NEXT-GEN PROJECT MANAGEMENT: THE ERA OF UNLIMITED POTENTIAL What to expect?
8:00 - 9:00
Registration & Welcome Coffee
09:00 - 09:20
Opening
Event Hosts - Ivelina Chaldakova and Kaloyan Petrov
Boyana Zahova, PMI Bulgaria Chapter President
Aneliya Chervenova, PMI Bulgaria Chapter Vice President for Professional Development
09:20 - 10:10
Beyond Project Management
Rich Maltzman
Come along on a journey outside of the usual boundaries of project management. Expand your thinking beyond the triple constraint - to the triple bottom line. Consider what AI offers us as project leaders – a chance to improve project success in the true sense of the word.
10:10 - 10:40
Enterprise Case Studies of AI in Project Management
Lloyd Skinner
Lloyd’s presentation explores the emerging role of AI in project management. It highlights the transformative potential of AI in enhancing decision-making and streamlining processes. While many project professionals are experimenting with AI, the technology is still in its early stages, and only a few organizations have fully embraced it.
10:40 - 11:10
Effective Leadership: A personal and professional journey towards success
Tony McMurray
Join us to discover a unique perspective on effective leadership. Drawing from personal experiences as a Mount Everest climber, international athlete, philanthropist, finance leader, and board member, Tony will explore the key elements of leadership, including understanding what it is not, recognizing different leadership styles, and building trust and empowerment.
11:15 - 11:45
Morning Refreshment Break
11:45 - 12:25
Charting our Successful Path Through The Fifth Industrial Revolution
Diana Stefanova
Venture Capital is the tower that overlooks innovation. From a bird’s eye perspective Diana is here to tell us more about the main drivers that push strong performers forward, allowing them to compete for the top places for funding but also making them the ones who trace the field of innovation for all others who inevitably will follow them. What is the place of project management in cutting edge innovation projects? We will explore this journey together.
12:30 - 13:15
Gen AI's Next Inflection Point: Humans at the Center of the Digital Transformation
Panel Discussion
Theodor Panayotov, Baycho Georgiev, Georgi Ganev, Krum Markov
As AI reshapes project management, organizations must go beyond technology adoption and focus on holistic transformation. Despite high employee enthusiasm, many companies lag in leveraging Gen AI effectively.
13:15 - 14:15
Lunch Break
14:15 - 15:00
How to lead the DANCE in an Uncertain World
Panel Discussion
Petya Rasheva, Andon Simeonov, Tommy Ver Elst, Dinna Temelkova
In today's rapidly changing and unpredictable business landscape, effective leadership is more crucial than ever. This panel discussion will delve into how leaders can navigate the dynamic, ambiguous, non-linear, complex, and emergent (D.A.N.C.E.) nature of both projects and organizations within their ecosystems.
15:00 - 15:40
Re Inventing Next Generation Project Delivery
Chris Cashell
In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, the role of the project manager is evolving. While technology offers new tools and efficiencies, the core human skills of communication, problem-solving, leadership, and strategic thinking remain indispensable.
15:40 - 16:15
Project & Environmental Management in Extreme Situations: “An Antarctic Experience”
Marta Krafta
As a project manager, you're accustomed to a rapidly changing environment--but how would you handle a project in which the environment was truly extreme? Marta takes the question to a whole new level- sharing insights from managing an extreme project in Antarctica. The task was to build a military research station for the Brazilian Government in Antarctica, with a Chinese construction team and a European engineering team.
16:15 - 16:45
Afternoon Refreshment and Networking Break
16:45 - 17:30
Sustainable Growth: Move Beyond Why to How
Panel Discussion
Irena Komitova, Marina Stefanova, Kalin Ivanov, Kamelia Slaveykova
Sustainability is no longer just a corporate responsibility, it's a global business disruptor. As organizations strive to align their operations with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets, achieving positive impacts and staying competitive requires strategic leadership and a deep understanding of sustainability principles and new industry standards.
17:30 - 18:10
Here and Now: Mastering Professional Improvisation in an Unpredictable World
Lukas Zenk
In a world full of surprises, we often get lost in reflections on the past or obsess over plans for an uncertain future — missing the powerful opportunities unfolding right in front of us. What if we could fully embrace the present moment? What if, instead of clinging to what we know, we could unlearn, let go, and thrive in the unknown?
18:10 - 18:30
Lottery and Closing
Event Hosts - Ivelina Chaldakova and Kaloyan Petrov
Elena Elenkova, PMI Bulgaria Chapter Vice President for Sponsorship
Mariya Stoyanova, PMI Bulgaria Chapter Vice President for Professional Development
18:30 - 21:30
Networking Cocktail
All Attendees
10:15 - 11:15
RAID Log Quick-Start Workshop: Transform Your Project Management in Just 1 Hour!
Kim Essendrup
Important Update: The workshop plan has been modified to also accommodate attendees who do not have a laptop.
Nearly all projects run into challenges at some point. The way that we manage those challenges means the difference between project success and failure. That’s while for decades, experienced and successful project leaders have been using RAID Logs to keep their projects on track and course-correct when challenges arise. And now you can too!
Course Outline:
- What is a RAID log and how can it help my project delivery?
- Logging in and setting up your first project
- Hands-on walk through to setup your: Risks, Actions, Issues, Decisions +Lessons Learned
- Demonstrate using your RAID log to
- Manage your project (or multiple projects) day-to-day
- Manage “up” to management
- Manage “out” to your team
- Run a meeting – and not take meeting minutes
- Recover a broken project
- A new tool to keep your projects on track and course-correct when challenges arise
- 6 months license for the best RAID log tool available
- Skills to manage projects more effectively
11:45 - 13:15
LEGO® Serious Play® methodology
Ralitza Stanoeva
Explore your unlimited leadership potential, mini creative workshop, based on LEGO® Serious Play® method
Leadership potential lies where it truly belongs – within us. At times, those managing teams and processes may question whether they are giving their best as leaders in the present environment while maintaining authenticity. Is their leadership style a natural reflection of their personality? Do they instinctively or consciously follow the example of someone else?
This mini-workshop is built on the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) methodology, offering profound insights into the theme “Me and the Leader in Me.” Join us as we share and discuss your most impactful leadership moments and challenges. The LSP methodology acts as a catalyst for individuals who value self-reflection and have a strong desire to grow as leaders. It supports them in taking tangible steps toward fulfilling their goals and embodying an authentic leadership style.
14:15 - 15:15
GenAI Landscape for Project Professionals: The Splendor of Promises, The Reality of Practice
Tomasz Grochowski
Important Update: The workshop plan has been modified to also accommodate attendees who do not have a laptop.
Are you facing a tough decision or tackling a complex problem? Learn how generative AI tools can simplify your work. In this hands-on session, we’ll explore how to boost your customer segment research, integrate valuable insights from academic studies and industry reports, and efficiently summarize information from extensive PDFs. Plus, we’ll demonstrate how to quickly create a Project Scope of Work (SoW) or Solution Pitch and streamline project scope management. Using real-world examples, we’ll dive into tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, NotebookLM, Scite.ai, and Baigiel to empower your project workflows.
What You’ll Learn:
Build your unique workflow with a series of AI tools, optimizing each step for efficient, insightful project execution.
15:15 - 16:15
Dealing with challenging behaviors in projects
Gergana Markova
*Held in Bulgarian language
In the dynamic world of project management, encountering challenging behaviors is inevitable. Join us in an interactive workshop to gain a deeper understanding of challenging behaviors, acquire valuable skills for managing them, and be better prepared to foster a positive and productive project environment.
Understand the types of difficult behaviors and when people enter them. Undertaking strategies to deal with difficult behaviors.
- Are there difficult people or just the difficult behaviors that they enter?
- How to deal with people who always say "NO" first?
- And with those who always say "YES" but then do not do what they have promised?
- Is there a way to cope with outrageous and offensive behaviors?
- What is the only principle that supports every communication?
16:30 - 17:30
Agile and Waterfall: Friends or Foes? How to Create Effective Hybrid Methodologies
Ivan Vaptsarov
The workshop Agile and Waterfall: Friends or Foes? How to Create Effective Hybrid Methodologies sheds light on the blend of two major project management strategies. We will dive into the theory, concepts, and structures that are the backbone of Agile and Waterfall methodologies.
Contrary to popular belief, these methods are not rivals but can be mixed together to build a strong hybrid solution perfectly suited to meet the unique needs of your projects. Using practical guidelines, this session will guide you on how to create your unique Hybrid methodology, combining elements from both Agile and Waterfall, and other notable methods. We will explore how to maximize the benefits of each method, reduce weaknesses, and ensure smooth merging of practices.
The workshop will also include a hands-on segment, encouraging attendees to work together in small groups and create a Hybrid methodology for a given project case, offering real experience in its practical use.
14:15-14:45
Winning with AI and IBM (Use Cases and PM)
Andrey Mitrev and Plamen Staikov
14:45-15:15
The Straight Way to Continuous Project Portfolio and Business Success
Teodora Bozheva
In today’s fast-paced world, businesses are expected to deliver results through projects faster than ever, while teams juggle both planned tasks and unexpected challenges. Achieving true organizational agility in such an environment is no easy feat—it’s a collective effort, not something one or two people can handle alone. Success lies in building a comprehensive system that manages projects at every level of the enterprise while fostering a collaborative, purpose-driven culture.
15:15 - 16:15
Brain Agility Lab: Mastering Cognitive Skills for Global Project Success
Anelia Miteva and Diana Nedkova-Butanska
Did you know that your brain has the extraordinary ability to adapt and rewire itself in response to new challenges and the constantly changing environment? In our Brain Agility Lab, you’ll explore the fascinating world of neuroplasticity and unlock your brain's potential to enhance performance and adaptability.
16:50 - 17:20
Coliving Semkovo: A Project Management Blueprint for Building the Future of Remote Work
Matthias Zeitler
In the heart of Bulgaria’s Rila Mountains, an ambitious project is transforming a historic hotel into Coliving Semkovo—a 17,000m² hub for remote work and community living.
10:15 - 11:30
Students Hackathon - Opening and Presentations Part 1
All Attendees
11:45 - 13:30
Students Hackathon - Presentations Part 2
All Attendees
15:30 - 16:30
Students Hackathon - Awards Ceremony (at Restaurant)
All Attendees
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