Getting the Starting Point Right: Why Current State Matters
Part one of a three-part series on turning process insight into real transformation outcomes:
First, why you should see what’s really happening
It’s time to lift the Governance game
Most projects don’t fail because of poor project management. They fail because governance isn’t doing its job. At the PMINZ Conference, we brought together over 100 practitioners to answer a simple question: what does great governance actually look like in practice?
Build a PMO your customer’s value: Why PMI‑PMOCP is the credential for great PMO Leadership
PMOs are no longer judged by how much they do – but by the value they create. As organisations demand greater alignment, insight, and measurable outcomes, the role of the PMO is evolving fast. The question is no longer “Are we delivering?” but “Are we delivering what matters?”
PMP® Exam Changes 2026: What’s Changing – and What You Should Do About It
If you’re planning your PMP® this year, you’ve probably heard the headline: the PMP exam is changing in July 2026. “Changing” can mean a dozen different things though — so let’s cut through the noise and make it clear what’s actually different, what’s staying the same, and how to plan your preparation.
Why APMG Change Management Certification Can Boost Your Career
In a world where organisations across New Zealand and Australia are constantly evolving—driven by digital transformation, restructuring, and changing customer expectations—the ability to lead people through change has never been more valuable. Whether you work in project delivery, HR, communications, technology, or leadership, developing strong change capability is becoming a core professional advantage…
Leading Projects in the AI Era: A Practical Guide for Project Managers
How can AI help you as a Project Manager, where can you learn more about it, and how does managing an AI implementation project differ from managing traditional software projects?
Sustainable Projects Aren’t “Nice to Have” Anymore — They’re the Work
Sustainability used to sit in a separate lane: a CSR report, an annual pledge, a “green” initiative run alongside the real delivery work. That world has changed. Today, projects are where organisations shape their footprint – how money is spent, what gets built, how services are delivered, which suppliers are chosen, and what trade-offs are considered acceptable…
From Risk to Resilience: Why a Structured Disaster Recovery Approach Matters More Than Ever
A system outage, cyber incident, hardware failure, or natural disaster – can ripple across an organisation in seconds. For companies operating complex ecosystems of applications, platforms, suppliers, and customers across vast geographies, disaster recovery (DR) is no longer a technical afterthought. It’s a core capability that underpins business continuity, customer trust, and long‑term organisational resilience…
Breaking the Cycle: Fatigue to Agility – Lessons from Healthcare’s Constant Evolution
While many industries are grappling with transformation fatigue, healthcare operates in a uniquely high-stakes environment. Unlike other sectors, delays or missteps can directly affect patient outcomes, which creates an emotional and ethical weight that few industries face. Regulatory obligations are stringent, resources are stretched, and the workforce carries a dual responsibility: delivering critical care while absorbing constant change.
PMBOK® Guide 8th Edition: Key Updates
With streamlined principles, enhanced process guidance, and fresh insights on AI and PMOs, this PMBOK v8 update moves beyond rigid frameworks to empower project managers with practical, outcome-focused tools.
Putting the Human Back in AI-Powered Change
The future of change management isn’t a choice between people and technology, but a strategy that brings them together. AI brings scale, speed and insight; People bring empathy, trust and context.
From Cost to Competitive Edge: The Business Case for Staff Development
In today’s fast-paced business environment, the most valuable asset any organisation possesses isn’t its technology, products, or processes – it’s its people.
Navigating a VUCA World through Delivery Agility
Delivery agility is where strategy meets execution. It’s critical that these are in sync. All very well to have a world beating strategy, but if you can’t execute it, it’s only a dream.
Exploring Global Project Management Certifications
Navigating the world of project management certifications can be overwhelming. With multiple globally recognised options available, professionals often struggle to determine which certification aligns best with their career goals, industry, and geographic location.
Change Management – Why is everyone talking about it?
If it feels like Change Management is being talked about more than ever, you’re not imagining it. But why is it suddenly in the spotlight? This got Bec Cortesi, our Head of Change Management and Business Analysis, thinking about what’s behind the growth in interest for Change Management services…
Lessons to be learned from ERP Projects: Insights from Millpond’s Experience
Discover key lessons learned from ERP projects to avoid common pitfalls and ensure a successful implementation. Learn best practices, real-world insights, and expert tips for optimizing ERP systems in your organization.
Building Bridges: How Courage and Empathy Transform Project Sponsorship
Five must dos for mastering difficult conversations with clients from our “Managing Difficult Conversations” trainer, Pete Burdon…
New Millpond Training Course: Business Analysis Fundamentals
No matter what our role is within an organisation, we can benefit from an understanding of how business analysis helps keep projects firmly focussed on ‘outcomes’, rather than just ‘outputs’.
This is why Millpond is growing its Business Analysis practice to provide professional business analysis support to organisations, and it’s also why we have developed this new course.
Millpond’s Business Analysis Fundamentals course is designed for anyone keen to get a foundational understanding of the business analysis profession.
Mastering Difficult Conversations Without Losing Clients — or Sleep!
Five must dos for mastering difficult conversations with clients from our “Managing Difficult Conversations” trainer, Pete Burdon…
Introducing a New Workshop to Reduce Your Stress, Satisfy Your Clients and Protect Your Bottom Line!
You’re in a meeting with a client and you have to deliver some tough news. Perhaps their project timeline has shifted, or your prices have increased. Your heart races, your palms sweat, and your mind scrambles for the right words. Does that sound familiar?
JD’s Thoughts on the Year ahead…
Our CEO, James Dobson, has formed some thoughts on the key themes for the year ahead…
AI in Software Testing: Practical Applications and Real-World Impact
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now a practical tool transforming software testing today, ensuring quality at speed …
The Many Hats of a Business Analyst
Setting up the “perfect” project team would see dedicated people in all the roles required to deliver a successful project, but that is not always possible…
How we passed our PMP® and CAPM® exams, by Will & Tom
Two of our recent course attendees (Will Rohorua, PMP, and Tom Oosterlinck, CAPM) shared the following tips and tricks with the rest of their course group, and they are so good, we thought we’d share them…
Why Our Training Stands Out
If you’re looking for a partner who understands your challenges, delivers world-class training with local relevance, and genuinely cares about your success, we’re here for you. Let us help you achieve your project management goals and build confidence for the future.
Key Aspects Of Portfolio Management And Governance: Driving Strategic Success
In today’s fast-paced and complex business environment, effective portfolio management and governance is critical for aligning organisational efforts with strategic goals. By focusing on key principles and practices, organisations can drive better decision-making, improve project outcomes, and maximize benefits realisation…
What’s New in the PMI-ACP® Certification? Updates Starting 8 November 2024
Starting 8 November 2024, the PMI-ACP® exam is undergoing significant updates, reflecting the latest trends and advancements in agile practices. If you’re preparing for the certification or looking to renew it, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming changes.
Navigating Organisational Change Together
Explore key insights from Millpond’s ‘Navigating Change Together’ webinar. Learn how to manage change effectively, build relationships, and tailor approaches, whether you’re an accidental change manager or an experienced leader.
Reflections and Insights from the PMI Global Summit 2024: Leadership, Innovation, and Purpose
Mike Roberts, our Training Practice Lead, not only attended the event but also delivered a standout session on inclusive leadership, earning accolades from attendees. Here’s a recap of the key highlights, insights, and takeaways that left a lasting impact—and some advice on how to apply them in your career.
Is Your Business Ready to Embrace Artificial Intelligence?
Discover how to strategically prepare your organization for the AI revolution with our insightful blog, guiding you through essential steps and considerations for successful integration and transformation.
Why Business Analysis is Key to Organisational Success?
Business analysis is crucial for aligning business strategies, processes, or projects with an organisation’s goals and objectives, ensuring that change initiatives are effectively managed and implemented.
What is Business Analysis and What does a Business Analyst Do?
Business Analysis is a field that focuses on enabling change within organisations by identifying their needs and proposing solutions that bring value to stakeholders.
PMI-CP™ – A dedicated project management Certification for Construction Professionals
Earlier this year, PMI announced a new certification – PMI-CP™. This Blog aims to provide answers to PMI-CP is a great certification for those working in the construction industry.
Millpond launches QA / Testing Practice
Millpond announce the launch of Quality Assurance/ Testing practice. We now span all aspects of project guidance and governance, from business case and inception to requirements to management and quality verification.
The Power of Business Analysis: Enhancing Project Management in Todays’ World
Business analysis in project management involves identifying and defining business needs, then developing solutions to meet those needs within a project framework.
PMI-CP™ – Improved Project Outcomes in the Built Environment
New PMI certification coming your way! Let us introduce you to the Construction Professional in Built Environment Projects (PMI-CP)
Give yourself the best shot at passing your PMI exam through online proctoring
With a little bit of preparation, taking your PMI certification exam through online proctoring will be easier than sitting the exam at a physical testing centre.
How do revisions to NZS 3910 impact the management of construction contracts?
Why the updated contract revisions are important, what NZS 3910 is, why the revision were needed, along with what the revisions mean to industry.
Taking your PMI certification exam via online proctoring vs at a testing centre
The advantages and disadvantages of taking your exam via online proctoring vs at a testing centre.
Enhance your knowledge and skills to manage change
Organisational change management (OCM) is a structured approach to transitioning individuals, teams, and organizations from their current state to a desired future state.
The Critical Role of Post Implementation Reviews (PIRs)
A PIR or post-project review isn’t just a tick-box exercise at the end of a project. It’s a powerful tool for introspection and doing things differently.
PMP® Advantages and Disadvantages
The PMP® Certification is widely considered by many in the project management world to be the premier certification that proves you have the experience and competency, along with best practices in the field of project management.
Portfolio and Project Management as a Service
Gain visibility of all the projects that you have on the go in your organisation, along with the staff involved in the delivery of those projects.
The Accidental Project Manager in Technology
Discover the world of accidental project managers in IT. Delve into their challenges and learn how formal training can empower them to excel.
CAPM® vs PMP® Certification
Both PMP and CAPM are two very popular certifications offered by the Project Management Institute (pmi.org), a global advocate for the project management profession.
Project Management Fundamentals vs CAPM®: Which is best for you?
If you’re new to project management or have limited experience in the field, Millpond highly recommends two training options that can help you get started and build a strong foundation.
‘Think in Ink’ when managing construction contracts
Find out the answers to frequently asked questions regarding contract management in construction. Aid your knowledge for the PMI-CP course.
Changes to the CAPM® certification exam in 2023
2023 sees some changes to the CAPM® content. Find out what those CAPM changes are and how to prepare for them here with Mike.
How to avoid problems with your offshore IT development projects
Offshore IT development continues to be a popular option for many organisations undertaking IT projects. It allows scaleable expansion for technical teams, maximising delivery.
Are Poor Governance And Portfolio Management Practices Impacting Your Project Or Programme?
According to A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), Project governance is an “oversight function that is
Why 5 Weeks for PMP® And CAPM® in-person courses
Find meaningful answers to all your questions here
Retaining and upskilling resources in a limited market
Right now, we’re suffering from a shortage of skilled people. It’s a global thing, but it’s really hitting organisations hard in New Zealand.
Millpond Achievements 2021
Despite the uncertainty of Covid both in NZ and across the globe, there are many Millpond achievements to look back on.
Disconnect to reconnect – Drive project sustainability
Use this Christmas break to disconnect to reconnect. This allows us to come back to the workplace with a fresh new perspective.
A Project Management Certification – Where’s the value?
Through watching our video, CAPM or PMP aspirants will gain knowledge of the value of a of project management certification.
Completing Your PMP Exam Application
Completing your PMP exam application shouldn’t be difficult. By applying the advice from our video, you’ll be more easily able to transfer your project experience onto your PMP application form.
Maintaining Your PMP Certification
Well done on becoming a PMP® certified practitioner! Wear your badge with pride as I know it was a big effort to achieve. Because of this effort, we all want to maintain this certification for as long as we can. The good news is that this is relatively painless if you stay engaged in the profession
The Millpond Project Manager of the Year Award 2020
Millpond were once again proud to sponsor the 2020 Project Manager of the Year Award, presented at an Awards event in Auckland.
Millpond becomes a PMI Authorized Training Partner
Millpond has become a PMI Authorized Training Partner (A.T.P). Partnering PMI ensures quality trainers and PMI-developed course content.
10 Tips For Successful Project Delivery
There are many frameworks, methods, and tools published and available to us to help deliver our projects successfully, but these should support our experience as Project Managers, not define it. Experience helps us understand where to focus our time, where issues will lie, and how to best navigate the uncertainty of our projects. I’ve been
Mid Winter (Project) Health Check
Give yourself and your project a mid-winter health check using some of these key questions to ensure the symptoms aren’t terminal!
2020 – The Record To Date
As June ends and we enter the second half of 2020 it’s time to look back on the past 6 months. Here’s the record to date.
What is Virtual Online Live Training (VOLT)?
Watch this video with Mike to learn about Virtual Online Live Training (VOLT), bring the classroom to your home!
Online Training Here To Stay
With increased popularity after Covid, we think that the versatility of online training means it is here to stay.
Times They Are A Changin’
As the great Bob Dylan once said “The times they are a changin”. On many levels the last couple of months have been characterised by change.
Hosting (the best) Virtual Meetings
Hosting virtual meetings can be challenging if not conducted well. Click here for advice on how to best engage with your virtual teams.
Finding Productivity And Balance While Working Remotely
Like most things, working remotely is double edged sword. We can enjoy the good and mitigate the constraints if we know what they are, so let me share my experiences in this space.
Project Management Post Pandemic
The last 4 weeks have been a great time for reflection so come see what we think will be on the cards for project management post pandemic.
Project Manager of the Year Award 2019
Millpond were once again proud to sponsor the Project Manager of the Year Award 2019, presented at the Project Management Conference.
Project Manager of the Year Award 2018
We are proud to announce the winner of the Project Manager of the Year Award 2018. Three very deserving finalists gave us our winner…
Get Agile certified, but which one to choose?
Over the last 10 years, Agile methodologies are increasingly being used by NZ organisations to run IT projects. Get agile certified today!
