Author: Miguel Muinos-Gutierrez, PMP

Dear Readers,

The Future of Project Management: Beyond Tools and Processes

Project management in 2025 is about more than just technical expertise—it’s about adaptability, leadership, and human-centered skills. As organizations face rapid change, professionals who embrace emotional intelligence, systemic thinking, and strategic innovation will lead the way.

This month, our community explores these crucial themes:

• Adaptability & Emotional Intelligence: Soft skills are as essential as technical know-how. Upcoming events will highlight strategies to enhance leadership and collaboration.

• Innovation in Project Management: Rethinking traditional methods and embracing iterative approaches can drive success in an evolving landscape.

• AI & Effective Communication: Crafting better AI prompts leads to more valuable insights, underscoring the importance of precision and context in project management.

• Career Growth in a Changing World: Staying relevant means continuous learning and networking. Our open space discussions provide opportunities to shape conversations that matter most.

• Strengthening Our Community: From bylaw amendments to annual meetings, engagement continues to shape the future of PMI.

Project management is evolving. The challenge isn’t just to keep up—it’s to lead the change. Let’s embrace these opportunities together.

Happy Reading!!

Miguel Muinos-Gutierrez, PMP
Newsletter Copy Editor - PMI Switzerland - April 2025 edition

Author: Luis Aragon, PMP

Thrive in a Changing World: Open Space for Project Professionals

Are you ready to take charge of your career in a world of constant change?
This event invites you to explore innovative strategies to future-proof your career while staying relevant and marketable in the competitive project management landscape.

This isn’t your typical sit-and-listen event. We’re using an Open Space format, designed to empower you as an active participant. Unlike traditional meetings with rigid agendas and passive attendees, Open Space is built on principles that foster creativity, collaboration, and meaningful discussions:

• The right people will come.
• The outcomes will be what they’re meant to be.
• Sessions start when the energy starts and conclude when they naturally finish.
• You have the freedom to move between discussions (thanks to the Law of Two Feet).

Expect highly-engaging interactions where you shape the sub-themes that matter most. You’ll engage with peers and industry leaders to share challenges, exchange ideas, and co-create actionable solutions tailored to your professional journey.

What to Expect:

• Discover Practical Strategies: Learn how to adapt to emerging trends, build resilience, and enhance your career marketability.
• Shape the Conversation: Bring your questions, insights, and challenges to the table—this is your opportunity to lead or contribute to discussions that matter to you.
• Expand Your Network: Connect with other Geneva-based professionals, PMI members, and thought leaders in a relaxed, collaborative environment.
• Take Home Actionable Insights: Leave with tangible ideas, tools, and inspiration to implement in your career and daily practice.

This event is for project managers, industry professionals, and anyone looking to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your journey, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to future-proof your career while building meaningful connections.

Author: Claire Chin, PMP 

On March 25’th, PMI Switzerland brought the innovation buzz to Basel. Participants explored the ever-growing role of innovation in business—and more importantly, what it means for project managers. Led by Frédéric Sauzet, innovation consultant and founder of Innovecteur, he guided participants through real-life stories, practical models, and candid reflections on how innovation works (or doesn’t) across startups and large companies alike.

Innovation can take different forms, improving what already works, growing new ideas, and exploring uncharted territory. Getting that right balance of number of projects and what they cost, is critical—not just for growth, but for long-term survival of startups and large companies.

Innovation doesn’t follow a Gantt chart.  Fredric introduced exploration strategies that use iterative and parallel methods, or a combination of both, to test ideas, pivot early, and manage complexity—a powerful approach for those working in volatile, fast-changing environments.

Innovation needs structure, not just inspiration. Fredric presented ISO 56001, the emerging international standard for innovation management offering a practical framework to guide organizations from intent to value creation. It will give project leaders a common language and toolkit to confidently lead innovation—not just manage it.

Next up: Geneva, April 10’th For those who missed it, fear not:  the conversation continues at Geneva on April 10th at our next PMI innovation event, focusing this time on          “Strategic Innovation: Financial and Non-Financial Pathways”. Whether you're a project, program, or portfolio manager, or perhaps working         on bold ideas inside your organization—then this session is for you. If Basel was any indication, expect an evening of insight, inspiration, and maybe just a little creative chaos.

👉 Do you have an innovative project or approach worth sharing? How is your organization working with innovation? We’d love to hear your story—and maybe shape a future PMI event together. Get in touch with us!

Authors: Isabelle Jaggi McCoy and Daniel Rodellar, PMP

The annual members meeting was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to connect, share ideas, and look back on the past year. Held at the SICPA unlimitrust campus in Prilly, Vaud, this year’s event had an inviting atmosphere that made it easy for conversations to flow.

From the moment guests arrived, there was a buzz of excitement. Whether discussing industry trends, swapping experiences, or brainstorming new ideas, everyone had something valuable to contribute.

Feedback from members included “I always look forward to this gathering, (as) it’s a great chance to catch up with colleagues and have great conversations.” Also, “It was good to have the AMM in Romandie. Hopefully there will be more chances to meet with peers to share experiences and knowledge on project management subjects”, referencing Romandie having proportionally less number of face-to-face events than Deutschschweiz.

 The event included the presentation of our new Board members who are (from left to right) Joaquim, Nikola Goran, Martin, Mafalda, Philippe, Paul, and Konstantinos.

  One topic that sparked a lot of discussion was the financial presentation. Some members suggested a better approach: giving attendees time to review the budget slides on their own before highlighting the biggest changes and answering questions. “It’s more helpful to explain the reasons behind the numbers rather than reading them line by line,” one member pointed out.

Amongst the varied feedback on the PMI-CH year-in-review presentation, many members requested that future meetings include more on programme and project management topics in addition to financial updates. Furthermore, some members recommended that the AMM include more structured networking opportunities, thereby allowing newcomers who didn’t know many faces in the room, to be presented in an informal manner. This would create “More time to meet people (which) would be amazing,” according to one participant. 

The evening’s presentations ended with our keynote speaker, Katarzyna Grzybowska, Regional Sustainability Manager, Nestlé AVP, who delivered an in-depth exposé on Nestlé’s approach to Sustainability in Food Production. This topic is spot-on with today’s market environment and it was very interesting towards better understanding one corporation’s steps towards sustainability.

The event closed with the traditional apéro-dinatoire et networking during which time all participants had the opportunity to start using their attendance gift, the PMI Switzerland notebook! Good cheer was had by all…“The meal was fantastic,and it made the evening feel even more special.”

Hosting the event in Romandie was an excellent choice as we at PMI-CH strive to balance AMM locations across our country’s regions.

We’d like to especially thank SICPA and Unlimitrust Campus for hosting the event and creating such a welcoming space for everyone!

By the end of the night, attendees left feeling inspired, full of great food, and looking forward to next year’s event. This meeting is always a highlight. It reminds us why we’re here: to connect, grow, and support each other.