Managing a program is never just about tasks and timelines—it’s about people. And in a world where remote work, different time zones, and cultural differences are the norm, those people challenges only get trickier. Let me tell you a story. We…
Program Management: The Real Key to Success
Being a program manager isn’t just about managing Gantt charts or tracking deliverables—it’s about understanding what really drives success in complex projects. Back in 2009, while leading the Server Based Gaming (SBG) program at Aristocrat, I had the opportunity to see…
Program Management & the Power of One Customer
In the startup world, focus is everything. Especially when you’re a small team with limited resources and one big opportunity. But what happens when that focus slips? Let me share the story of MnoTech—a startup that risked it all by chasing…
Program Management & Risk: Lessons at 35,000 Feet
Risk management isn’t just a spreadsheet exercise—it’s about real people, real systems, and often, real stakes. Nowhere is that more evident than in aviation. I learned this firsthand as the lead project manager for Qantas’ Boeing 747 reconfiguration program—a $250 million…
Program Management & Scaling a Product: Lessons from the Frontline
Scaling a product sounds exciting—it’s the stage every startup dreams about. But without a solid foundation, scaling can amplify every flaw, turning small cracks into structural failures. We recently worked with a company called ManoTech that wanted to scale their Telehealth…
Program Management & MVP: Building Smart eBikes in 90 Days
When launching a new product, especially in a startup, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by features, plans, and pressure. But great Program Management—and the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) mindset—can turn pressure into progress. In 2017, we were approached by a property…
Program Management & MVP: What Nettfunder Taught Us About Building Two-Sided Marketplaces
“If you build it, they will come.” Sounds poetic—until you’ve built a two-sided marketplace and realized they don’t. Nettfunder, a Crowdfunding portal we helped develop, was a real-world lesson in what it takes to manage an MVP and a marketplace startup….
Is Scaled Agile Framework Effective for Small Companies?
When most people hear about the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), they think of large enterprises with hundreds of developers and sprawling IT departments. But what about startups and small companies? Can SAFe offer them any real value? Surprisingly, yes. While SAFe…
Scrum vs PMI: Should We Stick to the Terms or Tailor Them?
In project management, language matters. The words we use shape our teams’ understanding and communication—especially when we’re managing complex projects under high pressure. Scrum and PMI (Project Management Institute) both offer structured approaches to project execution. But when it comes to…