Engage for Project Success!

Stakeholder engagement has become an essential way of life for today’s successful project manager. The Engagement Matrix enables leaders to quickly and effectively assess and analyze each project stakeholder in terms of proficiency or subject matter expertise and interest or motivation level.

From nurturing our high-proficiency/high-interest stakeholders to managing potentially low-proficiency/low-interest team members, the Engagement Matrix will provide you with a solid foundation for data-driven decision making in areas that are often skewed by subjective or misinformed opinions.

The Engagement Matrix can be used to create a communications plan to continuously engage external stakeholders and it serves equally as well as a performance management gauge to determine next best actions for managing your high-performance team!

Use Artificial Intelligence to Make Every Project Successful

Artificial Intelligence will deliver profound changes to project management in ways that will challenge what you think is possible. This technology can access and process more information and perform exponentially faster than the human brain. Misconceptions and lack of preparation are huge challenges to organizations that attempt to implement AI-based technology. This presentation reviews basic guidelines for success and demonstrates practical AI-based project management tools that are currently being developed. The project methodology must change and project managers are needed to make the transformation successful. We need to dramatically increase project success rates now and for the future and AI technology provides this opportunity. It is an opportunity to take the project methodology to a higher level of performance that no one ever imagined would be achievable.

Dr. Prasad S. Kodukula, PMP, PgMP

Dr. Prasad S. Kodukula, PMP, PgMP, is a multiple award-winning thought leader, speaker, coach, author, and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of professional experience. As a self proclaimed Global Ambassador of Project Management, he has spoken on project management topics in nearly 50 countries. He has trained or coached several thousands of project, program, and portfolio management professionals at more than 40 Fortune 100 companies, the World Bank, the United Nations, and the United States government. He also teaches project management at the University of Chicago as adjunct faculty. Prasad is Founder/CEO of Kodukula & Associates, Inc., a project management training, coaching, and consulting company and Cofounder/CEO of NeoChloris, Inc., a bioprocess technology company, both located in Chicago. He is also a cofounder and former CEO of 2Ci, which was recognized by the State of Illinois as the most innovative small business in environmental technology in the state. He has been honored twice by the Project Management Institute as “Best of the Best in Project Management” with 2016 PMI Eric Jenett Project Management Award of Excellence and 2010 PMI Distinguished Contribution Award. He also received prestigious awards from the USEPA and the States of Illinois and Kansas for outstanding achievements in education, training, and technology innovation. Prasad is a co-author or contributing author of eight books and more than 40 articles. He holds four patents.

Greg Githens

Greg Githens’ mission is to upskill individuals to make positive impact by delivering useful ideas and new perspectives. His engaging enthusiastic style has earned him the reputation as one of PMI’s most popular speakers.
Greg is the author of How to Think Strategically: Sharpen Your Mind. Develop Your Competency. Contribute to Success. This highly rated book explains that strategic thinking is an individual competency composed of 20 microskills. Because strategic thinking is rare and valuable, those who demonstrate it have more value to their organizations and are more promotable.
Greg has been a featured speaker at PMI congresses, PMI chapters, The Management Roundtable, and elsewhere. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Bowling Green State University (USA) and a master’s degree from Miami University (USA).

Lee Miller

In the last 5 years, Lee's list of accomplishments include: 1) Building the worlds largest and most secure bitcoin ATM network and CMS from the ground up 2) Inherited a failing program of projects at Duracell, turned it around to become one of the largest R&D investments securing further funding from the CEO, and building a full delivery plan to go to market for $200M. 3) Building a market-leading in-home pill dispenser with custom LCD & UI, patentable technologies, and designs for companion mobile app for under $800k in 8 months, while continuing to run Duracell's program. 4) Currently leading product development for one of Kimberly Clark's first successful digital IoT initiatives.

Kate Milani and Nila Vaishnav

Kate Milani is an experienced Project Manager and Instructional Designer who specializes in helping people and organizations get things done. She has more than 15 years of experience in IT Project Management combined with over 10 years as a consultant and trainer in the project management field.
In addition to being a Senior IT Project Manager for the Liberty Mutual Group, Kate served as a Project Manager and Instructional Designer for Department of Labor and Department of Justice funded programs. She is eager to share her practical insights to help others improve their ability to lead and deliver.
Kate’s credentials include a BBA from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, an MS in Education from the University of Wisconsin – Stout, a Master’s Certificate in IT Project Management from George Washington University, and a PMP from the Project Management Institute. Kate is currently serving as the VP-Programs for the PMI-NEW Chapter.
Nila Vaishnav is a talented IT Professional, an experienced Project Manager, and a teacher. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge while also having a thirst for gaining new knowledge.
While working for diverse industries for more than 20 years, Nila has developed subject matter expertise in specific areas of IT and Project Management. She also taught IT courses, at Wisconsin Technical colleges. This expertise combined with her teaching experience positions her well for speaking and coaching. She is excited to share her real-life experience with a firm belief that it will add value to the community she will serve.
Nila’s credentials include a BA in Economics and Psychology from St. Xavier’s college in India, a BS in Computer Science and Information Systems from the University of Wisconsin and a PMP certificate from the Project Management Institute. Nila is currently serving as the Director of Speakers and Programs for the PMI-NEW Chapter.

Al Shalloway

Al Shalloway is the Director, Thought Leadership for Agile at Scale Programs at the PMI. He is the co-author of 5 books and the creator of FLEX (Flow and Lean for Enterprise Transformation). He was a co-founder of Lean Systems Society and Lean Kanban University. He was the first SPC Trainer outside of SAI, a gold partner and contributor to SAFe but is no longer affiliated with SAI. His work currently focuses on the creation of more effective methods of improving organization development. He has a Masters in Computer Science and Engineering from MIT and a Masters in Mathematics from Emory University. He resides with his wife and 3 cats in Carlsbad, CA.

Oliver Yarbrough

Oliver Yarbrough, PMP is a speaker, author, trainer, and leading expert in project management, PMP® Exam Prep, and growth strategies to raise competitiveness.
He offers fresh insights and encourages his audiences and clients to take action with a captivating, entertaining, and down-to-earth style. He shares with them his hands-on experience building and managing professional relationships for some of the largest companies in the world, including Lucent Technologies, Staples, and Sprint, along with his own successful business ventures.
Oliver holds a master's degree from the F. W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College (MBA program ranked #1 in entrepreneurship for 26 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report). He is a former board member of the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), as well as the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), Atlanta chapter. Additionally, he has been featured in "People on the Move" in the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Today, he is an active member of the Project Management Institute (PMI®). Oliver is also president of BOBCAT Academy.

Greg Githens

Greg Githens’ mission is to upskill individuals to make positive impact by delivering useful ideas and new perspectives. His engaging enthusiastic style has earned him the reputation as one of PMI’s most popular speakers. Greg is the author of How to Think Strategically: Sharpen Your Mind. Develop Your Competency. Contribute to Success. This highly rated book explains that strategic thinking is an individual competency composed of 20 microskills. Because strategic thinking is rare and valuable, those who demonstrate it have more value to their organizations and are more promotable. Greg has been a featured speaker at PMI congresses, PMI chapters, The Management Roundtable, and elsewhere. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Bowling Green State University (USA) and a master’s degree from Miami University (USA).

Ordonna Sargeant

With a passion for organizing teams, Ordonna started her career in leadership consultation, working with many Fortune 500 clients including Credit Suisse, Viacom and Bloomberg, organizing large transitions.
As a Program Manager, she has led software infrastructure projects and network projects ranging from SharePoint upgrades, disaster recovery, migration initiatives and data governance for both the public and private sectors. 2020 has been an equally exciting year as she led a digital transformation of a leading automotive company with an agile team.

Dr. Nitha Fiona Nagubadi

Dr. Nitha Fiona Nagubadi was born in the UK and raised in America. Nitha graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in Psychology and also completed Premedical classes. She completed a Certificate in Web and Database Programming at Loyola University and began working as Assistant Web Administrator for the University. There, she managed and developed several of the University's large-scale web projects. During her time as Assistant Webmaster, Ms. Nagubadi returned to University of Chicago and completed a Professional MS in computer science. She completed an MBA at Loyola University Chicago focusing on International Business, Marketing, and Operations Management. She completed her Doctorate in Business Psychology where her research focused on diversity and impact on creativity and innovation.
Through her company, Mango Networx, she consults in project management, change management, and provides coaching for managers and team development for large corporate international programs in digital, technology, product and marketing departments. Mango Networx tagline is “Connect Globally and Innovate” and focuses on creative conversations and work around diversity with focus on ‘thinking out of the box’ and the global mindset. Mango Networx also encourages conversations through events and panel discussions on a variety of topics ranging from Diversity and Innovation to Shining the Light on STEM and leadership forums for young professionals. She is also an entrepreneur and member of 1871 with focus on events and health and wellness space, as well as an author on Thrive Global.
She is actively involved in various community service and professional organizations as a Board member of Each Life is Precious, Rotary One PR/Marketing Committee Co-Chair, Community Services and International Services Committees, Project Management Institute Director of Communications and mentor, Toastmasters VP of PR, and Internations Consul. In her free time, she also enjoys painting, writing, running, yoga, travelling and exploring the wonderful neighborhoods of Chicago!

Leading Well in Turbulent Times

Are you trying to be all things to all people?

Are you who you want to be during this unprecedented time?

When you want to be the best leader possible but competing priorities and the lack of time and energy seem to be winning out, it’s time to step into Leading Well in Turbulent Times.

Learn simple, purposeful, deliberate actions you can easily implement to help you revitalize yourself (and your team). You will improve both productivity and your quality of life.

Your people are watching you and you have a huge opportunity to lead well - using the kaisen principle, this session will help ensure you are doing just that.

Technical Talent and Exceptional EI - How are you trending?

The transformative project manager in the next decade is not only focused on the projects within their charge, but they are also invested in the wholistic development of their future teams and their ability to 'show up' for their organizations. "Technical Talent and Exceptional EI - How are you trending?" directs your attention to matters that usually take a back seat as you navigate the deliverables of your initiative. It's time to bring these matters to the front seat, in full view of the organization and its competitors.

The Project Manager as Strategic and Business Manager

It is no longer acceptable to manage a project as a checklist (if it ever were). Projects need to achieve a return consistent with the strategy of the business. Agile practices are not enough. This session will introduce the essence of Lean, Flow and Theory of Constraints to illustrate how project managers must shift their focus from utilization to the flow of value. Their new role becomes one of creating an environment within which their people can work. One that enables reducing delays in workflow, facilitating collaboration and alignment, creating visibility and having properly defined items to work on.

Lisa Hammer

PMP

Lisa Hammer has more than 30 years of experience, specializing in project management and staff development for both large and small firms. She has managed the implementation of several multi-million-dollar programs, which included coordination of staff, consultants and subcontractors to achieve client goals while maintaining budget and cost controls across all activities. Her executive career has been highlighted by a broad range of qualifications, including proven leadership and analytical skills, collaboration with outside groups, along with a reputation for accountability, flexibility, and resourcefulness.

David B. Newman

PMP, PMI-ACP, CDA, SPHR, CSM, ITIL

David B. Newman has over 30 years of experience and holds a Master’s degree in Technical Management from Johns Hopkins University. He has a diversified background in engineering and product development, is a certified trainer for leadership seminars, and loves to share his experience and extensive background with others. Project teams have excelled under his leadership as he has emphasized that the key to building a high-performance team is to integrate management skills with a collaborative philosophy to influence and motivate teams.

Paul Boudreau

MBA, PMP

Paul Boudreau, MBA, PMP, is a highly respected and influential project management professional with over thirty-five years experience in the technology industry. Paul is a professor at Algonquin College in Ottawa, Canada, where he teaches in the School of Business. He has collaborated with instructors in England, Saudi Arabia, India, Australia and spent three weeks teaching in Nanjing, China. Paul currently uses his knowledge of Python programming language and background in software applications to research and develop AI concepts for project management. His most recent work is on machine learning and natural language processing programs and how they can be used to increase project success rates. Paul’s first book, Applying Artificial Intelligence to Project Management, was well received for both professional and practical insights into a complex new technology. His most recent book, published this year, is How the Project Management Office Can Use Artificial Intelligence to Improve the Bottom Line. Boudreau is known for presenting compelling arguments about how AI technology will change the way we manage projects.

Raj Nair

Raj has 30 years of IT experience in strategic solution delivery, program management and information technology leadership. He is recognized for communication, collaboration, coordination, and commitment. He is known for process re-engineering, productivity improvement and building resilient organizational culture. Raj has global experience and has been involved in planning and delivering strategic initiatives for clients in China, Poland, Mexico, Vienna, India, United States and United Kingdom etc. He spent 13 years of his career in airline industry. In addition to this, he also worked in telecommunication, retail, pharmaceutical, HR verticals and IoT.
Raj is a BTech Computer Science & Engineering graduate from Govt Engineering College Thrissur (’90 batch) and a project management practitioner for the last 28+ years holding several PMI certifications. He is also involved with PMI Global and Chicagoland activities as a spokesperson for project management ethics and standards. He mentors project managers and helps them master project management knowledge areas. He had been on the PMI Chicagoland board for three consecutive years. Currently he is a management consultant and a visiting professor in Chicago teaching project management

Stephanie Staples

Stephanie Staples is a master motivator who criss-crossed the country inspiring busy professionals to find more time, energy & motivation to sustainably bring their ‘A’ game to work and life. Now, she is staying at home, Zooming around the country helping to revitalize exasperated professionals!
Her fast-paced, interactive and idea-packed programs will have you thinking about leadership from a whole new angle and inspired to take immediate action that will positively impact both your personal and professional life. Her programs are proven to increase feelings of hope, happiness, empowerment and ability to apply actionable positive change for participants.
She is the author of When Enlightening Strikes - Creating a Mindset for Uncommon Success and The Try Angle - A New Slant on Life and various other personal growth educational tools.
Stephanie is award-winning, international, inspirational speaker, a Certified Speaking Professional and a Psycho-Social Wellness Expert for Health Canada. She combines an eclectic background that includes learnings from nursing, journalism, fitness and communications.
As a social entrepreneur and a thought leader in her field, Stephanie is the recipient of the Women Entrepreneur of the Year for Contributions to Community award.

Steve Salisbury

Steve Salisbury is passionate about working with executives to close the strategy-to-execution gap. For dozens of major clients, he evaluates interpersonal, organizational, and process elements to eliminate cross-functional dysfunction and builds teams to create a leadership culture to drive all types of change. While studies show that strategy execution continues to under perform, Steve has a remarkable 85 percent success rate.

Veronica Lane

PMP, PMI-ACP

Veronica Lane, PMP, PMI-ACP, graduate of Florida A&M University, has worked as a client facing professional project manager and business executive for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. In her previous role as a PMO VP, she managed business relationships and high profile initiatives in Eurasia, Philippines, Canada, the United States.
After leaving the corporate world, Veronica established Project Manager Guru, Inc. - a 3rd party project management training company providing a wide spectrum of training services to develop well-rounded project professionals.
Veronica's aptitude for exceeding client expectations secured training contracts with the Department of Homeland Security, Navy Federal Credit Union, the United States Navy, Michigan State University, Oral Roberts University and Music Promotion, Inc. to name a few.
Presently, Veronica travels the country speaking to corporations and entrepreneurs to advance their project management strategies through on-site consultations and Veronica Lane Consulting, LLC's Project Manager Prism online course.

Al Shalloway

Al Shalloway is the Director, Thought Leadership for Agile at Scale Programs at the PMI. He is the co-author of 5 books and the creator of FLEX (Flow and Lean for Enterprise Transformation). He was a co-founder of Lean Systems Society and Lean Kanban University. He was the first SPC Trainer outside of SAI, a gold partner and contributor to SAFe but is no longer affiliated with SAI. His work currently focuses on the creation of more effective methods of improving organization development. He has a Masters in Computer Science and Engineering from MIT and a Masters in Mathematics from Emory University. He resides with his wife and 3 cats in Carlsbad, CA.

Lee Miller

In the last 5 years, Lee's list of accomplishments include: 1) Building the worlds largest and most secure bitcoin ATM network and CMS from the ground up 2) Inherited a failing program of projects at Duracell, turned it around to become one of the largest R&D investments securing further funding from the CEO, and building a full delivery plan to go to market for $200M. 3) Building a market-leading in-home pill dispenser with custom LCD & UI, patentable technologies, and designs for companion mobile app for under $800k in 8 months, while continuing to run Duracell's program. 4) Currently leading product development for one of Kimberly Clark's first successful digital IoT initiatives.

STRATEGIC AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

It is no longer acceptable to manage a project as a checklist (if it ever were). Projects need to achieve a return consistent with the strategy of the business. Agile practices are not enough. This session will introduce the essence of Lean, Flow and Theory of Constraints to illustrate how project managers must shift their focus from utilization to the flow of value. Their new role becomes one of creating an environment within which their people can work. One that enables reducing delays in workflow, facilitating collaboration and alignment, creating visibility and having properly defined items to work on.

TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Agilefall: How to make it work

When combining Agile and Waterfall in a sort of hybrid mix the team and needs to understand how they will deliver incremental/iterative development and delivery. This presentation will give actionable elements of Agile that can be applied to a Waterfall environment.

Leading Projects, with Agility, Change Management, and the Global Mindset Through Times of Great Change

Building strong core project processes, with focus on agility and change management, creates a framework for success. A focus on strategy of change and communication through diverse, cross functional areas, geographic locations is essential in a global economy, and even moreso in the world of the pandemic, when we are living.

Attend this session to learn how building an agile approach to project management, optimizes risk management, and may also help build a project culture of innovation. Turning lemonade into lemons requires using negative and unexpected factors as opportunities. This session will guide how to use agile processes along with a global mindset to effectively manage risk, and achieve successful outcomes.

Project Risk Management 3.0: Next Generation Tools for Managing Risks

The current practice of project risk management focuses on risk registers involving qualitative (Risk Management 1.0) and quantitative (Risk Management 2.0) methods. This presentation offers next generation approach (Risk Management 3.0) that supplements the existing tools by addressing: 1) four types of risks that are inherent to projects, 2) threats as well as opportunities, 3) integration of cost and schedule risks, 4) agile-based iterative and incremental methods, and 5) integration of project risks into a portfolio framework.

The new approach, first of all, helps us obtain more realistic estimates of project net present value, cost, schedule, and reserves. It offers better insight into how a project may unfold due to both threats and opportunities. Most important, it facilitates right project investment decisions at the portfolio level. Ultimately, it helps us complete projects on time and under budget and deliver promised value to our stakeholders.

From the Triple Constraint to the Triple Bottom Line: Sustainable Project Management

Can you adopt sustainable project management practices while adding value? Can one Project Manager make a difference? The answers are Yes.

Sustainable project practices are about more than “being green". Sustainability requires that we look beyond the scope, schedule, and budget of the temporary project and consider the larger “Triple Bottom Line” that projects operate within. The triple bottom line evaluates performance in a broader perspective considering economic, ecological, and social impacts otherwise known as the 3Ps - Profit, Planet, People. As the agents of change in organizations, Project Managers, are uniquely positioned to identify and lead the change that impacts your “Triple Bottom Line” while creating greater business value.

Using today’s linear economic model we take finite resources, create products and then dispose of them. This "take, make, dispose" linear model is no longer sustainable. Learn how you as a Project Manager can shift towards the circular economy model where we “make, use, reuse, remake, and recycle”. ​

Bouncing Forward with Strategic Thinking

In these turbulent days, we’re hearing a lot about resilience and bouncing back from adversity.

A better idea is to bounce forward. This decade will present many new opportunities and capturing them requires a different way of thinking.

This seminar will show you valuable strategic thinking insights and the mechanisms of personal and business pivots. Strategic thinking is a rare and valuable competency for individuals.

You can leverage those insights to increase your leadership and influence in the organization, or even to pivot your career.

Driving a New Culture to Embrace the Digital Age

The advancement of the Internet over the past two decades has taught us that we must run our organizations differently for our businesses to thrive, and perhaps even survive. This digital transformation is inevitable. To successfully move into the future, leaders need to strike a balance between organizational hierarchy and cross-functional coordination. While there still needs to be accountability for results, organizations must move faster to achieve these results.

In this talk, Steve shares his ACTIVE leadership framework, and how it’s used to adjust your culture for success in the digital age – to create a digital organizational culture. Steve weaves in his rich history and case studies of leading change in the face of growing digital reliance. The results? You’ll learn how to accelerate change to fuel the growth of your firm in this new world and propel your personal leadership success.

PMP and Innovation Agility

In PMP and Innovation Agility, we'll explore how to be successful in innovation speed in the enterprise environment by adapting agile product manager methodologies with the PMP mentality. We'll discuss various case studies and review when to apply what project management or agile process to various points in the PDLC specifically to Iot.

AI and Project Management in Practice

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer confined to the realm of science fiction. It's having a major impact on the project management profession. Project managers need to learn how to leverage it, so they can do more than just survive, but thrive in these disruptive times.

This hands-on workshop will simplify the complexities of artificial intelligence. Additionally, project managers will be provided with easy to understand, practical ways to use it on their projects.

Leading Digital Transformation with IoT/Mobile App

In this session speaker introduce the landscape of Digital project in IoT and mobile app development. Present couple of watch out areas and how the speaker manage those challenges by introducing a sample project delivered last year.

Disciplined Agile (DA): “To be or not to be” DA practitioner

By now, you may have heard about PMI’s acquisition of Disciplined Agile (DA) and FLEX. Perhaps you’ve seen a webinar or two on DA overview or read about it in DA blogs. But are you still wondering how to practice DA to help you and your team/organization? Attend this session to gain insights into practicing and becoming Disciplined Agile practitioner.

● Attendees will learn:

• Nut and Bolts of practicing DA
• DA Browser overview
• DA Practioner’s Journey for Project Managers

Jonathan Lee

Jonathan is a Certified Disciplined Agile Instuctor and past DA Champion for Chicgaoland Chapter. He has been very active in DA community since PMI’s acquisition of DA last year and has recently joined Vitality Chicago as Agile Trainer and Coach. He has over 21+ years of diversified consulting experiences serving a broad range of clients from fortune 100 companies to public sector organization to small businesses. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Disciplined Agile Lean Scrum Master (DALSM), Certified Disciplined Agile Instructor (CDAI), certified Unisys Project Manager, Certified Scrum Master (CSM), and Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE).

LEADERSHIP
Closing Keynote: Project Leadership - The Key To The Future Role of Project Managers

During this session Kory will challenge official and unofficial project managers to pro-actively increase relevancy, integration and even resources with no budget as business across sectors re-imagines faster than ever. As agility and innovation is being driven to new heights while the beauty and threat of AI is knocking on the door, by challenging assumptions, mindsets and skillsets, the shift from project manager to project leader will pave the way to success that can exceed expectations and lead to more predictive innovations. As a result of this session, participants will understand: Who are we really and the context of how we got here The importance of insuring a “project system” culture to meet the needs of rapid imagineering. How to inspire an inclusive “play to win” attitude under any circumstances The two critical mastery keys to drive the future of business

LEADERSHIP

Closing Keynote: Project Leadership - The Key To The Future Role of Project Managers

Kory Kogon

Kory Kogon is FranklinCovey’s global vice president of field development and is a senior leadership consultant. She is coauthor of the The Wall Street Journal bestseller, The 5 Choices: The Path to Extraordinary Productivity, in addition to Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager, and Presentation Advantage. Kory has been featured on Inc.com and on its “Productivity Playbook” online series, Fast Company.com, Forbes.com, and in Investor’s Business Daily. She has also appeared on NBC’s Today with Kathie Lee and Hoda. Kory’s current role focuses on ensuring the strong capabilities of FranklinCovey’s sales, implementation and consulting teams to drive business development, and customers for life. She brings more than 25 years of business expertise from frontline positions to serving as an executive team member for a global franchise organization. This provides her a unique perspective on the application of FranklinCovey’s world-renowned content within organizations. Kory not only understands the strategy and principles necessary to build great leaders, systems, and winning cultures, but she understands how FranklinCovey’s blended learning offerings deliver practical solutions that enable the behavior changes required for transformational results in organizations.

LEADERSHIP
Morning Keynote: Transform Your Team Building Skills Using Timeless Techniques

Team building in the project management arena is often an overlooked process, frequently given lip service, and rarely given time. In work environments that are highly technical, team building process are often non-existent, and these organizations often struggle with implementing the basics of project management due to lack of buy in by the team on a number of fronts. Organizations often overlook the fact that teams exist on multiple levels and team building processes need to occur at all of these levels.

James T. Brown

Dr. James T. Brown has spoken to audiences from Anchorage Alaska to Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. Participants say his use of stories and humor bring critical truths to light, in an entertaining way that leaves them motivated to act. He provides brilliant bluntness on real world, common sense practices for project management and leadership. Dr. Brown is the author of The Handbook of Program Management published by McGraw-Hill. Now in its second edition, it continues to be the best-selling book on program management since its publication. Filled with practical, real world advice, it has also been used by universities in their program management courses. Dr. Brown’s previous career at NASA included "hands on" experience as a team member, project manager and serving in executive level organizational leadership roles. He has a patent for a project scheduling methodology and has received numerous awards including "Engineer of the Year" from the Cape Canaveral Technical Societies and is a recipient of the "NASA Public Service Medal" for exceptional contributions to NASA’s mission. He has a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, a MS in Engineering Management, and a BS in Electrical Engineering. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE), a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Afternoon Keynote: How the PMI Is Taking Agile into Its Next Decade and Why

Agile has had an amazing ride. But it is struggling to deliver on its promises at scale. One of the reasons is its late attention to management. The Manifesto for Agile Software Development doesn’t even mention management. Individual approaches have taken various approaches. The integration of Disciplined Agile and FLEX (Flow and Lean for Enterprise Transformation) incorporates both middle management and enterprise management into Agile at scale. Lean management shifts from managing people to creating an environment within which they can work well. While Lean management is not new, it has not been incorporated into any of the popular Agile at scale approaches. It requires: · Taking a systems thinking approach where the focus is on creating great environments within which teams can work · An understanding of how to create environments which will help projects · How teams can improve the way they are working · How enterprises need to support the teams The Agile Project Manager of the 2nd decade of Agile needs to become the Transformative PM in the next. They need to guide teams into a new way of working and being. This does not require the personality change it sometimes feels demanded by some Agile at scale methods. It does require a new set of skills and perspectives. The project management role shifts to being an agent of change, learning and continuous improvement. This session will describe how the integration of Brightline, Disciplined Agile and FLEX can be a leading approach to the next decade of Agile (Transformative) Project Management

Al Shalloway

Al Shalloway is the Director, Thought Leadership for Agile at Scale Programs at the PMI. He is the co-author of 5 books and the creator of FLEX (Flow and Lean for Enterprise Transformation). He was a co-founder of Lean Systems Society and Lean Kanban University. He was the first SPC Trainer outside of SAI, a gold partner and contributor to SAFe but is no longer affiliated with SAI. His work currently focuses on the creation of more effective methods of improving organization development. He has a Masters in Computer Science and Engineering from MIT and a Masters in Mathematics from Emory University. He resides with his wife and 3 cats in Carlsbad, CA.

Register by midnight Monday, August 31, 2020 for a chance to win a Kindle Paperwhite!