Mastering the Art of Persuasion in Project Managementwith Kevin ColemanProject managers live in the middle of competing priorities, shifting requirements, and strong personalities. In that environment, how you communicate can matter as much as your schedule or risk log. In this article, we’ll explore how persuasion differs from manipulation and influence, and how you can apply practical persuasion principles in your projects. Video presentation link is included at the end of this article. Persuasion, Manipulation, and Influence At first glance, persuasion, manipulation, and influence can look similar—they all involve one person affecting another’s thinking or behavior. The real difference lies in intent and honesty.   What Is Persuasion? Persuasion . . . continue reading

Effective Strategies for Communicating Bad Newswith Leah OnuohaIn the complex world of project management, delivering bad news is an inevitable task. Whether it’s informing stakeholders about a budget shortfall or letting a team member know they are being reassigned, bad news requires not only clarity and empathy but also a strategic approach to minimize impact and maintain trust. Video presentation link is included at the end of this article. Communicating Bad News: A Core Project Skill Bad news is unavoidable in project work. Team members get promoted off your project, budgets fall short of new requirements, customers are disappointed, and sometimes people even lose their jobs or . . . continue reading

Game On: Boosting Leadership Skills with Engaging Learning Gameswith Bruce GayToday’s discussion focuses on an innovative approach to developing leadership and soft skills: incorporating learning games into your training programs. Join Bruce Gay as he shares insights from his experiences with learning games and their application in both online and in-person training. Video presentation link is included at the end of this article. Game On: Why Learning Games Belong in Leadership and PM Training Eight hours in front of a screen is a tough ask for any adult learner, especially when the content is dense, abstract, or heavily process‑driven. Traditional lectures and slide decks often struggle to keep project managers . . . continue reading

Creating a PMO from Scratchwith Ally HeppIn today’s fast-paced business landscape, the need for effective project management is more critical than ever. But how do you create a successful Project Management Office (PMO) from the ground up? Video presentation link is included at the end of this article.   Understanding the Importance of a PMO A Project Management Office (PMO) acts as the backbone of project management, providing structure, governance, guidance, and ensures projects align with company strategy and business goals. For project managers, a well-defined PMO means clarity in processes and increased efficiency. But what are the steps in establishing a PMO? Let’s break down . . . continue reading

Burnout-Proof Project Managementwith Samantha GregoryBurnout among project managers is more than occasional stress or fatigue; it is a silent epidemic that is quietly undermining health, performance, and satisfaction at work. Let’s reframe it as something that can be transformed into better balance, without sacrificing ambition or results. Video presentation link is included at the end of this article. The Scope and Cost of Burnout Just to highlight how widespread burnout has become. Let’s start with some alarming statistics that should serve as a wake-up call for managers,  and hopefully shed light on the urgency of addressing this issue. 76% of employees report experiencing burnout . . . continue reading

Intentional Hybrid Project Managementwith Alan ZuckerIntentional hybrid project management helps project managers balance structure with adaptability so projects deliver real value. It keeps the focus on what works, not what’s trendy. Video presentation link is included at the end of this article.   What is “Hybrid” in Project Management? When someone mentions “hybrid”, the conversation often shifts toward remote versus in-person work.  However, Alan Zucker’s association to the word “hybrid” actually comes from a personal experience outside of project management—specifically, cycling.  “About thirty years ago, right after my son was born, I was actively training for triathlons and wanted to include him in my routine. . . . continue reading

Clark School’s Online Master of Engineering Soars to No. 6 National RankThe A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland ascended to No. 6 among online graduate engineering masters programs in the U.S. according to rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report. In addition, the Clark School is ranked No. 13 among online engineering graduate programs for veterans. The No. 6 ranking is the first time that the Clark School has received a top-10 ranking in this category. Previously, the highest ranking received was No. 12 in 2022. “Online programs are an important tool in extending education access to a broader section of society. The Clark School’s . . . continue reading

UMD Research Leads to Multidimensional view of Portfolio Management

After 15 years of portfolio managers using a monolithic portfolio structure, it is time to explore a multidimensional approach.  The University of Maryland’s Project Management Center of Excellence conducted a 15-month effort for the Office of Secretary of Defense under the DoD Acquisition Innovation Research Center, an University-Affiliated Research Center (UARC), which UMD is a member. The objective of the research was to expand the use of portfolio-level data, analysis, and visualization of the data across Program Executive Offices (PEOs), Capabilities, and Missions to inform Integrated Acquisitions Portfolio Review (IAPR) and other portfolio decisions.  The Department of Defense (DoD) needs . . . continue reading

Construction Management @ Maryland

Thank you for your interest in Construction Management education opportunities from the University of Maryland (UMD) Project Management Center for Excellence. We offer 3 different options so you can choose what works best for your needs. Undergraduate Minor in Construction Project Management – The minor is open to any student enrolled in the Maryland’s School of Engineering or the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation that have earned at least 60 credit hours (junior standing) and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Completion of the minor will provide students with a solid understanding of construction project management concepts, tools, and techniques plus be a . . . continue reading

What is GAC Accreditation and Why is it Important?The Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC) is part of the Project Management Institute (PMI) and is an accrediting body for project management and related degree programs. GAC accredits bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate programs. According to the GAC website, “GAC accredited academic degree programs are members of a select group that embraces and promotes the discipline of project management.” If a university goes through the lengthy process and becomes an “official” GAC Accredited Program, then it means two important things: It confirms that a program has been carefully assessed and that it meets comprehensive international quality and . . . continue reading