Have We Reached “Peak” Agile?with Mark LinesAgile hasn’t failed—but many organizations are frustrated with how they’re using it and are wondering what comes next. Explore why some teams feel they’ve reached “peak agile,” what’s driving the backlash, and how more flexible, disciplined approaches can bring back joy and effectiveness in project work. Why Some Organizations Are Pushing Back on Agile Many companies are quietly rebelling against agile. Some have let go of agile coaches, reverted to old ways of working, and see little return on the large investments made in training and frameworks over the past 20 years. Attendance at major agile conferences has dropped, partly . . . continue reading

Mentoring the Next Generation of PMswith Tessa TrachMentoring is one of the most powerful ways project managers can shape the next generation—and it doesn’t require a certain age, title, or number of years in the field. What Mentorship Really Is (and Isn’t) For this conversation, a mentor is an experienced and trusted advisor or guide. A mentor typically has more experience in some area—career, skills, or life—but they don’t have to be older or more senior in every way. You can mentor a peer, be mentored by someone younger, and often play both roles at once. Mentorship can be formal or informal; you rarely “propose” with a . . . continue reading

Re-Imagining Project Management with Joseph D'MelloRe-imagining project management means confronting our history, choosing our destiny, and deciding whether we will shape the future of the discipline—or let technology and others shape it for us. Three Quotes to Frame Project Management’s Destiny We start by looking at project management from both the inside (years in industry) and the outside (consulting and teaching). This helps us see patterns without being locked into one viewpoint. The conversation is framed around three quotes: “If you ignore history, you’re condemned to repeat it,” “Don’t let your history interfere with your destiny,”  “If you don’t control your destiny, someone else will.” . . . continue reading

Mastering the Art of Persuasion in Project Managementwith Kevin ColemanProject managers live in the middle of competing priorities, shifting requirements, and strong personalities. In that environment, how you communicate can matter as much as your schedule or risk log. In this article, we’ll explore how persuasion differs from manipulation and influence, and how you can apply practical persuasion principles in your projects. Video presentation link is included at the end of this article. Persuasion, Manipulation, and Influence At first glance, persuasion, manipulation, and influence can look similar—they all involve one person affecting another’s thinking or behavior. The real difference lies in intent and honesty.   What Is Persuasion? Persuasion . . . continue reading

Effective Strategies for Communicating Bad Newswith Leah OnuohaIn the complex world of project management, delivering bad news is an inevitable task. Whether it’s informing stakeholders about a budget shortfall or letting a team member know they are being reassigned, bad news requires not only clarity and empathy but also a strategic approach to minimize impact and maintain trust. Video presentation link is included at the end of this article. Communicating Bad News: A Core Project Skill Bad news is unavoidable in project work. Team members get promoted off your project, budgets fall short of new requirements, customers are disappointed, and sometimes people even lose their jobs or . . . continue reading

Game On: Boosting Leadership Skills with Engaging Learning Gameswith Bruce GayToday’s discussion focuses on an innovative approach to developing leadership and soft skills: incorporating learning games into your training programs. Join Bruce Gay as he shares insights from his experiences with learning games and their application in both online and in-person training. Video presentation link is included at the end of this article. Game On: Why Learning Games Belong in Leadership and PM Training Eight hours in front of a screen is a tough ask for any adult learner, especially when the content is dense, abstract, or heavily process‑driven. Traditional lectures and slide decks often struggle to keep project managers . . . continue reading

Creating a PMO from Scratchwith Ally HeppIn today’s fast-paced business landscape, the need for effective project management is more critical than ever. But how do you create a successful Project Management Office (PMO) from the ground up? Video presentation link is included at the end of this article.   Understanding the Importance of a PMO A Project Management Office (PMO) acts as the backbone of project management, providing structure, governance, guidance, and ensures projects align with company strategy and business goals. For project managers, a well-defined PMO means clarity in processes and increased efficiency. But what are the steps in establishing a PMO? Let’s break down . . . continue reading

Burnout-Proof Project Managementwith Samantha GregoryBurnout among project managers is more than occasional stress or fatigue; it is a silent epidemic that is quietly undermining health, performance, and satisfaction at work. Let’s reframe it as something that can be transformed into better balance, without sacrificing ambition or results. Video presentation link is included at the end of this article. The Scope and Cost of Burnout Just to highlight how widespread burnout has become. Let’s start with some alarming statistics that should serve as a wake-up call for managers,  and hopefully shed light on the urgency of addressing this issue. 76% of employees report experiencing burnout . . . continue reading

Intentional Hybrid Project Managementwith Alan ZuckerIntentional hybrid project management helps project managers balance structure with adaptability so projects deliver real value. It keeps the focus on what works, not what’s trendy. Video presentation link is included at the end of this article.   What is “Hybrid” in Project Management? When someone mentions “hybrid”, the conversation often shifts toward remote versus in-person work.  However, Alan Zucker’s association to the word “hybrid” actually comes from a personal experience outside of project management—specifically, cycling.  “About thirty years ago, right after my son was born, I was actively training for triathlons and wanted to include him in my routine. . . . continue reading

Clark School’s Online Master of Engineering Soars to No. 6 National RankThe A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland ascended to No. 6 among online graduate engineering masters programs in the U.S. according to rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report. In addition, the Clark School is ranked No. 13 among online engineering graduate programs for veterans. The No. 6 ranking is the first time that the Clark School has received a top-10 ranking in this category. Previously, the highest ranking received was No. 12 in 2022. “Online programs are an important tool in extending education access to a broader section of society. The Clark School’s . . . continue reading