ANRF Research & Consultancy

🧭 It's 1st June 2025 – Time to Wrap Up FY25 and Power Up FY26

Today marks not only the beginning of winter in Australia but also the final month of the 2024–2025 financial year. As we step into June, Portfolio–Program–Project Management Offices (PMOs) should be gearing up for one of their busiest and most strategic periods.

At ANRF, we believe June is the bridge between reflection and readiness — a time to close one chapter with clarity and prepare the next with confidence.
Below are our key recommendations for PMOs this month:

✅ 1. Review the FY25 Financial Position
Revisit the balance sheet, sales performance, cost base, and project-level expenditure. Use this analysis to assess not just how well you performed, but why — were the investments aligned with business objectives?

📝 2. Document Achievements, Gaps & Lessons Learned
Celebrate the wins — delivered programs, realised benefits, matured capabilities. But also examine the mistakes and underperformance — were they due to misaligned goals, poor planning, or resource gaps? More importantly, analyse what enabled your success — was it stakeholder buy-in, empowered teams, or realistic timelines? Institutionalising these lessons improves both predictability and adaptability in FY26.

🔄 3. Refresh PMO Governance, Tools & Processes
June is a great time to audit governance frameworks, templates, and reporting dashboards. Are your tools enabling agility or slowing you down?
Consider upgrading your Project Controls, Risk Registers, and Strategic Roadmaps to better align with FY26 priorities. The BRAD PPP Framework, a trademark of ANRF, supports continuous design-thinking, helping PMOs evolve with changing business landscapes.

🚀 4. Plan Strategically for FY26
Set realistic yet ambitious financial forecasts, considering macro trends and organisational priorities. Align every initiative, program, and investment with measurable strategic goals — not just activity for the sake of activity. Plan for growth — even modest — because sustained relevance requires continual progress.

👥 5. Engage Leaders & Stakeholders Early
Use this month to socialise your FY26 vision with executives, business units, and delivery partners. Early engagement fosters ownership and reduces resistance. Set up kick-off sessions, planning workshops, or town halls to create a shared sense of direction and excitement.

💡 A Final Word of Motivation
As the cold sets in, remember that clarity is warmth for the mind. June is your moment to pause, reflect, and design forward.

Great programs don’t just manage change — they lead it.
And great PMOs don’t just track delivery — they shape the future.
Let June be your springboard — into a brighter, bolder, and more aligned FY26.

Project Managers vs Mothers

This probably should have been my Mother’s Day post — but it's better late than never 😊

Last week, I had an interview where someone asked me, “What value can you add as a Project Manager?” I replied, “As a Project Manager, I take ownership of deliverables, develop a plan, forecast finances, build a team, prepare schedules, allocate tasks, regularly catch up with the team to track progress against milestones, manage risks and issues, and work collaboratively to deliver the project on time, to the scope, and within budget.”

Then came Sunday — Mother’s Day. And I realised something profound. Mothers do exactly what a Project Manager does. Their “project resources” are their children, and their ultimate project goal is happiness and well-being of the family. Mothers create long-term life plans for their children, assign tasks (e.g. eating healthy, studying, and taking care of themselves), run daily stand-ups (usually in the dinner table) to get updates and manage life’s risks and issues calmly, creatively, and with resilience.

But here's the key difference. In the corporate world, a project eventually comes to an end. For mothers, their project never ends. It’s a lifetime commitment — with no days off, no fixed scope, and no closing ceremony.
May the Almighty bless the real-life Project Managers — our Mothers.

🌟 What the Upcoming Election Means for Career Planning in 2025

As Australia approaches its next federal election, there’s a growing sense of anticipation—not just in politics, but across boardrooms, hiring teams, and job seekers alike. While elections bring change, they also bring opportunity.

From my experience working with both public and private sector organisations, I’ve found that election seasons often spark reflection, recalibration, and innovation. It's a chance for employers to rethink their workforce strategies and for professionals to align their careers with what’s next.

Here’s why this period can be exciting for both sides:

🔹 For job seekers – This is the perfect time to future-proof your career. Use the moment to identify growth industries, sharpen your skills, and prepare for opportunities that will emerge post-election—especially in areas like digital transformation, sustainability, and government reform.
🔹 For employers – Elections bring fresh priorities and new funding streams. It’s an ideal moment to reassess talent needs, build internal capability, and attract agile professionals ready to grow with your mission.

Regardless of the political outcome, one thing remains true: resilient careers and successful organisations are built by those who prepare for change—not react to it.

🎯 Let’s use this time not as a pause, but as a launchpad. Whether you’re planning your next career move or preparing your team for the future, now is the time to act with purpose.

💬 How are you navigating career or talent decisions in the lead-up to the election? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Public vs Private Sector: My Experience Working Across Both Worlds

During last weekend's local cricket match, a young player asked me how I would compare working in public and private organisations. We had a great discussion after the game, but his question sparked the idea of writing this article. I hope it provides value to some of my LinkedIn connections.

The Fast-Paced World of the Private Sector:
One of the biggest differences I noticed is speed. In the private sector, decisions are made much quicker, work mobility is higher and actions are scrutinised. Specially, IT work environments are highly competitive where team members often compete against their peers to deliver more quality tasks. Private organisations thrive on innovation, efficiency, and adaptability, meaning employees must continuously upskill, deliver results, and align with organisational goals. Performance is closely scrutinised, and promotions are earned through demonstrated capability and impact. Private companies operate under strict financial constraints and competitive pressures, making efficiency and return on investment crucial.

The Structured and Purpose-Driven Nature of Government:
The government sector, in contrast, operates with a strong focus on public impact. Every decision, policy, and project must align with regulatory requirements and public interest, which often means rigorous justifications and stakeholder consultations before approvals. This can slow down progress but ensures transparency, fairness, and compliance with broader policies. Workplace culture is also different. Government agencies place a high emphasis on collaboration, inclusivity, and employee well-being. While the pace of delivery may be slower compared to private organisations, the trade-off is a more structured work environment with greater stability.

Work-Life Balance: Private vs Government
A key advantage of the government sector is the emphasis on work-life balance. Public sector roles tend to have well-defined working hours, flexible arrangements, and structured leave entitlements. In contrast, private organisations, particularly those in competitive industries, may expect employees to put in additional efforts to meet business objectives.

Which Sector is Right for You?
For those who thrive in high-pressure, fast-moving environments with strong career competition, the private sector can be an exciting and rewarding place to work. On the other hand, if you value stability, structured processes, and work-life balance, the government sector provides excellent opportunities.

Final Thoughts
Both private and government roles have their unique advantages, and neither is inherently better than the other. The choice depends on individual career goals, working preferences, and personal circumstances. Keen to know your experience… (Written by Dr. Farukh Rahman, Experienced PMO Consultant)

The Future of AI in Project Management:

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into project management is rapidly reshaping how projects are planned, executed, and monitored. Tools like Microsoft Project with AI (via Copilot & Power Automate), Monday.com (WorkOS with AI integrations), Jira (Atlassian Intelligence), Trello (AI Butler Automation) are leveraging AI and helping organisations to optimise productivity and decision-making.

How AI is Revolutionising Project Management:

🚀 AI-Generated Project Plans & Schedules
AI can analyse historical data and industry best practices to auto-generate detailed project plans and schedules, while reducing manual effort.

⚙️ Task Allocation & Workflow Automation
Advanced AI algorithms can allocate tasks based on team members’ skills, workloads, and past performance, automatically assigning and tracking tasks.

📊 Progress Tracking & Real-Time Reporting
AI-powered analytics can extract real-time progress updates, visualize bottlenecks, and generate automated reports, ensuring leadership gets precise insights on time.

💰 Financial Tracking & Budget Forecasting
AI-driven cost analysis tools can predict budget overruns, resource utilization, and even suggest cost-saving strategies, minimizing financial risks.

🔍 Intelligent Risk Mitigation
By analysing project performance data, AI can flag potential risks, recommend mitigation strategies, and even suggest contingency plans before issues arise.

Now, the most important question. Will AI Replace Project Managers?

While AI is revolutionizing project administration, the role of project managers is far from obsolete. Stakeholder engagement, risk mitigation, conflict resolution, team motivation, and strategic decision-making require a human touch that AI cannot replicate.

✔ Facilitating Workshops & Team Collaboration – AI can generate insights, but driving productive discussions and maintaining team morale is a uniquely human skill.

✔ Navigating Organisational Politics – AI can process vast amounts of data, but understanding interpersonal dynamics and organizational culture is an art, not a science.

✔ Leading Through Uncertainty – AI excels in structured environments, but navigating ambiguity, crises, and unforeseen disruptions requires human intuition and leadership.

Final Thoughts

AI is an accelerator, not a replacement. The future of project management will be a hybrid model, where AI handles administrative burdens, allowing project managers to focus on strategy, leadership, and human engagement. Eager to gather insights from organizational leaders and project professionals. 𝗗𝗿. 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝘂𝗸𝗵 𝗥𝗮𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗻 | Email: [email protected] | Phone: 𝟭𝟯𝟬𝟬 𝟴𝟰𝟱 𝟭𝟯𝟱 | Website: 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗮𝗻𝗿𝗳.𝗰𝗼𝗺.𝗮𝘂

2025: The Year to Elevate Your IT Project Success

The new year brings fresh opportunities for organizations to refine their strategies and achieve the goals they might have missed in 2024. A well-structured IT project delivery framework can be the key to overcoming challenges, optimizing resources, and driving successful outcomes.

At ANRF, we understand the importance of effective project management. Our curated BRAD PPP Framework® is designed to enhance your portfolio, program, and project integration, ensuring measurable improvements in cost optimization, on-time delivery, and executive decision-making.

Take this opportunity to align your IT initiatives with organizational objectives and set the stage for success in 2025.

Contact ANRF Research and Consultancy today to learn how we can help redesign your project delivery approach. Let’s make 2025 your best year yet!

📞 1300 845 135 | ✉️ [email protected] | 🌐 www.anrf.com.au

PMO Redesign Series #7: 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁
▶️Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gsub8kkx

(𝘞𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺—𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨?)

This marks the conclusion of our PMO Redesign Series. If you missed any previous articles, they’re available on our LinkedIn page, page, and our website https://lnkd.in/gPHyGb8y.

We’d love to hear your feedback—it shapes our future insights!
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𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹
Closing a project isn’t just a formality; it’s the key to ensuring:
✅ Deliverables meet expectations
✅ Stakeholder satisfaction is achieved
✅ A seamless transition to operations

Without a structured closure, projects risk:
❌ Leaving unresolved tasks
❌ Creating operational disruptions
❌ Failing to document lessons learned

For C-level Executives, and Project Managers, closure means safeguarding accountability, ensuring operational continuity, and laying the groundwork for future success.

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𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲:
1️⃣ 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀:
▪︎ Confirm all tasks align with scope and quality benchmarks.
▪︎ Test and validate deliverables with stakeholders.

2️⃣ 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗔𝗨 (𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗨𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹):
▪︎ Document processes, workflows, and configurations.
▪︎ Train operational teams to ensure smooth transitions.

3️⃣ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹:
▪︎ Conduct final reviews and secure formal acceptance.
▪︎ Record feedback for future improvement.

4️⃣ 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:
▪︎ Compare outcomes with objectives.
▪︎ Capture successes, challenges, and lessons learned.

5️⃣ 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀:
▪︎ Reconcile budgets and approve final invoices.
▪︎ Allocate unused funds efficiently.

6️⃣ 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀:
▪︎ Transition team members to new roles.
▪︎ Conclude vendor contracts.

7️⃣ 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
▪︎ Consolidate critical documents (project charters, RAID logs, financials) in one repository.

8️⃣ 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:
Acknowledge contributions through a team meeting or celebration.

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀:
Proper project closure isn’t just about finishing—it’s about building trust, preserving continuity, and preparing for the next challenge.

𝙉𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙚𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙮?

Contact Farukh Rahman, PhD at ANRF Research and Consultancy to streamline your project lifecycle.

(𝘓𝘦𝘵’𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴!)

🌟 PMO Redesign Series #𝟲: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀-𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗠𝗢🌟
Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gaipnFqD

𝘓𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝙤𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦 (𝘗𝘔𝘖) 𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙨?

A well-structured, high-performing PMO isn’t just a support function—it’s 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 that aligns projects with business goals, 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆, and 𝗺𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗢𝗜. Let’s dive into the core pillars of a successful, results-driven PMO:

🔹𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Effective PMOs forecast the full program financial requirements, factoring in a 10-20% buffer for unforeseen costs. Prioritising deliverables ensures each dollar invested aligns with expected returns, keeping costs controlled and value maximised.

🔹𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: Resource planners are vital for balancing workloads and ensuring realistic timelines, so each team member is deployed efficiently across projects without overload.

🔹𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: A clear, executive-endorsed baseline schedule, with key deliverables and milestones, enhances visibility and accountability across the organisation, driving focused ex*****on.

🔹𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: Effective governance means regular project reviews against timelines, with proactive steps taken to address any deviations. This keeps projects aligned and on track.

🔹𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: Transparent reporting builds trust. Regular, insightful reports on milestones, deadlines, risks, and financials keep stakeholders informed, empowering better decision-making.

🔹𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: A 𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗗 log (𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀, 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀, 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀) helps assess and prioritise risks. By organising periodic risk reviews, PMOs can take preventive actions that keep projects moving forward smoothly.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗠𝗢? 🚀

Connect with Dr. Farukh Rahman from ANRF Research and Consultancy for a no-obligation consultation on transforming your PMO to achieve your business goals.

📞 Contact us at 𝟭𝟯𝟬𝟬 𝟴𝟰𝟱 𝟭𝟯𝟱 or visit www.anrf.com.au
👉 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘗𝘔𝘖 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩.

𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗣𝗠𝗢 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿!