Author: Florian Ivan, PMP, ACP, DASSM, DAC  

In the fast-paced world of project management, adaptability is paramount. Agile methodologies have emerged as a beacon of flexibility in an ever-evolving landscape. But navigating this dynamic terrain can be daunting without a compass of collective wisdom. This is where our Agile Community of Practice, nestled under the PMI umbrella, shines as a guiding light.

At its core, the Agile Community of Practice is more than just a network — it's a vibrant ecosystem where professionals converge to exchange insights, challenges, and triumphs. Unlike formal training sessions, this community thrives on informality, fostering genuine connections and an environment ripe for organic learning.

One of the most compelling aspects of this community is its accessibility. Regardless of your level of expertise or experience, there's a place for you at the table. Novices find solace in the wealth of knowledge shared by seasoned veterans, while seasoned practitioners discover fresh perspectives from newcomers unencumbered by convention.

Events serve as the lifeblood of this community and there's no shortage of opportunities to engage and grow. These gatherings serve as crucibles where ideas are forged, tested, and refined. Moreover, they provide a platform for camaraderie — a reminder that we are not alone.

The benefits of participation are manifold. Through active engagement, members sharpen their skills, broaden their perspectives, and expand their networks. They gain access to invaluable resources, mentorship, and support systems that transcend the confines of traditional training programs.

Agile Community of Practice embodies the very essence of agility — adaptability through collaboration. It empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of modern project management with confidence and resilience. Together, we embark on a journey of continuous improvement, where every setback is an opportunity to learn and every success a testament to our collective ingenuity.

Join us, and together, let's embrace the transformative power of community.

Contact person: Florian Ivan  Florian Ivan

LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13973385/

Author: Wolfgang Steindl, PMP  

In an event that was nothing short of stellar, PMI Switzerland, in collaboration with the SIX Project Management Community, hosted an enlightening session that took its participants on a virtual odyssey to the red planet, Mars.

The event, moderated by the duo Wolfgang Steindl and Sara Cruz Meirinho from SIX Group, brought together 24 mid-career and senior managers to spacewalk into the burgeoning field of AI and its implications for project management.

The session kicked off with Jonas Epp, the SIX AI community lead, who outlined the mission and mandate of the SIX AI community, emphasizing the importance of knowledge sharing and business alignment in AI. The community’s ambitions for 2024, including boosting ‘AI Fitness Level’ among employees and keeping pace with Microsoft’s emerging AI innovations, set a forward-thinking tone for the event.

Adi Muslic, a Citizen Developer and Organizational Transformation Practitioner, took the stage next, to discuss PMI’s role in AI and the evolving responsibilities of project managers in an automated world. Through the PMIxAI Community and Events, alongside AI online courses and PMI Infinity, his intervention highlighted the educational resources available for professionals seeking to adapt to this shift. 

The third speaker, Joachim Dehais, first engaged the audience with live polls on AI tool usage, and its impact on their lives, fostering a dynamic discussion on practical experiences with AI tools. 

The highlight of the event was the interactive workshop, where participants were grouped into teams on a mission to Mars. The scenario, set in 2030, challenged teams to utilize their expertise and AI tools to establish a research base on Mars, focusing on project scope, stakeholder management, and risk response. 

As the event drew to a close, Sara Cruz provided a glimpse into the upcoming events of PMI Switzerland and extended an invitation to join the community as volunteers. The event concluded with an Apéro, where our deserving astronauts engaged in lively discussion about AI’s role in their work, and took the opportunity to network.  

A personal highlight was witnessing the stages of team development - forming, storming, norming, and performing - unfold in a remarkably short time, from the beginning of the workshop until our safe return from our interstellar endeavour. 

Stay tuned for more updates and join us in our next adventure at PMI Switzerland! 

Author: Jutta Zilian, VP Region South, PMI Germany

on behalf of the PM-Summit Project team

The PM-Summit 2024, scheduled to occur on the 25th and 26th of November, in Munich, is designed for professionals and enthusiasts in the field of project management, who are seeking to enhance their expertise, stay informed about current trends, and connect with peers. Seize this exceptional opportunity to learn from renowned speakers, gain fresh insights to apply in your work, and advance your career.

This event provides a platform for fruitful discussions with industry experts, as well as the chance to expand one's professional network.

The target audience includes project managers, team leaders, executives, consultants, trainers, and students in project management. Individuals in related fields like organizational development, change management, or IT, can also derive value from participation.

Essentially, this congress caters to anyone keen on effective project management methods and best practices, and eager to deepen their knowledge in this domain.

Topics covered include: Digitalization in industry and administration; Lean management in production, supply chain management and logistics; Innovation management in business; Project management in the financial sector; Sustainability and environmental protection in companies; Risk management in global markets; Change management in corporate governance, and more.

Keynote Speakers

Philip Keil

"Trust and error culture"

This is how a positive error culture works: “Don't ask WHO, understand the WHY”

Or error culture means learning culture: “How we learn from mistakes.”

Gerhard Friedrich

“There’s method in his madness”

or "A fool with a tool is still a fool"

It is an especially good opportunity for PMI Switzerland Chapter members, to get in touch with other colleagues from the D-A-CH area, as not only will the second keynote be delivered by a member of the Austria Chapter Board, but a number of other presentations will be delivered by Austria Chapter representatives as well.

As we are sister chapters, THE SAME DISCOUNT as offered to Germany Chapter members, is also extended to both Switzerland Chapter and Austria Chapter members.
We assume that’s a real generous offer 😊

More details here: https://pmi-gc.de/en/service-offering/congress

Best regards,

Jutta Zilia

Vice president Region South on behalf of the PM-Summit 2024 project team.

Author: Lisa Gryzagoridis, PMP, DASM

Dear Readers,

We are all acutely aware of the exponentially rapid rate of technological advancement, along with the increasing expectations from individuals and teams in the workplace.

'Continuous Learning' remains one of the core values across organisations and industries. Not only do individuals and teams who adopt a continuous learning mindset contribute to organisational success, but they are also optimally poised in remaining competitive in the future. What's more, is that there is an abundance of resources available to achieve just this! At PMI, this is no less true.

In this edition of the PMI Switzerland Chapter Newsletter, we once again showcase a plethora of opportunities that would aid knowledge and skill development.

In a retrospective of the latest PMI Leadership Institute Meeting (Berlin, April'24), Daniel Rodellar underscored the necessity of incorporating fun and action into project workflows to enhance productivity and learning. Discussions also emphasized the importance of agility in project planning, highlighting that flexible strategies often lead to superior outcomes. Moreover, the value of communication and conflict resolutions skills was reiterated, alongside the value of decisive leadership and the strategic integration of generative AI. Read the full article below...

The greatly anticipated relaunch of PMI Switzerland events in Basel will occur on June 6th, at Hotel Euler where attendees will discover 'The 12 Phases of Agile Transformation'. This forthcoming event, along with a charming event retrospective, "Empowering the Organization - Three Agile Strategies for a Successful Workplace", as well as an article filled with market insights from our valued partner and sponsor, SuisseCo, are available for your enjoyment below.

Prior to concluding this preamble, it is our pleasure to announce the continuation of the highly successful Social Impact Program. Bevel ON, in collaboration with PMI Switzerland, proceed with the 5th training program for Ukrainian professionals' skill development and market integration.

All of this seems ample to digest... so without further ado... 'Happy Reading'!

Best regards,

Lisa