Category: Project Management

There’s something about the turn of the year that makes us take stock. Maybe it’s the quiet stretch between campaigns, the clean pages of a new planner, or the realization that your work deserves to feel more purposeful – less like juggling deadlines and more like leading something meaningful.

For many marketing professionals, that reflection brings up a familiar question: What’s next for my career?

The answer doesn’t always lie in another creative skill or social media certification. Sometimes, it’s about learning how to manage the process behind the creativity – the structure that keeps ideas on track and teams aligned.

That’s where project management certifications like the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) and the Project Management Professional (PMP®) come in. And yes – they’re not just for engineers or IT professionals anymore. Marketers across industries are discovering how formal project management training can elevate their careers, sharpen their strategy, and make campaign chaos a thing of the past.

Whether you’re entering a new year with fresh ambitions or simply craving more clarity in your work, developing your project management skills can be a game-changer. Let’s explore why.

1. Marketers already manage projects – without the title

Marketing has always been a blend of art and organization. For every creative spark, there’s a spreadsheet, a deadline, a budget, and a list of stakeholders waiting for updates. Campaigns are, in every sense, projects – they have goals, timelines, risks, and deliverables.

The challenge is that most marketers were never formally taught project management. We learn by doing: coordinating vendors, juggling assets, navigating approval loops, and trying to keep multiple teams aligned. That’s why earning a project management certification can feel less like learning something new and more like naming what you’ve already been doing – and then doing it better.

Formal training gives you tools and language for what’s already part of your daily reality:

• How to define scope so projects don’t spiral.
• How to manage risk before it becomes crisis.
• How to plan resources and timelines that actually hold up.
• How to communicate progress clearly and confidently to leadership.

In short, it helps you shift from feeling reactive to being in control.

2. The agile connection: why marketers thrive in an agile mindset

If you’ve ever launched a campaign, you already know how unpredictable marketing can be. What worked last quarter might flop this time. A headline can make or break engagement. Customer behaviour shifts overnight.

That’s why Agile principles, originally designed for software development, have quietly become one of the most powerful frameworks for modern marketing teams. Agile marketing means working in shorter, focused sprints; testing ideas quickly; adapting to data in real time; and collaborating across teams. It replaces the “big reveal” campaign mentality with a cycle of ongoing improvement and learning.

By studying project management, especially through the CAPM® or PMP® lens, marketers gain a deeper understanding of Agile approaches and hybrid models. You learn how to apply Agile concepts like:

• Sprints and stand-ups: keeping momentum and visibility high.
• Backlogs and prioritization: ensuring teams focus on high-impact work.
• Retrospectives: analysing what worked, what didn’t, and what to adjust next time.

These aren’t abstract concepts. They directly improve how you run campaigns, lead meetings, and collaborate with other departments. It’s the difference between chasing deadlines and guiding the process with confidence.

3. Why certification adds real value to you and your company

A project management certification does more than decorate your CV. It demonstrates discipline, leadership, and the ability to deliver results – qualities that every employer wants to see. Here’s what it adds on a practical level:

a. Career credibility and growth

Many marketers move into leadership roles not just because of creative vision, but because they can plan, manage, and execute effectively. The CAPM® and PMP® are globally recognized credentials that validate those skills.

Hiring managers see these certifications as a signal that you understand the business side of marketing – budgets, processes, and stakeholder management – not just the creative side. They open doors to roles like Marketing Operations Manager, Campaign Director, or Head of Strategy.

If you’re aiming for promotion, certification gives you a clear differentiator: proof that you can lead projects, not just contribute to them.

b. Smarter, more strategic campaign execution

Marketers who apply project management principles see measurable improvements in delivery. Campaigns stay on schedule, scope creep reduces, and budgets stretch further.

When you know how to define deliverables, assign ownership, and manage dependencies, your work becomes easier to scale. You stop firefighting and start anticipating – spotting blockers before they happen and ensuring your team has what they need to succeed.

c. Stronger collaboration across departments

Marketing rarely operates in isolation. We depend on sales, product, design, finance, and sometimes even external agencies to bring campaigns to life.

Project management training teaches frameworks for communication, stakeholder management, and expectation-setting. You learn how to speak a universal “project language” – one that helps your marketing department align seamlessly with other teams.

It’s not just about efficiency; it’s about reputation. When marketing runs like a well-oiled machine, it earns more trust internally.

d. A competitive edge in a crowded market

In a world where AI can generate content and data dashboards are everywhere, the human skill that stands out most is the ability to lead.

Marketers with PMP® or CAPM® credentials show they can manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects and deliver consistent outcomes. That’s a level of professionalism that sets you apart in interviews and promotions alike.

4. How companies benefit when marketers think like project managers

For companies, marketing is no longer just about creativity – it’s about predictability, accountability, and performance. Organizations that encourage their marketers to earn certifications like the CAPM® and PMP® benefit in three key ways:

a. Better resource management

Project management training helps teams allocate people, time, and budgets more strategically. Marketers learn to prioritize high-impact initiatives and track ROI with clarity. That means less burnout, fewer missed deadlines, and more meaningful results.

b. Clearer communication and alignment

When marketing adopts project management frameworks, communication improves across departments. Teams can share progress, forecast timelines, and manage stakeholder expectations transparently. Leaders gain visibility, and marketers gain the satisfaction of being understood and supported.

c. Continuous improvement and agility

Project management encourages a mindset of reflection and iteration. Marketing teams start analyzing campaigns not just by results, but by process: What went well? What could we streamline? What did we learn? That culture of improvement keeps organizations agile – something every company needs in today’s rapidly shifting market.

5. Which certification is right for you?

Both the CAPM® and PMP® certifications offer significant value, but they serve slightly different stages of your career:

CAPM® (Certified Associate in Project Management)

• Perfect for early- to mid-career marketers who manage projects informally or lead small campaigns.
• Focuses on foundational project management principles, terminology, and practices.
• Helps you understand how projects run from start to finish and how to align with senior leaders or cross-functional teams.

PMP® (Project Management Professional)

• Suited to experienced marketing managers, operations leads, or anyone overseeing large campaigns or multi-team projects.
• Emphasizes advanced leadership, strategy, and the integration of predictive, agile, and hybrid methods.
• Recognized globally as the gold standard for project leadership.

If you’re unsure where to start, RMC Learning Solutions offers guidance to help you identify the right path. Whether you’re new to project management or ready to take your leadership skills to the next level, there’s a course designed for your experience level and schedule.

6. Growth doesn’t have to wait for January

It’s easy to link career growth to the start of a new year – a clean slate, a calendar reset. We have all done it! But the truth is, change can start on any given Tuesday. You don’t need a major life shift to invest in yourself; you just need curiosity and a sense that you could be doing your best work with more clarity and confidence.

Learning project management doesn’t take away from your creativity – it amplifies it. It helps you design processes that protect your focus, empower your team, and deliver results that speak for themselves.

Whether you’re a content strategist, brand manager, social media lead, or marketing director, understanding project management gives you something rare: the ability to bridge creativity and execution seamlessly. And that, in today’s fast-moving marketing world, might just be the most valuable skill you can have.

Ready to evolve your marketing career?

RMC Learning Solutions has been helping professionals master project management for over 30 years. Our CAPM® and PMP® exam prep courses are built by experts, trusted by thousands, and designed to help you not just pass the exam – but apply what you learn immediately in your day-to-day work.

Explore upcoming courses, study guides, and flexible training options across our website.

Because your next career breakthrough might not come from a new platform or campaign – it might come from learning to manage the ones you already have, better than ever before.

There’s something energizing about the start of a new project. The empty whiteboards. The fresh timelines. The promise of a clean slate. But too often, that excitement quickly gives way to the pressure of “go time.” Project managers are expected to move fast – kickoffs, timelines, resourcing, stakeholder updates – before there’s even time to take a breath. And in the rush to get going, we sometimes skip one of the most important things a leader can do … start with intention.

Not just task lists. Not just scope alignment. But real, thoughtful intention – about how you want to lead, what lessons you’re carrying forward, and what risks you’re actively preparing for.

In this blog, we’ll explore what it means to enter your next project on purpose, and the three reflection points that can help you do just that:

• Have you created a clean project kickoff checklist for the new initiative?
• Did you re-evaluate risk categories based on your last project’s surprises?
• Have you clarified your own goals for this project as a PM – not just deliverables?

1. Have you created a clean project kickoff checklist?

Let’s be clear – every project has a kickoff. But not every project has a useful one.

Sometimes the meeting feels more like a formality. Other times, key voices are missing. Or worse, the kickoff happens before scope is finalized, roles are defined, or success is even clearly articulated. And when that happens? You end up laying train tracks while the train is already in motion.

A clean project kickoff checklist can prevent that. It ensures the right groundwork is in place before momentum takes over. But more importantly, it gives you, the project manager, a structured moment to align people, expectations, and priorities before the sprint begins.

A solid kickoff checklist might include:

• Scope re-validation: Has anything shifted since initial approval?
• Stakeholder alignment: Who needs to be informed vs. consulted vs. involved?
• Team roles and responsibilities: Are expectations clear from Day One?
• Milestones and key dates: Not just what’s due, but what’s critical.
• Communication cadence: How will updates, issues, and decisions be shared?

Think of your kickoff as the opening chapter of the project’s story. When it’s rushed, the whole book reads differently. But when it’s intentional, it sets a tone of clarity, collaboration, and leadership.

2. Did you re-evaluate risk categories based on your last project’s surprises?

We all do risk planning – but let’s be honest, it often starts with the same recycled list: budget overrun, timeline delays, resource availability. And while those are important, the real risks are often the ones you didn’t anticipate the first time around.

The unexpected vendor delay. The rogue stakeholder who derailed sprint four. The “minor” scope adjustment that became a multi-week detour. These are goldmines of insight – if you take time to examine them. So before you copy-paste your last risk register into the new project, pause.

Ask yourself:

• What risks did I not see coming last time?
• Which ones had the biggest impact—whether or not they were on the radar?
• What early warning signs did I miss?

Now, build new categories of risk into your planning:

• Stakeholder clarity risks (e.g., “lack of a single decision-maker”)
• Process ambiguity risks (e.g., “unclear QA handoff process caused delays”)
• Communication lag risks (e.g., “weekly updates weren’t reaching the right people”)

This isn’t about covering every possible scenario. It’s about building a more intelligent, experienced approach to risk – one that’s informed not just by PMBOK checklists, but by your lived experience as a project leader.

3. Have you clarified your own goals for this project as a PM?

This is the part that often gets overlooked – but may be the most important of all. We’re taught to define project goals – what needs to be delivered, when, and with what resources. But what about your personal goals as the project leader?

What do you want to do differently this time?

• Do you want to delegate more and micromanage less?
• Do you want to build stronger relationships with stakeholders?
• Do you want to improve how you manage stress and uncertainty?
• Do you want to protect your team from burnout more proactively?

The start of a project isn’t just about delivery – it’s about leadership. And leadership requires intention. So take a few minutes – before the whirlwind begins – and write down your leadership goals for this project. Not in the charter. Not in the RAID log. Just for you.

You might be surprised at how powerful that clarity becomes once the pressure starts to mount. A few examples from project managers we’ve worked with:

• “I want to speak up more when the scope is unrealistic.”
• “I want to build a more open feedback loop with my team.”
• “I want to track decisions better so I’m not chasing context three weeks later.”
• “I want to make time for reflection throughout the project—not just at the end.”

These aren’t tasks. They’re intentions. And they change how you lead.

Final thoughts: Don’t just start. Start well.

A project kickoff is more than a meeting. It’s a mindset. It’s your chance to reset – not just the plan, but the person at the center of it: you. At RMC Learning Solutions, we believe that smart project management starts with thoughtful leadership. And thoughtful leadership begins long before the first task is assigned. It begins with a clear sense of purpose, informed by experience and grounded in reflection.

So before you jump into your next initiative, take the time to start it with intention. Ask yourself:

• What do I want this project to feel like – for me and my team?
• What have I learned from the last one?
• And what kind of leader do I want to be this time?

Because in project management, how you begin often shapes how you finish.

Want more resources that help you lead with purpose? Explore practical tools and leadership insights with RMC Learning Solutions. We’re here to support your next project—from kickoff to closeout, and everything in between.

It’s easy to get excited about a great idea. The vision is bold, the strategy is sound, the business case is rock-solid. But then, somewhere between the kickoff meeting and the final deliverable … things unravel. Timelines slip. Budgets swell. Teams lose focus. And that once-promising project becomes another lesson in “what could have been.”

Sound familiar? That’s the execution gap. And it’s costing businesses more than they realize.

Strategy without execution is just talk

Business leaders spend massive amounts of time (and money) crafting strategic plans. But having a strong roadmap is only half the battle. Without skilled project leadership to translate that vision into coordinated, measurable action, strategies stall.

Here’s the hard truth: Ideas don’t fail. Execution does. And execution fails when:

• Project roles are unclear
• Risks aren’t proactively managed
• Stakeholders aren’t aligned
• Priorities keep shifting with no plan for change control
• Teams lack the discipline or tools to stay on track

PMP-Certified PMs are built for the gap

This is where PMP-certified project managers shine. They’re not just task-masters – they’re strategic operators who understand how to deliver business value, not just project outputs. They bring:

• Structure to chaos
• Clarity to ambiguity
• Consistency to change
• Risk management to uncertainty

They know how to build a plan and adapt it. How to track progress without micromanaging. How to communicate clearly up, down, and across. And how to keep momentum alive when the unexpected hits.

Execution isn’t a side project – it is the project

Execution is where strategy meets the real world. It’s where vision gets tested, priorities get challenged, and leadership gets real. Without someone skilled guiding that process, strategy remains stuck on the whiteboard. By investing in PMP-certified professionals, organizations are investing in people who understand how to:

• Align tactical work with strategic goals
• Navigate organizational complexity
• Deliver outcomes, not just checklists

Final thought: close the gap before it costs you

In today’s fast-moving market, the margin for error is shrinking. Companies can’t afford to fumble execution – not when budgets are tighter, competitors are faster, and expectations are higher. PMP certification isn’t just about credentials. It’s about capability. It’s how organizations close the gap between good ideas and great results – project after project.

The shift to remote work isn’t just a passing trend – it’s now a permanent fixture in how modern project teams operate. From global IT deployments to marketing campaigns and infrastructure upgrades, more project managers are leading initiatives fully remotely. But working apart doesn’t mean operating in silos. Remote project management comes with unique challenges: maintaining stakeholder engagement, tracking timelines without hallway conversations, and tackling tough issues when you can’t read body language across a conference table.

So how do you thrive as a project manager in this new digital reality? Here’s how to lead with confidence, communicate with clarity, and keep your presence known – even when you’re not physically in the room.

1. Keeping key connections strong in a remote setting

Successful project management hinges on relationships. And in a remote context, maintaining those connections requires intentionality. Start with:

• Structured yet flexible communication routines: Daily stand-ups, weekly check-ins, and monthly retrospectives help maintain rhythm. Use tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Slack to keep channels open.
• Virtual presence with personality: Don’t underestimate the value of video calls where your team can see your face. Show up consistently, and bring authenticity—share wins, celebrate milestones, and be approachable.
• One-on-one check-ins: Individual relationships can fade fast without watercooler moments. Schedule recurring touchpoints with team leads and stakeholders to listen, align, and reinforce connection.

2. Improving project tracking without being on-site

When you can’t pop into someone’s office or hover over a Gantt chart on the wall, project tracking needs to be airtight and digital-first. Consider these tools and techniques:

• Adopt project management platforms like Asana, Trello, Jira, or Microsoft Project. These tools centralize tasks, timelines, dependencies, and ownership.
• Use dashboards and visual progress indicators to quickly communicate project status. Burn-down charts, kanban boards, and milestone maps offer clarity at a glance.
• Create a cadence of reporting: Whether it’s a weekly project health update or a shared document, make reporting consistent, visual, and collaborative.

3. Tackling difficult conversations virtually

Remote work doesn’t eliminate hard conversations – it just changes how they’re delivered. When timelines slip or deliverables fall short:

• Don’t delay the discussion. Avoiding the issue only amplifies its impact. Schedule a focused video call as soon as concerns arise.
• Lead with data, not emotion. Present facts – missed deadlines, misaligned scope, or resource limitations – alongside impacts and potential solutions.
• Practice radical candor: Be direct and empathetic. Acknowledge challenges, own what’s necessary, and create a shared path forward.

Pro tip: Always follow up difficult conversations with a written summary to reinforce clarity and next steps.

4. How often should stakeholders be updated remotely?

Out of sight shouldn’t mean out of sync. In a remote environment, proactive stakeholder communication is mission-critical. A good rule of thumb:

• Weekly progress updates for internal teams and cross-functional leads.
• Biweekly or monthly check-ins for executives or external stakeholders.
• Quarterly reviews for major milestones and strategic alignment.

Tailor frequency based on stakeholder interest, influence, and the project phase – but never leave key players guessing.

5. Making your leadership presence known remotely

In a remote world, visibility is influence. To maintain leadership presence:

• Be predictably present: Regularly show up in meetings, in chat threads, and in updates – not just when problems arise.
• Use asynchronous tools wisely: Video updates, Slack polls, and voice memos can supplement live meetings and extend your influence.
• Contribute beyond your title: Share insights, connect team members, and celebrate wins. Remote leaders who support and elevate others stand out.

6. Strengthening your skills with RMC’s remote learning solutions

As a remote project leader, your growth shouldn’t take a backseat. RMC Learning Solutions offers flexible, fully remote project management training programs designed to integrate seamlessly into your schedule. Whether you’re prepping for a certification exam, brushing up on risk management, or exploring agile methodologies, our self-paced and instructor-led courses are built for professionals working across time zones and industries.

With proven curriculum and engaging formats, RMC helps you build credibility, expand your toolkit, and lead with confidence – no matter where you log in.

The future is remote – lead with intention

Remote project management isn’t just about technology – it’s about trust, communication, and strategic leadership. By fostering strong connections, using smart tracking tools, addressing challenges with transparency, and continuously developing your skills, you can drive results from anywhere.

Your influence as a project manager doesn’t depend on proximity – it depends on purpose. And with the right mindset and methods, distance can actually make your leadership stronger.

Project success is no longer determined solely by timelines, budgets, and deliverables. While technical expertise remains critical, project managers are now expected to be dynamic leaders, strategic thinkers, and change catalysts—with the ability to navigate complex environments and inspire high-performing teams.

This shift is precisely why the PMI Talent Triangle® has emerged as an essential framework for project professionals who want to stay relevant, competitive, and effective in their roles.

At RMC Learning Solutions, we believe that the PMI Talent Triangle isn’t just a concept to understand—it’s a blueprint for long-term career growth and project success. In this deep dive, we explore what the Talent Triangle means, why it matters, and how you can leverage it to elevate your skills, earn credibility, and deliver value in a rapidly changing world.

What is the PMI Talent Triangle®?

Originally introduced by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the PMI Talent Triangle is a model designed to define and promote the ideal skill set for project professionals. As the field of project management has matured, so too have the demands on its leaders. PMI recognized this and evolved the Talent Triangle to reflect the three core competencies that today’s project managers must master:

1. Ways of Working (formerly Technical Project Management)
2. Power Skills (formerly Leadership)
3. Business Acumen (formerly Strategic and Business Management)

Each side of the triangle plays a distinct role in shaping a project manager’s ability to lead effectively, communicate with clarity, and execute projects aligned with organizational goals.

1. Ways of working: your technical toolbox

The “Ways of Working” dimension encompasses the methodologies, tools, and frameworks that project professionals use to manage and deliver projects. This includes:

• Predictive (Waterfall) approaches
• Agile and Scrum methodologies
• Hybrid frameworks
• Risk management
• Scheduling tools (Gantt charts, network diagrams)
• Earned value analysis
• Requirements gathering and scope management

In essence, this is the how of project management. It’s where foundational project management principles meet evolving practices and tools.

Why it matters:
Modern project environments are rarely one-size-fits-all. A skilled project manager must adapt their approach to the specific needs of the project, stakeholders, and organization. That’s why PMP-certified professionals are trained not just in one methodology, but in a spectrum of approaches that prepare them for real-world complexity.

How to improve:

• Stay current with methodologies like Disciplined Agile or PMBOK® 7th Edition
• Deepen your knowledge of scheduling, budgeting, and quality management
• Master hybrid approaches to meet cross-functional and flexible project needs

2. Power skills: the human side of project leadership

Formerly known as “Leadership,” this side of the Talent Triangle focuses on how project managers interact with others. PMI rebranded this to “Power Skills” to reflect their increasing importance in influencing outcomes and building high-performance teams.

Power Skills include:

• Communication and active listening
• Emotional intelligence
• Conflict resolution and negotiation
• Empathy and trust-building
• Adaptability and resilience
• Coaching and mentoring

Why it matters:
Technical execution means little without people alignment. The most successful project managers are those who can motivate diverse teams, bridge communication gaps, and earn stakeholder trust—especially in remote or hybrid environments where soft skills become power tools.

How to improve:

• Practice radical candor and empathetic leadership
• Learn techniques for stakeholder engagement and influence
• Develop your personal leadership style through coaching or mentorship

RMC Insight: Many PMP exam questions now test soft skills under pressure. Practicing real-world scenarios helps you build confidence in applying these behaviors in critical moments.

3. Business Acumen: Aligning Projects with Strategy

Business Acumen refers to a project manager’s ability to understand the broader business context, including the strategic goals, financial metrics, and market forces that impact project decisions.

Key competencies include:

• Understanding business models and organizational goals
• Aligning project objectives with business strategy
• Interpreting financial reports and KPIs
• Communicating project value to executives and stakeholders
• Decision-making through a strategic lens

Why it matters:
Projects are no longer standalone initiatives. They are strategic enablers. Executives want project managers who understand the business case behind the project—who can speak their language, anticipate risks to ROI, and contribute to long-term value creation.

How to improve:

• Study industry trends and how they impact your organization
• Ask about the “why” behind each project—not just the “what” and “how”
• Build relationships with finance, marketing, and executive stakeholders to gain cross-functional insight

Applying the Talent Triangle in real life

Mastering the PMI Talent Triangle means consistently integrating these three dimensions into how you lead, how you communicate, and how you deliver. For project managers on the ground, here’s how that might look:

• You’re using Agile tools to lead a hybrid team (Ways of Working)
• You’re facilitating a difficult stakeholder conversation with empathy and clarity (Power Skills)
• You’re framing your project updates in terms of revenue impact and strategic alignment (Business Acumen)

This level of integration is what sets top-performing project professionals apart. It’s also what enables teams to thrive, stakeholders to stay engaged, and businesses to grow through successful project delivery.

The role of continuing education and certification

The Talent Triangle isn’t static—and neither should your skillset be. As industries change and methodologies evolve, continuing education becomes essential for staying sharp, relevant, and competitive. At RMC Learning Solutions, we know that PMP® certification is a milestone—but it’s also a launchpad. Our plans are designed to help you:

• Master the technical side of modern project management
• Strengthen your leadership and interpersonal effectiveness
• Think like a strategist and deliver value beyond deliverables

We also align our training to PMI’s Professional Development Units (PDUs) across all three Talent Triangle categories – ensuring that you can maintain your credential while growing your capabilities in all directions.

Final thoughts: the future belongs to triangular thinkers

The PMI Talent Triangle isn’t just a model—it’s a mindset. It reflects what the world now expects from project leaders: a rare combination of methodical execution, emotional intelligence, and business strategy. For those ready to grow into that role, the journey isn’t always easy—but it is absolutely worth it. At RMC Learning Solutions, we’re proud to guide professionals through that journey—helping them not only earn certifications, but become the well-rounded, future-ready leaders that organizations need now more than ever.

In project management, one principle remains constant: technical competency is the bedrock upon which successful projects are built. Yet in today’s world of digital disruption, remote teams, and organizational agility, the definition of “technical” has expanded far beyond Gantt charts and critical paths.

This is the domain of the “Ways of Working” leg of the PMI Talent Triangle®. It represents the methodologies, tools, frameworks, and practices that underpin how work gets done. To thrive, project managers must not only master these tools but also learn to pivot between them to meet ever-shifting stakeholder needs.

Why “ways of working” is more than just methodology

Traditionally known as Technical Project Management, “Ways of Working” reflects the structural foundation of how projects are planned, executed, and delivered. But this isn’t just about using software or following a methodology. It’s about understanding when, how, and why to use specific tools and frameworks. A modern project professional must:

• Switch between Agile and Waterfall as needed
• Blend methodologies to form hybrid approaches
• Use data to drive planning, performance, and stakeholder communication

Let’s break this down further.

Predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches: what works when?

Predictive (Waterfall)

This traditional method works well for:

• Projects with clear, stable requirements
• Regulatory and compliance-heavy environments
• Construction and engineering projects

Key elements include:

• Detailed upfront planning
• Defined scope and timelines
• Linear phase progression

Agile and Scrum

Best suited for:

• Software and digital product development
• Rapidly changing requirements
• Environments requiring iterative value delivery

Agile focuses on:

• Flexibility and customer collaboration
• Cross-functional teams
• Continuous feedback and iteration

Hybrid approaches

Increasingly, projects require a blend of both. Examples:

• Using Agile sprints for development while managing high-level deliverables with Waterfall
• Waterfall budgeting paired with Scrum execution teams

Hybrid approaches reflect the reality of modern project work, especially in large organizations with varied stakeholder expectations.

Tools and techniques that drive execution

Beyond methodology, the “Ways of Working” dimension includes a suite of essential tools and processes.

1. Scheduling & planning tools

• Gantt Charts for timeline visualization
• Network Diagrams for dependency mapping
• Kanban Boards for visual workflow (e.g., Trello, Jira)

2. Scope and Requirements Management

• Requirements traceability matrices
• MoSCoW prioritization
• Use of user stories and acceptance criteria

3. Risk and Quality Management

• Risk registers
• Probability-impact matrices
• Control charts and quality audits

4. Performance Measurement

• Earned Value Management (EVM)
  • Cost Performance Index (CPI)
  • Schedule Performance Index (SPI)
• Burndown and velocity charts in Agile

These tools don’t just help you run a project—they help you understand it, adjust in real time, and make evidence-based decisions.

PMBOK® Guide – 7th Edition: A Paradigm Shift

The 7th edition of PMI’s PMBOK® Guide moved away from a purely process-based structure toward a principle-based model. This change acknowledges:

• The diversity of project environments
• The need for a value delivery system
• Greater flexibility in applying knowledge

Key shifts include:

• Focus on outcomes over outputs
• Emphasis on tailoring approaches
• Recognition of project team autonomy

This aligns directly with the Talent Triangle’s push for adaptable, strategy-driven, and team-oriented project management.

Disciplined agile: the toolkit of choice

PMI’s Disciplined Agile Delivery (DAD) offers a toolkit that helps teams choose their way of working based on context rather than blindly following a framework. Principles include:

• Choice is good
• Optimize flow across the entire value stream
• Enterprise awareness

Disciplined Agile empowers project managers to:

• Tailor solutions based on organizational complexity
• Navigate trade-offs in speed, cost, and quality
• Scale Agile practices beyond IT

Preparing for the PMP® Exam with Ways of Working in Mind

The PMP exam has been restructured to reflect the Talent Triangle, and nearly 50% of the content falls under “Ways of Working.” What that means for candidates:

• Expect scenario-based questions using Agile and hybrid frameworks
• Be prepared to justify methodology selection
• Demonstrate adaptability in execution planning

RMC Learning Solutions’ exam prep courses are built with this modern reality in mind, helping learners:

• Master both predictive and adaptive techniques
• Understand the rationale behind methodological choices
• Practice real-world simulations and decision trees

Real-world application: choosing the right approach

Imagine this scenario:

• Your team is building a customer-facing app with an internal compliance requirement.
• Marketing wants to release features iteratively.
• Legal requires final sign-off before launch.

A hybrid model would allow you to:

• Use Scrum to develop and test features in sprints
• Maintain a predictive structure for documentation and compliance milestones
• Deliver customer value faster while satisfying regulatory demands

This kind of tailored, situationally aware project design is the hallmark of a modern PM.

How to level up your ways of working

1. Stay Methodologically Fluent
   • Take short courses on Agile, Lean, and Kanban
   • Join a study group focused on PMBOK® 7 and Disciplined Agile
2. Certifications That Add Value
   • PMP® for balanced project mastery
   • PMI-ACP® for Agile expertise
   • Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM)
3. Experiment and Reflect
   • Conduct post-project reviews focused on methodology effectiveness
   • Share lessons learned with your PM community
4. Use Tools Intelligently
   • Avoid tech bloat; choose tools that align with team maturity and stakeholder needs

Final thoughts: ways of working as a strategic differentiator

In today’s hybrid, fast-paced environments, your ability to adapt how you work is just as important as what you deliver. Ways of Working isn’t static—it evolves alongside your team, your organization, and your industry. It requires you to stay curious, context-aware, and committed to both the science and the art of project delivery. Master this dimension of the PMI Talent Triangle, and you don’t just become a better project manager. You become an indispensable business partner.

Let’s be honest: project managers are a rare breed. Equal parts time wizard, people herder, crisis negotiator, and spreadsheet sorcerer, they operate on a different frequency than the rest of us mere mortals.

If you’ve ever wondered “Is that person a project manager?” while watching someone organize their grocery list by aisle and subtask, you’re probably right. And if you are a project manager, well—you’ll recognize yourself in this post. Prepare to laugh, nod, and maybe feel just a little too seen.

How to spot a Project Manager in the wild

1. They bring an agenda to brunch. If your friend shows up to a weekend brunch with a printed itinerary and allocates 12 minutes for ordering mimosas, that’s not just Type A—that’s PMP certified. Don’t fight it. Just accept that brunch will be on time and under budget.

2. Their vacation has milestones. Other people relax on vacation. Project managers build trip timelines in Trello, color-code by activity type, and track real-time progress in Google Sheets. And yes, there’s a contingency plan for rain delays at Disneyland.

3. Their family group chat has a work breakdown structure. Cousin’s wedding? Summer road trip? Holiday gift exchange? You better believe there’s a risk register and a lessons-learned document from 2022. Also, someone has been assigned to monitor Aunt Linda’s tangent-prone toasts.

4. They start meetings with “Let’s Level Set.” PMs can’t help it—it’s in their DNA. Whether it’s a project kickoff or just discussing who’s bringing snacks to game night, a true project manager will always “circle back” and “drive alignment.”

5. They own more whiteboards than pants. This is not a judgment. It’s just… a lot of whiteboards. And Post-its. And highlighters. Some people collect shoes. Project managers collect tools for visualizing ideas and maintaining a grip on a universe constantly threatening to descend into chaos.

What does it really take to be a Project Manager?

It takes nerves of steel, a heart of gold, and an uncanny ability to keep 17 plates spinning while smiling politely at someone who just emailed, “Just checking on the timeline again.”

Project management isn’t just a job title—it’s a mindset. It’s the quiet thrill of a clean handoff. It’s the adrenaline rush of a project board moving from “In Progress” to “Complete.” It’s knowing that “risk mitigation” is more than just a buzzword—it’s your personal religion.

It also takes:

• Stellar communication (with stakeholders, teams, and occasionally printers).
• Impressive multitasking (while wondering why no one read the meeting notes).
• Emotional intelligence (because not all deadlines are created equal).
• The ability to pivot (and pivot again).
• And, of course, a deep, abiding love for checklists.

5 things Project Managers love.

1. Crossing things off a list. Bonus points if it’s done with a flourish.
2. Color-coded calendars. There’s just something so satisfying about a perfectly planned week.
3. A well-run stand-up meeting. Quick, efficient, and no tangents. Chef’s kiss.
4. Stakeholders who actually respond on time. A unicorn, but it happens.
5. A project plan that survives first contact with reality. (Rare, but beautiful.)

5 things Project Managers hate.

1. “Quick question” Slack messages that aren’t quick.
2. Ambiguity. Please define “ASAP.” Do you mean “today” or “before the sun explodes”?
3. Scope creep. The silent killer of dreams, weekends, and budgets.
4. People who say “we’ll figure it out later.” Later never comes.
5. Status meetings with no actual status. Just… no.

So, are you a Project Manager at heart?

Whether you’re managing software launches, construction builds, marketing campaigns—or your extended family’s annual camping trip—project management is more than a role. It’s a worldview. A lifestyle. A calling.

If this blog felt a little too familiar (or made you laugh while recognizing your own meeting habits), then congratulations: You’ve either been a project manager… or you’re destined to become one.

And if you’re ready to take that next step from “accidental PM” to certified pro, RMC Learning Solutions can help you get there with resources and training that support your journey—minus the scope creep.

Because life’s too short to run projects without a plan. Or at least a Gantt chart.

No matter how a project turns out in the end, there’s always an opportunity to learn valuable lessons from it. That’s right, whether your project was a major success or it didn’t meet all of its goals, you and your team can reflect on what happened so you can make changes that will benefit you in future projects.  Let’s look more closely at post mortems and the value of using a project lessons learned template.  

What Is a Project Post Mortem and Lessons Learned? 

Put simply, a post mortem meeting is one that you conduct with your team after a project is complete. You discuss the hardships and setbacks that your team faced, but you also look at the goals you achieved together—that’s why it’s also called a lessons learned meeting!   

Why Are Lessons Learned Important in Project Management? 

Mistakes happen, and projects don’t always go exactly as you want. But the good news is that, no matter what problems you encountered, you can learn something that will help you improve the way you do things down the road. Without reflecting on the positives and negatives, you won’t be able to use the experience to your advantage.  

 Examples of Lessons Learned 

The lessons you learn may vary greatly from one project to another. No matter what, it’s all about continually improving the way you manage projects and lead teams.    

Positive lessons learned examples: 

• Your team appreciated the level of support you provided, and they had the tools they needed because of you.
• You set up rewards that motivated team members to perform at their best.
• Your expectations were clear, and every team member knew what they needed to do and what their deadlines were. 
• Team members with less experience felt totally supported, with experts they could turn to readily for assistance.   

Negative lessons learned project management examples: 

• Your team felt like you weren’t accessible enough during the project, so they lacked the support they needed. 
• Team members encountered difficulties when trying to work well with one another.

Individuals were assigned to tasks that they weren’t capable of completing, so their skills weren’t properly aligned with the tasks they were given. The project’s timeline was put together poorly, or team members were unclear about when milestones were due.  

How to Conduct a Lessons Learned Project Management Meeting 

Holding an informal meeting is a great way to get feedback from everyone involved in a project, and it can help make them feel at ease so they can be honest and upfront about their feelings. Consider starting the meeting by sharing your own feedback to create an environment where everyone will feel comfortable with speaking their mind. Or, if you sent out a survey or questionnaire prior to the meeting, you can use it to start the conversation.  

Ask everyone about their thoughts on how a project went, including what they liked and disliked about how things were done along the way. If there are just a few people at the meeting, you can ask them questions individually. But it might be better to break people up into small groups if the meeting has a lot of people and you want to be sure everyone is heard in an organized manner.  

Tip: Set the date for a post mortem meeting shortly after a project is complete so individuals can easily recall what went well vs. what went wrong.   

Identify, document, analyze, store, retrieve 

During a post mortem meeting, you identify, analyze, and organize lessons learned and the conditions that led to those results.  With the right method in place, you can store this feedback in a database that will make it simple to access the lessons whenever necessary.  

This way, before starting your next project, you can quickly and easily retrieve the lessons learned from a previous project to review them and set up a plan that will help you avoid making the same errors.  

Lessons Learned Template: Purpose and Examples 

A project post mortem template can come in handy when conducting your meeting and gathering information from your team. You can use a template that you find online or you can create your own and tweak it, as needed, for every project you complete.  

For example, you can write up a series of statements, and then ask your team to provide their input on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being “strongly agree” and 5 being “strongly disagree.” You can also use a spreadsheet to create just a few columns where your team members can provide feedback on the things that went smoothly, the aspects of the project that were problematic, and the things they learned.   

Yet another way to gather feedback is by listing out the specific areas you want your team members to focus on. They can then share any issues they experienced, why they experienced those problems, the impact of those problems, and their proposed solutions for future projects.  

Your project lessons learned template could cover a range of topics, such as: 

• Planning, execution, and outcome 
• Scope, budget, and assignments 
• Quality management 
• Risk management 

Don’t Neglect the Lessons Learned Meeting 

As you can see, there are many benefits that come from conducting a post mortem meeting. Knowing how to run this type of meeting to gather and analyze the lessons learned is the first step. From there, you can gain valuable insight into how you can improve your processes to run projects more effectively.  

Sources: 

https://www.projectmanagementqualification.com/blog/2019/08/21/lessons-learned

https://www.tacticalprojectmanager.com/lessons-learned

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/productive-project-post-mortem