| Newsletter | May 2026 - Volume 26 - Issue 05 |
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[Editorial] | Editorial - PMI Switzerland Newsletter, May 2026
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Author: Philip Springuel, PMP |
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Dear members and colleagues,
Your PMI Switzerland newsletter this month features an article discussing AI implementation in projects, in which author Gianmarco Sirei warns that AI systems are not self-governing and cannot be relied on to behave correctly! Read this article to understand why project management is critical to turning technical capability into reliable and scalable outcomes.
Also in this newsletter, read PMI volunteer Maja Mandic’s post-event report about the first Project Managers Networking Apéro in St. Gallen held this past 23 April. The event welcomed professionals not only from St. Gallen, but also from Liechtenstein, Chur, and the wider region.
We're pleased as usual in our newsletters, to highlight several new members joining our PMI Switzerland community.
Read on to review upcoming opportunities to network and develop crucial skills, such as: Matt Lanfear’s workshop on how to thrive in times of uncertainty, scheduled for 27 May in Zurich; Christine Petersen’s 22 June interactive session in Zurich about ‘influence,’ building on Cialdini’s seven principles; and, don’t forget the PMI Masterclass on 4 July presented by Camille Caclin, Mastering Crisis: A Systemic and Human Approach to Project Leadership, also in Zurich.
Philip SPRINGUEL, Newsletter Copy Editor |
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[Article] | Why AI Needs Project Managers (Now More Than Ever) |
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Author: Gianmarco Sirei, PMP |
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Introduction Artificial Intelligence is advancing at an extraordinary pace. Capabilities are improving, benchmarks are rising, and adoption is accelerating across industries. Yet a critical gap remains.
AI systems in real-world use are not stable, predictable, or self-governing. Strong technical performance does not automatically translate into reliable outcomes, controlled risk, or sustainable systems.
As AI becomes embedded in business processes, the challenge is no longer just building models. It is managing them.
This is why project management is becoming more essential in the age of AI.
From Capability to Control Much of the current conversation around AI focuses on what models can do. And there is no doubt that progress has been remarkable. In areas such as reasoning, coding, and multi-domain understanding, performance has improved dramatically in a short time. |
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[Article] | Influence Without Authority: Strengthening a Core Skill for Project Professionals |
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Author: Alessandro Perez, PMP, ACP |
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In project management, influence is rarely something we plan consciously. Yet it is present in almost every interaction. Whether it is aligning stakeholders with different priorities, negotiating timelines under pressure, or supporting teams in uncertain conditions, project professionals rely on influence far more often than on formal authority. Despite this, it is a skill that is often developed informally, shaped by experience rather than by a structured understanding of what makes it effective. This raises a simple but important question: what would change if influence were approached more intentionally?
FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE: AN INTERACTIVE SESSION
On June 22nd in Zurich, at iSolutions in The Circle (Zurich Airport), members of the local project management community will come together for an interactive evening session dedicated to this topic: “Influence in Action: Applying Cialdini’s Principles in Real Work Contexts” |
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[Article] | Strengthening Our Community: The First PMI Project Managers Networking Apéro in St. Gallen |
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On 23 April 2026, PMI Switzerland hosted its very first Project Managers Networking Apéro in St. Gallen. What began as an idea to bring together project professionals in Eastern Switzerland quickly turned into an evening full of meaningful conversations and new connections, and a strong sense of community.
The event welcomed project managers, professionals not only from St. Gallen, but also from Liechtenstein, Chur, and the wider region. The diversity of backgrounds and experiences created exactly the atmosphere we hoped for: open, curious, and collaborative.
Participants shared insights from ongoing projects and discussed the challenges shaping today’s project landscape. |
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[Article] | Ready to Lead Through Uncertainty? Join Us on 27 May |
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Join Us for Our Next PMI Switzerland Workshop: Navigating Change with Confidence As Swiss organisations continue to transform at high speed, Project Managers are being asked to do more than deliver projects - they are expected to guide teams through uncertainty, lead with clarity, and stay resilient in the face of constant change.
Our upcoming interactive workshop, Navigating Change: How to Thrive in Times of Uncertainty as a Project Manager, is designed exactly for this moment.
On 27 May, the Swiss PM community will come together at SIX Convention Point for a hands-on learning experience that blends practical tools and peer exchange. If you’re looking to strengthen your leadership, sharpen your adaptability, and connect with fellow PMs facing similar challenges, this session is for you. |
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[Article] | Mastering Crisis: A Systemic and Human Approach to Project Leadership |
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Author: Ethel Mendocilla Sato, PMP |
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Do not miss our next PMI Masterclass on July 4th 2026! Mastering Crisis: A Systemic and Human Approach to Project Leadership Led by Camille Caclin, Founder of Sparkli & Systemic Project Coach™
In the heat of a project crisis, technical skills alone are not enough. True leadership demands self-awareness, relational agility, and systemic insight - the ability to navigate human dynamics and complex interactions with confidence.
Join Camille Caclin, a seasoned digital transformation and organizational change consultant with 18 years of experience in pharma, biotech, and global business systems. As the creator of the Systemic Project Coach™ framework, Camille will guide you through. |
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[Sponsors] | Get to know our sponsors
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[Community PMI CH] | Members Update
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A warm welcome to all new members that joined our Chapter. Congratulations also to the members who obtained certifications.
The following members provided information about themselves; Gonzalo Torres Arguello, Raquel Riobó, Désirée Galicher, Marco Immordino. |
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| [Social media] | What's New on Social Media? Check it out !
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| The next Newsletter will be published on Monday 1st of June.
| Would you want your article as a part of it? Please share it with us until the 22 of May through our Google Form [Click here]. |
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Contributors: Gianmarco Sirei, PMP
Alessandro Perez, PMP, ACP Maja Mandic
Ethel Mendocilla Sato, PMP Alp Camci, PMP |
| Copy Editor: Philip Springuel, PMP
Technical Editor:
Giorigo Ricci, PMP Publications Director: Daniel Rodellar, PMP |
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| The PMI Switzerland Chapter is a non-profit professional business organization, and is a chartered chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI), Newtown Square, PA, USA. Views and opinions expressed in the newsletter are those of the authors and, unless otherwise stated, do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the chapter or PMI or imply partnership. © Copyright 2022 Project Management Institute Switzerland Chapter. All rights reserved. Unsubscribe from our Newsletter |
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