Successful L&D projects just don’t happen. They require effective communication, team alignment, and empathy to drive business outcomes. Penske’s Learning & Development Manager Laurie Strauss and Project Manager Samantha Thompson share their team’s best practices for project management and why they focus on the people before the process.     Show Notes:  Here are the key takeaways from Laurie Strauss and Samantha Thompson's discussion about L&D project management.  Focus on People over Process: They advocate for a mindset shift where project management is centered around taking care of people, which ultimately leads to more efficient processes and successful project outcomes. Clear Communication and Alignment: Laurie and Samantha share that unclear expectations and poor alignment among project partners can significantly slow down a project. Set clear roles and expectations from the beginning to avoid delays and ensure everyone is working towards the same goal.  Slow Down to Speed Up Approach: Laurie stresses that in a fast-paced world with urgent requests, it's essential to take the time to slow down initially to set the project up for success. Rushing into a project without proper planning and communication can lead to inefficiencies and setbacks down the line. Utilization of Automation and Tools: Leveraging automation tools like Smartsheet can streamline processes, increase efficiency, and provide real-time visibility into project status. By having all project information centralized in one platform, teams can reduce manual tasks, avoid surprises, and better manage data. Empathy and Support for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs): Recognizing that SMEs have other responsibilities besides the project, it's crucial to support them throughout the process. This involves clear communication, setting realistic expectations, and providing necessary support to ensure their success. This benefits the overall success of the project and fosters positive relationships for future collaborations.  Learn more about Smartsheet, the project management tool Penske uses. Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide. Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide. Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com. Follow us on LinkedIn Like us on Facebook