372: How PMOs Can Cut Through AI Chaos with Paul McNamara
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen
A lot of PMOs are being asked to lead AI and agile transformation while still operating as reporting, governance, and oversight functions.
That is where things start to break.
Instead of simplifying work, AI can add more coordination, more noise, more duplicated effort, and more complexity.
The tools may be faster.
The organization may not be clearer.
And that is exactly why PMO and transformation leaders need to pay attention.
In this episode, I am joined by Paul McNamara, CEO and co-founder of Adaptovate, to talk about how PMOs can help organizations cut through AI chaos, redesign workflows, and move beyond pilots that never scale.
Paul has led business transformation across global organizations and works with executive teams to build the operating models, transformation capabilities, and human performance systems required to make change stick. His background spans product management, engineering, marketing, sales, leadership roles at Boston Consulting Group, and experience as a SaaS CFO.
That mix gives him a practical view of AI transformation: the business case, the operating model, the human side of change, and the delivery reality.
Together, we explore why many AI conversations are still stuck at the surface level, why measuring AI success by logins or usage can create the wrong behaviors, and why organizations risk repeating the same mistakes they made during Agile transformation.
What you’ll learn:
- Why AI adoption metrics can create the wrong behaviors.
- How duplicated agents can increase cost and confusion.
- What Agile transformation teaches us about AI pilots that do not scale.
- Why PMOs should focus on business enablement, not just process efficiency.
- How to start with one workflow people hate and build from there.
Press play and learn how PMO and transformation leaders can bring sanity to AI chaos and help their organizations turn AI activity into measurable business IMPACT.
Connect with Paul McNamara:
P.S. The next IMPACT Application Lab is Make Your Case on August 20.
Bring one real challenge you need leaders, sponsors, or your team to take seriously.
Inside this free live workshop, I will help you turn that challenge into a clear, leadership-ready Case for Change.
You will leave with a Case for Change you can use in the room.
It is live only with no replays, and it is free for everyone who owns The IMPACT Engine. Your book is your ticket.
Already own the book on Audible, Kindle, or in print? Use the same page to upload your proof and join me live on August 20.
Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!
I welcome your feedback and insights!
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Warmly,
Laura Barnard
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