S5-Ep1 | Choosing the right Agile methodology with Melanie Franklin & Andrew Craddock

In this episode, Richard Pharro, CEO of APMG International, speaks to Eileen Roden, Director and Co-Founder of House of PMO.

Delving into the heart of modern project management, this episode navigates the intricate terrain of PMOs' vital role in today's dynamic business environment.

On the implications of transitioning into a project economy, Eileen explains how PMOs can facilitate successful project delivery while ensuring benefits realisation. Through the lens of optimism bias, we explore how PMOs can serve as guardians of professional judgment, challenging assumptions and promoting evidence-based decision-making.

The conversation extends to the realm of integrated PMO models within government settings, as Richard references recent UK public sector project failures and the indispensable role of senior management support, in enhancing PMO effectiveness. Eileen shares profound insights into the emergence of PMO directors at Board level, highlighting their pivotal role in strategic project prioritisation and resource allocation.

Finishing the episode, Richard and Eileen discuss the imperative for PMO directors to strike a delicate balance between project demands and business-as-usual operations.

Listen in to gain invaluable insights and elevate your proficiency in modern project management practices.

LINKS:
🔗 Connect with Eileen: linkedin.com/in/ejroden
📝 Find out more about how a House of PMO Essentials certification can help you advance your career: apmg-international.com/product/house-pmo-essentials
🌐 House of PMO: houseofpmo.com
🌐 Find out more about APMG certifications: apmg-international.com/services/certifications-solutions

In this episode, Richard Pharro, CEO of APMG International, welcomes Liz Herman, elected Vice President of the Society for Technical Communication and a Senior Manager in knowledge content training with Accenture Federal Services.

Richard and Liz discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on technical communicators and how the Society is leveraging support to its members throughout shifts in technology. Liz advocates for the importance of human collaboration with AI, referring to technical writers as "co-pilots" and emphasising the need for creative thinking skills, particularly those demonstrated by individuals with backgrounds in English, literature, or philosophy.

The discussion extends to how the Society is supporting members' professional development, especially amid emerging trends and challenges like remote work. Liz mentions the importance of in-person conferences, providing a platform for members to connect, share insights, and discuss challenges faced amongst members.

Touching on the Society's 70th anniversary, Liz further expresses a focus on sustainability and stability for the organization. Richard and Liz further discuss the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Liz accentuating the need for ongoing support to help members navigate remote and hybrid work environments.

Richard suggests that like the dotcom boom, there will likely be shakeout of the AI industry, “…It's not going to replace us any more than the high streets or the shopping malls weren't replaced overnight by online shopping”.

As the podcast concludes, Liz reflects on the Society's role in fostering a sense of solidarity among technical communicators, championing the importance of human connections, and expressing optimism for the Society's future.

Join Richard and Liz on this compelling journey through the evolving realm of technical communication and the delicate balance between human ingenuity and artificial intelligence.

LINKS:
🔗 Connect with Liz: linkedin.com/in/lizhermanphd
📝 Find out more about how a CPTC certification can help you advance your career: apmg-international.com/product/cptc
🌐 Society for Technical Communication: stc.org
🌐 Find out more about APMG certifications: apmg-international.com

In this episode, Richard Pharro, CEO of APMG International, speaks to thought leaders Melanie Franklin and Andrew Craddock as they delve into the evolution of Agile Project Management, discussing its impact on businesses and the broader context of cultural transformation.

Melanie Franklin, a seasoned expert in Change Management, and Andrew Craddock, a prominent figure in Agile methodologies, share their extensive experience, offering valuable advice and guidance for organisations navigating the complexities of delivering projects and fostering agility.

From the origins of Agile to its expansion beyond IT into various business domains, this conversation delves into the core concepts and principles behind Agile methodologies. Explore the importance of cultural change, the significance of Agile certifications, and the crucial role of collaboration and communication within teams implementing Agile frameworks.

Furthermore, gain insights into the integration of Scrum teams in non-software development projects, the impact of AI on Agile Change Management, and the evolving roles of individuals and teams in an AI-driven work environment.

Discover how Agile and Change Management converge to drive innovation and how they intertwine with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, reshaping the future of work and organisational dynamics.

Tune in for a compelling discussion that offers actionable insights, expert advice, and a glimpse into the future of Agile methodologies, Change Management, and the transformative impact they hold for businesses worldwide.

LINKS:
🔗 Connect with Melanie: linkedin.com/in/melaniefranklin1
🔗 Connect with Andrew: linkedin.com/in/andrew-craddock-6112bb
🌐 Agile Business Consortium: agilebusiness.org
🌐 Agile Change Management: agilechangemanagement.co.uk
🌐 Find out more about APMG Project and Programme certifications: apmg-international.com/category/project-programme-portfolio

In this episode, Richard Pharro, CEO of APMG International, speaks to Neil Keating, founder of Experience Collab, to delve into the world of Experience Level Agreements (XLAs) and their significance in the IT industry. To begin, Neil distinguishes XLA’s and SLA’s and outlines how they can help improve the overall experience for IT customers, consumers and employees.

Neil then emphasises the importance our emotions play in consumer and employee experience. He explains Affective Science; how emotions are a physical factor that can be measured, for example experiencing a faster heartbeat, hairs standing up on your arms etc. However, feelings (which derive immediately from the initial emotion) are more logical and are the pinnacle factor that drive us to reach certain conclusions about an experience.

Neil emphasises that our experiences with a service are usually cumulative; our feelings and beliefs often build up over time. Next, Richard and Neil discuss how such beliefs can often establish loyalty to a particular brand, or conversely, can cause customers to stray. Neil stresses that this is why creating a comfortable customer experience is paramount to the success of a business and is what will keep customers returning.

Richard and Neil further discuss the rise of AI & automated services, and the impact this has on user experience. They discuss how AI has created a new demand to balance efficiency with personalised experiences, particularly because some people may prefer human interaction over automation, and vice versa. By understanding how people feel about their experience as a user - customer or employee - organisations can drive productivity and create a supportive work environment.

Listen in to discover how XLA’s can positively impact your network’s experience, as this week’s episode delves into the ever-evolving landscape of customer experience.

LINKS:
🔗 Connect with Neil: linkedin.com/in/neildkeating
🌐 Experience Collab: experiencecollab.com
🌐 Bright Horse: brighthorse.co.uk
🌐 Find out more about APMG certifications: apmg-international.com/services/certifications-solutions

In this episode, we hear Richard Pharro, CEO of APMG International, speak to Christina Sejr Pedersen, Executive Director of The Half Double Institute in Denmark.

Christina begins the episode by explaining the business problem Half Double embarks to resolve. Expanding on her 15 year-long career in Project Management, Christina highlights the pattern she observed from feedback given by the Project Management community. Often, colleagues would approach her announcing “I can’t do the project quite like our model says, but the next one I promise you I’ll get it to fit”. Christina states it dawned on her that perhaps the models themselves were the issue; “what if we’re trying to get something round to fit into something square?”

Christina then suggests that no other industry could live with a 35% success rate, and how she was driven to improve the tragic statistic. Further, Richard enquires how Christina synthesises the aforementioned problems within the PM industry, and how Half Double settled on impact, flow and leadership as central themes. Christina discloses the fascinating research that was conducted to pinpoint exactly what makes a project run successfully; by inviting 30 of the best Project Managers to be interviewed on what it is they do that makes a difference.

When asked about the origin of the Half Double name, Christina responds by stating they wanted the framework to be a “guiding star” and the importance of doing projects in half the time, with double the impact. Richard and Christina then discuss the conscious decision to exclude much of the traditional project management guidance within the Half Double framework, and how Half Double’s mission was also to be a hybrid methodology.

Finally, Richard and Christina discuss whether the Half Double guidance is dogmatic and end the episode contemplating how Christina would categorise success as her return of a Half Double Director; “one of the areas where I’m dreaming this will have a huge impact is the Green transition. We don’t have a lot of time to reach our targets […] we need double the impact. My big dream is that this model could help us in the transition to a cleaner world.”

Listen in to discover how you can use Half Double to improve project success in your organisation.

LINKS:
🔗 Connect with Christina: linkedin.com/in/christina-sejr-pedersen-21597b3
📝 Find out more about how a Half Double certification can help you advance your career: apmg-international.com/product/half-double-certification
🌐 Half Double Institute: halfdoubleinstitute.org
🌐 Find out more about APMG certifications: apmg-international.com/services/certifications-solutions

📢 “You’ve just got to remember: it’s all about people and skills, no matter how clever we are with the technology.”

In this episode, Richard Pharro, CEO of APMG International, speaks to Matthew Burrows, the president of SkillsTx and SFIA Accredited Consultant and Assessor about The Skills Framework for The Information Age.

Richard begins the episode by asking Matthew why he built an online platform to support its rollout. Matthew explains that what skills we have and what skills we need are changing at a faster rate today than they did just a few years ago; the platform allows customers to help themselves by dynamically updating skill profiles and skill requirements as needed.

Richard and Matthew reflect on how pervasive and enduring SFIA has been for the past twenty years. Richard asks Matthew how easy it is for an organisation to adopt SFIA and what the single most cited benefit is for its implementation. Matthew says, “it’s much easier than most people fear.” He asserts that knowing your skills and competencies is a great starting place; “…having accurate data allows you to make much more accurate decisions.

Next, Richard cites a Gallup survey which reported that 51% of employees are disengaged. He asks Matthew if SFIA could change these statistics. Matthew emphasises the point that organisations must, “avoid the common mistakes […] of people treating an individual as their current job description;” SFIA can allow employees to compare and update their skill profile and pave the way for focused development.

Richard then asks Matthew about how SFIA is structured. Matthew elucidates the framework’s seven level structure, using Service Desk Management as an example of how SFIA’s flexibility applies to many nuances within any given organisation. Matthew is sure to emphasise that you don’t need every skill at every level, and further, there is no requirement for you to automatically go up to the next skill/ next level.

Finally, Richard and Matthew discuss SFIA’s potential to help solve the tech industry skills gap; Matthew speaks about the importance of having a common language for describing detail, one that, “actually holds water internationally.”

Listen in to our leading expert of the week, Matthew Burrows, and discover how SFIA can help you excel both personally and professionally.

LINKS:
🔗 Connect with Matthew: linkedin.com/in/matthewburrows
📝 Find out more about SFIA Digital Badges: apmg-international.com/product/sfia-assessments-and-digital-badges
🌐 Find out more about APMG Certifications: apmg-international.com/services/certifications-solutions
🌐 Find out more about SFIA: sfia-online.org/en
🌐 Find out more about SkillsTx: skillstx.com/certify

📢  “Gains vs losses, it’s a rational framework. Very, very good. Thing is though, if you only present it with options that are a bit silly, then you get the least silly result at the end... But it’s still fundamentally silly”

In this episode Richard Pharro, CEO of APMG International, revisits the Better Business Cases scheme with Joseph Lowe, Co-Editor of the Green Book and Head of the Economics Branch at HM Treasury in his second appearance as a guest.

Richard begins the episode by asking whether Joseph ever imagined the certification achieving the success that it has, reflecting on the impressive milestone of 20,000+ exams in its 12 years of life. Joseph responds that he hoped that it would and expands: “it was a hope and a belief in its value”.

Fascinated by Joseph’s work within biodiversity, Richard then asks how Joseph applies the ‘science’ of business analysis to something as broad as biodiversity. Joseph compares the process to the diversity of expertise within the medical profession; “there are all kinds of minute subdivisions […] yet when an individual becomes ill, they may need a number of those professions to work together.”

Next, Joseph highlights the benefits of the 5 Case Model. Mentioning how it enables identifying long-run aims, Joseph expands on this, joking “people’s idea of the long-run can vary of course, from next year to 30 years”

Richard and Joseph go on to discuss the Options Framework, and how the Welsh Government & NHS trialled the methodology (before BBC was an established programme) in a strict version of its implementation to see what would happen; and how the results were a complete shock.

Richard and Joseph further discuss optimism bias; what Joseph thinks are the most important personal skills when developing a business case; and finishing the episode, Richard asks Joseph if he believes an AI such as ChatGPT could write a good business case.

LINKS:
🔗 Connect with Joseph: linkedin.com/in/joseph-lowe-4953261b8
📝 Find out more about how a Better Business Cases certification can improve your organization: apmg-international.com/product/better-business-cases
🌐 Find out more about APMG Certifications: apmg-international.com/services/certifications-solutions
📖 The Green Book: gov.uk/government/publications/the-green-book-appraisal-and-evaluation-in-central-governent/the-green-book-2020 

📢  “There is a see-saw effect between quality and speed. We need a framework that improves both at the same time”

In this episode, we hear Richard Pharro, CEO of APMG International, talk to Dominic Harborne, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Coach, Trainer, Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Chief Examiner of APMG’s Lean Six Sigma certifications.

Listen in as Dominic talks us through the origins of Six Sigma, how its function has evolved over time, and how both Lean and Six Sigma together form an “exceptionally powerful combination.”

Dominic offers an interesting thought experiment that demonstrates the fruitfulness of Lean Six Sigma. He explains that often, we see leaders asking people to work faster when the output is low, which results in more areas of defect and lower quality. On the flip side, when employees place all their attention on curating quality, everything slows down. Thus, a see-saw effect ensues, making it difficult for an organization to acquire a balance between quality and speed.

He suggests that this imbalance often results in employee’s “firefighting” workloads, which can lead to burnout. So, we can begin to understand the increasing demand for a Lean approach in order to prevent this common cycle.

Dominic further explains how Lean Six Sigma is a transferrable framework that can be applied outside of manufacturing and has been picked up by a whole variety of industries, but stresses: "you absolutely have to introduce it as a whole approach in an organisation"

Next, Dominic and Richard discuss how and why the UK in particular suffers poor productivity, and how Lean Six Sigma could help in addressing this.

Finally, Dominic reveals where to start if you want to implement a Lean Six Sigma approach in your organization.

Listen in to our leading expert of the week, Dominic Harborne, to learn all about what Lean Six Sigma entails, and the benefits of adopting it within your organization.

Links:
🔗 Connect with Dominic: linkedin.com/in/dominic-harborne
📝 Find out more about how a Lean Six Sigma certification can improve your organization: apmg-international.com/product/lean-six-sigma
🌐 Find out more about APMG Certifications: apmg-international.com/services/certifications-solutions
🌐 Find out more about LSSA: lssa.eu

📢 “Change is only what people make of it.”

In this episode, we hear Richard Pharro, CEO of APMG International, speak to CEO of Notion, Dominic Ashley-Timms.

Dominic begins by explaining where the concept of STAR® came from. We learn that the initial inspiration came from Dominic's work with organisations struggling to cope with change. Dominic gained a better understanding of the various change approaches that can be implemented in an organisation as a result of this work. He explains that he and his team discovered that asking questions, rather than providing quick-fix solutions, seemed to stimulate a greater level of reflection and constructive thinking, and that this observation inspired the core methodology of STAR®: the enquiry-led approach; a technique you can expect to hear more about in the podcast.

Next, Richard and Dominic discuss why the UK performs poorly in international productivity studies. We learn that one of the main reasons productivity has suffered in the UK is a lack of managerial training, with approximately 20–30% of businesses admitting they don't provide any training for managers, and CMI reporting a staggering 70–80% of "accidental managers." Dominic shows that the lower levels of productivity in the UK are significantly impacted by the managers' lack of training, and that earning a STAR® qualification is useful for teaching and certifying management expertise.

Dominic and Richard discuss a variety of subjects, including Notion's outstanding selection as one of six companies (out of 189 applicants) to receive government research funding, and the fact that the London School of Economics has conducted in-depth study to support their methodologies.

To learn more about STAR® listen in to our leading expert of the week, Dominic Ashely-Timms.

Links:
🔗 Connect with Dominic: linkedin.com/in/dominic-ashley-timms
📖 The Answer is a Question: store.apmg-international.com/study-materials/answer-question
🌐 Find out more about APMG Certifications: apmg-international.com/services/certifications-solutions
🌐 Find out more about Notion: starmanager.global

📢 “As a non-expert you are the ideal person to communicate with other non-experts.”

In this episode, Richard Pharro, CEO of APMG International, speaks to veteran technical communicator and STC President Aiessa Moyna.

Aiessa and Richard begin by discussing STC reaching the impressive milestone of 70 years in operation, and discuss whether the STC membership is valued by members just as much now as it was then.

Aiessa explains that seventy years ago, the usual practice would be to remain a member throughout your first Technical Communicator role and stay with the society throughout your career, even into retirement. Present day, we discover that it's more typical to see members joining at transitional points in their career and aren’t always remaining members for decades.

We also learn that recent advancements in modern technology have enabled members to connect with their community virtually which wasn't a possibility during the conception of the society; it's an important development in bridging networking opportunities for technical communicators.

Next, Richard and Aiessa consider the impact AI developments like ChatGPT will have on the work technical communicators do. Aiessa explains that AI technology has been around for a long time, and so far, she believes there's no evidence to suggest AI is superseding the jobs of technical communicators.

Aiessa suggests that AI is great for repetitive processes and coming up with the first draft of content, but it may not be 100% accurate and therefore we will still need humans to quality check material before publication.

Finally, Richard asks Aiessa what attributes someone needs to be a good technical communicator. Amongst the list of attributes are “curiosity and inquisitiveness”, “good writing and editing skills”, and "organisation". Aiessa explains that while tools and platforms will always evolve, the set of core skills required to be a good technical communicator will always remain the same.

Listen in to our leading expert of the week, Aiessa Moyna, to learn more about STC, tips for being an effective technical communicator and much more.

Links:
🔗 Connect with Aiessa: linkedin.com/in/aiessa-moyna
📝 Find out more about how a CPTC certification can improve your organization: apmg-international.com/product/cptc
🌐 Find out more about APMG Certifications: apmg-international.com/services/certifications-solutions
🌐 Find out more about STC: stc.org