MORE ABOUT CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Americo Pinto

Linkedin link

Decoding the PMO future

This forward-looking session is designed for PMO professionals, business leaders, and anyone interested in the strategic direction of Project Management Offices. It aims to explore the current trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of PMOs. Based on the most recent experiences of world-class PMOs, we will explore how changing business environments will influence PMO strategies, operations, and value propositions.

Participants will gain insights into effective practices for adapting PMO frameworks to meet future demands, enhancing project delivery, and fostering organizational agility. The presentation will also cover the role of technology in PMO evolution, including the integration of AI for improved decision-making and performance measurement. Attending this session will provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential trajectories for PMOs, equipped with actionable strategies to ensure their PMOs are resilient responsive, and aligned with future business objectives. This session is not just about predicting the future; it’s about preparing to lead it.

  • Americo Pinto, Managing Director of the PMO Global Alliance (PMOGA)

    Americo Pinto is one of the preeminent thought leaders in the Project Management Office (PMO) domain, currently serving as the Managing Director of the PMO Global Alliance (PMOGA) at the Project Management Institute (PMI). With a rich professional history spanning over 25 years, Americo has established himself as a global authority in PMOs and project management. His career has seen him excel in various influential roles, including executive, international consultant, speaker, project manager professor, researcher, and author.

    He founded the PMO Global Alliance in 2017, which became the world’s largest global community of PMOs, being acquired by PMI in 2023. Americo’s contributions to the field have been recognized with the PMI Distinguished Contribution Award, celebrating his global influence on project management practices. Currently a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Bordeaux, France, Americo also holds a master’s degree in business administration, and several credentials, including PMP, PMO-CP, and PMO-CC.

The art of minimalism in project management

Do we all agree that projects are complicated? If so, what do you do in response to problems caused by those complications?

Many people respond by making their project management systems more complicated. Eventually, their systems become such monsters that they can’t work with them anymore.

What’s the solution, then?
Minimalism.

In this presentation, I’ll talk to you about minimalism, what it is, and why it works. Then, we’ll review a few typical project management scenarios that cause people to complicate their systems and see what we can do with them with a minimalist approach.

  • Nader K. Rad, Project Management Author, Speaker, and Adviser

    I started working with projects about 27 years ago: first, as a project planner in construction projects, and then I moved to large process-plant projects. In parallel, I was also involved in IT projects and startups.

    I gradually moved from project planning into the wider project management domain by helping project managers and companies improve their project, program, and portfolio management systems.

    Nowadays, I’m spending most of my time developing eLearning courses in our small company, Management Plaza, writing books (about 50 of them so far), and contributing to standards:

    – P3.express: Core development team

    – P5.express: Core development team

    – NUPP: Core development team

    – PMBOK® Guide 7th edition: core development team

    – PRINCE2® 6th edition: consultant

    – PRINCE2 Agile® 1st edition: consultant

    – MSP® 5th edition: consultant

    More information: https://nader.pm

Nader K. Rad

Linkedin link

Rob Akershoek

Linkedin link

The Impact of AI on ITSM

The developments regarding AI (and GenAI) are evolving rapidly at this moment. Everyone is talking about AI. But how can you really leverage AI within IT Service Management (and DevOps)? How can AI be used to transform your IT operating model? What is the art of the possible today or is it just a hype?

This presentation maps out all the developments and possibilities of using AI within IT Service Management (and DevOps). A framework is presented to position various AI opportunities within the IT service management processes.

For example: using AI during development and testing of IT services, managing security, risk and compliance, service failure prediction (AIOps and Observability), zero touch operations, self-service and self-help, cost analytics (FinOps), improve the quality of the CMDB and much more.

Topics and questions addressed are:
– What are the developments and trends regarding AI to enhance your IT management processes? How can IT employees leverage AI in their daily IT activities?
– How can AI contribute to achieving the next generation ITSM? What is the impact of AI on ITSM?
– What are the benefits of using AI in ITSM? How can AI contribute to create flow and delivery better value, sooner, safer and happier with reduced costs?
– How can AI contribute to the sustainability of IT?
– How should AI be integrated within the IT tooling landscape (e.g. DevSecOps tool chain, ITSM-platform, Observability, CMDB, SecOps, etc.)?
– Can AI help me to fix my CMDB? Create cost insight? Manage risk and compliance?
– What does an AI adoption plan look like? Where should I start? Or should I wait? What are the dependencies for AI to be successful in your IT-organization?

  • Rob Akershoek, IT Management Architect / Chair of the IT4IT Forum (within The Open Group)

    Rob Akershoek is senior IT management architect at DXC and chair of the IT4IT Forum within The Open Group. He is leading the development of The Open Group DevOps standard as part of the IT4IT Forum. He helps IT organizations to transform and become a more lean and agile service provider, ready to manage the new digital ecosystem consisting of a hybrid cloud environment provided by a multi-vendor sourcing landscape. He is architecting the new IT organization combing practices and concepts such as (Scaled) Agile development, DevOps and Continuous Delivery, Security Management with established IT service management methodologies. He assists IT organizations in their IT automation journey covering the entire IT value chain including portfolio management, the DevOps toolchain including CI/CD, test management, monitoring and event management, risk and security management, ITSM, CMDB, cloud orchestration, etc. He also assists organizations to leverage new IT management technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, ChatBots, Operational data analytics and self-service portals. He has been involved in developing the IT automation blueprint and DevOps journeys at organizations such as Shell, ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank, NN Group, Vodafone and Siemens. Rob Akershoek is author of numerous articles and the IT4IT management guide (managing the business of IT).

Artifical intelligence (AI) & Human factors

While the appearance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises to have a significant positive impact on the project management profession and those who call themselves Project Management Professionals.  However, as with most new PM tools, the good has some bad that needs to be understood and adjustments made to assure proper attention is given to the most applicable use of AI by PEOPLE.

This presentation will examine some of the most valuable/beneficial characteristics of AI and the awareness and understanding by the “user group” that is necessary to reap the rewards that are possible with the appropriate implementation and utilization of AI.  AI makes it easy to consider alternatives rather than repeating the same approach and getting the same disappointing answers.

As Albert (Einstein) is often (mis)attributed for the saying; “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”.  AI will enable the user to consider potential risk exposure based on past events an allow consideration of what (if any) risk handling techniques will be most effective.  AI has myriad uses and Lee R. Lambert will examine many of the most useful while sharing the cautions that must be considered!  Lee will illude to his experience gained during over five decades of experience in the PM profession and how it relates to the “new” – not really – phenomenon called AI.

  • Lee R. Lambert, CEO, PMP, PMI Fellow

    Lee R. Lambert is considered throughout the world as one of the project management profession’s thought leaders.  He has been spreading the PM word for over 50 years and was one of the Founders of the PMP.  Lee has been recognized by the Project Management Institute as one of only 70 PMI Fellows.  He brings a “real world” message to those hoping to excel in their role of managing projects.  His unique and humorous style creates an enjoyable and productive learning environment.

    Lambert has implemented four enterprise-wide project management information systems and his work in developing High Performance Teams has been judged a miracle.   He has prepared and delivered user training to thousands of employees at AT&T, IBM, General Electric, MicroSoft, Roche and countless others.  His value-add consulting and training has been instrumental in creating successful PMOs to drive rapid implementation. He has provided “public” training programs for more than 50,000 professionals in 23 countries.  Lee loves sharing his experience and knowledge.

Lee R. Lambert

Linkedin link

Stephen Alstrup

Linkedin link

Navigating GenAI with Ethics

How can you navigate the path to secure innovation in the world of GenAI? Where can GenAI create true value and where does it fail? How can we make sure to use it safely and be compliant? In this presentation, Algorithm Professor Stephen Alstrup, will address ethical perspectives on the use of GenAI and explore practical guidelines, while he showcases practical examples that illustrate its impact. Stephen Alstrup will focus on the possibilities that GenAI offers in service and support, and the safeguards needed to ensure ethical implementation.

  • Stephen Alstrup, world-leading Algorithms Professor and Danish Government advisor

    Stephen Alstrup, world-leading Algorithms Professor and Danish Government advisor on the latest digitalization strategy, and data privacy. As a Master of Philosophy, he focuses on data ethics. He is also co-founder of SupWiz, a company focused on AI for service and support, used by thousands of agents globally.

Why is IT Service Management (ITSM) Relevant in Today's World?

In a world that’s rapidly embracing digitalization, IT Service Management stands as a crucial enabler for change. The proposed presentation seeks to shed light on the multifaceted role of ITSM in modern organizations. From driving digital transformation to enhancing productivity through automation, ITSM emerges as an indispensable element of a well-oiled IT department.

Moreover, ITSM’s relevance is pronounced in the realm of regulatory compliance, where it offers a structured approach to navigating complex legislation like GDPR. This presentation also ventures into the cost-saving aspects of ITSM, presenting a compelling argument for its adoption based on economic benefits alone.

Furthermore, as the technological landscape grows in complexity, ITSM’s capacity to simplify and streamline is highlighted as a key benefit. This extends to its integral role in ensuring that IT initiatives are in harmony with broader business strategies, thereby elevating IT from a support function to a strategic partner.

The presentation will not only articulate the current benefits of ITSM but will also cast a vision for its future trajectory, anticipating the integration of emerging technologies that promise to redefine ITSM’s scope and capabilities.

This presentation is tailored for IT professionals, business leaders, and organizational change agents who are keen to leverage ITSM for enhanced operational performance, compliance, and strategic advantage.

  • Rony Plevnik, Sales and Service Manager, itSMF Slovenia Chapter lead

    Rony Plevnik is a distinguished professional with a wealth of experience in IT service management and consultancy. Currently holding the roles of Sales Manager and Service Manager at ISL Online, XLAB since May 2023, Rony has made significant contributions to the field throughout his career.

    With over two decades of experience, he has held various leadership positions and his expertise extends to project management, strategic planning, and relationship management with external suppliers.

    In addition to his professional roles, Rony is deeply engaged in professional associations. He is a founding member and Chapter Lead of itSMF Slovenia, where he actively contributes to the advancement of IT service management practices in the region.

    Rony’s dedication to excellence and leadership in IT service management is further demonstrated by his certifications as a Pink Elephant and HelpDesk Institute Certified Instructor. His commitment to advancing industry standards has earned him respect and recognition in the field.

Rony Plevnik

Linkedin link

Nenad Šutanovac

Linkedin link

Overview AI in Slovenia

Artificial intelligence has thoroughly disrupted the business environment in the past year, with large language models enabling everyone to use AI in their work. However, AI is not just ChatGPT; it encompasses a much broader range of concepts. In Slovenia, we are pioneers in this field, with origins dating back to the 1970s. What is the current state, and can we accelerate to become leaders in this field?

  • Nenad Šutanovac, M.Sc., Director of the ICT Association at Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia

    Numerous activities of the ICT association are focused toward the digitalization of Slovene economy and building the ecosystem to support the digitalization and digital transformation of the entire economy and society. ICT Association is also closely collaborating with the government (ecosystem, regulation, support for companies to digitize, …), research and education system in Slovenia. Nenad Šutanovac was also one of the creators of the concept to build Digital Innovation Hub Slovenia. He is a active member of Management board of Slovene Digital Coalition, member of Supervisory board of Digital Innovation Hub Slovenia,  member of Supervisory board of SRIP Smart Cities and Society and member of Strategic council of CCIS for digitalization. In November 2020 he became also a director of Chamber for Business Services and Consulting.

     

    He had finished his Master degree of Electrical Engineering at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at University of Ljubljana in 1992 and General Management Programme at IEDC Bled School of Management in 1996. He has started his career as a researcher at Jozef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana for three years. After that he moved to the industry and has now more then 25 years of experience in the ICT industry, from SW development to managerial positions in different ICT companies, also international. In 2017, he joined SRIP Smart cities and communities to lead the ICT Innovation network. He was focused to the topics of Digital Strategy and Digital Transformation of companies. In 2018, he had become a director of ICT Association at Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia.

Mitja Trampuž

Linkedin link

Guide to Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Businesses

  • Can you afford to be left behind when your competitors are already harnessing the power of AI?
  • How can you identify the most valuable AI use cases for your specific business, instead of just chasing shiny trends?
  • How can your business capitalize on AI advancements to create entirely new products, services, or business models the market has never seen before?

The “Guide to Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Businesses” is a comprehensive guide developed by AI4SI (AI for Slovenia) to help Slovenian companies adopt AI technologies effectively. The guide covers various aspects of AI implementation, from understanding AI concepts to identifying potential use cases, developing AI solutions, and managing AI projects. It can empower you to make informed decisions, overcome challenges, and achieve success in the AI era.

  • Mitja Trampuž, managing director at Creaplus and president at AI4SI

    Mitja Trampuž is a leading expert in digital business transformation with over 20 years of experience. In the nineties, he introduced electronic banking system in major Slovenian banks, which were one of the first such projects worldwide. He is also an expert in cybersecurity and has led numerous projects to improve the security of information systems. In recent years, he has focused on artificial intelligence, advocating for its use to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of various organizations. He is the managing director of CREAPLUS, a company that offers digital transformation, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence services, and one of the founders of the AI4SI (AI for Slovenia) initiative, which operates within the Association of Informatics and Telecommunications at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia. He is also the co-author of the “Guide to Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Businesses“.

Gregor Androjna

Linkedin link

Value-Driven PMO: A Business Imperative, Not Just a PM Function

Organizations and top management need to deliver results, and this is something else than just delivering projects on scope, time, or budget. Delivered project products need to deliver value during their operation time. C-suite (CXOs) need to balance short-term (financial results) and long-term (investments) goals based on market opportunities, internal, and especially external, ever-changing conditions.

But how can strategy execution (PMOs) deliver that, when there are always too many projects, not enough people, and they are stressed, overwhelmed, in conflict, or resistance mode, lacking clarity, experiencing communication breakdowns, and dealing with scope creeps?

Well, we need to address the people’s side, their business pains at all levels, find root causes, and (quick) win solutions to streamline their working processes. This way, we can achieve optimal project portfolio throughput and deliver high and fast ROI, i.e., value for the organization.

This means that we must align projects with strategy, manage the portfolio and resources, including addressing communication, change resistance, and other challenges. These are just some of the top PMO services based on research results from best practices, all easily accessible by using AI tools like ChatGPT.

It’s not just about a bunch of PM processes and tools; the people-side change can make a big difference. It starts with mindset shifting and building awareness, especially at the top C-suite level, even before strategy/project execution takes place.

 

Don’t be afraid to seek help. There are good practices like IMPACT Engine System® delivering higher values, which you may not be aware of or simply don’t have time to implement.

 

Join us in this eye-opening event with PMOexpert to discover how a trusted advisor can support you throughout your journey to success.

  • Gregor Androjna, PMO Consultant, Coach, Instructor, and the owner of PMOexpert business

    Gregor Androjna is a PMO Consultant, Coach, Instructor, and the owner of PMOexpert business. He is passionate about enhancing value delivery across business strategy execution, project portfolios. Gregor assists organizations in establishing Project Management Office (PMO)-like functions to empower clients, so that they can achieve faster and higher ROI from strategic initiatives.

    With over two decades of experience in Project Management, Quality Assurance, and the PMO field, he has honed his expertise through energy production investments and mechanical system installations. Now a specialized consultant, Gregor leverages innovative PMO/strategy delivery methodologies like the Impact Engine System®, along with global cutting-edge expert coaches and partners, to focus on business needs and deliver fast results for clients.

    He is changing local PMO culture by sharing his expertise through speaking events, the PMO Slovenia community and the PMOexpert Mastermind workshops he founded, to make a difference.

Peter Dolenc

Linkedin link

Two sides of the same coin

The operation was successful, the patient died? A successfully completed project is no guarantee that the organization will achieve the set value and attract and satisfy key stakeholders. In the interactive workshop, we will explore how the disciplines of change management and project management are crucially related to each other. How to involve and activate the affected individuals so that they are active, interested and trained to use the changes when they are introduced? We will explore the Prosci methodology, the world’s leading change management methodology, and see how its use can affect the ultimate success of a project.

  • Peter Dolenc, General Manager at PDiVizija d.o.o.

    Peter Dolenc has more than 15 years of experience in project implementation, introduction of new products, concepts and solutions, management and development of teams. He successfully led the transformation into several IT companies in Slovenia, where he always asserted the ability of companies to receive, introduce, and implement change as the main competence. In international corporations such as Microsoft and Oracle he was responsible for introducing new concepts at the local level and establishing them on the Slovenian market. He specializes in project management according to both classical and agile project management methods, which he successfully upgrades with the Prosci change management methodology and the ADKAR personal change model. With his company PDiVizija d.o.o. and the Change2Value brand, is the exclusive partner of Prosci® and thus the world’s leading change management methodologies for the Balkan region.

    • Prosci Certified Advanced Instructor
    • Prosci Train The Trainer
    • Prosci Integrating Agile and Change Management
    • SCRUM Master Certified
    • PRINCE2 Practitioner
    • Actee Certified Partner
    • IMYB Innovation Management Green Belt™

Andreja Križnič, PMP

Linkedin link

PMP or CAPM Certificate?

Will present the PMP and CAPM certification, the differences and which one is right for whom.

  • Andreja Križnič, PMP Product Manager at PMCC Consulting GmbH, Authorized Training Partner Instructor for PMP and CAPM and active member at PMI® Chapter Slovenia

    Andreja Križnič, PMP has over 25 years of experience in project management as consultant and trainer. At PMCC Consulting GmbH she is product manager responsible for PMI. She has been involved in design and implementation of professionalization programs for project management, project portfolio management, and multi-project controlling, training for project managers and project teams in different industry sectors with international companies around the globe. She is an Authorized Training Partner Instructor for PMP and CAPM and has trained several hundred project professionals in Slovenia, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany.

    Andreja is also an active member and passionate volunteer at PMI® Chapter Slovenia. She led a few important projects and initiatives mainly connected with transfer of project management knowledge to younger generations (for primary school teachers “Projects in Bloom” pilot project in Nova Gorica and Ready4FuturePM for students).