What's the Plan? Portfolio, Project & Resource Management

From Project Police to Value Driver: Unlocking PMO Value with Jerry Manas

What does it take for a PMO to stop being the "project police" and start driving real organizational value? In this episode, host Samantha Varner sits down with Jerry Manas, internationally bestselling author of the Resource Management and Capacity Planning Handbook, to explore why terminology confusion stalls progress, how PMOs can shift from methodology enforcers to strategic change drivers, and why storytelling is one of the most underrated tools in a leader's toolkit. You'll learn: · Why getting hung up on terminology blocks organizational progress · How PMOs can shift from enforcing processes to delivering business value · What leaders need to understand about resource and capacity planning — regardless of what they call it · How storytelling drives adoption and helps teams understand the "what's in it for me" If you're a PMO, portfolio, or resource management leader ready to move from compliance to impact, this one's for you. 00:00 The Importance of Productivity and Value 02:57 Terminology in Project Management 05:58 Core Concepts of Resource Management 08:55 Visibility and Decision Making 11:56 The Capacity Quadrant Framework 15:08 Patterns in Organizational Maturity 18:06 The Role of PMOs in Strategic Alignment 21:04 Deprioritizing Resource Management 24:01 The Evolving Role of PMOs 27:03 Aligning Productivity with Value 30:01 The Power of Storytelling in Leadership 33:00 Future Plans and Closing Thoughts Connect with Jerry on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmanas/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmanas/] Learn more about Jerry’s Strategic Advisory practice https://www.jerrymanas.com/strategic-advisory [https://www.jerrymanas.com/strategic-advisory] Order The Resource Management and Capacity Planning Handbook https://www.jerrymanas.com/resourcemanagement [https://www.jerrymanas.com/resourcemanagement] Order Projectland Goes to the Movies https://www.amazon.com/Projectland-Goes-Movies-Blockbuster-Strategies-ebook/dp/B0G8TYDSR7 [https://www.amazon.com/Projectland-Goes-Movies-Blockbuster-Strategies-ebook/dp/B0G8TYDSR7] Presented By: ProSymmetry https://www.prosymmetry.com/ [https://www.prosymmetry.com/] Learn More About What’s the Plan? https://www.prosymmetry.com/whats-the-plan [https://www.prosymmetry.com/whats-the-plan] Hosted and produced by Samantha Varner https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthavarner21/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthavarner21/] Produced and edited by Kyle Wertz

Resources are People: Creating a Culture of Resilience and Productivity with Jill Savage

Resource planning often gets treated like a numbers game: capacity, utilization, and forecasts. Our plans fail because we forget the people behind the work. In this episode, Jill Savage, a resource management pioneer, shares how great resource management goes beyond a list of names and allocations. From understanding personalities and career goals to recognizing when someone is overloaded or misaligned, we explore how to build plans that actually work in the real world. You’ll learn: · Why treating people like “resources” leads to burnout and disengagement · How to balance business demands with human needs · What great resource managers do differently · How to build trust, improve productivity, and retain top talent If you’re leading projects or teams this is the side of resource planning you can’t afford to ignore. 00:00 The Dynamics of Labor and Exploitation 03:07 Resource Management: A Strategic Necessity 05:54 The Human Element in Resource Management 08:51 Balancing Tasks and Human Needs 12:06 The Role of AI in Resource Management 15:02 Building Trust and Understanding in Teams 18:04 The Consequences of Ignoring Human Factors 20:53 The Importance of Retaining Talent 24:05 Finding the Right Fit for Tasks 26:48 Opportunities for Growth and Learning 28:23 Creating Opportunities in Unique Spaces 30:04 The Importance of Active Listening 31:52 Navigating Team Dynamics and Relationships 34:02 Building Trust and Collaboration 36:59 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Management 39:57 Adapting to Remote Work Challenges 45:14 Balancing Data and Humanity in Resource Management 48:34 Future Directions in Resource Management Connect with Jill Savage on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/scootersavage/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scootersavage/] Presented By: ProSymmetry https://www.prosymmetry.com/ [https://www.prosymmetry.com/] Learn More About What’s the Plan? https://www.prosymmetry.com/whats-the-plan [https://www.prosymmetry.com/whats-the-plan] Hosted and produced by Samantha Varner https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthavarner21/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthavarner21/] Produced and edited by Kyle Wertz

Adapting Project, Portfolio & Resource Management in Times of Change

How do you plan when everything keeps changing? Hosted by Samantha Varner of ProSymmetry, this panel features Melissa Fry from Choice Hotels and Sarah Vincent from Honda sharing how they manage mid-cycle pivots, balance demand vs. capacity, and communicate trade-offs to leadership. Packed with real-world strategies, this session highlights how PMOs are staying flexible and effective in a fast-moving environment. 00:00 Navigating Change in PMOs 10:04 Responding to Mid-Plan Changes 20:08 Planning Cycles and Capacity Management 23:58 Demand vs. Capacity: The Balancing Act 27:33 Collaborative Hiring Strategies 30:23 Resource Forecasting and Capacity Management 34:37 Balancing Operational and Strategic Work 41:32 Setting Expectations for Resource Allocation 44:32 Leveraging AI for Future Planning 49:49 Establishing a Source of Truth for Data 54:49 Embracing Change in Project Management Presented By: ProSymmetry https://www.prosymmetry.com/ [https://www.prosymmetry.com/] Learn More About What’s the Plan? https://www.prosymmetry.com/whats-the-plan [https://www.prosymmetry.com/whats-the-plan] Hosted and produced by Samantha Varner https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthavarner21/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthavarner21/] Produced and edited by Kyle Wertz

Stop Waiting for Perfect Data: How to Start Resource Planning Now with Bob Blackburn

Most PMOs stall on resource planning because the data isn't perfect. Bob Blackburn, a PMO leader with 20+ years of experience, says stop waiting and explains exactly how to start. In this episode, Bob and host Samantha Varner break down: → Staffing vs. forecasting - and why most teams confuse the two → How to build capacity models for projects that don't exist yet → Why directionally accurate beats waiting for perfect → The real risk of the blank sheet of paper Perfect for PMO leaders, portfolio managers, and resource managers ready to move from paralysis to progress. 00:00 The Importance of Data Quality in Resource Planning 06:10 Understanding Resource Planning: Staffing vs. Forecasting 12:16 The Role of PMO in Project Intake and Planning 18:54 Agile Capacity Planning: A New Approach 25:53 Defining Roles: Project Managers, Resource Managers, and Functional Managers 31:28 Aligning Project and Functional Managers for Success 36:24 Directionally Right: Metrics and Signals for Resource Planning 38:54 Starting Resource Planning: Practical Steps for Implementation 41:39 Future Focus: Strategic Portfolio Management and Value Connect with Bob on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobblackburn22/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobblackburn22/] Presented By: ProSymmetry https://www.prosymmetry.com/ [https://www.prosymmetry.com/] Hosted and produced by Samantha Varner https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthavarner21/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthavarner21/] Produced and edited by Kyle Wertz

Welcome to What’s the Plan? | A Podcast for PMO, Portfolio & Resource Leaders

A podcast for PMO leaders, portfolio managers, and resource management professionals focused on strategic portfolio management, capacity planning, and connecting strategy to execution. In this trailer, host Samantha Varner shares what to expect from candid conversations about prioritization, demand vs. capacity, and the human side of planning. Follow to hear real-world insights on aligning strategy, portfolios, and the people doing the work.