PM Debate Podcast

This debate episode is one of our most downloaded, and for good reason.We go head-to-head on a question every PMO leader has faced:Is firefighting a breakdown of planning and culture?Or is it a skill leaders must embrace in a high-stakes, high-pressure world?🎧 PM Debate: Firefighting vs. Project ManagementNow streaming again for #ThrowbackThursday.This topic is all about culture because firefighting doesn’t just happen, it’s taught, rewarded, and normalized.What behaviors is your organization reinforcing?And what would it take to break the pattern?👇 Join the debate in the comments.#PMDebate #CtrlAltPMO #ProjectManagement #WorkCulture #Leadership #Firefighting #ThrowbackThursday #PMOThanks for reading Project Management Matters! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com

In this week’s PM Debate Podcast throwback, we go head-to-head on a question that’s even more relevant today than when we first recorded it back in 2017:👉 “Can virtual teams ever match the effectiveness of collocated ones?”I argue for the motion.Mary Elizabeth argues against.We cover:* The role of trust, presence, and “read of the room” moments* Whether technology truly bridges the performance gap* How talent access and time zone flexibility reshape delivery* And why virtual can work but collocated still holds the edge (for some)This one will hit home for anyone managing hybrid or global teams.🎧 Listen to the episodeThen drop your take:Are virtual teams just different or inherently disadvantaged?Thanks for reading Project Management Matters! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com

This week’s PM Debate podcast digs into one of the profession’s biggest questions:Should every organization have a PMO?I say yes. Mary Elizabeth says not so fast.In this archived episode, we debate:* Whether PMOs are strategic necessities or expensive overhead* Why small businesses might be overspending on structures they don’t need* What it really takes to make a PMO succeed, and what makes them failWe also tackle questions like:* What is a corporate PMO, really?* Are some industries just not built for them?* Can a bad PMO do more harm than good?The debate is still just as relevant today as it was then, especially as PMOs evolve into transformation engines in a changing world.🎧 Listen to Episode #14👇 After you listen, let me know:Do you believe every organization benefits from a PMO? Are we forcing a structure where it doesn’t belong?Thanks for reading Project Management Matters! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com

Is “Win-Win” Just a Boardroom Fairytale?Project managers are told to be diplomats.Find common ground. Build trust. Negotiate a win-win.But what if that mindset is actually holding your project back?In this archived episode of the PM Debate podcast, Mary Elizabeth and I go head-to-head on a hot-button topic:“Negotiating a win-win is not in the best interest of your project.”I argue for the motion:* Projects are finite. Relationships often aren’t long-term.* Win-win assumes symmetry in intent, and most times, it’s an illusion.* In high-stakes negotiations, someone will leave value on the table.Mary Elizabeth argues against:* Vendor trust and long-term viability matter more than a one-time win.* A partner that feels respected is more likely to go the extra mile.* Practicing win-win negotiations internally builds stronger teams, not just deals.🎙️ We dig into:* Why negotiation is different from bartering* What to do when a deal breaks down* Whether you can really “win-win” with someone who’s playing to win-lose* How to handle internal vs. external negotiationsThis one’s a gut-check.Are you trying to be liked—or trying to deliver?🔁 Listen to the full debate and join the conversation:👇 After you listen:Have you ever regretted going for a win-win? Or did it pay off long term?Drop your thoughts in the comments or reply with your own negotiation lesson.Thanks for reading Project Management Matters! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com

🎙️ THROWBACK THURSDAY: PM Debate Podcast"The contract is not the responsibility of the project manager."Do you agree?Because we debated it.One side says:👉 Contracts are legal landmines best left to specialists.👉 PMs are already juggling scope, cost, time, and stakeholders.👉 Adding detailed contract oversight dilutes focus and invites risk.The other side says:👉 If you're the PM, and the contract shapes scope, cost, and timeline... how are you not responsible?👉 Every disconnect between what’s promised and what’s delivered is a contract issue, and it lands in your lap.👉 If you don’t shape the agreement, you inherit the consequences.This was one of the most foundational debates we ever recorded. Because it speaks to the real tension in modern project management:Are we administrators or leaders?🗣️ Rewind the debate. Hear both sides. Then weigh in:👉 Should PMs manage contracts or leave it to legal?🎧 Listen here: Link in the comments🔁 Share your take. Let’s reignite the debate.Thanks for reading Project Management Matters! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com

In this throwback podcast episode, Philip and Mary Elizabeth Diab debate the timeless tension between brainpower and people skills in the world of project delivery.This week's theme has been all about PMO evolution and relevance and today's throwback takes us back to one of the early debates that helped shape how I think about project leadership.The question: Are there times when IQ is more important than EQ for project managers?In this episode of the PM Debate Podcast, Mary Elizabeth Diab and I take opposite sides of this surprisingly nuanced argument.We explore:* Why emotional intelligence has become a core leadership skill* When technical complexity demands more than just empathy* How project managers can balance people-savvy with analytical rigor* Whether EQ or IQ matters more when you're thrown into a new industry or technical domainYou’ll hear personal stories, hard truths, and practical takeaways for any project leader navigating high-stakes delivery.As always, our debate isn’t about who’s right. It’s about seeing both sides clearly so you can lead with clarity.🎧 Listen to the full episode now and weigh in: Which side do you find yourself on?Thanks for reading Project Management Matters! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com

In a world where project timelines are tight, stakeholders are demanding, and priorities shift by the hour, should project managers be expected to develop the skills of their team members?That was the core question back in 2017 when we recorded this episode of the PM Debate Podcast.We think it’s still relevant today.The motion:“The project manager is not responsible for developing team member skills.”I argued for it. Mary Elizabeth argued against. The back-and-forth was as lively as ever.We unpacked:* The tension between project delivery and people development* Whether PMs should act as skill coaches or leave that to line managers* How organizational structure and project duration change expectations* Why emotional intelligence matters, even if skills training isn’t in your scope📌 The insights we explored might challenge how you see your own role as a leader.What’s your take?Do you think developing team member skills is part of a PM’s job or a distraction from the real work?Thanks for reading Project Management Matters! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com

This week’s archived PM Debate episode asks a deceptively simple question:Do facts matter… if your stakeholders are happy?I argued that in today’s chaotic project environment, hitting your timeline and budget won’t save you if your stakeholders feel unheard or unsatisfied.Mary Elizabeth countered with a powerful reality check: projects don’t run on feelings. They run on baselines, budgets, and outcomes.This debate covers:* Whether we’ve entered a “post-project management” era* Why the Sydney Opera House is both a masterpiece and a case study in failure* What it really means to define project success upfrontWhether you side with perception or precision, this one’s worth the listen.💬 Drop your take in the comments, especially if you’ve seen this tension play out in real life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com

What teaches you more: training or doing?Some professionals swear by certifications and courses. Others say the best lessons come from the field, where success and failure are both brutally honest teachers.🎧 In this week’s PM Debate throwback, we tackled the question:“Is on-the-job experience more valuable than continuing education?”I argued against the motion. Mary Elizabeth argued for it. And together, we broke down what actually moves the needle for PMs trying to grow their careers.We covered:* Why training often fails to stick* What experience teaches that classrooms can’t* When formal education becomes essential (and when it’s a crutch)* What hiring managers actually look for when evaluating skillYou need both. But neglecting structured learning means you risk applying yesterday’s playbook to tomorrow’s problems.📻 Listen to Episode 8: “On the Job vs. In the Classroom”👇 Where have you learned the most, experience or education?Thanks for reading Project Management Matters! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com

Does a project manager need to understand how strategy is made? Or is that outside the scope of the role?In this throwback to The Project Management Debate Podcast, we put that question under the microscope. I take the stance that it’s not essential, project managers can drive results without knowing every detail of strategy formulation. Mary Elizabeth Diab pushes back, arguing it’s a critical skill that helps PMs connect their work to real business value.🎙️ This debate covers:* Whether PMs are execution arms or strategic players* How strategy and delivery interact (and sometimes clash)* What happens when PMs don’t understand the “why”* Where influence begins (and ends) for a PMIf you’ve ever wondered whether project managers belong at the strategy table, or should just focus on delivering what’s handed to them, this one's for you.📌 Listen now and let us know where you stand.Thanks for reading Project Management Matters! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com

Should Every Project Change the Culture?Peter Drucker said “culture eats strategy for breakfast.”But here’s the counter: project management assumes culture can be changed.In this week’s throwback episode of the PM Debate Podcast, Mary Elizabeth and I take on a deceptively simple question:👉 Should changing corporate culture be the aim of every transformation project?I argue yes, because if the culture stays the same, nothing really changes.She argues no, because culture change is hard, rare, and not every project needs to carry that weight.Together, we debate:* Whether PMs can (or should) overcome culture* The difference between adapting to norms vs. resetting them* Who’s really responsible for culture change, the PMs or the Executives?🎙️ Listen to the episode📌 Save this post if you’re wrestling with cultural friction in your current project.👇 And let us know: can a project really shift a company’s culture?Thanks for reading Project Management Matters! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com

This classic episode still sparks real questions for today’s leaders.Back in 2016, we recorded a debate that’s just as relevant now as it was then:What should you do with a team that works?Do you keep them together to maintain the magic or break them up so their skills can elevate others across the organization?This episode from the PM Debate Podcast archives features both sides of the argument, one pushing for cross-pollination, the other saying don’t fix what isn’t broken.It’s a timeless tension in project environments. Revisit the episode and weigh in:💬 What would you do split or stick?Thanks for reading Project Management Matters! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com

What drives project success—structured methods or creative disruption?In this archived episode from the PM Debate Podcast, we dig into a timeless tension:* Can innovation coexist with rigor?* Do methodologies empower or restrict real leadership?This debate isn’t just academic, it’s the everyday challenge PMO leaders face: Deliver value and stay adaptive. Can one lead with structure and flexibility.🔁 Give it a listen. Then weigh in:What’s been your experience? Do methodologies help or hurt innovation?Thanks for reading Project Management Matters! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com

Today’s motion gets to the heart of one of project management’s most debated dynamics:👉 “An effective executive sponsor is much more likely to influence a successful project outcome than a competent project manager.”Mary Elizabeth argues for the motion, highlighting the sponsor’s organizational power, strategic visibility, and ability to remove roadblocks at the highest levels.Philip argues against, defending the frontline role of the project manager as the one who plans, leads, and delivers outcomes day in and day out.Together, they unpack:* The power dynamics between sponsor and PM* What happens when one role is strong but the other is weak* How sponsorship and leadership intersect (and sometimes collide)Whether you think project success hinges on executive influence or day-to-day execution, this episode will sharpen how you see both roles and how to work smarter across the leadership divide.🎧 Listen now and join the debateThanks for reading Project Management Matters! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com

Are the best project managers the ones who chose the profession or the ones who stumbled into it?In this classic episode of the PM Debate Podcast, we take sides.I argued for the “accidental PM.” Mary Elizabeth made the case for those who pick the path on purpose.Spoiler: It’s still a relevant debate.Listen in. Then tell us: which side are you on?Thanks for reading Project Management Matters! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com

This episode kicks off the PM Debate Podcast with a polarizing motion:👉 “Project managers do not need to have industry knowledge to be successful on projects.”Mary Elizabeth argues for the motion, championing the idea that core PM skills are universal and that overemphasizing domain knowledge can limit growth and flexibility.Philip argues against, making the case that without industry insight, PMs risk becoming coordinators instead of leaders, relying too heavily on SMEs and losing credibility with stakeholders.It’s a sharp, respectful debate covering:* The role of context in project delivery* Risks of under-qualification vs. overspecialization* Whether PM is a portable profession—or one that demands depthNo easy answers. Just two perspectives exploring what it really takes to lead projects that deliver.This is part of our revived PM Debate Archive. This is all about real conversations that still challenge how we think and lead in project environments.Where do you stand? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com

In 2016, we launched a podcast with a simple idea:What if we created a space where project management professionals could debate, not just discuss, the future of the field?The Project Management Debate Podcast was never meant to be safe.It was built to challenge assumptions, push boundaries, and make room for multiple truths in a profession that often settles for consensus.Before we dive into the archive, I wanted to reshare the very first audio we recorded: Episode 0. It’s short, reflective, and gives you a sense of what we set out to do.📌 Duration: 3 minutes📅 Originally recorded: October 2016Thanks for reading Project Management Matters! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philipdiab.substack.com