In this episode of The Vertali Podcast, host Ed Nell is joined by Richard Goldsby, Programme Manager at Vertali, for a deep dive into the world of project and programme management in complex technology environments.
Richard draws on years of experience across IBM and beyond to explain what project management actually involves, why communication sits at the heart of every successful delivery and what happens when the discipline is missing.
Key Takeaways
A project manager is an enabler, not a doer.
The role is about oiling the wheels - getting the right people focused on the right things, removing blockers and making sure everyone knows where they are and what comes next.
Communication is the single most important discipline in project management.
Richard returns to it throughout the conversation because it underpins everything - stakeholder confidence, priority calls, risk management and the relationship with the customer.
People, process and technology are the three pillars of any complex project.
If one is missing or poorly handled, the project will come unstuck. Of the three, people is the hardest - particularly when key stakeholders have not been told a project is happening at all.
Good governance should be light touch, consistent and targeted.
A two page weekly report that the right people actually read is worth far more than a twenty-five page document nobody opens. The goal is no surprises at executive level.
Plans always change - what matters is how you manage that change.
The plan gives structure and direction, but the skill is in tracking milestones, anticipating dependencies and communicating clearly when dates shift and why.
Key Moments
\"I often joke that I don't do anything - I enable other people to do the right things.\"
\"It's not a case of I told you so - it's a case of, right, this has happened. Now how do we fix it?\"
\"The assumptions that aren't shared are the ones that get you.\"
\"Identify the key stakeholders up front - and give yourself enough time, because things happen.\"
About Vertali
Vertali is a leading cyber security company specialising in IBM® mainframe infrastructure. With deep expertise, innovative software, and trusted resources, Vertali supports organisations across the UK and globally, particularly in finance, retail, utilities, and government sectors.
100% focused on mainframe systems, Vertali helps organizations secure and optimize their operations. By combining advanced technology with expert insights, Vertali delivers powerful cybersecurity solutions and consulting services that protect against evolving threats. Driven by a proactive approach, Vertali enables businesses to build resilient systems, safeguard sensitive data, and maintain smooth, uninterrupted operations in the face of cyber risks.
Connect with Vertali: https://vertali.com/
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