From a Whiteboard to a System of Systems: Executing Across a Network of Moving Parts
“We can’t impose our will on a system. We can listen to what the system tells us, and discover how its properties and our values can work together to bring forth something much better than could ever be produced by our will alone.” — Donella Meadows, Project Overview A former boss entrusted me […]
The Plan That Keeps Paying Back
“The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.” — Kakuzo Okakura, ——————— The Baseline When Alejandra and I developed the baseline for our annual backpacking trip back in 2019, we did so with a deliberate project management mindset. We were conscious that this wasn’t a one-off event; it was a […]
Strategic Roadmap for Complex Modernization
“The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.” — Michael Porter Project Overview A major federal entity needed a long-range strategy to modernize critical aircraft systems through a phased investment approach. The project produced a six-year roadmap covering five aircraft systems, defining future enhancements, outlining funding needs, and sequencing upgrade options […]
The Trip Was Won in the Planning: A Backpacking Case Study
“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” — Sir Edmund Hillary Project Overview In the summer of 2019, Alejandra and I embarked on a six-day backpacking journey to honor the memory of Diego, my son and her beloved brother, on the first anniversary of his passing. As mother and daughter, we approached […]