Project Management Debate Podcast

Matching job seeker expectations with hiring manager requirements is a juggling act that necessitates exchange of sensitive information. The ability to filter down candidates to a pool of qualified candidates is more art than science and requires an understanding of qualifications as well as a demonstration of capability. Evaluating candidates based on their current salary levels may offer an indication whether they match the job requirements or not, but is this a good criteria for evaluation? Is it even wise to do so in light of the bias that exists in the marketplace? This debate topic explores the motion "current salary is an effective indicator of candidate fitness and success potential for project manager positions." Listen to the debate and let us know what you think.

Cultural and societal bias has been toward extroversion being the preferred personality type when it comes to positions of leadership and management. Practically every MBA program trains its students to engage stakeholders in a similar way to that defined by Dale Carnegie in his ever popular boom Winning Friends and Influencing people. Do misconceptions exist when evaluating how introverts interact with others and lead teams or is there really no opportunity for them to take on positions of leadership? This episode of the PM Debate Podcast argues the motion "There is no room for introverts in project management." Listen to the debate and join the online discussion.

The world of volunteerism is a very different world than the corporate world. However, are projects run in a different manner than those of the traditional corporate setting? Do project teams behave the same? Can a project manager who is highly successful in managing teams with company staff be as effective managing volunteers? This is the topic of debate in this episode of the PM Debate Podcast. Listen to the debate and let us know what you think.

Speaking truth to power has become a business catch phrase that seems to lose value as it develops in popularity. In today's project environment there is a tendency to shoot the messenger without ever having heard the message. But if management makes a bad decision based on incomplete or inaccurate information, isn't it the project manager's job to make them aware to address the issue? Can any project manager speak truth to power or do you need lots of experience and skills to be the bearer or unwelcome news? Listen to this episode of the PM debate podcast as we discuss "speaking truth to power is a skill that every project manager should master." Let us know what you think by visiting our page at facebook.com/pmdebate.

Approaching a job market so constantly in flux means that hiring managers face difficult choices between candidates. Finding the right fit for your vacancy is harder today because of the readily available technologies and the globalization of the job marketplace. Hiring an overqualified candidate allows the organization immediate success on projects while bringing on board a candidate with less qualification but significant potential positions organizational future sustainability. Join this episode of the PM debate podcast as we explore the motion: "As a hiring manager with no viable option to hire a solid match for your vacancy, you are far better positioned to hire an under qualified candidate than an overqualified one." Listen to the debate and let us know what you think.

It is often refreshing to approach a job, and even a task, knowing you have all the qualifications and skills that that match the position description. Being able to hi the ground running in positions, especially in a project environment is a critical success factor. However is there such as thing as being overqualified for a job? If so, does it mean that you are probably not in the best position to lead by example. This podcast focuses on the issue of over-cosmetics. Listen to our podcast and let us know what you think.

In an environment where job postings have gone global and applicants can bring a lot of news, finding the right candidate for the job can be more challenging than not. Whether you are in human resources or a hiring manager you may be confronted with deciding to bring in a candidate who is under qualified. As a candidate you may be asked to step into an uncomfortable situation in accepting a position you have little experience in. This episode of the PM Debate podcast explores whether hiring an under qualified candidate is a recipe for disaster or whether it is part of today's job demands. Listen to the debate and let us know what you think.

In a crisis being prepared to take quick action is absolutely necessary to ensure that needs are addressed in a timely fashion. But quick action without proper planning may bean that you are doing the wrong thing, very quickly. Can project management play a role in supporting organizations and communities in managing crisis, before, during, and after the event? Listen to the debate and let us know what you think as we debate "the project management framework is ill suited for managing a crisis."

Managing a project is a difficult undertaking, one that often impacts the entire organization. It’s often difficult to know how to proceed when facts and details are omitted. But in the hyper-competitive business world we live in, organizational management must make difficult decisions on what information can and should be shared – and when. Is full disclosure an operational imperative or the path of the foolish. You decide as we debate: Project team members and key stakeholders require and deserve full disclosure at all times throughout the project lifecycle. Following the podcast join the debate online at facebok.com/pmdebate

This week we are exploring the topic of confirmation bias. Twitter was recently called out for using algorithms in its feed to enhance user experience that gives users what they “want to see”. This approach means that people will see in their feed more items similar to ones they have liked, commented on, or shared. A rapidly growing number of people get their news online and social media sites which have a tendency to deliver news from one specific viewpoint. This means that we simply confirm what we already believe to be true. Does the same type of confirmation bias exist in business and on projects? Listen to this episode of the PM Debate Podcast as we debate “Social media is making confirmation bias in organizations much worse resulting in greater risk to project success.”

Lessons learned are a critical component of project management literature and standards. PMI's PMBOK Guide places a significant emphasis on lessons learned in the profession by mentioning the concept in nearly every chapter and in over 62 pages. However, does the reality practice in the field align to theory? Can lessons learned be documented properly and used effectively, or is attempting to merely trying that a waste of time? This episode of the PM Debate podcast explores this topic. Listen to the debate and share your thoughts online.

Corporate politics has gained a bad name in the workplace, associated with backstabbing, manipulating, and spying on colleagues. Is corporate politics a dirty business that the project manager should avoid, or is it a critical necessity to ensure project success? Should project manager rise above corporate politics or leverage it in a positive way. Listen to the debate an take part in the discussion online.

Organizations with complex business models turn to PMOs to enhance their overall performance. However, can the PMO be both the advocate for effective use of project management and drive projects on the one hand while being a cop responsible for measuring project performance and an enforcer of proper techniques on the other hand? Are these two roles that are diametrically opposed or functions that complement each other? Listen to the debate and take part in the discussion online.

As companies search for ways to optimize their business performance, increasingly they have turned to freelancers. Decreasing the ongoing costs of payroll is an attractive way to cut company overhead. Can freelancers allow a company to maximize the use of talent without running the risk of project failure? Can project managers adapt and offer flexibility while minimizing the risk of career instability? Is the business world experiencing a trend affecting employment or is this a management fad that will disappear with changing economic conditions? The topic of this episode of the PM Debate podcast is focused on freelance project managers. Listen to the debate and take part in the online discussion at facebook.com/pmdebate.

Incompetent employees cost organizations millions of dollars every year, both in lost productivity and rework to repair problems. Hiring an incompetent project manager is estimated to cost organizations an average of $240K in wasted on boarding costs. What do organizations have at their disposal to evaluate whether a professional is competent or not? Can certification be used as a criteria to determine if someone is competent? This is the topic of this episode of the PM Debate podcast. Listen and take part in the debate online.

Competence and loyalty are both important in situations where team members must trust each other. Competence is the ability to do something efficiently and effectively. Loyalty is a strong feeling of allegiance and support. Which is more important and why? That's the focus of this episode of the PM Debate Podcast. Listen to the debate and take part in the debate online.

Is there any redeemable quality of the micro-manager? Can it be argued that there are circumstances that call for micro-management and that it is not always bad? In the business world micromanagers have a bad reputation but is it really deserved? Don't employees leave work in droves because of poor management which is often displayed as micromanagement? This episode of the PM Debate Podcast explores micromanagement to determine if it is at all necessary on some projects. Listen to the debate and take part in the online discussion.

Measuring project performance has always been a challenging task. Many approaches exist to determine how close the project is to being done. Project manager use this information to identify issues, remove obstacles, and find root causes of delays and slippage. But is percent complete an effective measure of performance? Percent complete its ability to reflect progress is the focus of this episode's debate

Recognizing a project is in trouble may be easy but deciding what to do about it is a whole lot more complicated. Similarly it might be easy to put a stop to a project that has no business justification, dealing with a poorly performing project is a different story. Is it better to stop the project and restart it again, or is it better to push forward to keep the momentum? This is the topic of this episode of the PM Debate podcast. Listen to the discussion and let us know what you think.

When it comes to setting up a PMO who should executives and organizations rely on? Are internal staff members by virtue of their strong knowledge of the organization and its culture better positioned to get the job done? Perhaps external consultants can bring skills that are desperately needed and an outsider's view that compensates for the business as usual mindset of internal staff. Listen to the debate and let us know what you think.

The business case for the PMO, especially one that is tasked with strategy execution, begins in the executive hallways with strategy consultants. Strategy consulting represents a nearly $55B business where consultants are looked to for delivering innovative thinking and organizational differentiation. However, is it fair to blame consultants when strategies are implemented poorly and PMOs under deliver on their promise? Listen to the debate and let us know what you think.

Organizations are working in an ever-changing environment that operates at break-neck speeds. With the transformation that the marketplace undergoes stakeholders are expecting quick change. However, is fast paced change always in the best interest of the organization? Will organizations that are too slow in reacting to change perish? This episode explores the topic of the speed of change. Listen to the debate and you decide.

This week we explore whether a background in project management and a track record in PMOs are necessary to succeed in PMO initiatives. Can a deep background in industry or across domain knowledge compensate for a lack of experience in project management? Listen to the debate and decide which side is more compelling.

In this episode we explore the concept of failing or bad strategies and their impact on projects. Although strategy is hailed as the be-all end-all of business today, prior to the 1960s it did not even appear in business literature. But with $30.5B spent on strategy consulting in 2016 alone, surely it is vital to organizational and project success. Can projects succeed despite a failing corporate strategy? That's the focus of our debate.

Benefits realization is a complex process that was brought into the forefront of the PMI Program Management Standard. It is part and parcel of the responsibilities of the Program Manager. But is there a role for the Project Manager to play as part of delivering value to the organization? This is the focus of the debate in this episode. Listen to the debate and let us know what you think.

This episode is focused on the concept of change management and its relationship to project management. Do organizations need to think of the role of a change manager as a distinct role and different from that of a project manager? Are the two roles one and the same? This is the focus of the debate for this episode. Listen to the debate and take part in the online discussion.

Companies must be able to respond to changing priorities, shifting market demands, and new regulatory compliance needs. Well-documented and consistently adopted project management frameworks typically lead to greater success. But in a changing landscape, will stale frameworks and plans adequately address the needs of the business? Listen to this episode of the debate to decide if firefighting in project management is your enemy or your friend.

The world of virtual teams has grown exponentially. One study shows that remote work grew by nearly 80% in an eight year stretch. Mobile employment and virtual teams has become a strategic necessity for businesses in managing costs and streamlining processes. However, can virtual teams be as effective as collocated teams? This is the topic of this episode's debate.

Although Project Management Offices have been around for many years, their appeal remains broad and impressive. Businesses look to PMOs to deliver benefits such as better resource planning and enhanced reporting. But, do all companies need a PMO. This is the question of this week's debate. Listen to the podcast and you decide.

Negotiations and the skills required for success in this area are a critical topic of discussion in business magazines and corporate training alike. In the context of project management, success depends on getting the best deal that you can to ensure positive project results. Negotiation skills are vital for the project manager on a wide range of topics. However, are negotiation strategies just as important? Should the project manager aspire for a win-win strategy or is it better to adopt a win lose posture. This episode addresses the following debate statement: negotiating a "win-win" is not in the best interest of your project. Listen to the debate and take part in the online discussion.

Contracting is often considered a huge challenge for project managers. Some even consider it a waste of time. Developing a rich, detailed understanding of the contract's terms and conditions is vital to ensuring that the organization is protected. Asking the project manager to know all the details can be a bit of a stretch, or is it? This week we explore whether the project manager should be responsible for the contract or whether it is someone else's job. Listen to the debate and take part in the discussion.

Emotional Intelligence is a term that has taken the business world by storm. Organizations find it vital that employees have EQ to work together in a harmonious and effective way. But is good, old brain power sometimes necessary in running a project? Which is more important, EQ or IQ? Listen to the debate and share your views.

Organizations in the US spent over $70B last year on training and professional development of their employees. Should project managers within organizations be responsible for supporting their team members in developing skills? Do project manager have the ability to provide meaningful contributions to their teams in this area? Listen to the debate and provide your feedback

In this episode we explore the concepts of success on projects. In project management circles, a significant amount of time and money is spent trying to ensure proper delivery of projects. Companies and professional associations spend scarce resources trying to ensure project success through better methodologies, approaches, and tools. But is that time and money well spent? Or in the end, does it really only matter that the stakeholder is happy with the outcome? Listen to the debate and let us know what you think.

This week we look at career development and continuing education. Organizations differ widely in their approach to developing their human resources. Some advocate for formal training while others value on the job experience. Listen to the debate with Mary Elizabeth arguing that on the job training is more valuable than formal training while Philip argues the counter point.

Is it vitally important for project managers to understand how strategy is formulated? This episode centers around the topic of strategy and its link to projects. The debate is focused on the PM's skill set. Philip will argue that Project Managers don't need to understand how strategy is created while Mary Elizabeth will argue that it is a critical skill that helps projects.

Peter Drucker famously said "culture eats strategy for breakfast." This episode explores the concept of organization culture and its impact on projects. We debate the question whether the aim of projects should be focused on changing culture or whether it is best to leave it alone. Philip argues that the goal of projects is to change culture while Mary Elizabeth argues that there is enough change on projects to worry about culture as well

This week we explore the concept of project teams and their support to organizations. Our debate motion is "high performing project team should be split up to cross pollinate talent across projects for the ultimate good of the organization." Don't forget to join the debate at philipdiab.com

In this episode we explore if the adoption of a project management methodology inhibits project innovation and constrains the project manager resulting in a greater chance of failure for the organization. Mary Elizabeth argues in favor of the statement and Philip argues against it.

This week we explore the role of executive sponsor as compared to the project manager. Which role is more important in achieving success? The motion is an effective executive sponsor is much more likely to influence a successful project outcome than a competent project manager

This week we continue our focus on the profile of the successful project manager. We debate which type of profile of project manager makes a better practitioner, the accidental kind or the intentional kind. The motion is accidental project managers make better project managers than intentional one. Philip is arguing in support of the statement and Mary Elizabeth is arguing against it.

This episode explores the motion "project managers do not need to have industry knowledge to be successful on projects." Mary Elizabeth Diab is arguing for the motion and Philip Diab is arguing against it

A weekly podcast exploring a variety of topics within project management. The podcast is structured as a debate format addressing a specific topic related to strategy, project management, or leadership. The topics are addressed by Philip and Mary Elizabeth Diab