The Digital Project Manager

Galen Low and Kelsey Alpaio
  • 4.7 (20)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

The Digital Project Manager is the home of digital project management inspiration, how-to guides, tips, tricks, tools, funnies, and jobs. We provide project management guidance for the digital wild west where demanding stakeholders, tiny budgets and stupid deadlines reign supreme.

  1. Why Top-Down AI Strategies Might Fall Short Without the Right Leadership and Expertise

    6D AGO

    Why Top-Down AI Strategies Might Fall Short Without the Right Leadership and Expertise

    When is the right time to hire an AI leader, and what do they actually do once they’re in the door? In this episode, Galen Low sits down with Tim Fisher, VP of AI at Black & White Zebra, to unpack the real-world impact of AI leadership roles. Together they explore the tension between hype and practicality, the mix of skills needed to bridge tech, business, and people, and why AI leadership is less about flashy experiments and more about building trust, change readiness, and operational maturity. Tim shares candid insights from his own path into the role, offering a grounded look at how organizations can approach AI without losing sight of their business goals—or their people. If you’ve ever wondered whether a VP of AI is a made-up job, or how AI leadership can actually smooth project delivery, this conversation is for you.

    46 min
  2. Why Automating Everything is The Wrong Move (And What to do Instead)

    SEP 4

    Why Automating Everything is The Wrong Move (And What to do Instead)

    AI is not eating all the jobs—but the story is more nuanced than the headlines suggest. In this episode, Galen Low sits down with Jim Iyoob (President of ETS Labs, CCO at Etech Global Services) and Manu Dwievedi (AVP at ETS Labs) to cut through the noise around large-scale AI transformation in customer experience. Together, they unpack what’s really happening in call centers worldwide, why AI is more about augmentation than replacement, and how organizations can implement AI without breaking the customer or employee experience. From pragmatic strategies to leadership-level insights, this conversation tackles the real challenges of AI change management: how to start small, get quick wins, and bring people along for the journey. Whether you’re leading a CX transformation or navigating an AI project in any industry, you’ll leave with concrete strategies to make AI work for your team instead of against them. Resources from this episode: Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Jim and Manu on LinkedInCheck out ETS Labs and Etech Global Services

    43 min
  3. Are You Tracking the Wrong Metrics? How AI Can De-Risk Delivery

    AUG 27

    Are You Tracking the Wrong Metrics? How AI Can De-Risk Delivery

    How do you know if you’re tracking the right project metrics—or if you’ve been chasing the wrong numbers all along? In this episode, Galen sits down with Lior Gerson, Co-founder & CEO of TargetBoard.ai, to unpack how AI is reshaping KPI management and why aligning metrics with business strategy is the real game-changer. Together, they explore how project leaders can move beyond legacy metrics like velocity and utilization to focus on measures that truly drive impact. From tackling cultural mismatches around KPIs, to building real-time forecasting models, to leveraging AI for smarter, faster reporting—this is a conversation about cutting through the noise and making metrics meaningful. Resources from this episode: Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Lior on LinkedInCheck out TargetBoard.aiWhen the Old, and the New Metrics Fail – Jim Highsmith

    40 min
  4. Beyond the Billable Hour: How AI Is Making Time & Materials Irrelevant

    AUG 14

    Beyond the Billable Hour: How AI Is Making Time & Materials Irrelevant

    In this episode, Galen Low sits down with Brian Kessman of Lodestar Agency Consulting to tackle a big question: is AI finally the deathblow to billable hours? Brian argues yes—and not because AI “broke” the model, but because it’s exposed just how misaligned hourly billing has always been with the real value agencies deliver. Instead of rewarding efficiency and innovation, time-based pricing incentivizes dragging things out and commoditizes expertise. The real shift, Brian says, isn’t just about swapping billing methods—it’s about fundamentally rethinking what you sell, how you position it, and how you prove its impact. They dig into the Agency Value Model—a framework for moving from selling time to selling outcomes. Brian explains how to define your best-fit clients, identify their high-value problems, and design structured solutions that command higher prices while delivering measurable impact. Along the way, they unpack how to navigate the “race to the bottom” fueled by AI, nearshoring, and automation; why confidence in your positioning can help you turn away misaligned clients; and how to operationalize repeatable, scalable value delivery without falling back into chaos. Resources from this episode: Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Brian on LinkedInCheck out Lodestar Agency ConsultingValue Model AssessmentAgencies building business models around AI offerings:Go Supergood — an AI-native creative agencySilverside.ai — an AI innovation labSkeptic™ by Known — uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to deploy rapid scientific experimentation and persistent optimizationJellyfish — social media AI agentsMagnolia by Newfangled — is an AI-powered strategic plannerContent Symphony

    56 min
  5. How Can We Lead Creative Projects Now That AI Has Entered The Chat?

    AUG 5

    How Can We Lead Creative Projects Now That AI Has Entered The Chat?

    AI is transforming the creative workflow—but not in the ways we first expected. In this conversation with Galen Low, creative and PM leaders Sara Fisher, Sara Doubleday, and Greg Storey talk through the practical and philosophical implications of AI’s growing role in creative work. This isn’t about flashy tools or end-to-end automation. It’s about realigning how teams work, communicate value, and preserve the human essence in their process. From misinformed client expectations to the strategic reframing of creative outputs, the panel explores how project leaders and creatives can use AI to amplify their strengths rather than replace them. Spoiler: there’s still no shortcut for trust, authenticity, or thoughtful strategy. Resources from this episode: Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Sara Fisher, Sara Doubleday, and Greg Storey on LinkedInCheck out Vye and Seer InteractiveCheck out Greg’s book – “Creative Intelligence: Don’t Ask AI, Think With AI”

    38 min
  6. The Retro: Designing Your PM Career for More Pay and Purpose

    JUL 24

    The Retro: Designing Your PM Career for More Pay and Purpose

    Navigating a career in project management today means wrestling with more than just Gantt charts and stakeholder standups—it means making high-stakes decisions about your salary, your specialization, and what brings you meaning at work. In this panel episode, Kelsey Alpaio brings together PM thought leaders Ben Chan, Mackenzie Dysart, and Elizabeth Harrin for a candid conversation on how to design your PM career with both pay and purpose in mind. Together, they unpack fresh data from DPM’s 2025 Salary Guide and tackle some of the most pressing questions PMs are facing right now: Should you specialize or stay a generalist? When do certifications actually help? Is it ever too late to take control of your career? And how do you make confident moves when AI and automation are reshaping the role in real time? This is a jam-packed episode full of tactical tools, honest reflections, and grounded advice for anyone looking to take the reins of their project career. Resources from this episode: Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Ben, Mackenzie, and Elizabeth on LinkedInCheck out Thoughtworks and Rebel’s Guide to Project ManagementOrganized Chaos Café – Ben’s podcastManaging Multiple Projects – Elizabeth’s book

    48 min
  7. The Retro: How to Negotiate a Raise as a PM (And Actually Get It)

    JUL 15

    The Retro: How to Negotiate a Raise as a PM (And Actually Get It)

    When it comes to getting paid what you’re worth, project managers in 2025 are facing a unique challenge: job switching no longer guarantees a big raise, and most PMs are staying put—even if they feel underpaid. So what now? In this episode, Kelsey Alpaio sits down with Mukhtar Kadiri, Pam Butkowski, and Elaina Martinez to talk real strategies for negotiating a raise where you are—with confidence, clarity, and without burning bridges. You’ll hear honest takes on why PMs feel undercompensated, how the market has shifted, and what leaders actually want to hear in raise conversations. From mapping your invisible impact to understanding company timing cycles and navigating tough “no’s,” this panel brings practical, actionable insights for anyone ready to make the ask—and get results. Resources from this episode: Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Mukhtar, Pam, and Elaina on LinkedInCheck out WorkTipsPro and Horizontal Digital

    45 min
  8. The Retro: How Great PMs Tackle Interview Curveballs

    JUL 8

    The Retro: How Great PMs Tackle Interview Curveballs

    Navigating job interviews as a project manager can feel like walking through a minefield of unpredictable questions. In this episode of The Retro, Kelsey sits down with Kayla Quijas—a senior PM and certified career coach—to unpack how to tackle curveball questions with poise and purpose. From candy bar hypotheticals to high-stakes stakeholder slip-ups, Kayla shares actionable frameworks that help PMs answer tough questions with clarity, honesty, and a whole lot of confidence. They dive deep into how interviews aren’t just about your resume—they’re about how you think, lead, and adapt under pressure. Whether you’re pivoting into PM from another field, trying to land your first role, or just looking to sharpen your interview game, this conversation offers the tools to prep smarter, answer authentically, and leave a lasting impression. Resources from this episode: Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Kayla on LinkedInCheck out Kayla’s website

    30 min
See All (212)

4.7
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

The Digital Project Manager is the home of digital project management inspiration, how-to guides, tips, tricks, tools, funnies, and jobs. We provide project management guidance for the digital wild west where demanding stakeholders, tiny budgets and stupid deadlines reign supreme.

Information

  • Creator
    Galen Low and Kelsey Alpaio
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    212
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Digital Project Manager
  • Show Website
    The Digital Project Manager

You Might Also Like