The Expanding Impact of Chief Project Officers
An exclusive interview with co-authors of
The Evolution of the PMO: The Rise
of the Chief Project Officer
(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DY5VY4KV)
by Aina Aliieva (Alive)
International Correspondent, PM World Journal
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
General Introduction
A year ago, we set out to redefine project management leadership through a collaborative writing challenge. Earlier this year, we were thrilled to announce the release of the book “The Evolution of the PMO: The Rise of the Chief Project Officer,” now an Amazon bestseller. This groundbreaking work brings together insights from 40 global authors, each offering unique perspectives on modern project management complexities.
This article follows part two published in the May PMWJ. It captures more of the essence of our year-long collaboration and invites you to engage with the dynamic conversations driving innovation in project management.
Interviews
Introduction
The traditional Project Management Office (PMO) has long been a critical function within organizations, but in recent years, its role has evolved beyond governance and compliance. Organizations are increasingly recognizing that project execution is not just about delivery; it’s about ensuring strategic alignment, business transformation, and value creation. This shift has led to the emergence of the Chief Project Officer (CPO)—an executive-level role that bridges strategy and execution, enabling organizations to drive innovation, agility, and measurable impact.
To explore the future of PMOs, I had the opportunity to speak with five industry thought leaders: Quincy W. Chapman, Jake McGaffin, Joe’Necia Powell, Melicia Grant, and Michael Jablonski. Each of them contributed to The Evolution of the PMO: The Rise of the Chief Project Officer and has provided unique insights into how PMOs must adapt to remain relevant, strategic, and influential in the modern business landscape.
Note that backgrounds of the interviewees can be found at the end of this set of interviews.
Updated and Expanded Interviews
Aina: Quincy, your leadership style emphasizes simplicity and authenticity. How do you bring that into real practice when facing conflict or cross-functional breakdowns?
Quincy: One thing I’ve learned is that simplicity is not the absence of complexity—it’s the result of processing it. In my work, I’ve faced plenty of cross-functional tension where five teams all think they own the same decision. Instead of issuing a top-down command or hiding behind a steering committee, I’ll bring everyone into the same room—not to defend their turf, but to visualize the collective pain. I use whiteboards and silence equally. I ask them to define success in their own words. That’s where alignment starts, not with PowerPoint, but with shared discomfort.
I won’t name specific programs for confidentiality, but I’ve worked with software, insurance, and public sector teams where the breakthrough didn’t come from a better RAID log—it came when people realized the project would fail if they didn’t stop protecting their silos. My job isn’t to “own the plan.” It’s to own the meaning behind it. And once people see you’re not here to compete—but to clarify—you earn their trust fast.
So, the defining moment? It happens every time I resist the urge to solve the conflict myself and instead create the space for the team to do it together. That’s how I lead: with clear eyes, grounded presence, and an unapologetically human tone.
Aina: How do you sustain that kind of emotional honesty without eroding authority?
More…
To read entire interview, click here
How to cite this interview: Aliiva, A. (2025). Bridging Vision and Execution: The Expanding Impact of Chief Project Officers; An exclusive interview with co-authors of The Evolution of the PMO: The Rise of the Chief Project Officer, Part 3; PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue VI, June. Available online at: https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pmwj153-Jun2025-Aliiva-Rise-of-Chief-Project-Officer-Interviews-Part-3.pdf
About the Interviewer
Aina Aliiva
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Aina Aliive (Alive) is an experienced Agile Coach and a Business Consultant with 20 years of experience in different industries, from hospitality and tourism to banking and engineering, a Founder & CEO at Bee Agile and a CEO & VP of Marketing at The PMO Strategy and Execution Hub.
She is a keynote speaker on Agile, Project Management, Negotiation, People Management, and Soft Skills topics. She was a guest instructor at NASA in 2022 & 2023 with topics on Conflict Resolution & Negotiation and Facilitation Techniques.
Her book, “It Starts with YOU. 40 Letters to My Younger Self on How to Get Going in Your Career,” hit the #1 position in the #jobhunting category on Amazon and is featured in a Forbes Councils Executive Library.
She also contributed to the books “Mastering Solution Delivery: Practical Insights and Lessons from Thought Leaders in a Post-Pandemic Era”, “Green PMO: Sustainability through Project Management Lens” and “Agile Coaching and Transformation: The Journey to Enterprise Agility”.
Aina was also a Finalist in the Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year category in 2021 by the Canadian SME National Business Award
She can be contacted at https://www.linkedin.com/in/aina-aliieva/
