As Project Managers, we are challenged to help teams understand the big picture, move beyond bottlenecks, resolve conflict in a productive fashion and deliver quality projects/products on time, under budget and within scope. While processes may be predictable and repeatable, people are often not. Managing people in a world where the only constant is change can prove to be quite a conundrum at times.

In this session, we'll take a closer look at the five stages of Tuckman's Model and how it relates to team dynamics and development. We'll cover different techniques that can be used to help identify potential bottlenecks and help your team shift gears if they find themselves stuck in the early stages.

Takeaways:

• Grasp the essence and characteristic of the 5 stages of Tuckman’s Model
• Identify the importance of navigating through each stage for effective growth and how to support your team’s progression from one stage to the next
• Learn practical strategies and leadership techniques to facilitate and enhance team dynamics at each stage of Tuckman’s Model, ensuring a smoother path to peak performance

Discover how Generative AI is transforming the developer experience, becoming an essential collaborator that alleviates cognitive load by automating repetitive tasks and streamlining workflows. This presentation will explore how AI-driven tools allow developers to focus on high-impact work that enhances customer experiences, rather than getting bogged down in routine coding tasks.

We’ll look at Agile Engineering practices—like Behavior Driven Development (BDD), Test Driven Development (TDD), and Refactoring—and explore how Generative AI complements these methods to accelerate feedback loops, improve flow, and reduce cognitive load for your team. Whether or not you have a technical background, you’ll gain insight into how AI can fundamentally reshape and enhance how we build and improve software.

Takeaways:

• Observe GitHub Copilot in action as it reduces friction and empowers developers to focus on creative problem-solving rather than on tedious tasks
• Explore the DevEx triangle and see how GenAI enhances all three dimensions
• Appreciate the evolving role of AI in Software Development
• Understand how indispensable humans still are in software development

Often used in sports, the ‘It’ Factor refers to the seemingly intangible qualities of an individual that causes them to stand out, especially in areas of leadership. People often associate leadership in terms of position or title. In this session, we will analyze the 4 Key aspects of the ‘It Factor" and attendees will learn how to harness the power of mindsets to develop more agile leaders and a more agile organization regardless of their current position or title.

Takeaways:

• Agile Mindset - Want to examine how we can extend an agile mindset throughout an organization from leadership to team level
• Entrepreneurship: whether working in a large company or for yourself
• Learning Agility: Cross Functionality – a passion for growth should be an Agilists calling card
• Influence: John Maxwell Defines Leadership is Influence, Nothing More, Nothing Less

AI is transforming project management by enhancing decision-making, streamlining workflows, and improving productivity. Project managers can leverage AI for tasks like scheduling, resource allocation, and risk management. Predictive analytics help identify potential issues early, and AI-driven insights guide informed decisions. However, a Project Manager’s success is ultimately determined by implementing project goals with strong stakeholder buy-in, making "Change Management" essential. Communication, leadership, and a clear roadmap are crucial to creating a culture of change that aligns with AI adoption.

Driving change with AI requires not only effective technology integration but also managing the human element. A successful Project Manager fosters innovation while addressing concerns around AI adoption and ensuring proper training. As a leader, they create a roadmap, communicate effectively, and encourage positive reinforcement to help teams embrace change. The invisible leadership approach reinforces the desired changes and sets the foundation for a lasting transformation within the team and the organization.

Takeaways:

• Driving Change Management through Effective Leadership
• Key skills to become a successful Project Manager
• Understanding the power of AI
• Incorporating AI into day-to-day task to make it more efficient

Emotional Intelligence is a set of action-based tools that enable people to communicate and collaborate with others who work and think differently – exactly what project managers strive to achieve everyday. This session introduces some simple strategies that successful project managers use to enable high performing teams.

During this interactive presentation, you will learn how to use your Emotional Intelligence to engage people in productive conversations and collaboration.

Takeaways:

• Practical Emotionally Intelligent project management strategies
• Effectively framing your message
• Recognizing and remedying stress triggers
• Inclusive team leadership tools

This workshop, designed specifically for project managers, offers practical strategies for cultivating a growth mindset and building resilience, agility, and a culture of continuous learning in every project.

By shifting from a fixed mindset, where skills are seen as static, to a growth-oriented approach, project managers can foster resilience and creativity within their teams. Through hands-on guidance, trainers will provide actionable tips on how to create a learning-focused, problem-solving, and adaptable work environment—empowering project teams to successfully navigate challenges and thrive in times of uncertainty.

Takeaways:

• Adopt a Growth Mindset in Project Management: Learn how to transition from a fixed mindset to a growth-oriented approach, enabling your team to tackle challenges and drive innovation throughout the project lifecycle.
• Build Resilience in Project Teams: Discover strategies for strengthening your team's resilience, ensuring they can adapt and thrive when facing uncertainty and project disruptions.
• Cultivate a Culture of Continuous Learning: Explore methods for fostering a learning-driven environment within your project team, encouraging skill development and knowledge-sharing at every stage of the project.
• Enhance Problem-Solving in Project Scenarios: Gain tools and techniques for sharpening your team's problem-solving capabilities, ensuring effective decision-making when confronted with project obstacles.
• Increase Project Agility: Learn how to integrate flexibility into your project management processes, enabling your team to quickly adjust and respond to changes in scope, resources, or external factors.

Explore the remarkable evolution of the PMI’s PMBOK® Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge) from its traditional process-based roots to a principles-driven framework that embraces predictive, hybrid, and adaptive approaches. This session offers a historical perspective on PMI’s Agile journey, culminating in the latest PMBOK® Eighth Edition. Attendees will better understand how project management has integrated agile principles and practices to meet the demands of modern work environments.

Takeaways:

• Understand the Evolution: Gain insights into the key changes in the PMBOK® Guide over its editions and their impact on the project management profession.
• Bridge Communities: Address perceptions and polarization between traditional project managers and agile practitioners, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration.
• Embrace the New Mindset: Learn how the latest PMBOK® Eighth Edition incorporates principles, performance domains, and tailoring guidance to support diverse project approaches.
• Leverage PMI Resources: Discover how you can leverage the wealth of knowledge and resources available from PMI to further develop your career.