The Essential Principles of Project Management

Ten human-centered principles for leading projects with clarity, care, and accountability. Practical ideas for communication, collaboration, boundaries, and the judgment that keeps work moving.

Presented by Brett Harned, author of Project Management for Humans.
More resources: https://brettharned.com/
Speaking and workshops: https://brettharned.com/speaking-workshops-2/

Transcript

1. brettharned.com The Essential Principles of Project Management PRESENTE Y: Brett Harned https://www. inkedin.com/in/brettharned/ brett@brettharned.com @brettharned B l D ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
2. brettharned.com Hi, I’m Brett WORK Human-centered PM coach, consultant, fractional leader Founder, Digital PM Summit Author, Project Management for Humans International speaker and workshop leader Co-founder, Same Team Partners LIFE MEYERS BRIGGS EN F J Energy Style Enthusiastic Gregarious Sociable Expressive Cognitive Style Creative Imaginative Unconventional Forward-Thinking Values Style Passionate Empathetic Supportive Warm ENNEAGRAM Philadelphia is home Love to travel Hiking and camping Huge music fan: everything from indie to top 40 Recovering Peloton addict @brettharned on all socials (even TikTok!) ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC 3. The Achiever - Success oriented and pragmatic 2. The Helper - Caring, interpersonal, and generous 1. The Reformer - Principled and purposeful
3. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com Same Need Same Idea Same Goal Same Page Our thoughts, insights, and ideas for improving creative team leadership and operations My book ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC My blogs My podcasts
4. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Where are my PMs? ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
5. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Was PM your rst full-time job? fi ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
6. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com Would you describe yourself as an “accidental PM”? ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
7. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com You are not an accident! ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
8. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT How I fell into PM ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
9. Age: 5-12 Career Goal: Doctor Skills: Art, play, organizing things
10. Age: 13-18 Career goal: Doctor Skills: Art, reading, writing, homework todo lists, organizing CDs
11. Age: 18-21 Career goal: ??? Skills: Art, writing, note-taking, questioning everything!
12. Age: 21-31 Career goal: Writing/ editorial Skills: Writing, editing, brainstorming, notetaking, planning, helping, learning everything!
13. Age: 31-CURRENT Career goal: Retirement Skills: Project management, coaching, teaching, writing, learning everything!
14. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Who can relate? ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
15. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com Your PM career is not an accident! ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
16. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT We are needed ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
17. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT “What does a PM do?” ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
18. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com What Project Managers actually do Project Planning & Execution Process & Communication Build project plans, timelines, tasks lists Lead project workflows and delivery processes Track scope, schedule, and budgets Manage feedback loops and version control Run status meetings Own day-to-day project communication Risk & Issue Management Spot delivery risks and blockers Manage project changes and scope creep Keep the project team aligned and supported ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC Team Advocacy & Delivery Resource the project team Protect the team from overload Ensure project delivery hits quality, timeline, and budget
19. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT What Project Managers don’t do: Build and manage strategic client relationships Lead strategic growth conversations Conduct client wellness check-ins Monitor account-level revenue and health Lead upsell and cross-sell opportunities Drive account planning and growth roadmaps Act as the primary advocate for client success ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
20. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com But still, the role varies ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
21. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT PMs need principles ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
22. brettharned.com ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
23. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com The 10 Essential Principles of Good Project Management ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
24. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Principle 1 Chaos junkies We don’t panic, we thrive on messy projects because we know how to sort the mess. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
25. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com Clarity is contagious Projects never go to plan — chaos is normal, not failure. Teams need confidence, not panic, when things shi . Staying calm models resilience and keeps trust intact. Turning messy problems into clear priorities is one of the PM’s most visible skills. • Clear, calm communicator ft ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
26. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com What it looks like in practice Behaviors • Tools Model composure Prioritization frameworks Pause before reacting Risk register Frame problems as solvable Escalation maps Clear, calm communicator ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC • Clear, calm communicator
27. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Order in the storm Practical frameworks and behaviors that keep projects steady when everything else is swirling. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
28. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Principle 2 Professional Translators We turn design-speak, dev-speak, clientspeak, and exec-speak into plain English that everyone can act on. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
29. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com Lost in translation=lost projects Miscommunication is the #1 cause of project failure. Each role has its own vocabulary, priorities, and blind spots. PMs bridge the gaps so teams, clients, and leaders align on the same message. When everyone understands the same thing, work moves faster and with fewer mistakes. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
30. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com What it looks like in practice Behaviors • Tools Empathy Communication plans Active listening Project dictionaries Curiosity over assumptions Facilitation Adapting to communication styles Empathy maps Clear, calm communicator ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC RACI Charts
31. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT One language, one team Resources to help you bridge roles, cut jargon, and create shared understanding across teams. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
32. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Principle 3 Lovable Hardasses We care deeply about our people and our projects, but we’ll call BS when we see it. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
33. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Trust without accountability is empty People do the work, so people-first leadership matters. Accountability ensures the work actually gets done. PMs earn respect when they balance compassion with candor. Without tough conversations, projects quietly fail. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
34. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com What it looks like in practice Behaviors Tools Willingness to learn from others Empathy maps Direct but respectful feedback Feedback models Addressing issues head on Role agreements Unafraid of challenging situations or conversations Team values Defending team capacity Workload planning ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC Capacity caps
35. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Tough and trusted Tools for giving clear feedback, protecting capacity, and holding the line without losing relationships. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
36. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Principle 4 Always in beta We never stop learning. Tools change, people change, and so must we. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
37. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Curiosity keeps you relevant Every project teaches us something new if we’re open to it. The industry shi s constantly (AI, remote work, new tools). Continuous learning keeps PMs relevant and valuable. Sharing knowledge raises the whole team’s capability, not just our own. ft ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
38. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com What it looks like in practice Behaviors Tools Adaptability Retrospectives Flexibility Lessons learned logs Curiosity, learning AI-assisted research and testing Sharing knowledge openly Team lunch and learns Encouraging innovation and change when it’s appropriate Classes, workshops, communities ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
39. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Never not learning Tactics for staying curious, experimenting safely, and sharing lessons that make teams stronger. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
40. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Principle 5 Purpose over process Process is a tool, not a religion. Goals always come first. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
41. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com Outcomes beat rituals Frameworks (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid) are helpful, but none are perfect. Teams get frustrated when process becomes more important than outcomes. PMs make smart calls about when to adapt vs. when to enforce. Anchoring on goals prevents “process theater” and wasted e ort ff ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
42. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com What it looks like in practice Behaviors • Tools Continually asking “Why?” Frameworks and toolkits Keeping goals top-of-mind Project plans/planning sessions Instinct to streamline and simplify Project charter Clear, calm communicator ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC SMART Goals Change management process
43. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Outcomes over rituals Simple tools and prompts to anchor every decision in purpose, not process. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
44. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Principle 6 Radically transparent We tell the truth, even when it stings. Hidden risks kill projects faster than bad tools. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
45. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT The truth travels faster Hiding issues creates expensive surprises. Transparency builds trust with clients, leadership, and teams. Honest reporting leads to better, faster decisions. Admitting mistakes helps teams learn and prevents repeat errors. Saying you don’t have an answer immediately is okay! ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
46. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com What it looks like in practice Behaviors Tools Open communication Status reports and meetings Trust Risk registers Admit mistakes early Communication guidelines Explain rationale behind decisions Standup meetings Avoid spin Team building ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC Open dashboards
47. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Trust lives in the open Resources that make honesty the default — from open dashboards to decision logs you can’t hide from. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
48. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Principle 7 Big picture bosses We keep one eye on the sprint and the other on the horizon, connecting today’s work to tomorrow’s vision. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
49. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Tasks without strategy = busywork Teams o en lose sight of why their work matters. PMs ensure today’s tasks align with business outcomes. Anticipating roadblocks keeps projects from derailing. Seeing the big picture helps PMs advise leaders, not just deliverables. ft ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
50. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com What it looks like in practice Behaviors Connect tactics to strategy Project plans Anticipate risks/issues Roadmaps Coach curiosity Dependency maps Explain consequestions/o er trade-o s Scenario planning exercises Elevate conversations from “What” to “Why" ff ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC ff Tools Prioritization frameworks
51. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com Eyes on the horizon Tools and behaviors for connecting daily work to strategy, anticipating risks, and framing trade-o s. ff ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
52. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Principle 8 People rst, always We know projects fail when people fail. We design routines and environments where humans can do their best work. fi ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
53. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com Culture drives delivery Burnout, misalignment, and culture issues derail delivery more than tools do. PMs design rituals (meetings, updates, feedback loops) that support humans. Strong relationships create psychological safety and better collaboration. People who feel supported deliver better, more creative work. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
54. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com What it looks like in practice Behaviors Tools Empathy 1:1 meetings Create psychological safety Clear role descriptions Chasing alignment Working agreements Accountability Pulse surveys Willingness to address issues Recognition tools Comfortable being uncomfortable ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
55. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Humans > everything Playbooks and practices that build psychological safety, support people, and spark better collaboration. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
56. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Principle 9 Tech with intention We don’t chase tools. We use AI and PM tools to lighten the load and deepen the human work. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
57. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Culture drives delivery PMs evaluate tools for impact, not novelty. Smart use of AI and automation reduces admin friction. By removing busywork, tech frees us to focus on relationships and decisions. Technology extends our reach, but people still carry the meaning. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
58. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com What it looks like in practice Behaviors Tools Question if tools help humans Automation for admin Resist chasing trends AI-assisted scheduling, reporting, note-taking Keep humans first Quarterly tool audits Time to explore and experiment ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
59. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com Smart tools, human work Playbooks and practices that build psychological safety, support people, and spark better collaboration. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
60. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Principle 10 Strategic navigators We’re not order-takers. We ask the hard questions, connect the dots, and steer organizations toward smarter decisions. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
61. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com Steering > driving PMs see the whole picture: goals, people, risks, and resources. That vantage point makes us natural decision-support partners. Strategic PM saves money, time, and stress by focusing e ort where it matters most. Elevates PMs from “coordinators” to leaders who shape outcomes. ff ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
62. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com What it looks like in practice Behaviors Tools Big picture thinking; connecting the dots Expectation setting (briefs, scopes) Understanding what’s behind goals Process and frameworks Ask bigger questions Change management Solution-focused, future-proofed Measured, not hasty ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC Planning Facilitation Stakeholder management
63. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Steer, don’t just drive Tactics that help PMs ask hard questions, guide decisions, and deliver impact beyond tasks. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
64. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT brettharned.com TL;DR Lead with people. Adapt with purpose. Navigate with strategy. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC
65. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT The future of PM is human. ©2025 Brett Harned, Digital PM Consulting, LLC brettharned.com
66. Thank you! Scan me! For slides, links, info on working with me, and more. Stay in touch! brettharned.com | sameteampartners.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettharned/ brett@brettharned.com ©2024 Same Team Partners LLC