By The PMO Squad
Every year, in November, the industry offers a moment to recognize the value project managers bring to organizations worldwide. International Project Management Day 2024 was no exception. This year, the celebration went beyond simply acknowledging the profession—it sparked conversations about the evolving challenges and opportunities for project management professionals. Let’s recap the highlights and the lessons learned from this global event.
Theme of the Year: “People + Purpose + Projects”
The 2024 theme underscored the critical role project managers play in change. As organizations continue to face economic fluctuations, technological disruption, and evolving workforce dynamics, resilience has become the cornerstone of successful project delivery. Discussions throughout the day emphasized building adaptable teams, embracing thinking differently, and fostering a mindset ready for change.
Key Sessions from the Day
What’s Next for Project Management?
The main keynote of the event featured Pierre Le Manh, President & CEO of Project Management Institute, and Bob Safian, Host of Masters of Scale: Rapid Response Podcast. The key theme of the discussion was around the redefined view of project success. Instead of on-time and on-budget, Pierre mentions, “Project success is when the value exceeds the effort and expense.” The shift of this definition for many organizations of project success are all around value being the perceived value of who the project is serving – not the one delivering it. This is reflected in the skillsets needed in project professionals to thrive in the future of project management. This session is now available on-demand.
The Source of Poor Project Delivery
This presentation challenged the way we often see project management professionals “fixing” project delivery challenges. Joe Pusz talks specifically about inattentive blindness and how we often are blinded due to extreme focus on one thing causing the inability to incorporate the full vision. With a shift of mindset and the embrace of closed feedback loops, the treatment of project delivery goes beyond the symptom of poor project delivery and into treating the source. System Dynamics helps us understand, design and manage the change associated with disruption our innate inattentive blindness in project management. This all leads us to The Organizational Project Delivery Journey which is not a focus on project delivery, but an organization’s acceptance and capability to deliver projects. Check out the session on-demand.
Being Here While Getting There
This keynote session wasn’t a traditional project management session, but it is one that speaks volumes to those in project management. Why? Because Dr. Marshall Goldsmith talked about his new book, “Being Here While Getting There” that focuses on investment in your future. He talked about the common hamster wheel we as humans get in when we’re too busy living in the present, feeling overwhelmed and decide now isn’t the time to [insert improvement area]. He offers an insightful exercise to narrow in on what you want for your future by utilizing people you consider heroes. Instead of reliving the same day, over and over again, he challenges the audience to “be better.” If you missed this session, we suggest you revisit prior to the new year as a good reminder to continue a vision while still conquering your present.
Memorable Moments from the Event
IPM Day Cookbook: What a treat this was! A cookbook highlighting recipes from event attendees from all over the world sharing their story and delicious drinks, food and fun in a consolidated cookbook.
The PMO Squad Booth: We may be biased but we appreciated those that stopped by our sponsor booth to participate in our industry survey, download our PMO templates and talk with our team.
Discussion Forums: A great way to connect with others in the industry around key topics like best practices, AI innovation, certifications and networking opportunities.
What’s Next for the Profession?
International Project Management Day 2024 reminded us of the immense value project managers bring to the table. The lessons learned highlight a need to focus on adaptability, embracing technology, and challenging the “way we’ve always done it”.
As we look ahead, project managers will continue to be vital in leading teams, fostering innovation, and delivering results for their growing organizations. It’s not too late to get in on the action of IPM Day, register now with the code PMOSQUAD for $12 off your registration.
The PMO Squad
The PMO Squad started in 2013 by global PMO Influencer Joe Pusz, PMO Joe. Joe had been a PMO Leader with various organizations across multiple industries and various size companies during his corporate career. The entrepreneurial spirit prompted Joe to start The PMO Squad to help serve clients looking to improve their Project Management capabilities and performance.
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