June, 2025

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Top 7 Decision-Making Templates: Free Excel & Word Downloads

ProjectManager.com

Making effective decisions is at the heart of every successful project or business strategy. Whether you’re choosing between vendors, evaluating project risks or prioritizing tasks, having a clear and structured approach can help eliminate guesswork and lead to better outcomes. That’s where decision-making templates come in—they provide frameworks to analyze options, weigh pros and cons and document the reasoning behind your choices.

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Can You Get a Job with the Google Project Management Certificate? (Yes, here’s how)

Rebel’s Guide to PM

One of the questions I’m asked most often via LinkedIn or through my mentoring practice is whether the Google Project Management Certificate is enough to get a job. People are worried that they’ll invest time and energy and it still won’t be enough. So is it? I’ve taken it myself (as well as many other project management exams over the years) and I used to lead a team of project managers, so this is my take on the job prospects linked to the Google Project Management Certificate.

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Scrum Master vs Project Manager

Scrum.org

A Scrum Master is one of the three accountabilities defined in the Scrum Guide , and is a crucial part of a healthy, effective Scrum Team. Although some Project Managers work with Scrum Teams, they may or may not qualify as Scrum Masters. So: Scrum Master vs Project Manager. They are two very different roles/accountabilities. How do we reconcile or differentiate the two?

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How to Recover a Failing Project Without Losing Your Mind

Accidental PM

You had a plan. Deadlines were set, the kickoff was energizing, and the team was ready to deliver. But somewhere along the way, things started unraveling. Tasks stalled. Communication frayed. Stakeholders grew impatient. Now, the project is teetering on the edge, and all eyes are on you. Projects fail or falter for all kinds of reasons: unclear scope, shifting priorities, resource constraints, unexpected roadblocks.

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A New Look At Running Grants & Programs: Why Use A System When You Have Excel?

Speaker: Gareth Webb & Phil Selley, Founding Partners at Intouch Business

For many nonprofit organizations and NGOs, managing grants and monitoring projects with spreadsheets and manual processes feels familiar—but is it holding your organization back? As funding requirements become more complex and stakeholder expectations for transparency grow, relying on outdated methods can lead to inefficiencies, missed opportunities, and compliance risks.

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Inside Stories Podcast Ep. 26: Dr. Mario Arlt

The IIL Blog

Join this insightful conversation with Dr. Mario Arlt, a digital transformation expert with decades of global leadership experience. Dr. Arlt shares strategies for successful digital transformation, emphasizing the role of people, culture, and agility in driving change. Learn from his stories of success and failure, explore the critical balance of tools, processes, and people, and discover how AI and hyper-agility are reshaping organizational strategies.

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Project Planning Phase: Key Activities and Outcomes

ProjectManager.com

The project planning phase is a crucial stage in the project management lifecycle where the foundation for successful execution is laid. During the planning phase of project management, teams establish the project’s scope, set clear objectives and define how and when tasks will be completed. Planning ensures that everyone involved understands the direction and requirements, minimizing uncertainty and aligning efforts from the start.

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Are Google Career Certificates Worth It for Getting Hired? Employers Weigh In

Rebel’s Guide to PM

If you’re considering a Google Career Certificate to boost your resume, you’re probably wondering: Will it actually help me get a job? Google has built a strong reputation with its Coursera-hosted certificate programs across digital marketing, project management, data analytics, IT support, and UX design. But what do employers think? We spoke with legal experts, recruiters, and business owners who hire entry-level talent to get their unfiltered thoughts on whether Google certificates carry real

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When Incentives Sabotage Product Strategy — The Strategic Rejection Challenge

Scrum.org

TL;DR: When Incentives Sabotage Product Strategy Learn why many Product Owners and Managers worry about the wrong thing: saying no instead of saying yes to everything. This article reveals three systematic rejection techniques that strengthen stakeholder relationships while protecting product strategy to avoid organizational incentives sabotaging product strategy.

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Project Management Trends 2025: How to Stay Ahead

Accidental PM

Project management is no longer confined to charts, timelines, and deliverables. It has evolved into a dynamic discipline that intersects technology, leadership, and strategic value creation. As we progress through 2025, the forces shaping this field are stronger and more diverse than ever, driven by artificial intelligence, hybrid work structures, sustainability mandates, and the relentless pace of innovation.

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How to Modernize Manufacturing Without Losing Control

Speaker: Andrew Skoog, Founder of MachinistX & President of Hexis Representatives

Manufacturing is evolving, and the right technology can empower—not replace—your workforce. Smart automation and AI-driven software are revolutionizing decision-making, optimizing processes, and improving efficiency. But how do you implement these tools with confidence and ensure they complement human expertise rather than override it? Join industry expert Andrew Skoog as he explores how manufacturers can leverage automation to enhance operations, streamline workflows, and make smarter, data-dri

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Project risk management software: 7 options to compare

Wrike

Key takeaways: What does project risk management software help teams achieve? Project risk management software helps teams identify, assess, and respond to potential risks before they impact timelines, budgets, or outcomes. By standardizing processes and creating visibility, these tools support proactive decision making and reduce the likelihood of project failure.

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The Emotional Reality of Project Management 

The IIL Blog

By Markus Kopko June 12, 2025 Project management is not just about tasks, timelines, and deliverables. It’s about people. Pressure. Emotional resilience. Behind every Gantt chart is a human being navigating far more than scope and schedules. You’re not just managing projects. You’re managing meltdowns, motivation, and mayhem. And somehow — still delivering.

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8 Agile Templates: Which Free Agile Template is Right for You?

ProjectManager.com

Agile project management has become a cornerstone for teams aiming to deliver value quickly and adapt to changing requirements. With its iterative approach and focus on collaboration, agile helps streamline workflows, foster transparency and prioritize customer needs. However, implementing agile effectively requires the right tools—especially agile templates that standardize processes and improve consistency across teams.

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How to Set up a PMO (Project Management Office): A Step-by-Step Guide

Rebel’s Guide to PM

I love this topic because, like many of you; I was brand new to PMO Management when I was first offered a PMO. It was scary and you might not understand where to start. Yes, you can search up and down LinkedIn, and I can tell you that there is advice there for sure, but it is often not expert advice. I read it all the time, people telling you how to run a PMO and have zero or very limited experience doing it themselves.

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Breaking The Commerce Bottleneck: Your SAP Exit Plan Starts Now

Speaker: Jason Cottrell and Gireesh Sahukar

Retailers know the clock is ticking–legacy SAP Commerce support ends in 2026. Legacy platforms are becoming a liability burdened by complexity, rigidity, and mounting operational costs. But modernization isn’t just about swapping out systems, it’s about preparing for a future shaped by real-time interactions, AI powered buying assistants, and flexible commerce architecture.

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Still Using Velocity? Make It Useful Again

Scrum.org

In our previous post, we examined how velocity is often misinterpreted. Averages become commitments Story points turn into deadlines And we lose sight of what estimation is really for, helping better conversations happen If you missed it, start here: Velocity. It’s Not What You Think It Is. That post built on our opening piece: Agile Estimation Is Not Broken.

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Time Blocking for Project Managers: The Productivity Hack You Need

Accidental PM

Your time is your most valuable resource—and often your most misused one. Between back-to-back meetings, endless email threads, and stakeholders popping in with “just a quick question,” it can feel like you spend more time reacting than leading. Time-blocking is a simple but powerful productivity technique that can help project managers take control of their time, focus intensely on high-priority tasks, and reduce the mental clutter from context switching.

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Think You Know Risk? Top 15 Risk Management Myths Busted

Online PM Courses

If you are new to project management, you may come across some of the common risk management myths and not know how to respond. The post Think You Know Risk? Top 15 Risk Management Myths Busted appeared first on OnlinePMCourses.

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Portfolio Management: A Week of Insight from House of PMO

House of PMO

We didn’t really set out to do a portfolio management “week”. It just… happened. But looking back, the pieces came together, almost like a portfolio themselves, loosely connected, each adding something the others didn’t. Three different sessions. Three perspectives. And if there’s a theme, maybe it’s this: portfolio management isn’t just complicated – it’s personal.

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State of AI in Sales & Marketing 2025

AI adoption is reshaping sales and marketing. But is it delivering real results? We surveyed 1,000+ GTM professionals to find out. The data is clear: AI users report 47% higher productivity and an average of 12 hours saved per week. But leaders say mainstream AI tools still fall short on accuracy and business impact. Download the full report today to see how AI is being used — and where go-to-market professionals think there are gaps and opportunities.

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Contingency Reserve in Project Management

ProjectManager.com

In project management, even the best-laid plans are vulnerable to change. From unexpected delays to unplanned expenses or resource shortages, projects often face disruptions that can derail timelines and budgets. Thats where a contingency reserve comes in. Acting as a buffer against the unknown, contingency resources help project teams stay flexible and responsive when challenges arise.

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How to do product discovery the right way (7-step plan)

Planio

The world’s best products simultaneously generate customer value while fulfilling their organization’s strategic objectives — but how do you strike the perfect balance? Product discovery is the process of uncovering your customer needs to identify a new product or feature that will bring them extra value. It’s an essential skill for all leaders that, if given the time and investment it deserves, ensures you invest in the ideas that are financially viable, create excitement, and contribute to you

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When To Use Scrum?

Scrum.org

Video segments 0:00 Use Scrum only when… 0:19 Al Shalloway who asked "Where do you think is a good place to use Scrum?" 0:44 Use Scrum only when transformative disruption is required or use parts of Scrum if those parts prove to be better than the previous ways of working 1:26 Scrum is just a set of working agreements 2:39 True Scrum is a hardcore game, there's no easy mode 3:18 If a company is in crisis… 4:35 Scrum requires… 4:57 Why would a company embrace that level of disruption 5:37 Analogy

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Don’t Fill in the Blanks: Dealing with the Constraints of Templates and Forms

The IIL Blog

By Steve Blais June 12, 2025 As a consultant for the past 30 plus years, I have found it useful after determining what the client wants done, the problem they need solved, the scope, constraints and guidelines they want followed, to find out how they want the results of my findings presented. I am thinking in terms of verbal reporting, PowerPoint presentation, written report, etc.

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How to Avoid Pitfalls In Automation: Keep Humans In the Loop

Speaker: Erroll Amacker

Automation is transforming finance but without strong financial oversight it can introduce more risk than reward. From missed discrepancies to strained vendor relationships, accounts payable automation needs a human touch to deliver lasting value. This session is your playbook to get automation right. We’ll explore how to balance speed with control, boost decision-making through human-machine collaboration, and unlock ROI with fewer errors, stronger fraud prevention, and smoother operations.

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Cost of Poor Project Management That Slows You Down

Beyond the Chaos

A delayed project doesn’t just affect your calendar. It affects your bottom line. Time lost in back-and-forth, unclear next steps, or misaligned expectations can quickly turn into lost revenue, and the longer it goes, the harder it is to recover. Only 35% of organizations say they usually finish projects on time. That means most teams spend extra time, money, and energy fixing problems that could have been avoided.

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11 Time Tracking Best Practices—With Tips From Industry Leaders

Scoro

Time tracking data is only as good as the system behind it. If your current process leads to scattered or incomplete logs, you’re not just missing hours—you’re missing insight into profitability, performance, and planning. To help you avoid that, we spoke with experienced operators, consultants, and leaders. In this guide, they share the time tracking best practices that have helped their teams reduce scope creep, increase billable utilization, and make smarter resourcing decisions. 1.

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10 Free Project Forms & Formats for Excel and Word

ProjectManager.com

Managing a project efficiently often comes down to having the right tools at your disposal—and that includes documentation. Whether you’re planning, executing or closing a project, project management forms help standardize processes, track progress and ensure accountability. These essential documents streamline communication, guide workflows and provide a structured way to capture critical information at every stage.

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Operational vs Strategic Leadership: What is the difference?

Sandeep Kashyap

When I first stepped into a team lead role, I threw myself entirely into the mechanics of operations. My days were consumed with process improvements, team check-ins, and putting out the inevitable fires that flared up across our department. Six months in, exhausted but satisfied with our efficiency gains, my manager asked me a question that stopped me cold: “That’s all great, but where are you taking your team?

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The 2nd Generation of Innovation Management: A Survival Guide

Speaker: Chris Townsend, VP of Product Marketing, Wellspring

Over the past decade, companies have embraced innovation with enthusiasm—Chief Innovation Officers have been hired, and in-house incubators, accelerators, and co-creation labs have been launched. CEOs have spoken with passion about “making everyone an innovator” and the need “to disrupt our own business.” But after years of experimentation, senior leaders are asking: Is this still just an experiment, or are we in it for the long haul?

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Breaking Out of Agile Theater by Communicating Strategic Value

Scrum.org

Ever feel like you’re stuck playing “Scrum cop” or running ceremonies, but never get a seat at the real strategy table? You’re not alone. I sat down with Dr. Michael Gerharz , who’s made a career out of helping leaders find the right words to actually move the needle, not just check boxes. Here's the video podcast: ( Go here for the audio version ) Here’s what stood out for me—and maybe for you too, if you’ve ever wondered why “agile” so often turns into process theater instead of real progress.

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Hit peak profitability with project budgets

Resource Guru

Keeping a close eye on project budgets is key. Without a solid handle on how things are progressing, issues can spiral fast and profits can take a hit. You can now set and track project budgets in Resource Guru, helping you monitor spend, spot issues early, and keep projects—and profitability—on course. Why project budgets matter Monitor spend You can approach these project budgets in two ways.

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Fix Workflow Gaps With a Smarter Timeline Structure

Beyond the Chaos

A project kicks off, the team gets moving, and then something small throws it off—one step out of order, a deadline not flagged, or a dependency buried too far down the line. Suddenly, the schedule shifts, and no one’s quite sure where things stand. That’s when delays start to pile up and small missteps turn into bigger setbacks. It’s not always a people problem.