From Strategy to Execution: How Project Management Became a Strategic Advantage | Caroline Ballroom - 11:30 AM - 12:20 PM
Brian Duffy

A few years ago, I completed project management training expecting to become better at managing projects. Instead, it changed the way I thought about leadership.

That experience led our company to bring project management training to our executive leadership team. As we began developing a new two-year strategic plan, we found ourselves applying many of the same concepts - clarifying ownership, identifying dependencies, establishing governance, and having better conversations about priorities. By the time we launched a PMO, much of the difficult work had already been done because leadership was speaking the same language.

This session is the story of that journey. I'll share what worked, what surprised us, where we stumbled, and why I now believe project management can be one of the most valuable leadership tools an organization has - not just for delivering projects, but for connecting strategy to execution.

Key Takeaways

• Recognize why many strategic plans struggle long before execution begins.
• Learn how project management principles can strengthen conversations at the leadership level.
• Take away practical ideas for connecting strategy, priorities, and execution in your own organization.
• Understand new areas where project management can add value.
• Leave with lessons learned from a real organizational journey.