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PMI Global Summit 2022

Adi Muslic NEW 100x100  Martin Harri NEW 2023

Authors: Adi Muslic, PMP & Martin Härri, PMP, PMI-SP, PMI-ACP, DASSM

 

Meeting 4'000 project managers in Las Vegas – the PMI Global Summit 2022

 

Awesome! Americans (over-)use that term for anything, but in this case, it was absolutely appropriate. The PMI Global Summit 2022 can only be described with this term, it was really awesome.

Close to 4’000 participants and chapter representatives from countries all over the world traveled to the Caesars Palace hotel in Las Vegas for PMIs annual global conference, which – after a 2-year break due to the pandemic – finally took place again. And it was bigger and better than ever, in fact, it had the highest number of participants of any annual PMI conference.

The summit started with a welcome by the new PMI President & CEO, Pierre Le Manh, who then handed over to Amy Webb whose presentation was entitled “Think like a Futurist”. Now you might think: “why invite a futurist to a conference on project management?” Well, projects are always about creating something for the future, but Amy explained that there is no such thing as “the” future. In fact, we pms need to learn to understand trends, and based on those understand what potential “futures” might be, so rather think in scenarios. Little fun fact: Amy distinguished between “trends” and “trendy”, and guess where she sees the much hyped “metaverse”? Right, trendy, but not a trend.

During the almost 3 days, about 140 presentations were offered on absolutely everything you can think of when it comes to project management: ESG, artificial intelligence, PMOs, Earned Value, Power Skills, stakeholder management, chapter topics, you name it. The only problems were to choose from that enormous selection, and to find your way from one room to the next one because the Caesars Palace conference center is awesomely huge.

But that was by far not all: there was also a large exhibition hall with various organizations active in the project management space, such as universities, training companies, tool providers, and of course PMI, which presented its various products, such as certifications, trainings, Disciplined Agile, Wicked Problem Solving, Organizational Transformation, Citizen Development, etc. Good news for the Switzerland Chapter: we used the opportunity to establish contacts with some key PMI people which committed to coming to Switzerland in 2023, so stay tuned!

Thursday the PMI Awards took place, which unfortunately had to be moved from the fantastic pool area to a conference room due to strong wind (there are some factors that even Las Vegas with all it’s artificialness cannot control), and Friday afternoon some offsite learning excursions (e.g. to the Hoover dam) were offered.

On Friday, we enjoyed a very inspiring keynote session by Beatie Wolfe, a PMI Future 50 honoree,  who is Translating Data into Impact and Art. Beatie is a great musician, behind a number of sustainable future oriented projects and innovations, such as the world’s first bioplastic record or the raw space beam. At the summit she presented her stirring environmental art piece about human impact on the planet, built using 800,000 years of historic NASA data, “From Green to Red”, it's a must see.

The conference closed with an inspiring interview of Jessica O. Matthews, Founder and CEO of Uncharted, a sustainable infrastructure company with her father, who both created successful companies against many odds. A very inspiring conversation highlighting the impact that can be made when ideas, leadership, and empowerment of others come together.

Even though there were gambling opportunities everywhere we used the free time after the conference for a walk up and down the “strip”, the main street of Las Vegas, here are some impressions.

For anybody who is passionate about project management (and which PMI member isn’t), participating in a PMI Global Summit at least once in a lifetime should be on the “bucket list”. If you don’t want to travel so far, there are rumors that the European version of the annual conferences will soon start again. And if you cannot wait, the opening presentation and 11 educational sessions are available on demand for $165 from the Summit’s website.

PMI Switzerland Chapter - Volunteer Opportunity

Photo Marco Chiletti 100x100

Author: Marco Chiletti, PMP

 

 

As a for-purpose organization, PMI is dedicated to enabling changemakers worldwide to elevate their positive impact on society. Protecting our planet and improving the lives of people worldwide is essential for creating peace and prosperity. Hours for Impact supports the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to better people’s lives and the planet, now and in the future.



PMI Switzerland Chapter - with the PMI Switzerland Chapter Positive Impact program - is determined to contribute by partnering with no-profit organizations to create together a positive impact in the society worldwide.

 

TOGETHER WITH WE-BUILDING WE WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND YOU ARE THE ONE WHO CAN CONTRIBUTE!

 

We are looking for a volunteer project management professional to help We-Building with projects for the construction of educational infrastructures (schools, etc.) in the Global South.

 

PROJECT(S) STATUS

  • The projects are already set up, contracts signed and milestones agreed upon.

 

MAIN PROJECT MANAGEMENT GOALS

  • Project planning and control of deliverables to be achieved at every milestone, as per deadlines agreed.
  • Collaborate with local organization filing photo documentation and submitting reports for funding requests.

 

 REQUIREMENTS

  • Project Management Experience
  • On average 3-4 hours/week 
  • Min. 6 months commitment



  

We-Building is a non-profit organization founded in 2015 by an international group of architects and powered by committed and highly-qualified volunteers.

We want to do our part to make this world a better place. Most of us at We-Building were lucky to have had access to a good education and we feel it is our duty to pay it forward. That’s why many of the projects we do are actually schools where we support local initiatives that are fighting for a higher quality of education. https://we-building.org/

 

  

TO APPLY FOR THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY, PLEASE CLICK HERE: https://forms.gle/QcJ12WVJT4vS9vug6

How to Foster and Build Teams to Solve Complex Problems - Event

Leandro Benda

Author: Leandro Benda, PMP

 

“The only sustainable competitive advantage is an organization's ability to learn faster than the competition.”

 

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between simple, complicated and complex problems? Do you want to learn how to build a powerful team that can work together effectively to find innovative solutions to complex problems? If so, then you won't want to miss our upcoming presentation on "How to Foster and Build Teams to Solve Complex Problems."

 

In this 60-minute talk, our speaker will share their insights and practices for forming and growing teams that can tackle even the most challenging problems. You'll learn how to foster a collaborative culture, and use effective communication to ensure that the team is able to work together efficiently and effectively.

 

Don't miss this exciting opportunity to learn from a seasoned expert and take your problem-solving skills to the next level. Sign up now to reserve your spot

 

Time and Location

On Wednesday, March 1st, the talk will take place in an in-person event at the Viadukt Bogen D in Viaduktstrasse 93, 8005 Zürich from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. 

 

Agenda

18:00 – 18:30 Registration

18:30 – 18:40 Welcome and introduction

18:40 – 20:00 Lecture and Q&A

20:00 – 21:00 Closing and Apero

 

Outline of the Talk

1. What are complex problems?

2. Teamwork is hard. Why do we need them?

3. What are Teams and how do we foster and develop high-performing teams?

4. How do we work together and interact on a team. What are good norms?

5. How do we communicate effectively with each other.

 

About the keynote speaker: Martin Ahlstroem

Martin is passionate about high-performing teams and how to foster the environment needed to solve complex problems. He has a diverse experience ranging from 3 years in the military, 10 years in a large technology company, 4 years in the financial industry and he joined a telecommunication company end of last year as an agile coach.

 

His beliefs can be summarized by Peter Senge quote.

'The only sustainable competitive advantage is an organization's ability to learn faster than the competition.'

 

Pricing

Non PMI Switzerland Member: 55 CHF

PMI® Switzerland Chapter Member price: 30 CHF

Early bird: 5 CHF discount until 22th of February.

We look forward to having you at this event - register here

 

PDUs

Strategic (Business Acumen) 1

Leadership (Power Skills) 0.5

 

Other events

All our events can be found via this link

Project Management in Football

Leandro Benda

Author: Leandro Benda, PMP


“Failure is often part of the journey and learning process, and without disappointments it is impossible to achieve success”

You may be wondering what an article about football has to do with a PMI newsletter? There are perhaps more analogies with project management than one might think as recent history shows.


In football, success is defined as a win. Teams win consistently when the coach is a good leader. In project management, success is defined as full scope, delivered on time, and on budget. Projects succeed when the project manager is a good leader.


Knowledge of basic football techniques and the “Laws of the Game” is essential for the football coach but does not ensure success. Similarly, knowledge of basic project management techniques and the “PMBoK” is essential for the project manager but does not ensure project success. The distinguishing characteristic of both the successful coach and the successful project manager is the ability to lead.


Many analogies can be drawn, and many leadership lessons can be learned from studying the dynamics of a football team. Understanding these lessons and their applicability on a project team can help ensure success for the project manager.

 

In sports, it is clearly understood that the coach is ultimately responsible for the success or failure of the team. The coach has (or should have) everything at his or her disposal to succeed. When the team fails, when the team does not win consistently, there has been a failure in leadership, and we all naturally expect that the owners will fire the coach. It is leadership ability that distinguishes the most successful coaches.

 

The World Cup Final Match

Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar after a spectacular match against France. The most exciting final that recent generations of fans have seen. 3-3 after extra time and 4-2 for Argentina in penalty kicks. This competition was a good example showing that it is not only the coach who is a leader in a team, there are also some key players like Mbappé (scorer of a hat trick) and Messi (double), both of whom also scored on penalties. But in the end Lionel lifted the cup after a match played better by Argentina, which was in control of the match. Details often make the difference in competitions as well as in projects, the phase of monitoring all the elements of the project, including penalties, was key in this case.

 

An incredible Leader: Messi

An entire national team and an entire nation taken to the roof of the world at the age of 35, with a one-two punch in one of the most incredible finals in living memory. 

The supreme crowning achievement of an unrepeatable career.

Dozens and dozens of personal records broken in football history, football could not fail to give him a World Cup.

 

How many times have you dreamed of this moment, this instant? 

Since you started playing, from the Cantera, from the growing pains, after the tears 8 years ago, after the defeats in the Copa America finals with the decision of wanting to leave the national team.

But as the leader that you are, you got up and came back even stronger to plan, execute and monitor every step of your team's success today.  As Messi himself said: “Failure is often part of the journey and learning process, and without disappointments it is impossible to achieve success”. 

8 years ago, you didn't lose, you learned.

Thanks for everything Pulga, now you are finally on the roof of the World.

 

This World Cup has also highlighted the leadership skills of a great footballer: Kylian Mbappé

You can say that you tried to the last, that you couldn't have done more.

You lifted your team in 10 minutes, you again scored the equalizer when it all seemed over, and you stood in front of the penalty spot on the first penalty and scored it by leading by example

But that can't be enough.

Because you lost a World Cup at the last second.

Because you fought against an entire nation, and it was not enough.

Because in football only one team wins and yours lost today.

But Kylian Mbappé did not lose on Dec 18th, because once again he shone in front of the eyes of the whole World.

These lessons learned will certainly be very useful for future victory projects


Tribute to Pelé

How can we not end this football parenthesis with a tribute to the great Pelé,

Surely one of the most touching is that of Kylian Mbappe:

“The king of football has left us, but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP KING”

Annual Members Meeting Invite - 02.02.2023

Leandro Benda

Author: Leandro Benda, PMP

 

Bye, bye Project Manager

Is Agile Disrupting Project Management?

 

Let’s welcome the year 2023 with our long-awaited in-person Annual Members Meeting!

This year the event returns to live after 2 consecutive years in virtual. We look forward to seeing you and sharing good times in person. Agility will be at the heart of the debates with our keynote speakers Christoph Wolf and Stephan Adler. On top, we have a few surprises in store for you. 

Don't hesitate to join us for enriching exchanges and an exciting evening at the PostFinance Head Office in Bern on February 2nd 2023.

Spots are limited so register now!

Time and Location

On Thursday, February 2nd, the Annual Members Meeting will take place in an in-person event at the PostFinance Headquarters in Mingerstrasse 20, 3030 Bern from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. 

The topic will be “Bye, bye Project Manager - Is Agile Disrupting Project Management?”


Agenda

4:45 PM Doors open

5:00 PM Welcome attendees

5:15 PM Chapter summary of the year 2022 and outlook for 2023

6:00 PM Break

6:15 PM Keynote and Q&A

7:30 PM Networking & Apero


About the keynote:

Bye, bye Project Manager - Is Agile Disrupting Project Management?

For projects like building a power plant or a train tunnel, tough project managers are needed. But when it comes to developing digital or physical products, the role of a project manager has an increasingly difficult standing. During agile or digital transformations, new roles emerge to take over project management tasks. So, are project managers needed in these areas in the future?

After an introduction on how agile is disrupting product and service development, Christoph Wolf and Stephan Adler will show how project management tasks are handled in a lean and agile environment. They will discuss the new roles and show a way how project managers can fit into this setting and have an active discussion with the participants.


About the keynote speakers:

Stephan Adler (MBA, SPC)

Stephan studied physics, computer science and business and is certified as a program consultant for SAFe (Scales Agile Framework). He works in all roles related to software development - from developer to manager - in agile and waterfall processes, in small and multinational companies and projects.

He joined SwissQ in 2013 and is currently employed as a principal consultant. He has helped various customers to improve their processes and product, and works as a trainer for requirements engineering and agility.

 

Dr. Christoph Wolf (PMP)

Chris studied mathematics and then has taken many roles in the development of digital products and services. Among other things, he worked for eight years as a project manager. Since 2014, he has been employed by SwissQ as a Principal consultant and currently he works as a business analyst for SBB.

His passion is to spread knowledge as a trainer, as a lecturer in Digital Transformation at the University of Berne and by helping to organize the Bärner Requirements Night.

 

Pricing

Non PMI Switzerland Member: 55 CHF

Early bird: 5 CHF until 26th of January.

PMI® Switzerland Chapter Member price: Free

We look forward to having you at this event - register here

 

PDUs

Strategic (Business Acumen) 0.5

Technical (Ways of Working) 1

Leadership (Power Skills) 0.5

 

Other events

All our events can be found via this link