As we step into the new year, we are thrilled to announce the revitalization of our CAB. The year 2024 marks a pivotal moment for us as we welcome a team of phenomenal leaders who are poised to help shape the future of our chapter and bring a wealth of expertise to the forefront .
Our newly revitalized CAB comprises industry leaders who are eager to share their insights on pertinent topics and address challenges prevalent in our ever-evolving landscape . These leaders bring a wealth of experience, diverse perspectives, and a shared commitment to advancing project management excellence.
Our CAB members are not just leaders; they are catalysts for positive change within our community. By leveraging their collective knowledge and experience, they will play an important role in our Chapter's understanding of key industry topics in 2024.
We believe in the power of collaboration and are confident that the diverse backgrounds and skills of our CAB members will enhance our ability to meet the evolving needs of our chapter.
October '24
As we conclude 2024, our final Chapter Advisory Board (CAB) meeting focused on the vital role of Project Managers, drawing a great turnout and sparking valuable discussions. This meeting was a perfect way to cap off a productive year, where we covered significant topics including AI in Q1, Digital Transformation in Q2, and Project Manager Career Development in Q3.
The session featured an exchange of insights from CAB members, centering on key themes that are essential for the evolving landscape of project management. Here are some of the intriguing questions that arose during our discussions:
- How do we teach emotional intelligence as a necessary PM skill?
- What distinguishes Project Management from Program Management and Product Management?
- Is PM ethics a learned skill or more of an art?
- While Jira is a great task management tool, what other tools are needed for the various phases of a project?
- What are effective ways to lead by example and celebrate wins to create a positive environment?
- How does customer satisfaction feedback play a role in the project management process?
- Is there a "Tool Map" for project management tools available?
- What is the best methodology for managing Black Swan events?
- Can competition between project teams foster a positive work environment?
- How do PMs navigate cultural differences when working with international clients or organizations?
The diverse insights shared during this meeting will be invaluable as we compile recommendations for future projects within our chapter. We are already laying the groundwork for our 2025 Discussion Topics, eager to embark on another incredible year of insight sharing and professional development.
Thank you to all CAB members for your active participation and contributions throughout the year. Your insights have been instrumental in shaping our discussions, and we look forward to continuing this journey together in the coming year!
July '24
The July Corporate Advisory Board call brought together nine members for an engaging and productive discussion on Project Manager Career Development. Key topics explored included:
- Using surveys to create employee PM profiles
- The role of company portals in job movement
- Tracking performance with KPIs
- Leveraging LMS applications to build technical PM skills.
The group also debated:
- Whether PM roles should be defined by a centralized corporate function or customized based on service lines
- How organizations can best utilize the knowledge of senior project managers
- The importance of obtaining client feedback on project manager performance.
Additionally, members examined how global organizations train project managers to handle cultural differences, which is a topic of increasing importance in today's 'work from wherever' project environment.
April '24
In March, we proudly welcomed five new members to our Corporate Advisory Board (CAB). Their addition strengthens our already outstanding team, and we look forward to their contributions in shaping future discussions and initiatives.
In April, our second quarterly CAB meeting focused on the topic of Digital Transformation. This insightful session centered on the successes, challenges, and strategies for navigating digital transformation projects. A key takeaway was the importance of having a clear vision, purpose, and scope to ensure project success. CAB members emphasized that projects driven by organizations, rather than vendors, and with well-defined success criteria, were more likely to succeed.
The discussion also touched on regulatory challenges faced during digital transformations. CAB members exchanged strategies for navigating these complexities, particularly in industries with strict compliance requirements. Effective project management, including planning, risk management, and leadership, was highlighted as essential for successful transformations, especially within public agencies.
A structured process and framework for digital transformation was deemed critical, starting with answering foundational questions and engaging the right people. Stakeholder engagement was also seen as vital, with members advocating for the creation of a stakeholder matrix to involve all relevant parties from the outset, driven by strong leadership support.
The meeting concluded with a deep dive into post-Covid digital tool challenges and solutions. CAB members shared strategies for overcoming these obstacles, including change management, leveraging transformation champions, and integrating digital solutions. Overall, the session provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of digital and business transformation.
We look forward to the continued collaboration and success of our Corporate Advisory Board as we embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead.
January '24
On January 23, the CAB met to kick off our 2024 Discussion Topic meetings. During planning meetings in 2023, Artificial intelligence (AI) was voted the most crucial discussion topic in terms of importance. We dedicated our first session this year to understanding how AI is reshaping our respective industries with a special focus on its implications for Project Managers.
The discussion spanned various sectors, highlighting both challenges and opportunities presented by the integration of AI technologies.
In the end we all agree — AI is not a threat to Project Managers. However, we know we must do the work to prepare ourselves with the necessary knowledge and skills to leverage AI to our advantage. Embracing AI was viewed as an opportunity for growth and efficiency rather than a potential threat.
We discussed PMI’s commitment to support our community and two specific resources that they have recently provided:
Notably, CAB member Desiree Underwood-Williams played a key role as a co-builder for the PMI Infinity tool, while Marlon E Bradshaw Jr, our Corporate Outreach Team Speaker, contributed as a beta tester. Their valuable contributions exemplify our commitment to technological advancement and the continuous improvement of resources for our community.
We recognize the importance of continuous learning and the need for training programs. As a chapter we are excited to work with our CAB to implement programs to support our community.