Projectified Project Management Institute

Technology is helping project teams make a positive social impact—an accelerator for addressing everything from the effects of climate change to gender equality. Guests discuss how they’re using tech in two projects: One helps adolescent girls develop skills in STEAM—science, technology, engineering, arts and math—to create future tech leaders and build a more inclusive sector. The other project pairs tech tools with Indigenous knowledge to ensure local communities can more safely travel across Canada’s arctic region.

Key themes
[01:21] How UNICEF is preparing girls for futures in tech
[06:39] Using tech tools to gather feedback from stakeholders across the globe
[09:10] Measuring the Game Changers Coalition’s direct and indirect social impact
[14:26] Using tech in your project? Ensure it’s making a real difference
[16:14] Pairing tech with Indigenous knowledge: How SmartICE works with communities to measure sea ice thickness
[21:41] Engaging with stakeholders to create customer-centric project processes
[23:14] Embracing continuous improvement to develop better tech and training practices
[27:16] How project managers can focus on the social impacts of any project—no matter the sector

Building sustainable infrastructure doesn’t just protect people and the planet—it boosts the bottom line. Project teams must deliver assets that can withstand the extreme effects of climate change. Guests discuss the growing focus on climate-resilient infrastructure, how to manage stakeholders across project partners and communities, and which skills project professionals need to lead these initiatives. Plus, an in-depth discussion about a major infrastructure overhaul program in Peru, with projects focused on climate resilience and delivering long-term value.

Key themes
[02:28] Climate change’s systemic effects on infrastructure—and why that’s a challenge for project professionals 
[07:49] Must-haves for climate resilience projects: Curiosity, communication skills and community engagement 
[13:49] What trends are next in climate-resilient infrastructure
[17:29] The growing momentum for climate-resilient infrastructure
[19:53] How Peru is rebuilding after 2017 El Niño, creating climate-resilient infrastructure, education and health centers
[25:39] Future-proofing Peru’s reconstruction program through knowledge transfer

Navigating change is nothing new for project professionals. And this year is no different. How can being flexible and resilient help them seize job opportunities—and deliver value for organizations? Guests in this roundtable discussion talk about sector-specific job trends, the must-have skills needed to navigate challenges and how AI is changing project management now and in the years ahead.

Key themes
[01:30] Job opportunities for project professionals in IT, renewable energy and construction
[07:13] Top challenges project professionals might face for the rest of this year
[11:18] Market knowledge, influence, and leadership skills: The must-haves for today’s project professionals
[14:27] AI’s effect on project management
[18:32] What trends are creating a buzz for project professionals in 2024 and beyond

In today’s ever-evolving project environment, project professionals need to be flex-ready problem solvers. But how do they learn to choose the right ways of working—or know when to anticipate the need to adapt to change? Guests discuss how they empower project professionals at their organizations to become strategic decision makers—whether it means tailoring ways of working to fit projects and teams or implementing new tech tools.

Key themes
[02:19] Updating CDW’s PMO for greater collaboration, knowledge sharing and upskilling among project professionals 
[05:34] How continuous learning encourages greater autonomy 
[08:21] Empowering project professionals with clear guidelines, expectations and ownership of initiatives 
[13:13] Delegation and trust: Two must-haves for empowering project and program managers 
[14:52] How Airbus’ engineering PMO focuses on tailored, empathetic project support
[17:42] Why empowerment leads to better engagement and project outcomes
[19:56] What you need to know to choose the right ways of working for your team
[21:46] How PMO leaders can encourage teams to embrace unknowns in new tech or ways of working

There’s a glaring gender gap, in both artificial intelligence and project management. But as demand for AI talent surges, there’s an opportunity to close those gaps. Ahead of International Women’s Day, our guests discuss the gender gaps they’ve experienced in their careers in tech, how greater team diversity helps minimize algorithmic biases in AI projects, what they’ve learned from leading AI initiatives and building their AI expertise, and ways to help more women pursue careers in AI.

Key themes
[02:36] Bridging the gender gap: How diversity benefits AI initiatives
[05:21] Identifying and mitigating risks in generative AI projects
[07:52] Top advice to women in tech: Know your worth, be yourself and continue to learn
[12:55] Building AI knowledge in a changing business landscape
[16:15] Minimizing AI algorithmic biases with multiple perspectives
[19:08] Ways to help more women kickstart their careers in AI

Continuous learning helps project professionals keep up with the skills they need to excel in the profession—but it has to be done strategically. Guests discuss how to create a flexible and durable continuous learning strategy, how to balance upskilling with day-to-day project and personal responsibilities, which skills they see as must-haves for project professionals—today and in the future—and how PMO leaders can help project professionals in their continuous learning journeys.

Our guests include Alfred Maina, PMO-CP, PMI-ACP, PMP, technical project manager, Thunes, Nairobi; and Americo Pinto, PMO-CC, PMO-CP , PMP, managing director, PMO Global Alliance at PMI, Rio de Janeiro.

Key themes
[02:13] How to craft a continuous learning strategy
[06:12] Where to find upskilling opportunities
[07:19] Balancing work, personal time and continued learning
[10:20] Top skills to improve: technical and power skills, plus artificial intelligence know-how
[15:33] Why your continuous learning strategy should be flexible
[18:18] Using formal and informal education opportunities to upskill
[20:17] How to determine which skills to improve—and how much organizational objectives should be a factor
[24:27] Ways PMO leaders can help project professionals create and meet their continuous learning goals