What's the Plan? Portfolio, Project & Resource Management

ProSymmetry
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MANAGEMENT

What's the Plan? is where project, portfolio, and resource management meet real-world solutions. Join host Samantha Varner for candid conversations with experts tackling PMO challenges from aligning strategy with execution to mastering resources and leading transformations. We skip the jargon and bring practical insights in a friendly, conversational style. Perfect for PMO leaders, portfolio managers, and operations pros. Sponsored by ProSymmetry. Subscribe for new episodes!

Episodes

  1. APR 6

    Resources are People: Creating a Culture of Resilience and Productivity with Jill Savage

    Resource planning often gets treated like a numbers game: capacity, utilization, and forecasts. Our plans fail because we forget the people behind the work. In this episode, Jill Savage, a resource management pioneer, shares how great resource management goes beyond a list of names and allocations. From understanding personalities and career goals to recognizing when someone is overloaded or misaligned, we explore how to build plans that actually work in the real world. You’ll learn: · Why treating people like “resources” leads to burnout and disengagement · How to balance business demands with human needs · What great resource managers do differently · How to build trust, improve productivity, and retain top talent If you’re leading projects or teams this is the side of resource planning you can’t afford to ignore. 00:00 The Dynamics of Labor and Exploitation 03:07 Resource Management: A Strategic Necessity 05:54 The Human Element in Resource Management 08:51 Balancing Tasks and Human Needs 12:06 The Role of AI in Resource Management 15:02 Building Trust and Understanding in Teams 18:04 The Consequences of Ignoring Human Factors 20:53 The Importance of Retaining Talent 24:05 Finding the Right Fit for Tasks 26:48 Opportunities for Growth and Learning 28:23 Creating Opportunities in Unique Spaces 30:04 The Importance of Active Listening 31:52 Navigating Team Dynamics and Relationships 34:02 Building Trust and Collaboration 36:59 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Management 39:57 Adapting to Remote Work Challenges 45:14 Balancing Data and Humanity in Resource Management 48:34 Future Directions in Resource Management Connect with Jill Savage on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/scootersavage/ Presented By: ProSymmetry https://www.prosymmetry.com/ Learn More About What’s the Plan? https://www.prosymmetry.com/whats-the-plan Hosted and produced by Samantha Varner https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthavarner21/ Produced and edited by Kyle Wertz

    52 min

  2. MAR 23 ·  BONUS

    Adapting Project, Portfolio & Resource Management in Times of Change

    How do you plan when everything keeps changing? Hosted by Samantha Varner of ProSymmetry, this panel features Melissa Fry from Choice Hotels and Sarah Vincent from Honda sharing how they manage mid-cycle pivots, balance demand vs. capacity, and communicate trade-offs to leadership. Packed with real-world strategies, this session highlights how PMOs are staying flexible and effective in a fast-moving environment. 00:00 Navigating Change in PMOs 10:04 Responding to Mid-Plan Changes 20:08 Planning Cycles and Capacity Management 23:58 Demand vs. Capacity: The Balancing Act 27:33 Collaborative Hiring Strategies 30:23 Resource Forecasting and Capacity Management 34:37 Balancing Operational and Strategic Work 41:32 Setting Expectations for Resource Allocation 44:32 Leveraging AI for Future Planning 49:49 Establishing a Source of Truth for Data 54:49 Embracing Change in Project Management Presented By: ProSymmetry https://www.prosymmetry.com/ Learn More About What’s the Plan? https://www.prosymmetry.com/whats-the-plan Hosted and produced by Samantha Varner https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthavarner21/ Produced and edited by Kyle Wertz

    57 min

  3. MAR 2

    Stop Waiting for Perfect Data: How to Start Resource Planning Now with Bob Blackburn

    Most PMOs stall on resource planning because the data isn't perfect. Bob Blackburn, a PMO leader with 20+ years of experience, says stop waiting and explains exactly how to start. In this episode, Bob and host Samantha Varner break down: → Staffing vs. forecasting - and why most teams confuse the two → How to build capacity models for projects that don't exist yet → Why directionally accurate beats waiting for perfect → The real risk of the blank sheet of paper Perfect for PMO leaders, portfolio managers, and resource managers ready to move from paralysis to progress. 00:00 The Importance of Data Quality in Resource Planning 06:10 Understanding Resource Planning: Staffing vs. Forecasting 12:16 The Role of PMO in Project Intake and Planning 18:54 Agile Capacity Planning: A New Approach 25:53 Defining Roles: Project Managers, Resource Managers, and Functional Managers 31:28 Aligning Project and Functional Managers for Success 36:24 Directionally Right: Metrics and Signals for Resource Planning 38:54 Starting Resource Planning: Practical Steps for Implementation 41:39 Future Focus: Strategic Portfolio Management and Value Connect with Bob on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobblackburn22/ Presented By: ProSymmetry https://www.prosymmetry.com/ Hosted and produced by Samantha Varner https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthavarner21/ Produced and edited by Kyle Wertz

    46 min

  4. TRAILER

    Welcome to What’s the Plan? | A Podcast for PMO, Portfolio & Resource Leaders

    A podcast for PMO leaders, portfolio managers, and resource management professionals focused on strategic portfolio management, capacity planning, and connecting strategy to execution. In this trailer, host Samantha Varner shares what to expect from candid conversations about prioritization, demand vs. capacity, and the human side of planning. Follow to hear real-world insights on aligning strategy, portfolios, and the people doing the work.

    2 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

What's the Plan? is where project, portfolio, and resource management meet real-world solutions. Join host Samantha Varner for candid conversations with experts tackling PMO challenges from aligning strategy with execution to mastering resources and leading transformations. We skip the jargon and bring practical insights in a friendly, conversational style. Perfect for PMO leaders, portfolio managers, and operations pros. Sponsored by ProSymmetry. Subscribe for new episodes!

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