Welcome to The PMO Huddle, the podcast for Project Management Office (PMO) Leaders by PMO Leaders.
Our goal is to offer on-the-ground insights into this challenging and exciting role through the lens of those who’re experiencing it first-hand.
Your host, Hussain Bandukwala, is the CEO of Parwaaz Consulting, where we help organizations become better at managing their projects, set up PMOs and make them run like well-oiled machines.
Episode 0001: Monique Powell
Our guest for this episode is Monique Powell.
Monique Powell is a Project Management Professional with 17 years of progressive experience. She is a mother of 4, devoted wife, and Christian Minister who believes in being a strong leader and most importantly serving. She is motivated, inspired and allied with the Project management Profession. She is energized by solidifying effective, functional PMOs, consulting, reviewing & diagnosing Project Management challenges that beset organizations and most importantly, providing PMO strategic value. She is best recognized known by her unscripted maxims which bring life to learning and ensures knowledge she provides is digestible by the receiver, retained, and aligned with practical knowledge.
And here’s what we talked about:
- What keeps you busy outside work?
- So you’ve been a PMO leader twice – this is your second time – did you have to setup a PMO from scratch both times around? How was the experience from one vs. the other?
- What did you feel you did the first time around that in hindsight you feel you could’ve done differently?
- And you’ve lead PMOs in both organizations that are product-based organizations – so how or when was the need felt to bring in project management along with product management?
- What’ve been the best resources that have helped you along the way?
- What’s the biggest challenge you have with your specific role right now and what’s your plan to conquer it?
- What’s one question that you’d ask yourself that I haven’t asked you?
- [Signature Question]
Episode 0002: Priya Khokhar Cutts
Our guest for this episode is Priya Khokhar Cutts.
Priya K Cutts is a PMO Director at Rally Health (United Health Group). She started her career in digital entertainment spanning music, art, games and most recently found her passion in the health tech space. Her focus has been small start ups and working on scaling their project management operations. Originally from Pakistan, the youngest of four girls, Priya had been settled in the US for the past 13 Years. She lives in San Francisco CA with her husband Dave, her two year old son Mikhail and they’re about to welcome their second son in June 2020.
And here’s what we talked about:
- What keeps you busy outside work?
- Did you setup the PMO at Rally Health or take up an existing one? How were the first few months for you as a PMO Leader?
- How have you trusted your guts and instincts in your role as a PMO Leader?
- Which three people have been most influential to you?
- What advice would you give to your peers and aspiring PMO leaders
- [Signature Question]
Episode 0003: Rakesh Arun
Our guest for this episode is Rakesh Arun.
Rakesh is an energetic, motivating and engaging leader with a proven record driving strategy, operations and directing large organizations. With over 20 years of experience, he has led Project Management Offices (PMOs) within technology organizations large and small. From setting up operating rhythms, to driving new process and deploying tools surrounding the program and project management discipline. His background spans verticals like aerospace, manufacturing, HR, banking, finance, securities, retail and media at Fortune 50 companies. Rakesh is recognized for a thorough understanding of global cultures, storytelling, and commitment to developing people to reach their full potential.
And here’s what we talked about:
- Before we talk about more PMO stuff, I’m curious, tell us about your time as the part owner for Masala Wok.
- How did your first few months look like as a PMO Leader?
- What was the one (1) thing that you wished you knew when you started out?
- What’re generally are the major challenges you’ve faced when running the PMO and what have you done to solve for it?
- Do you think you have a side-kick for your role? So you’re Batman – who’s your Robin?
- [Signature Question]