Redefining Project Success with Dennis Stevens - March 2025

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 project management, the impact of AI on the profession, and the necessity for project managers to navigate the political landscape of project success. Ultimately, they highlight the need for project managers to adapt to a rapidly changing environment and the skills required to thrive in this new landscape.
Takeaways
• A successful project delivers value worth the effort and expense.
• Transformation is continuous, not stepwise.
• Project success must include stakeholder perception and value delivery.
• Project managers need to focus on reducing friction in processes.
• AI will change the role of project managers significantly.
• Friction is not the same as constraints; it impedes progress.
• Project success should be measured by the ability to adapt and deliver value.
• The role of project managers is evolving to include more strategic responsibilities.
• Continuous evaluation is essential for project success.
• Navigating politics is crucial for achieving project success.
Links:
PMI Article on Reframing Project Success https://www.pmi.org/blog/reframing-project-success
Agile for Project Managers - What is Project Success? w/ Dennis Stevens, Jesse Fewell, Jenny Tarwater, Sally Sloley, Jimi Fearless, and Semira Allen and (on The Agile Network) https://theagilenetwork.com/content/1d2a0a72-4d33-4145-b80a-3728f45b1947/item/0
Redefining Project Success and How it Impacts Project and Product Leaders with Lenka Pincot, Mike Griffiths and Dave Prior (on The Agile Network) https://theagilenetwork.com/content/926c08d0-52c7-4444-8f2a-732ac6acea61/item/0
Contacting Dennis
Website: https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=orgwright&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisstevens/
The Agile Network Profile: https://theagilenetwork.com/celebrity/fa0c1ba5-2373-4750-a3a2-86e37bc3ab03
Chapters
00:18 Introduction to Project Success Redefined
03:25 Transformation in Project Management
06:14 The New Definition of Project Success
09:21 Challenges in Project Management
12:08 Reducing Friction in Project Success
15:16 The Role of Project Managers in Value Delivery
18:39 The Politics of Project Management
22:18 Evolving Role of Project Managers
25:08 AI and the Future of Project Management
28:08 The Changing Landscape of Project Management
30:18 Concluding Thoughts and Future Conversations