Arizona Project Management Summit 2024

Click on the dates of the conference then each session to access the session recordings.

Whether it is your colleagues or your clients, understanding the perspectives of others will help you not only be better at your jobs but also be better humans. This session, which is backed by brain science, shows that seeing things from another perspective is critical for creativity and innovation.  Perspective taking is also required for building an inclusive culture of innovation and psychological safety.

Attendees will
Reflect how clients/team member perspectives’ and their own perspective may differ
Implement various perspective strategies to strengthen their inclusion and creative development strategy
Integrate communication and questioning strategies to acknowledge difference perspectives

Delving into the intricate interplay between ethical decision-making and sustained success, the speaker will illuminate the pivotal role that wise choices play in preserving one's reputation, nurturing a thriving career, and fortifying livelihood. Through insightful anecdotes, real-world examples, and practical strategies, attendees will gain a profound understanding of how their choices from an ethical perspective can shape not only their professional trajectory but also their broader life narrative. The talk will also shed light on the formidable power of a digital footprint, emphasizing the challenges of recovering from a damaged reputation in an interconnected world. The audience will leave with:

• A better understanding of the PMI Code of Ethics and why it is critical to abide by it as a project manager. 

• Increased knowledge of the PMI Ethical Decision Making Framework and practical application of it. 

• A heightened awareness of the consequences resulting from ethical pitfalls and how avoiding them is vital to fortifying your reputation and livelihood as a project manager. 

In this presentation, we will explore how industry-leading Generative AI models (like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot) can help you tackle project management problems with speed and ingenuity. Explore how Large Language Models can become your expert problem-solving partner. Discover how AI can boost your analytical and creative capabilities, increasing project management performance. Bring your laptop or portable device to follow the prompts live. We end up with an overview on how to accelerate AI adoption in your organization.

Navigating Change: In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, embracing change isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential. Join Danielle B. Steele for a "Navigating Change" workshop, designed specifically for folks who are ready to turn change into a chance. Engaged attendees will leave with a personalized action plan to manage change in their roles and a toolkit of resources to support ongoing development

SESSION OVERVIEW:
This interactive session will introduce participants to the 8 Core Drives of the Octalysis Framework (Chou, 2014), a leading model in gamification. Next, participants will work in groups to select a project management challenge, identify a desired behavior or action, and brainstorm solutions using gamification techniques to achieve the desired outcome. The session will culminate with each group sharing their solutions with the broader audience, fostering a collaborative and engaging learning environment.

SESSION STRUCTURE:
(1) Introduction
- Welcome
- Session Objectives

(2) Overview of the Octalysis Framework (Chou, 2014)
- Core Drive 1: Epic Meaning & Calling
- Core Drive 2: Development & Accomplishment
- Core Drive 3: Empowerment of Creativity & Feedback
- Core Drive 4: Ownership & Possession
- Core Drive 5: Social Influence & Relatedness
- Core Drive 6: Scarcity & Impatience
- Core Drive 7: Unpredictability & Curiosity
- Core Drive 8: Loss & Avoidance
- Extrinsic / Intrinsic Drives
- White Hat vs. Black Hat Gamification
- Examples of Workplace Gamification

(3) Group Activity Setup
- Formation of groups (4-6 participants per group)
- Instructions for the group activity
- Distribution of Octalysis framework and technique cards

(4) Group Activity
- Each group identifies one project management challenge and a desired outcome
- Groups use the Octalysis Framework and gamification technique cards to brainstorm solutions to achieve the desired outcome

(5) Group Activity Share Out
- Each group presents their challenge and strategic solution(s) to the audience

(6) Conclusion
- Recap of key learnings
- Q&A discussion
- Closing remarks

BENEFITS & OUTCOMES:
Participants will gain an understanding of the Octalysis Framework and learn how to harness the power of the 8 Core Drives to enhance workplace motivation. Through a hands-on group activity, attendees will develop creative problem-solving skills and learn how to apply gamification techniques to increase motivation and engagement. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to network with peers during group activities and discussions. Attendees will leave with practical gamification strategies that can be immediately implemented in their project management practices to drive motivation, engagement, and productivity.

An overview of the results of KPMG's Global Construction Survey with a focus on the shifting of risks and the impact this has on project management strategies and approaches.

The project management landscape is constantly evolving, shaped not only by methodologies and tools but also by the changing workforce. Understanding the next generation of project professionals is crucial for success.

Join future-of-work expert Luke Goetting for a session exploring the unique characteristics and leadership needs of Gen Z project teams. Discover practical strategies for attracting, engaging, and empowering Gen Z talent, fostering a collaborative work environment, and building successful project teams for the future.

Investing in the Future:
By understanding Gen Z and their work preferences, project managers can build high-performing, future-proof teams.

This session equips you with the tools to:

1. Attract & Retain Top Gen Z Talent: Develop strategies for attracting Gen Z project professionals and create a work environment that fosters engagement and career growth.
2. Optimize Project Management Practices: Learn how to adapt project management methodologies to incorporate Gen Z's strengths and preferences.
3. Lead with Agility & Innovation: Discover how to leverage Gen Z's openness to change and innovative thinking to drive project success and stay ahead of the curve.

Join us for an engaging panel discussion moderated by Jamie Szynal, where industry experts will explore the transformative role of AI in project management. In this session, panelists will share insights on how AI can streamline processes, improve decision-making, and boost overall project efficiency. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions during an open Q&A, gaining valuable perspectives on leveraging AI tools to enhance project outcomes. This session is ideal for project managers looking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

"Learning Objectives
• Learn the essentials of Behavior Management and the importance of (1) pinpointing behavior and (2) providing positive consequences and feedback to accelerate and sustain behavior change
• How to pinpoint and activate their personal leadership development priorities
• How to more effectively engage Key Leaders throughout all project phases
• Understand what are the key accomplir® Integrated Methodology tools used in a change initiative project context

Session Outline (60 Minutes)
I. Introduction
a. Integrated Methodology Development
II. Behavior Management (Power Skills)
a. Antecedents-Behavior-Consequences (ABC) Framework
b. Understanding Consequences: Impact-Timing-Importance
c. Exercise A: Leader Feedback Skills
d. Introduce Exercise B: Convert “behavioral” umbrella statement to Pinpointed Behaviors
e. Behavior Management and Change Management
III. accomplir® Integrated Methodology (Ways of Working)
a. Integrated Methodology Overview
b. Key tools aligned with Project Phases
c. Case Studies
d. PMI Standard – accomplir® Integrated Methodology, and Change Mgmt. (ACMP) Alignment
IV. Q&A

Session Takeaways
• Exercise: (1) Improving My Leadership Feedback Skills template
• Exercise: (2) Pinpointing My PM Leadership Behaviors and Behavior Change Plan templates
• accomplir® Integrated Methodology Key Tools template
• PMI – Behavior Management – ACMP (Change Management) Methodology Alignment
"

Through this intriguing and thought-provoking presentation, you will uncover how knowledge has been lost, destroyed, and rediscovered through the ages. Discover how these cycles can influence our work and attitudes toward knowledge retention in the workplace. We'll explore strategies to make information and knowledge more sustainable, and while the topic transcends project management, we will also delve into ways project managers can handle information retention more thoughtfully.

Companies and conferences are giving more and more attention to the topic of culture. This is great! However, this vital topic is vulnerable to ambiguity. Cultures are not improving quickly enough, and there might be countless versions of what a healthy culture is.

This session aims to minimize ambiguity about how to adopt a culture of high discipline and high empathy. Participants start with a menu of a dozen culture traits (scroll down to see and expand menu). The audience will choose the culture traits most important to them, the speaker will present corresponding templates for discussion, and everyone will react, comment, and discuss. The session is as interactive as the audience is in the mood for, and participants leave with as many new tools as they like.

Takeaways

• Increase awareness and mindfulness of your most important culture traits
• Identify a combination of templates to adopt to shape your culture
• Reduce your tolerance for toxic culture
• Increase your courage and confidence to install a healthy culture

This session is designed for new and aspiring project managers. Participants will learn the fundamentals of project management, including key concepts, methodologies, and best practices to take a project from initiation to completion. Attendees will also learn how to form teams to establish clear project objectives and detailed plans, manage resources, create communication plans, and address project risks.

Join us for an engaging session on the “Borrow a Cup” initiative, a collaborative pilot that brought ASU, Starbucks, and Aramark together with the goal to reduce single-use cup waste on campus. As the longest-running reusable cup project outside of Starbucks Seattle headquarters, this initiative showcased the power of cross-organizational teamwork. We’ll dive into the project management strategies that successfully aligned diverse teams, streamlined communication, and addressed the unique challenges of a multi-stakeholder launch. Discover key takeaways and best practices for managing complex projects across multiple organizations, driving impactful and sustainable results.