PM Insights Unplugged

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Welcome to PM Insights, brought to you by PMI New Zealand, your go-to resource for all things about project management in New Zealand. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this podcast dives into the stories, lessons learned, and best practices from experts shaping the future of project delivery.

Episodes

  1. JUL 21

    Episode 5: (I) Teaching Children Project Management

    What if we could teach kids the fundamentals of project management before they ever enter the workforce? In this inspiring episode, host Silke Deul is joined by Gary Nelson—seasoned project and program manager and author —to explore how project management can be introduced to children in fun and practical ways. Drawing from his children's books, Gary shares how storytelling, relatable challenges, and simplified language can help young minds grasp project principles such as planning, budgeting, teamwork, and problem-solving. Together, they discuss: Why project management is really a life skill The ideal age range for introducing abstract project thinking How schools in New Zealand and globally are adopting project-based learning Real-world examples of how kids apply PM concepts (including a "planning is cool" cooking story!) Why adults can benefit just as much from reading these simplified, story-driven books Whether you're a parent, teacher, project manager—or all three—this episode will change how you think about early education, life skills, and the future of the profession.   Host: Silke Deul Guest: Gary Nelson, Programme Manager and author   PDU’s: For PMI members who have viewed this episode, this content is eligible for 1 PDU under Leadership or Strategic and Business Management. You can self-claim this via your PMI account.   #ProjectManagement #PMInsights #ChildrenAndPM #LifeSkills #Education #Leadership #PMI

    23 min
  2. JUN 19

    Episode 4: (I) Scale Shift: From Millions to Billions

    PM Insights – PMI New Zealand Podcast | Episode 4: (I) Scale Shift: From Millions to Billions   In this edition of PM Insights , we dive into the high-stakes world of mega-projects with seasoned project leader Kanat Sultanbekov, who has managed initiatives from $50 million to over $50 billion across continents. Kanat shares firsthand lessons from working on massive infrastructure and energy projects in locations like Australia, Nigeria, and Kazakhstan. From political risks and joint venture disagreements to on-the-ground challenges like strikes and worker welfare, this episode reveals how scale changes everything — from interface management to financial controls. 🎧 Highlights include: Why risk management looks completely different on billion-dollar projects Lessons learned from demobilizing and remobilizing entire mega-projects Navigating international politics, joint ventures, and cultural dynamics The importance of standardization, modularity, and constructability Practical advice for project managers aiming to move into global mega-projects Kanat also recommends the must-read book “How Big Things Get Done” by Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner — a roadmap for anyone entering the world of large-scale delivery.   This is a must-listen for anyone curious about what it really takes to scale from millions to billions. 🔊 Tune in now and subscribe for more insights from PMI New Zealand.   Host: Silke Deul Guest: Kanat Sultanbekov – Over two decades of construction and project management experience on energy projects of increasing size and complexity in Australia, Kazakhstan, and the United States.   PDU’s: For PMI members who have viewed this episode, this content is eligible for 1 PDUs under Ways of Working. You can self-claim this via your PMI account.

    45 min

About

Welcome to PM Insights, brought to you by PMI New Zealand, your go-to resource for all things about project management in New Zealand. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this podcast dives into the stories, lessons learned, and best practices from experts shaping the future of project delivery.

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