06 The Role of AI in Resource Management
15:02 Building Trust and Understanding in Teams
18:04 The Consequences of Ignoring Human Factors
20:53 The Importance of Retaining Talent
24:05 Finding the Right Fit for Tasks
26:48 Opportunities for Growth and Learning
28:23 Creating Opportunities in Unique Spaces
30:04 The Importance of Active Listening
Adapting Project, Portfolio & Resource Management in Times of Change
Episode 2
Monday, March 23, 2026 • Duration 56:33
How do you plan when everything keeps changing? Hosted by Samantha Varner of ProSymmetry, this panel features Melissa Fry from Choice Hotels and Sarah Vincent from Honda sharing how they manage mid-cycle pivots, balance demand vs. capacity, and communicate trade-offs to leadership. Packed with real-world strategies, this session highlights how PMOs are staying flexible and effective in a fast-moving environment.
00:00 Navigating Change in PMOs
10:04 Responding to Mid-Plan Changes
20:08 Planning Cycles and Capacity Management
23:58 Demand vs. Capacity: The Balancing Act
27:33 Collaborative Hiring Strategies
30:23 Resource Forecasting and Capacity Management
34:37 Balancing Operational and Strategic Work
41:32 Setting Expectations for Resource Allocation
Stop Waiting for Perfect Data: How to Start Resource Planning Now with Bob Blackburn
Season 1 · Episode 1
Monday, March 2, 2026 • Duration 45:49
Most PMOs stall on resource planning because the data isn't perfect. Bob Blackburn, a PMO leader with 20+ years of experience, says stop waiting and explains exactly how to start.
In this episode, Bob and host Samantha Varner break down:
→ Staffing vs. forecasting - and why most teams confuse the two
→ How to build capacity models for projects that don't exist yet
→ Why directionally accurate beats waiting for perfect
→ The real risk of the blank sheet of paper
Perfect for PMO leaders, portfolio managers, and resource managers ready to move from paralysis to progress.
00:00 The Importance of Data Quality in Resource Planning
06:10 Understanding Resource Planning: Staffing vs. Forecasting
12:16 The Role of PMO in Project Intake and Planning
18:54 Agile Capacity Planning: A New Approach
25:53 Defining Roles: Project Managers, Resource Managers, and Functional Managers
31:28 Aligning Project and Functional Managers for Success
36:24 Directionally Right: Metrics and Signals for Resource Planning
38:54 Starting Resource Planning: Practical Steps for Implementation
41:39 Future Focus: Strategic Portfolio Management and Value
Welcome to What’s the Plan? | A Podcast for PMO, Portfolio & Resource Leaders
Monday, February 23, 2026 • Duration 02:13
A podcast for PMO leaders, portfolio managers, and resource management professionals focused on strategic portfolio management, capacity planning, and connecting strategy to execution. In this trailer, host Samantha Varner shares what to expect from candid conversations about prioritization, demand vs. capacity, and the human side of planning. Follow to hear real-world insights on aligning strategy, portfolios, and the people doing the work.
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