APM Podcast

APM, the chartered body for the project profession
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Project managers share their stories from the front line of the project and programme management profession. Contact us at apmpodcast@thinkpublishing.co.uk This podcast is brought to you by APM, the chartered membership organisation for the project profession. For more information on how to join APM, visit apm.org.uk.

  1. Why psychological safety is not a nice-to-have

    16 APR

    Why psychological safety is not a nice-to-have

    Emma meets James Evans, Programme Manager at NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee, who has a deep interest in psychological safety and contributed to the forthcoming APM e-learning module on the topic. James explains what psychological safety actually is (and what it isn’t) and the reasons why it's such a hot topic in project management. Psychological safety is no longer a nice-to-have, he explains – it's become a critical factor in managing projects successfully.  The e-learning module is available from APM Learning for APM members. For more information, visit https://www.apm.org.uk/resources/apm-learning/

    42 min
  2. Using a systems thinking approach to select successful projects

    2 APR

    Using a systems thinking approach to select successful projects

    **The APM book Doing the Right Project: Using a Systems Thinking Approach to Select Successful Projects is available to purchase here: ⁠https://www.apm.org.uk/book-shop/doing-the-right-project-using-a-systems-thinking-approach-to-select-successful-projects/⁠** In this episode, Emma is joined by the book’s co-authors – Andrew Wright ChPP FAPM, leader of the APM Systems Thinking Interest Network, Cesar Rendora ChPP and Estar Bennett.  They explore the world of systems thinking. Ever been daunted about the term or what it might mean exactly? Then we will enlighten you, helping to explain how you can put systems thinking into practice and what advantages it gives you in your projects.

    44 min
  3. Is data literacy a soft skill?

    19 MAR

    Is data literacy a soft skill?

    **Find the APM Data Literacy Skills Framework at apm.org.uk/resources/what-is-project-management/what-is-project-data-analytics ** Emma meets Rob Lord, Director of Major Programmes at BT International, and Gareth Parkes, architect of the APM Data Literacy Skills Framework, who is Head of Data and Analytics at Sir Robert MacAlpine and one of the founding members of the Project Data Analytics Task Force.  The three discuss data literacy, how to improve your own, what data-driven decision-making looks like in real life, and how it can be used to make the delivery of projects more successful. Join us as we demystify data and give you a bit more confidence in navigating this brave new world.

    52 min
  4. Arts and science: how to manage projects in any sector

    5 MAR

    Arts and science: how to manage projects in any sector

    Ahead of International Women’s Day later this week, Emma meets two successful women in project management who work in completely different sectors – Josie Harries and Anna Ustynyuk. They explain how core project management skills combined with sector-specific knowledge can give you a career that is highly transferable from one industry to another. Both Josie and Anna are members of the APM Women in Project Management Interest Network, which you can learn more about here.

    48 min
  5. The show must go on! Royal Ballet and Opera’s £40m renewal programme

    19 FEB

    The show must go on! Royal Ballet and Opera’s £40m renewal programme

    Emma goes behind the scenes at the Royal Ballet and Opera in London to explore how a £40m technical renewal programme is being delivered without interrupting live performances. From upgrading stage elevators and lighting rigs to replacing critical communications systems, every project must be carefully designed, prototyped and installed around a relentless performance schedule. Hear from the project professionals leading the work as they share insights on stakeholder engagement in high-pressure environments, hybrid delivery approaches and building trust in teams where reliability is everything. Look out for the spring issue of Project journal where we bring you more detail on projects at the RBO. Also, don’t miss our previous podcast episode where Emma interviews RBO COO Heather Walker.

    48 min
  6. When a project director becomes COO: Heather Walker at Royal Ballet and Opera

    5 FEB

    When a project director becomes COO: Heather Walker at Royal Ballet and Opera

    Emma meets Heather Walker, Chief Operating Officer at Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO) in London, where she's responsible for planning and coordinating a range of services to support across technical and production estate, visitor experience, technology and administration. A major focus is the renewal of the estate, ensuring that sustainability is at the heart of fabric and plant upgrades, and that audiences, artists and staff benefit from changes to the environment and the technology running its services. Previous to becoming COO, Heather was project director at RBO. Look out for our upcoming behind-the-scenes episode at RBO. Contact us: apmpodcast@thinkpublishing.co.uk

    24 min
  7. What makes a great project manager? (Part 2)

    22 JAN

    What makes a great project manager? (Part 2)

    In this episode, we find out the secrets of being a great project manager. It’s January, the time of year where many of us have New Year's resolutions, or maybe just a vague idea of how we want to change things up. So, listen on for some excellent advice from APM’s Chartered Project Professional of the Year, Tamsin Alli-Balogun, who’s also Associate Director of Transport at AtkinsRéalis; Paul Chapman OBE of the University of Oxford Saïd Business School, where he is Academy Director of the UK Government’s Major Projects Leadership Academy; Andy Alder, Managing Director for Major Infrastructure Delivery at Anglian Water; and Anne Marie Purcell of Purcell Advisory. If you want even more top tips, listen to our first instalment of this podcast, published in January 2025.  Contact us: apmpodcast@thinkpublishing.co.uk

    38 min
  8. What the project economy means for your career

    8 JAN

    What the project economy means for your career

    Emma welcomes back to the podcast Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, author and Vice President of APM, to talk about his new book, Powered by Projects, which is published by Harvard Business Review Press in January 2026. In it, he argues that CEOs must put projects, not operations, at the centre of how their companies create value. But where does that leave the project managers in that organisation? And how can every project professional future-proof themselves?  Contact us: apmpodcast@thinkpublishing.co.uk

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
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21 Ratings

About

Project managers share their stories from the front line of the project and programme management profession. Contact us at apmpodcast@thinkpublishing.co.uk This podcast is brought to you by APM, the chartered membership organisation for the project profession. For more information on how to join APM, visit apm.org.uk.

Information

  • Creator
    APM, the chartered body for the project profession
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    142
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © APM, the chartered body for the project profession
  • Show Website
    APM Podcast

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