Don't Panic Pivot: Managing Critical Issues to Prevent Crises with Shalabh Tandon and Shubhada Sahasrabudhe

 

In this episode, Shalabh Tandon and Shubhada Sahasrabudhe join me to discuss their new book, 'Don't Panic Pivot: Managing Critical Issues to Prevent Crises.' We explore the differences between risks and issues, what makes an issue critical, and why they emphasize a systematic approach to managing crises. The authors introduce their nine-six framework, which includes three whys, nine ingredients, and six steps to effectively address critical issues. They highlight the role of leadership and organizational culture in fostering a proactive environment for issue management. We also dig into the intricacies of crisis management and the importance of building resilience within organizations, maintaining quality, and ensuring transparent communication during crises. You'll hear their tips on how to find balance between discipline and drama in crisis response and how AI can enhance crisis management strategies. The conversation highlights actionable insights for leaders and organizations to navigate crises effectively.

Takeaways

• Most crises are a culmination of ignored small issues.
• A systematic process helps organizations respond thoughtfully, not react impulsively.
• Building a resilient organization involves learning from issues and creating a culture of psychological safety.
• The 9-6 framework includes steps like describe, impact assess, contain, root cause, and communicate.
• Transparency and consistent communication are crucial during crises.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Crisis Management

02:53 Understanding Risks vs. Issues

06:02 Defining Critical Issues

08:59 The Impact of Critical Issues

10:58 What is Critical Issue Management?

14:04 The Importance of Systematic Approaches

17:01 The Role of Leadership in Crisis Prevention

20:00 Cultural Aspects of Issue Management

21:58 The Process of Managing Issues

24:59 The Six Steps of Crisis Management

36:05 Understanding Crisis Response Dynamics

39:21 Building Organizational Resilience

43:58 Quality vs. Crisis Management

48:05 The Importance of Transparency in Crisis

54:06 Discipline Over Drama in Crisis Management

56:31 Leveraging AI for Crisis Management

The Book:

• Don't Panic Pivot: Managing Critical Issues to Prevent Crises 

https://tinyurl.com/4ps5jpxf

Learn More about QuRIuS:

• Web: www.quriusllc.com
• Promo Video: https://tinyurl.com/yyk6wjaj

Contacting Shubhada and Shalabh:

• Shubhada – https://www.linkedin.com/in/shubhada-sahasrabudhe/
• Shalabh - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalabh-tandon/

Managing Projects with Half Double - Half the Time or Double the Impact with Mattias Petrén

I sat down with longtime friend and fellow PMI volunteer Mattias Georgson Petrén to get schooled on Half Double, the Danish hybrid framework that has been around for over ten years but I only just learned about. Mattias walks through where it came from (a frustrated group of practitioners, industrial funding, and research backing from Aarhus University), what it promises — half the time or double the impact — and how it blends Agile cadence with the discipline of traditional, stage-based product management. We get into co-location, the 50% staffing rule, and why he treats Half Double as a lens layered on top of existing frameworks rather than a replacement for any of them. We close out with a conversation about where project managers fit into an AI-driven future that left me probably less worried than I've been about this in months.

drunkenpmradio · Managing Projects with Half Double - Half the Time Double the Impact with Mattias Petrén

Key Themes

• How Dave and Mattias met at a PMI chapter event in Malta back in 2008, and how that network led to real client work together
• Mattias's path from engineering physics PhD to "accidental" project manager
• The early days of Agile inside PMI circles, and the influence of conferences like Øredev
• What Half Double actually is: a hybrid method built on impact, flow, and leadership
• The origin story — Danish practitioners, an industrial fund, and Aarhus University research
• Why Half Double performs best on complex projects, not predictable, fully-plannable ones
• Co-location, the 50% staffing rule, and designing cadence into distributed teams
• Why Mattias treats Half Double as a set of lenses layered on top of an existing framework (PMI, PRINCE2, Scrum) rather than a replacement for one
• The "chasing tasks vs. chasing impact" trap that both traditional and Agile PMs fall into
• Where project managers fit in an AI-driven future — and why Mattias isn't worried

Chapters

00:00 The Value of Networking in Project Management

02:47 Mattias Petrén's Journey into Project Management

05:11 The Evolution of Agile in Project Management

07:47 Introduction to Half Double Methodology

10:47 Understanding the Half Double Framework

13:15 Hybrid Approaches in Project Management

16:03 Leadership and Co-location in Half Double

18:47 Embracing Chaos in Project Management

19:51 The Role of Project Owners

21:41 Understanding Project Impact and Stakeholder Management

23:44 Integrating Agile with Traditional Project Management

26:01 The Half Double Methodology Explained

29:23 The Future of Project Management in an AI-Driven World

Links from the Podcast

• Half Double Institute - https://halfdoubleinstitute.org
• PMI Agile 2026 https://agilealliance.org/pmi-agile-2026/
• Dave and John Tanner’s session at Agile 2026 When AI Starts Doing Your Job: Surviving the PM Identity Crisis https://tinyurl.com/23jc8uhs

Contact Mattias

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattiasgeorgsonpetren/

Email - mattias@georgson.com

The Journey from Project Manager to Chief of Staff with Darby Strong

In this conversation, Dave Prior and Darby Strong explore the transition from project management to the role of chief of staff, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal skills, empathy, and systems thinking. They discuss how experiences in the restaurant industry can shape effective project managers and the significance of creating a supportive work environment. The dialogue highlights the need for leaders to be aware of their impact on team dynamics and the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration and trust. In this conversation, Darby and Dave explore the nuances of leadership roles, particularly the differences between project managers and chiefs of staff. They discuss the importance of trust, courage, and the ability to absorb ambiguity in leadership. Darby shares her personal journey and insights on transitioning from project management to a chief of staff role, emphasizing the need for cooperation and systems thinking. The conversation also touches on the significance of taking action and the value of interdisciplinary approaches in effective leadership.

drunkenpmradio · The Journey from Project Manager to Chief of Staff with Darby Strong

 Takeaways

• The restaurant experience provides valuable skills for project management.
• Effective project managers are often generalists with a systems thinking approach.
• Communication and empathy are crucial in leadership roles.
• Creating a supportive environment helps teams thrive.
• The role of chief of staff involves strategic partnership with leadership.
• Project managers can influence organizational culture positively.
• Understanding team dynamics is essential for effective leadership.
• Compassion for leaders can enhance team performance.
• Interdependence is key in collaborative work environments.
• Project managers should focus on nurturing both teams and leadership.
• Chiefs of staff need to absorb ambiguity for clarity.
• Building trust takes time and consistent effort.
• Courage to be candid is crucial in leadership roles.
• Project managers can transition to chief of staff roles with the right mindset.
• Creating systems for cooperation is essential in leadership.
• Influence is a key skill for project managers and scrum masters.
• Taking action can help overcome inertia and open new opportunities.
• Interdisciplinary approaches can enhance leadership effectiveness.
• Understanding natural systems is vital for effective project management.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:58 The Restaurant Experience and Project Management

06:03 The Importance of People in Project Management

08:56 Transitioning from Project Management to Chief of Staff

12:04 The Role of a Chief of Staff

14:53 Navigating Leadership and Team Dynamics

18:02 Empathy and Perspective in Leadership

25:26 Interdependence Day: A Unique Celebration

26:10 Traits of a Chief of Staff vs. Project Manager

30:12 Building Trust and Courage in Leadership

32:23 Absorbing Ambiguity: The Role of a Chief of Staff

33:20 Transitioning from Project Management to Chief of Staff

35:15 Creating Systems for Cooperation

37:12 The Influence of Project Managers and Scrum Masters

41:56 Taking Action: Overcoming Inertia

43:42 Interdisciplinary Approaches in Leadership

Contacting Darby

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darbystrong/

Surfing Chaos - Storytelling and the AI Ready Project Manager - EP 6

In this episode, Stu and Dave discuss the power of storytelling, the impact of AI on project management, time management strategies, upcoming training sessions, and their activities at the Vancouver Scrum Gathering.

Global Scrum Gathering Vancouver 2026 - May 3-6
https://www.scrumalliance.org/events/global

Dave's Sessions

Gain Confidence as an AI Ready Project Manager - April 28 11 AM Eastern https://maven.com/p/4ac5d0/gain-confidence-as-an-ai-ready-project-manager

AI Ready Project Manager One Day Accelerator - May 23
https://maven.com/c4g-academy/ai-ready-project-manager

Dave's Scrum Certification Classes:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/dave-prior-classes-4758623

Stuart's Sessions


Visual Thinking for Effective Collaboration - April 27
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/stuartyoungtrainingltd/2090279



All Stu's upcoming classes
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/stuartyoungtrainingltd

Find Stuart https://linktr.ee/stuartliveart

Find Dave https://linktr.ee/mrsungo


No One Is Coming to Save You: The Power-Ups you need to surf the chaos

• Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yv7chp54

• Leanpub: https://leanpub.com/surfthechaos

 

Mastering AI in Business - RAG vs CAG with Braden Cundiff

Braden Cundiff joins Dave to explore some of the emerging ways  AI tools can be used to support project management, including RAG and CAG approaches. During the interview they cover what they are, how they are different, and how they can transform organizational processes. The discussion covers practical applications, ethical considerations, and strategies for learning AI effectively.

Key Topics

• Differences between RAG and CAG in AI
• Practical applications of AI in project management
• Ethical considerations in AI deployment
• Strategies for learning and adopting AI technologies

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI in Project Management

00:55 Meet the Expert: Brayden Cundiff and BloomFilter

01:56 BloomFilter's Role in AI and SDLC Integration

03:52 AI as a Scrum Master: Enhancing Agile Processes

05:09 Limitations of ChatGPT for Project Contexts

05:37 Understanding RAG and CAG Approaches

18:27 Differences Between RAG and CAG Explained

23:05 Implementing CAG for Consistent AI Responses

29:01 Security, Bias, and Ethical Considerations in AI

34:06 Learning AI: Resources and Strategies

42:46 Closing Remarks and Next Steps

LInks

• AI Ready for PMs - One Day Accelerator https://www.beforeaiready.com/
• BloomFilter AI - https://bloomfilter.ai

Contacting Braden

• Braden’s Book - Flip: Projects to Products: A Problem Playbook https://tinyurl.com/599y6fpf
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/braden-cundiff-52479121/

Mastering Troubled Projects: Strategies from Richard Broo

In this insightful interview, Richard Broo shares his expertise on managing troubled projects, the importance of scope and risk management, and how traditional and agile methodologies can be effectively integrated. Learn practical strategies to improve project success and navigate the complexities of modern project management.

Click here to watch the video version

Click here to listen to the audio version

Adapt to Win! with Evan Campbell

Dave sits down with Evan Campbell to discuss his new book, Adapt to Win: A Framework to Overcome Strategy Decay Using OKRs and Lean Portfolio Management, published by Wiley. Evan shares why most organizations fail to execute on beautifully crafted strategies — and what to do about it.

Watch the video version here.

Listen to the audio version here.

Navigating AI in Business Strategy with John Tanner

In this conversation, John Tanner discusses the evolving role of AI in business strategy, emphasizing the need for leaders to understand AI's impact on their organizations. He highlights the challenges of integrating AI, the importance of data management, and the necessity for project managers to adapt their skills in the face of new technologies. Tanner also introduces his course on AI readiness, which aims to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the AI landscape effectively.

Watch the video version here.

Listen to the audio version here.

Navigating Uncertainty: Preparing for Success in 2026 with Johanna Rothman and Mark Kilby

In this episode of the Reluctant Agilist, host Dave Prior welcomes Mark Kilby and Johanna Rothman to discuss their reflections and plans for the new year. The conversation begins with a candid admission from Dave about feeling lost in setting goals for 2026, prompting Johanna to suggest a shift in focus from preparing for risks to preparing for success. The trio explores the importance of collaboration and the need to let go of what hinders progress, particularly in the context of AI and its implications for project management. They emphasize the necessity of resilience and adaptability in a rapidly changing world, advocating for a more positive outlook on success rather than a fear-based approach to risk management.

As the discussion unfolds, they delve into the challenges posed by generative AI, the importance of trust in technology, and the need for personal and organizational resilience. The episode culminates in a reflection on the significance of collaboration and the value of learning from one another, highlighting the importance of community in navigating the complexities of modern work environments. Ultimately, the conversation serves as a reminder to focus on personal growth, inclusivity, and the pursuit of meaningful connections in both professional and personal spheres.

The video version of this podcast is here

The audio version of this podcast is here

Building a Virtual Board of Directors with AI featuring Victor Njoroge

In this conversation, Dave Prior interviews Victor Njoroge about the intersection of AI and product management. Victor shares his background and role at Clarion, emphasizing the importance of optimizing workflows for sales development representatives. They discuss the concept of Sidebar, a platform for brainstorming and sharing ideas among professionals. Victor explains how he built a virtual board of directors using AI to gain diverse perspectives on product management challenges. The conversation highlights the significance of trust in AI tools, the need for continuous learning, and the enduring value of human skills in the age of AI.

Video: https://youtu.be/Z1oVjbl6V8Y

Audio: https://on.soundcloud.com/7SpXAA8EZRsxKiwP6o

Receiving the Gift of Feedback with Lonnie Weaver Johnson

In this engaging conversation, Dave Prior and Lonnie Weaver-Johnson delve into the complexities of giving and receiving feedback. They explore personal experiences, the emotional challenges associated with feedback, and practical strategies for improving feedback dynamics. Lonnie shares her insights on the importance of mindset, recognizing triggers, and the four Rs of feedback: recognize, receive, react, and respond. The discussion emphasizes the value of self-awareness and the need for constructive communication in both personal and professional settings.

You can find the video recording here.

You can find the audio version here.

Navigating AI - Making Sense of Agents and When To Use Them with Hugo Bowne-Anderson

In this conversation, Dave Prior and Hugo Bowne-Anderson discuss the evolving landscape of AI and data science, focusing on the role of AI agents in solving business problems. Hugo shares insights on how to effectively implement AI solutions, the importance of understanding the underlying data, and the need for continuous improvement in AI systems. They also touch on the skills necessary for navigating the AI landscape, the value of collaboration between technical and non-technical teams, and the importance of assessing the value of AI projects. Hugo concludes by offering a course on building AI applications, emphasizing the iterative nature of AI development.

You can find the interview here.

Making the Case for Middle Management with Dennis Stevens

Dennis Stevens joins drunkenpm for a deep dive into the challenges faced by middle management in organizational change. Dennis argues that Agile and transformation efforts often fail because they treat middle managers as a roadblock, when in fact, these managers are simply victims of a badly designed system. The core idea is that companies shouldn't try to eliminate these roles but must instead design specific organizational "containers" and routines that force middle managers to leverage human nature (like self-interest and competition) to drive innovation. The goal is to shift strategy from a static plan to a dynamic process that lives in the interactions between people, ensuring all the work being done is strategically aligned, measurable, and ultimately successful.

You can find the podcast here: https://tinyurl.com/4tp8hcct

Links From The Intro

Productivity Survival with Mark Kilby and Dave Prior 

• https://www.tickettailor.com/events/markkilby/1905697

No One is Coming to Save You

• Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yhdk785j
• Leanpub: https://leanpub.com/surfthechaos

You Need Comms More Than You Think with Ashley Lucio

In this conversation, Dave Prior speaks with Ashley Lucio about her extensive experience in communications, particularly focusing on the differences between internal communications and marketing. They discuss the challenges organizations face in deploying AI technologies and the importance of having communication professionals involved in these processes. Ashley emphasizes the need for effective communication strategies to manage organizational change and the potential pitfalls of neglecting this aspect. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of AI in communications and the necessity for a balanced approach that leverages technology while maintaining human insight.

The podcast is here: https://tinyurl.com/42h5evwd

No One Is Coming to Save You - Johanna Rothman Takes Over DrunkenPM

Johanna Rothman offered to interview Stuart Young and me about our new book 'No One Is Coming to Save You'. This was only my second time handing over the podcast to someone and it was a gerat interview. 

If you are curious about the book, you can check the interview here.

Personal Kanban Questions with Alex Silva

Way back in the olden days before the pandemic,  Alex Silva took a class with me and we talked about Personal Kanban. It's been a few years since we spoke, he's been using it, and he reached out to ask if my use of it had changed.

That's kind of a huge question, so I invited him to take over the podcast and interview me about it. We ended up having a great conversation discussing how we've each adapted it, what makes it work and if you are into PK at all, there is some great stuff in here for you.

You can check out the podcast here.

Getting Your Resume Past ATS with Wahresume Featuring Johnu Marattil

If you are searching for a new gig right now, you know all to well how unbelievably frustrating it can be to send your resume out. You can spend hours on tailoring it and still not get a response.  WahResume is one of the tools that can help you prep your materials so that they have a better chance of making it through the ATS gauntlet. 

Click here to check out my interview with Johnu Marattil.

David Marquet - Distancing - How Great Leaders Make Better Decisions

David Marquet is back! He's the author of 'Turn The Ship Around', 'Leadership is Language', and the co-author of 'Distancing - How Great Leaders Reframe to Make Better Decisions'.  David is always great in an interview, and this is no exception. He was even kind enough to share my favorite story from Leadership is Language.  

Check out the interview and then pick up the book!

You can find the interview here.

You can pick up the book here.

Distancing - How Great Leaders Reframe to Make Better Decisions with Dr. Michael Gillespie

In this conversation, Dave Prior interviews Dr. Michael Gillespie about his book 'Distancing - How Great Leaders Reframe to Make Better Decisions', which explores psychological distancing as a tool for better decision-making. They discuss the importance of stepping outside one's own perspective to gain clarity, the different types of distancing (self, time, and space), and practical applications of these techniques. The conversation also touches on the role of journaling, the significance of construal level theory, and how mindfulness can complement these strategies. Ultimately, the discussion emphasizes the need for individuals to pause and reflect in order to make more informed decisions.

You can find the podcast here: https://www.projectmanagement.com/blog-post/78726/distancing---how-great-leaders-reframe-to-make-better-decisions-with-dr--michael-gillespie

And you can pick up the book here:
Distancing - How Great Leaders Reframe to Make Better Decisions by L. David Marquet and Michael A. Gillespie https://tinyurl.com/wtadnumb

Revolutionizing Team Coordination with Steady featuring Henry Poydar

In this conversation, Henry Poydar joins Dave on the podcast to discuss the innovative platform Steady, which aims to enhance team coordination and communication in the workplace. Henry shares his extensive background in engineering and web development, emphasizing the importance of context and intentions in project management. They explore the challenges of cross-team coordination, especially in the wake of the pandemic, and how Steady seeks to unburden teams from the coordination crisis. The discussion also highlights the concept of 'echoes' as a new way to provide contextual insights and the significance of celebrating individual contributions within teams. Overall, the conversation sheds light on the future of work and the role of technology in fostering collaboration and productivity.

You can find the podcast here.