The DNA of Strategy Execution: Next Generation Project Management and PMO

My first project management responsibility was in 1991, a different world. This book has been a wonderful transition tool for me - a next-generation way of thinking, acknowledging, and approaching my own project management responsibilities and when I coach others. Every part of Jack's work speaks to me, from the way the book is organized to the acknowledgement of change being at the heart of every project. It is uncanny how in every section Jack has anticipated my questions and concerns and seems to be speaking to me directly , guiding me through complex ideas while challenging me to think deeper and differently about them.This is the first work I have found that feels comprehensive of the full project management experience, packed with realistic, experience-earned wisdom rather than theory.It will sit on my desk as a treasured reference for years to come.

Solid information and advice to create a PMO in many different industries. Bought after attending a class with the author, and am now purchasing a couple more to share with colleagues. Good stuff!!

I am responsible for a large team and we are under increasing pressure to get things done and deliver results in a constantly changing environment. We have implemented standard management approaches including agile in recent years with significant standardization and training and so on. In the last year or so the pace has just gone crazy and the list of challenges and issues keeps increasing. I was intrigued by the title of this book and wondered what could be the ‘next generation.’ I thought more buzzwords about disruption, etc. but this book is different and has changed my perspective. As I have been digging into the book over the last few weeks, I was surprised how accurately the book characterizes today’s DANCE (Dynamic-Ambiguous-Nonlinear-Complex-Emergent) environment and the challenges we are facing. DANCE is similar to VUCA (Volatile-Uncertain-Complex-Ambiguous) which has become a popular term in the last couple of years. According to the author DANCE is the evolution of VUCA and calls-out non-linear and emergent aspects which are not emphasized in VUCA. The book clearly describes how the game has changed but we are still using a lot of the management ideas which are based on 100-year old thinking. It does not only illustrate the problem, but is packed with insights, and detailed application steps and relevant tips and techniques. The book is well organized, it describes the DANCE world challenges and then decodes the DNA of Strategy Execution. Each of the elements of the DNA is a chapter – Strategy, Execution, Connect, Governance, Measure, Learn, Change, Simplify and Balance. Whether it is strategy or execution, or governance, or measurement, or change management, each topic delves into the details and offers the latest approaches along with application ideas and tips and tools in a succinct manner. Each chapter ends with a checklist of how to develop intelligence in each of the areas, along with key takeaways. Over the last few weeks this book has become our strategy execution playbook. There is so much in this book that can be applied at the organizational level, as well as individual project and program levels. I highly recommend this book for anybody who is involved in getting things done, and executing strategy from executives to PMO leaders, as well as project and program managers to be better equipped to deal with today’s challenges.

Lots of sage advice, but it'll require a long time to implement in a typical organization. I appreciate the author's advice to initially focus on "pain points", but I'd like to see a playbook to help me (or any reader) with implementation details.

If you have ever heard one of Jack Duggal’s presentation you immediately realize when you’re witnessing brilliance. Not to overstate it, but this is what I felt when I attended one of his webinars and subsequently read this book. When you are a Project or Program Manager with experience, you can differentiate between someone trying to sell you a software solution to solve a problem and someone that understand the PM practice from the inside out. Jack is definitely the latter.This book approaches Program Management with the admission that not everything that is planned way ahead of time will become a reality. Basically, a plan endures until first contact with reality. By accepting that pretense, a book like this can be written and the practice designed from the ground up to be flexible enough that it can survive the changes and agility necessary for today’s Program Manager.If flexibility, adaptation to change, and agility is an accepted minimal requirement of doing business, then you as a Project/Program manager must understand that you need to do this as well to support your customers. This book outlines what factors are important that you need to keep track of, and how you need to mold these to deliver what your main purpose should be: deliver value that aligns with business strategy.If you deliver projects that don’t support business strategy, then you’re not serving a purpose. This book will outline how you need to think beyond a typical Project/Program Manager. You need to think strategy. You need to think value. If you’re not, then you also need to speak up! Stop wasting your company’s resources on non-value projects.If you’re a practicing Project or Program Manager and you want to change your perspective from someone that just delivers, to someone that delivers value that helps move company strategy forward, get this book. You will also want to sign up to listen one of Jack’s presentations. They will change your perspective for sure.

Jack Duggal provides some thought provoking reading in The DNA of Strategy Execution. It is a must read for anyone involved in projects. His ideas, thoughts and concepts relate to wider business functions too!I had the great opportunity to speak to Jack about his book on Project Chatter Podcast Season 2 Episode 2 where he gives a synopsis of the book plus more!I found Jack's passion for strategy execution infectious and his analogies are just fantastic!

I had the pleasure of attending a seminar led by Jack Duggal related to the topic of this book. Jack is an expert in strategy execution, which is evidenced throughout this read. I continue to discover gems to apply in my professional life, enabling my organization to effectively deliver on strategic objectives by better understanding the organizational DNA, and influencing change through effective, value-added partnership.I recommend this book to anyone looking to enhance their project delivery approach, grow and evolve their PMO capabilities, or simply help their organization gain clarity for more effective strategy execution.

This is a must read book on strategy execution. It clearly sets out processes, roles and tools which any organisation can use to develop and put in place the foundations for effective strategy execution. I was particularly drawn to Jack's comments and views on the future role of the PMO as Strategy Support Office. If you are involved in organisational performance improvement, strategy development, PMO development or digital transformation then this book is for you.

Reasonable content unfortunately marred by numerous typos/inconsistencies