Agile and Project Management - DrunkenPM Radio

Dennis Stevens joins drunkenpm for a deep dive into the challenges faced by middle management in organizational change. Dennis argues that Agile and transformation efforts often fail because they treat middle managers as a roadblock, when in fact, these managers are simply victims of a badly designed system. The core idea is that companies shouldn't try to eliminate these roles but must instead de...

In this conversation, Dave Prior speaks with Ashley Lucio about her extensive experience in communications, particularly focusing on the differences between internal communications and marketing. They discuss the challenges organizations face in deploying AI technologies and the importance of having communication professionals involved in these processes. Ashley emphasizes the need for effective c...

(This podcast was originally recorded as a video episode. If you'd like to see that version: https://youtu.be/YSDNeAdyZiw) In this conversation, Dave Prior and Johnu Marattil discuss the challenges of job applications, particularly the importance of tailoring resumes for each position. Johnu shares his personal journey of creating a tool, WahResume, to automate and enhance the job application proc...

In this engaging conversation, Johanna Rothman takes over Dave Prior's podcast to discuss the journey of writing their new book with Stu Young. They explore themes of self-responsibility, emotional intelligence, and the importance of visual thinking in navigating complexity. The authors share their personal experiences and insights on collaboration, the writing process, and the necessity of embrac...

Dave Prior transitions control of his podcast to Alex Silva, a fellow Personal Kanban practitioner. They discuss the challenges of time management and productivity, sharing personal experiences and strategies. Dave emphasizes the importance of using personal Kanban as a tool for self-reflection and optimization, rather than just task management. He describes his "productivity recovery plan" using...

In this conversation, David Marquet shares his transformative leadership journey from commanding the Santa Fe submarine, one of the worst performers in the fleet, to implementing a culture of empowerment and accountability. He discusses the importance of shifting from a language of permission to a language of intent, encouraging leaders to empower their teams to think critically and make decisions...

In this episode, Dave interviews Dr. Michael Gillespie about his book 'Distancing - How Great Leaders Reframe to Make Better Decisions', which explores psychological distancing as a tool for better decision-making. They discuss the importance of stepping outside one's own perspective to gain clarity, the different types of distancing (self, time, and space), and practical applications of these tec...

In this conversation, Henry Poydar joins Dave on the podcast to discuss the innovative platform Steady, which aims to enhance team coordination and communication in the workplace. Henry shares his extensive background in engineering and web development, emphasizing the importance of context and intentions in project management. They explore the challenges of cross-team coordination, especially in...

Join Dave Prior as he sits down with Ross Beurmann, author of "From Theater to Flow: Rebuilding the System Behind Agility." In this episode, they delve into the challenges of agile transformations, the concept of "Agile Theater," and the importance of focusing on the middle management to drive meaningful change. Ross shares insights from his book and discusses the need for organizations to rethink...

Building Resiliance with Agile2025 Keynote Speaker Tricia Broderick Dave Prior interviews Tricia Broderick for the Agile 2025 pre-conference, focusing on her keynote on building resilience. Tricia discusses the challenges of the current job market, including high unemployment and overworked employees. She emphasizes the importance of resilience and community support. Tricia also highlights the upc...

In this conversation, Dave Prior and Reece Schmidt discuss the upcoming Agile 2025 conference, focusing on its structure, keynotes, and unique features like the Hackathon for Good. They emphasize the importance of preparation for attendees, including tips for maximizing the conference experience, networking, and engaging with speakers. The conversation also addresses resources for introverts and t...

An interview with Agile Alliance Conference Chair Chris Murman on what’s happening at Agile 2025 and why you want to be there. During the conversation, we discuss ways this year's event is different from the previous ones, focusing on the importance of addressing real problems within the Agile community, the challenges faced by professionals in the field, and the evolving role of AI in Agile pract...

Looking for work is never easy but if you work in IT, Project Management or Agile and you're looking for a gig this may totally feel like the darkest timeline. In this conversation, Ed Stockwell joins drunkenpm to discuss the current challenges in the job market, particularly for those in project management and Agile roles. Ed and Dave explore the importance of networking, volunteering, and mainta...

Shift: From Product To People: A Novel About Product Development, and Shifting to People To Achieve a Holistic Agile Transformation is a new book written by Michael Dougherty and Pete Oliver-Krueger that focuses on shifting the Agile mindset away from a product-centric approach and towards a more a people-centric one. This interview centers around the need for collaboration, the impact of AI on Ag...

Summary In this conversation, Dave Prior and Dennis Stevens explore the evolving definition of project success as outlined in PMI's recent report. They discuss the implications of this new definition, emphasizing the need for continuous transformation in organizations and the role of project managers in delivering value. The conversation also touches on the importance of reducing friction in proje...

Summary In this conversation, Dave Prior and Preston Hunter discuss the challenges of transitioning to Agile methodologies, particularly focusing on the use of JIRA and visual collaboration tools like Lucid. They explore a case study of a team moving to Kanban, the integration of Lucid with JIRA, and how visual tools can simplify workflows and enhance collaboration. The discussion also covers capa...

In this conversation, Dave Prior, Brett Harned, and Greg Storey discuss the importance of creating a humane workspace through effective communication and collaboration. They share their backgrounds, the founding of Same Team Partners, and the significance of addressing communication issues within teams. The discussion highlights the need for leaders to be trained in facilitating meaningful convers...

In this conversation, Dave Prior and Mun-Wai Chung discuss the pervasive issue of ineffective meetings in the corporate world, exploring the cultural implications of meeting practices, the impact of remote work, and strategies for improving collaboration. Mun-Wai shares insights from her book, 'Slay the Meeting Monster', emphasizing the need for intentionality in meetings and the importance of scr...

In this episode of Drunken PM Radio, Dave Prior discusses how to make daily standups more effective for teams that feel they are merely status calls. He shares ten actionable suggestions to enhance the value of these meetings, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, preparation, and maintaining a focused and respectful environment. The conversation also touches on the need for team members to...

Today PMI announced that The Agile Alliance was joining PMI to form the PMI Agile Alliance. This is obviously going to cause a great deal of debate in the Agile and project management communities. I am very excited about what this could mean for the future of Project Management and Agile - and here is why.

Summary In this conversation, Dave Prior and Jim Benson discuss the challenges of remote work, the impact of collaboration tools on productivity, and the importance of creating humane workspaces. They explore the dynamics of meetings, the toxicity of over-communication, and the need for regular maintenance in team processes. Jim shares insights from his course on cleaning toxic waste in workplaces...

Summary In this conversation, Dave Prior and Galen Lowe explore the complexities of digital project management, emphasizing the importance of understanding digital projects, the role of project managers in decision-making, and the necessity of integrity in client relationships. They discuss the evolution of project management, the significance of building trust, and the challenges of navigating st...

Summary In this conversation, Dave Prior and Kate Kaiser discuss the challenges faced by non-technical project managers, particularly in overcoming fear and embracing difficult conversations. Kate shares her experiences in project management, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, communication, and building trust with clients. They explore strategies for managing energy and maintaining tra...

Summary In this conversation, Dave Prior and Val Hinze discuss the evolution of project management roles, the importance of creating a supportive PMO structure, and the significance of servant leadership in fostering a healthy work environment. Val shares insights on how Mighty Citizen has redefined project management to focus on career growth, client relationships, and sustainable practices. The...

Summary In this conversation, Dave Prior and Sara Doubleday discuss the complexities of managing change within creative teams, the integration of AI in creative processes, and the importance of maintaining human connections in a remote work environment. Sara shares her experiences with team mergers, the challenges of efficiency versus human connection, and the need for a supportive agency culture...