Several weeks ago I asked "How prepared are you for your next PM job?" It's time for some follow-up.
Accidental success is great, but we're project managers. Planning and achieving desired outcomes is in our blood. I'm in the early stages of my "next", hoping to spend some time, here, developing new skills, growing, and helping others to grow. I got here by working hard, building relationships, and finding ways to add value beyond project management. I also had to leave a job that, while I enjoyed the work and the people I worked with, didn't feel like it was going anywhere.
What about you? If you don't know exactly what your "next" PM job/role is, do you have a direction or idea of what you want to change? Saving Changes...
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Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
That’s such a timely and meaningful question and one that goes beyond career planning.
For me, the “next” isn’t just a new position or certification; it’s an evolution of how I practice leadership and create value through projects.
I see project management shifting from a discipline of delivery to a discipline of regeneration, helping systems, teams, and people grow through change.
So my focus now is on deepening three capabilities:
Ethical decision-making - bringing integrity and reflection into every complex choice (RCPCV™ framework).
Cognitive agility - learning to think adaptively with humans and intelligent systems (Agility Cognitiva™).
Regenerative leadership - developing others so that leadership multiplies, not just scales.
My “next” is not just about doing more projects.
It’s about doing them with greater consciousness, impact, and purpose.
As a retiree approaching one year of retirement, what's next for me is staying as healthy as I can and giving back as much as I'm able to within my local community and supporting the next generation of PM practitioners.
My main "project" this upcoming year will be in support of my wife's planning for retirement in early 2027 - mostly by helping her come up with a backlog of retirement activities & pursuits to keep her busy :-)
Kiron
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1 reply by Aaron Porter
Nov 03, 2025 9:30 AM
Aaron Porter
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Kiron, hopefully your wife is on board with a honey-do list ;-)
Program Manager| HARPER SRLSanto Domingo / Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic
The “next” isn’t just about a new title, but about deepening impact. After years of leading tech and transformation projects, I’m focusing on advancing into strategic program and portfolio management, as well as organizational agility, where I can help connect strategy, people, and delivery at scale. To get there, I’m strengthening my leadership toolbox, mentoring, teaching, and contributing more actively to PMI and Agile communities. Each step, for me, is about turning experience into influence and helping others grow along the way. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
As a retiree and getting older, I've shifted from focusing on the next target and success to improving and making progress. Or, in PM terms, from seeing life as a project to understanding it as a program instead.
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1 reply by Aaron Porter
Nov 03, 2025 9:27 AM
Aaron Porter
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Oh to be able to retire someday...
I agree with your sentiment on life - not everything is a project, and life is so much more than that.
As a retiree and getting older, I've shifted from focusing on the next target and success to improving and making progress. Or, in PM terms, from seeing life as a project to understanding it as a program instead.
Oh to be able to retire someday...
I agree with your sentiment on life - not everything is a project, and life is so much more than that. Saving Changes...
As a retiree approaching one year of retirement, what's next for me is staying as healthy as I can and giving back as much as I'm able to within my local community and supporting the next generation of PM practitioners.
My main "project" this upcoming year will be in support of my wife's planning for retirement in early 2027 - mostly by helping her come up with a backlog of retirement activities & pursuits to keep her busy :-)
Kiron
Kiron, hopefully your wife is on board with a honey-do list ;-) Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Aaron, on a professional level, I’m looking to broaden my project management experience beyond the construction industry and apply my skills in new fields where I can continue to grow and make an impact. Over the years, I’ve developed a strong foundation in managing complex projects, coordinating teams, and delivering results which are skills that are highly transferable across industries. Exploring opportunities in different sectors will not only challenge me to adapt and learn but also strengthen my overall versatility as a project manager.
At the same time, I’m focused on developing my side business so that it can become a sustainable venture when I retire. My goal is to build it gradually, leveraging the leadership, organization, and planning skills I’ve honed throughout my career. This dual focus of expanding my professional scope now while preparing for the future is what motivates me at this stage of my journey.
On a personal level, I also want to prioritize my health and well-being. Maintaining a consistent exercise routine, staying active, and managing a healthy weight are important goals for me. I’ve learned that taking care of my physical health not only improves my quality of life but also enhances my focus, energy, and effectiveness as a project manager.
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1 reply by Zakaria Botros
Nov 03, 2025 9:33 PM
Zakaria Botros
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Rami, I really like your dual focus—broadening your PM experience while building a sustainable future. Exploring new sectors is such a smart way to stay adaptable and keep growing.
How do you all see adaptability shaping the future of project management?
Project Manager | Driving Clean Energy Innovations for a Sustainable Future| Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Ontario, Canada
Great question! For me, adaptability is the real challenge—and the real differentiator. In project management, it’s easy to get comfortable following the same governance models and processes. But that comfort zone can limit our ability to thrive in environments where priorities shift quickly and expectations evolve. My focus for the “next” is building resilience and flexibility—being able to pivot without losing sight of outcomes. That means embracing uncertainty, questioning old habits, and learning how to lead when the playbook doesn’t fit.
What about you—how do you keep yourself adaptable when everything around you is changing? Saving Changes...
Project Manager | Driving Clean Energy Innovations for a Sustainable Future| Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Ontario, Canada
Nov 03, 2025 2:06 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
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Aaron, on a professional level, I’m looking to broaden my project management experience beyond the construction industry and apply my skills in new fields where I can continue to grow and make an impact. Over the years, I’ve developed a strong foundation in managing complex projects, coordinating teams, and delivering results which are skills that are highly transferable across industries. Exploring opportunities in different sectors will not only challenge me to adapt and learn but also strengthen my overall versatility as a project manager.
At the same time, I’m focused on developing my side business so that it can become a sustainable venture when I retire. My goal is to build it gradually, leveraging the leadership, organization, and planning skills I’ve honed throughout my career. This dual focus of expanding my professional scope now while preparing for the future is what motivates me at this stage of my journey.
On a personal level, I also want to prioritize my health and well-being. Maintaining a consistent exercise routine, staying active, and managing a healthy weight are important goals for me. I’ve learned that taking care of my physical health not only improves my quality of life but also enhances my focus, energy, and effectiveness as a project manager.
Rami, I really like your dual focus—broadening your PM experience while building a sustainable future. Exploring new sectors is such a smart way to stay adaptable and keep growing.
How do you all see adaptability shaping the future of project management? Saving Changes...
Great question! I’m gearing up for my next project, and honestly, stakeholder management and handling their expectations seem to be the biggest challenges ahead. But with the experience and best practices I’ve picked up in stakeholder and communication management, I’m confident about starting strong. If I can keep everyone aligned and handle conflicts smoothly, the rest should fall into place. Fingers crossed! 🙂
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