June Breakfast Meeting
Come join us to learn from Rob Kurtz, PMP, PMI-ACP at our June breakfast meeting, in-person or virtual attendance!
Drawing Insights from the Skies to Achieve Project Success
Just as an aviator relies on their expertise, precision, and a well-coordinated team to navigate the complexities of the skies, project managers must harness their skills, meticulous planning, and collaborative efforts to steer their projects towards success. In both realms, the journey begins with a clear vision and strategic planning, ensuring that every aspect is meticulously accounted for to prevent unforeseen turbulence. As pilots abide by stringent protocols and checklists, project managers must also adhere to defined processes and timelines, ensuring that each task is executed flawlessly. The importance of communication cannot be overstated in either scenario – clear, concise, and effective communication is vital to avoid missteps and guarantee smooth progress. Just like unexpected weather conditions that pilots must adapt to, project managers often face unforeseen challenges and changes. It is their ability to remain calm, flexible, and resourceful that ultimately determines the success of the mission. The art of managing risks, foreseeing obstacles, and making informed decisions under pressure are skills that both pilots and project managers share. We will discuss through case study how planning, managing risks, communicating effectively, executing proactively, and using all available resources are critical to both aviation and delivering successful projects. Join us as we delve deeper into these analogies, drawing insights from the aviation industry that can be seamlessly applied to project management. Prepare to gain a unique perspective that will enhance your understanding and approach to delivering projects with precision, efficiency, and excellence.
Rob Kurtz
Rob is currently a Senior Project Manager with World Wide Technology (WWT) where he currently leads project teams in both Supply Chain and Professional Services to help solve customers’ technology challenges. He provides layers of best-practice project management for plan-driven, hybrid, and agile teams to deliver valuable outcomes to customers early and often. Rob also earned his private pilot certificate in June 2022 and continues his never-ending quest for aviation mastery while flying orientation flights for U.S. Civil Air Patrol cadets. Rob has also served as a Senior Scrum Master and Software Delivery Lead for customers in the US Department of Defense, banking, energy, food retail, and healthcare industries. He has helped coach agile teams and product owners in the spirit of value delivery. He led efforts for and delivered native iOS and Android mobile apps for a food retail customer that saved their business during the global pandemic disruption. He holds current PMP, PMI-ACP, Certified Scrum Master, Agile Coaching (ICP-ACC), and Product Owner (CSPO) certifications. He earned his bachelor’s degree in computer information systems and a master’s degree in information technology management.
