PM Insights Unplugged

Ever wondered what it takes to deliver projects in the fast-paced, resource-juggling environment of a university? In this insightful episode, host Silke Deul is joined by Lulu Barry and Moira Fraser, experienced project managers in the tertiary education sector, to unpack the unique challenges and opportunities of running projects in an academic setting. From navigating semester-driven deadlines to coordinating with a diverse range of stakeholders—from academics to IT teams—they share the strategies that keep projects on track in an environment where priorities can shift with the academic calendar. Together, they discuss: How university governance and decision-making shape project timelines Balancing competing priorities between academic and operational needs Lessons learned from delivering both infrastructure and digital transformation projects on campus Building trust and communication across diverse stakeholder groups Why flexibility is key in environments with constant change Whether you work in higher education, manage projects in complex organisations, or are simply curious about the inner workings of university projects, this conversation will give you practical insights and fresh perspectives. Host: Silke Deul Guests: Lulu Barry & Moira Fraser, University Project Managers PDU’s: For PMI members who have viewed this episode, this content is eligible for 1 PDU. You can self-claim this via your PMI account. #ProjectManagement #PMInsights #UniversityProjects #HigherEducation #Leadership #PMI #StakeholderManagement

Episode 9 (I): Negotiating Contracts PM Insights Unplugged – PMI New Zealand Podcast Contracts may only take a few meetings to negotiate, but their impact on a project can last for years. In this episode of PM Insights Unplugged, host Silke Deul sits down with Elizabeth (Liz) Hector, a seasoned project manager, PMP, PMI volunteer leader, and founder of Project Skills Mentor and the Women in Projects Network. Together, they unpack why negotiation and contract management are essential skills for project managers—whether you’re handling multi-million-dollar agreements or small supplier deals. Liz shares her experiences from IBM, Shell, NGOs, and global projects, explaining how preparation, research, cultural awareness, and good governance make all the difference. Key themes include: Why project managers should understand contract mechanics—even if they aren’t the lead negotiator The importance of research, persuasion, and listening skills in negotiations How to balance win-win outcomes with protecting project scope, budget, and timelines Cultural considerations when negotiating across regions and industries Building governance and flexibility into contracts for both waterfall and agile projects Whether you’re new to negotiations or looking to sharpen your skills, this conversation highlights practical strategies, pitfalls to avoid, and why “Kiwi style” handshake deals may not always be enough. Host: Silke Deul Guest: Elizabeth Hector Liz’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizhector/ Liz’s Links: https://projectskillsmentor.com/project-skills/how-to-negotiate-anything-from-concept-to-contract https://projectskillsmentor.com/mentoring/how-to-coach-negotiation-skills #ProjectManagement #Contracts #Negotiation #PMInsights #Leadership #PMI

Is the “unicorn project manager” helping us—or quietly sabotaging our profession? In this sharp and honest solo episode, Kate Fursova challenges the legend of the all-knowing, all-fixing project manager—the mythical "unicorn" who can tame budgets, charm stakeholders, and deliver the impossible on schedule. Sound familiar? Drawing from lessons in Episode 7 ("Lies of a Profession"), this episode takes the myth-busting further, exploring how even today’s newest buzzwords—like AI, 10x productivity, and plug-and-play templates—are becoming the new unicorns. But without real leadership, honest conversations, and support for growth, these tools risk becoming just more glitter covering the same unrealistic expectations. 🧠 Key takeaways: Why the unicorn myth persists—and how it harms projects and people How to trade perfectionism for adaptability and resilience Why AI won’t save us without critical thinking and skills to match The role of project managers as educators and expectation-setters How mentoring and sustainable leadership can shift the culture Why embracing the routine, messy, human side of project work is key to long-term success Whether you're a PM veteran, a newcomer, or someone trying to manage unicorn-level expectations, this episode is a call to ground ourselves in reality—and lead from there. Host: Kate Fursova PDU’s: PMI members can self-claim 0.25 PDU under Leadership or Strategic and Business Management, depending on listening duration and reflection. #ProjectManagement #PMInsights #KillTheUnicorn #Leadership #Expectations #SustainablePace #AI #RealityCheck #PMI #WorkplaceCulture #Mentorship

“The real work of a project manager begins where the handbook ends.” What do people think project managers do—and what’s the reality? In this candid episode, host Silke Deul sits down with Kate Fursova, Senior Project Manager and Agile Coach at Gallagher Animal Management, to unpack the “lies of the profession”—the common myths, misperceptions, and oversimplifications that still surround project management today. From the myth of the perfect project plan to the outdated belief that time, cost, and scope alone define success, Silke and Kate explore how misleading expectations—from both inside and outside the profession—can cause confusion, frustration, and even burnout. 🎯 Highlights include: Why PMs are often misunderstood as "just admin"—and how to shift that perception The danger of chasing flawless plans in unpredictable environments Why success is more than the “Iron Triangle” (and how real outcomes can still fail) How mismatched expectations create tension with stakeholders, teams, and sponsors The emotional toll of unrealistic job roles and pressure Advice for navigating different industries, job titles, and career paths in PM How project managers can reclaim their identity as strategic leaders—not box-tickers Whether you're new to the profession or have years of experience, this episode offers a refreshing take on what it really means to be a project manager—and why honest conversations like this one are essential for the future of the role.   Host: Silke Deul Guest: Kate Fursova, Senior Project Manager & Agile Coach PDU’s: For PMI members, this episode is eligible for 1 PDU under Leadership or Strategic and Business Management. Self-claim via your PMI account. #ProjectManagement #PMInsights #Leadership #ProjectMyths #CareerGrowth #PMRealTalk #Burnout #Agile #PMI #NZProjects #WomenInPM

Are meetings really a waste of time—or are we just doing them wrong? In this solo episode of PM Insights Unplugged, host Silke Deul challenges the common complaint that meetings are useless and unproductive. Silke explores why meetings are essential in project environments—especially when teams are newly formed, projects are complex, and stakeholders come from different cultures and disciplines. Sharing practical strategies to make meetings effective, from setting clear purposes and agendas to managing participant expectations and dealing with last-minute meetings. She also addresses the realities of hybrid work, remote teams, and the all-too-familiar dilemma of who to invite—and who not to. Whether you're tired of endless meetings or trying to improve your project communication, this episode offers a thoughtful and practical take on when and how meetings can truly drive project success. Host: Silke Deul PDU’s: For PMI members who have viewed this episode, this content is eligible for 0.25 PDU under Leadership or Strategic and Business Management. You can self-claim this via your PMI account. #ProjectManagement #MeetingsMatter #PMInsights #Leadership #TeamCommunication #PMI

What if we could teach kids the fundamentals of project management before they ever enter the workforce? In this inspiring episode, host Silke Deul is joined by Gary Nelson—seasoned project and program manager and author —to explore how project management can be introduced to children in fun and practical ways. Drawing from his children's books, Gary shares how storytelling, relatable challenges, and simplified language can help young minds grasp project principles such as planning, budgeting, teamwork, and problem-solving. Together, they discuss: Why project management is really a life skill The ideal age range for introducing abstract project thinking How schools in New Zealand and globally are adopting project-based learning Real-world examples of how kids apply PM concepts (including a "planning is cool" cooking story!) Why adults can benefit just as much from reading these simplified, story-driven books Whether you're a parent, teacher, project manager—or all three—this episode will change how you think about early education, life skills, and the future of the profession.   Host: Silke Deul Guest: Gary Nelson, Programme Manager and author   PDU’s: For PMI members who have viewed this episode, this content is eligible for 1 PDU under Leadership or Strategic and Business Management. You can self-claim this via your PMI account.   #ProjectManagement #PMInsights #ChildrenAndPM #LifeSkills #Education #Leadership #PMI

PM Insights – PMI New Zealand Podcast | Episode 4: (I) Scale Shift: From Millions to Billions   In this edition of PM Insights , we dive into the high-stakes world of mega-projects with seasoned project leader Kanat Sultanbekov, who has managed initiatives from $50 million to over $50 billion across continents. Kanat shares firsthand lessons from working on massive infrastructure and energy projects in locations like Australia, Nigeria, and Kazakhstan. From political risks and joint venture disagreements to on-the-ground challenges like strikes and worker welfare, this episode reveals how scale changes everything — from interface management to financial controls. 🎧 Highlights include: Why risk management looks completely different on billion-dollar projects Lessons learned from demobilizing and remobilizing entire mega-projects Navigating international politics, joint ventures, and cultural dynamics The importance of standardization, modularity, and constructability Practical advice for project managers aiming to move into global mega-projects Kanat also recommends the must-read book “How Big Things Get Done” by Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner — a roadmap for anyone entering the world of large-scale delivery.   This is a must-listen for anyone curious about what it really takes to scale from millions to billions. 🔊 Tune in now and subscribe for more insights from PMI New Zealand.   Host: Silke Deul Guest: Kanat Sultanbekov – Over two decades of construction and project management experience on energy projects of increasing size and complexity in Australia, Kazakhstan, and the United States.   PDU’s: For PMI members who have viewed this episode, this content is eligible for 1 PDUs under Ways of Working. You can self-claim this via your PMI account.

PM Insights – PMI New Zealand Podcast | Episode 3: (I) How AI will change Project Management In this episode, we are talking with Andeed Ma how AI is transforming project management and why it's essential for project managers to stay ahead of the curve. From automating tasks to enhancing decision-making, AI is becoming an indispensable tool for driving efficiency and innovation. We’ll discuss the different stages of AI literacy, how AI can amplify project outcomes, and what project managers can do today to start integrating AI into their workflows. We also delve into the potential risks and benefits of AI, from enhancing productivity to the ethical considerations we must keep in mind as we adopt this technology. Whether you’re just starting to explore AI or already using it in your projects, this episode provides valuable insights into how AI can shape the future of project management.   Host: Silke Deul Guest: Andeed Ma - President of Risk and Insurance Management Association of Singapore (RIMAS) and Partner, AI International Institute (AIII) PDU’s: For PMI members who have viewed this episode, this content is eligible for 1 PDUs under Leadership or Strategic and Business Management. You can self-claim this via your PMI account. #ProjectManagement #AIinPM #PMInsights #Innovation #Technology #PMI

We’ll be looking at the difference between risks and issues and why it actually matters in project management. Mixing them up can cause confusion, slow things down, or even make problems worse. If you call something a risk when it’s actually an issue, people might not take action fast enough. And if you treat a risk like an issue, you could end up wasting time and resources on something that hasn’t even happened yet. Knowing the difference helps teams stay on top of things, make better decisions, and keep projects running as smoothly as possible. Host: Silke Deul PDU’s: For PMI members who have viewed this episode, this content is eligible for 0.25 PDUs under Ways of Working. You can self-claim this via your PMI account.   #ProjectManagement #RiskManagement #IssuesManagement #PMInsights

Welcome to the very first episode of the PM Insights Podcast, brought to you by PMI New Zealand! In this episode, we’re kicking things off by introducing what this podcast is all about and what you can expect in the coming episodes. We’ll dive into the basics of project management—what it is, why planning is so important, and the key role project managers play across different industries. We’ll also chat about the unique challenges of managing projects in New Zealand’s “can-do” culture, where people often jump straight to solutions without much planning. You’ll also get the rundown on the three types of episodes we’ll be featuring: Interviews with industry experts, Shorts that break down key topics quickly, and News updates from PMI New Zealand. Whether you’re an experienced project manager, someone looking to get into the field, or just curious about how projects come together, this podcast is for you. Tune in, learn something new, and join us on this journey to better project management in New Zealand! Host: Silke Deul PDU’s: For PMI members who have viewed this episode, this content is eligible for 0.25 PDUs under Ways of working. You can self-claim this via your PMI account. If you have any questions about the process, please reach out to us at info@pmi.nz