Embarking on the journey to earn your Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a significant professional milestone. Passing the PMP exam on your first attempt requires a blend of disciplined study, practical experience, and strategic preparation. In this article Irina Targonskaia shares the key steps and resources that guided her successfully through this journey ..read more

In the world of project management, the ability to say "Yes" often takes the spotlight. It is associated with positivity, progress, and openness to opportunities. However, hidden within the folds of relentless affirmation lies the underestimated power of "No". Embracing the "No" within a "Yes" environment can change the game, steer projects towards success with focus, efficiency, better risk assessment, a balanced approach, and more transparency for your project ..read more

Ever felt like you're juggling too many balls, and they're all about to drop? Welcome to the world of project management, where attention to detail and visionary thinking come together to turn abstract concepts into tangible plans. Whether you're preparing for Cyber Week, introducing new ways of inspiring storytelling or implementing new EU regulations (e.g. GDPR), To uncover the art of effective project planning, I interviewed three program managers - Katia Vara, Maike Kuhnert, Nena Olsen - at Zalando from different levels, backgrounds and business units. Here is what they shared with me: 1 ..read more

What we once used to call ‘soft’ or ‘interpersonal’ or ’people’ skills today are more oftenly named ‘power’ and ‘real’ skills. Empathy, communication, working in teams, decision-making, inspiring others, doing more than we’re asked, for-purpose orientation, being willing to change things, are just some of the ‘power’ skills many consider as important as technical knowledge and skills. Some would argue that power skills are more significant when it comes to the better performance on individual projects and project portfolios, since projects are people focused more than ever. Consequently, organ ..read more

Who is a Program Manager (PgM)? A Program Manager's job is to oversee and deliver large initiatives/programs, for which he/she has to juggle between multiple tasks, responsibilities, by focussing on the deadlines and handling complex projects at the same time. Being a Program Manager, one has to be ready to deal with uncertainties/unplanned events anytime and everytime. Whether it's your first project or you are an experienced program manager, there is a lot which you have to manage on a daily basis including stakeholders, deliveries, teams, supervisors, deadlines and challenging goals. A Prog ..read more

In order to understand how project managers align on roles and responsibilities at Zalando, I interviewed some of my GPMO peers (Barry Hendrick, Juan Sierra, Lydia Eichhorst and Robert Kilb) to learn how they manage this in their different projects. My main finding is that one size does not fit all and in order to create a productive working environment with well defined roles and responsibilities, one must tailor their approach and style accordingly. Once your project is kicked off, how do you align on Roles & Responsibilities? The unanimous response from my colleagues was that communica ..read more

Emotional Intelligence isn't just recognising emotions; it's actively managing them to keep teams united and driven, especially during challenges. Understanding Emotional Intelligence Expert in psychology Daniel Goleman lists the following five components of emotional intelligence: Self-awareness, Self-regulation, Motivation, Empathy, and Social skills. These elements work synergistically to improve leadership effectiveness, fostering a conducive environment for project execution: Self-awareness: The ability to recognise and understand personal moods and drives, as well as their effect on o ..read more

In the same way that individuals continuously learn and improve, project teams also undergo a process of growth and development. As team members gain experience, acquire new skills, and foster a deeper understanding of their roles, the project as a whole benefits from this collective evolution and while we may wish for "clear skies" and "sunny days," the reality is that the journey is often marked by challenges and obstacles and some of those hurdles come from within the project team. Tuckman's Team Life Cycle To understand this better let's look into what Bruce Tuckman developed in 1965, bet ..read more

In the realm of professional endeavours, influence holds greater power than authority. When wielded tactfully, influence can pave the way for project success while establishing credibility among colleagues. But how does one embark on the journey to becoming truly influential? This blog explores the key strategies and qualities that can help individuals unlock their influential potential and thrive in their professional pursuits. Allow me to begin by quoting Kenneth Blanchard- "The key to successful leadership today is influence not authority." Enhance Your Knowledge In the pursuit of becoming ..read more

Introduction Implementing and leading a change requires more than just a vision; it necessitates effective communication that resonates with stakeholders and inspires them to embrace the transformation. Change initiatives can be complex and challenging, met with resistance, and require transparent and open communication channels. With effectively communicated vision, project managers can manage resistance, ensure transparency, and facilitate a smooth transition. In this blog post, we will explore the building blocks of the communication strategies to better support the change initiatives. Thes ..read more