The Digital Project Manager

Your process documentation sucks. Don't worry — so do most people's. It's because it's tedious and manual to create and takes away from the fun parts of work. But wait — couldn't AI help?Galen Low sat down with Alyson Caffrey (Co-founder of Operations Agency), Gray Mackenzie (Co-founder of ZenPilot), and Brian Kessman (Founder of Lodestar Agency Consulting) to explore whether a healthy culture of AI, automation, and iterative knowledge transfer can get your teams out of process documentation hell.Resources from this episode:Fill out our 2025 salary surveyJoin DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Alyson, Brian, and Gray on LinkedInCheck out ZenPilot, Operations Agency, and Lodestar Agency Consulting

In this discussion, Stephanie Best, Managing Director at Greannmhar, brings her expertise in operations consultancy to the forefront. She emphasizes the critical need for strategic alignment in project management to avoid miscommunication. Stephanie shares insights on navigating agile challenges and fostering open dialogue to empower teams. She also tackles engagement strategies in hierarchical work cultures and highlights the importance of clear communication with stakeholders. Ultimately, she advocates for curiosity as a driver of professional growth.

In this engaging discussion, Greg Storey and Brett Harned, co-founders of Same Team Partners, share their expertise on enhancing team performance using the Team Angle framework. They highlight the silent yet dangerous impact of team dysfunction and emphasize the need for leaders to address underlying issues. Listeners learn about fostering open dialogue, the significance of communication, and practical strategies to improve team dynamics. With insights into structured tools for resolving conflicts, this conversation is a must for anyone navigating project management challenges.

James Louttit, Founder and Lead Trainer at Impactful Project Management and former CIO, delves into the intricacies of project prioritization. He discusses the political dynamics that can complicate decision-making and the importance of transparent communication with stakeholders. Innovative techniques like planning poker and AI in risk assessment are also explored. The conversation emphasizes the need for adaptability in project management, advocating for a blend of Agile and Waterfall approaches to enhance collaboration and project success.

Let’s face it: we’d all have a little more hair on our heads if resourcing our projects wasn’t a weekly ritual fraught with chaos, conflict, and overwhelm. But could a blend of good data, machine learning, and GenAI make resourcing a walk in the park?Galen Low is joined by Grant Hultgren (Agency Operations Consultant at Parallax), Marcel Petitpas (Co-Founder & CEO at Parakeeto), and Ann Campea (VP of Project Management Operations at TrueSense Marketing) to explore the promises and challenges of incorporating data and AI into resource management.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Grant, Marcel, and Ann on LinkedInCheck out Parallax, Parakeeto, and TrueSense Marketing

When your project teams span multiple work cultures and continents, things can get a little more complicated. But with with so many moving parts and sources of pressure, what's the best way to get your internationally-distributed teams working together to reduce stress instead of adding to it?Galen Low is joined by Yasmina Khelifi (Senior Project Manager) & Mayte Mata Sivera (Head of PMO) to explore some key aspects of effective international collaboration.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsCheck out this episode’s sponsor: JotformConnect with Mayte and Yasmina on LinkedIn

In the fast-paced world of project management, finding balance between professional ambitions and personal well-being is essential.Galen Low is joined by Ken Stewart—Change & Delivery Guide and the Author of “Burn That Project Down”—to offer a roadmap to mastering project management without losing oneself.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Ken on LinkedInCheck out Ken’s book “Burn That Project Down”

Sorry to say this, but as a project manager you can deliver your project on-time, on-budget, and within scope... and still fail. So is the iron triangle still important? And can PMs influence the impact of their projects beyond it?Galen Low is joined by Pam Butkowski (SVP of Delivery Management at Hero Digital) & Stephanie Best (Managing Director at Greannmhar) to unpack the importance of looking beyond conventional metrics to redefine what success means in project management.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Pam and Stephanie on LinkedInCheck out Greannmhar and Hero Digital

Volunteering has long been an avenue for individuals to give back to their communities, but its impact on professional development, particularly in project management, is a lesser-known benefit.Galen Low is joined by Yasmina Khelifi (Senior Project Manager) & Mayte Mata Sivera (Head of PMO) to discuss how their volunteer experiences have significantly propelled their careers.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Mayte and Yasmina on LinkedInGet 15% off Mayte & Yasmina's book The Volunteering Journey to Project Leadership

If your plan is to get the proverbial "gold pen" and retire after putting in 45 years at the same agency, you might find yourself working against the odds. But if that's the case, what does it mean to have job security in the agency world?Galen Low is joined by Max Traylor—The Consultant’s Consultant and Founder of Max Traylor LLC—to delve into the concept of job security and what options are available to agency professionals today.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Max on LinkedIn and XCheck out Max’s websiteBeers with Max PodcastMax’s book: Agency Survival Guide