Project management has become essential to various industries, ensuring that initiatives are executed efficiently and meet their intended objectives. As businesses expand and technology advances, project management grows beyond traditional frameworks to integrate innovative methodologies, digital tools, and strategic foresight. Organizations now focus on structured processes, collaboration, and adaptability to drive success while maintaining quality and efficiency. The role of project managers has also transformed, requiring them to be proactive decision-makers who cultivate productivity and accountability. With the increasing challenges of projects, professionals must stay updated with emerging trends, incorporating new strategies that enhance teamwork, communication, and overall project outcomes.
Alfonso Bucero, PhD, PMP, PMI-RMP, PfMP, PMI Fellow, is an Executive PM Consultant who has dedicated his career to refining and enhancing project execution strategies. His leadership approach is built on authenticity, integrity, and a commitment to continuous learning, shaping his ability to guide teams effectively. With a passion for knowledge-sharing, he manages projects and mentors aspiring professionals, highlighting the importance of trust, collaboration, and innovation. His approach integrates structured methodologies with a deep understanding of team dynamics, ensuring that professionals under his guidance develop the confidence and expertise required to succeed. Through coaching, writing, and public speaking, he inspires professionals to embrace challenges, improve processes, and cultivate a positive work environment.
BUCERO PM Consulting has established itself as a specialized provider of project management training and consulting services, catering to professionals and organizations aiming to enhance operational efficiency. Focusing on practical application, the company delivers insights bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world project execution. Offering tailored solutions, workshops, and coaching programs helps businesses optimize project performance while developing a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. The company’s commitment to equipping professionals with practical strategies and best practices has contributed to its reputation as a trusted resource.
Let’s explore Alfonso’s future-ready strategies for project management:
Learning the Sales Life Cycle and Teamwork
Alfonso was an accidental project manager. In 1985, he was assigned as a project manager without experience. He had to learn from his team members, which was a great lesson for him: listening to and supporting them. After his experience as a junior project manager, he moved to another multinational company (DEC), where he took on the role of sales support engineer, learning the sales life cycle from the salesmen there and selling projects. One year later, he took on a project leader role in software development and understood the power of teamwork and technical support for his team.
After almost four years, he moved to another multinational company (ICL) as a senior project manager, managing technical projects and dealing with senior technical professionals and some trainees in his team. One year later, he started working for HP, where he had the opportunity to lead a PM methodology in Spain and Portugal. He also managed several projects and led the PMO Spain implementation. He traveled frequently to Europe and the US and was part of a Methodology deployment international team.
In 2002, he left HP and created his own company providing consulting and training services in project management. For a couple of years, he represented the company IIL in Spain, and finally, he restarted his company, BUCERO PM Consulting, from 2004 until 2021.
Coaching and Mentoring in Project Management
Alfonso has continued working as an independent project management consultant, providing speeches, delivering training seminars and presentations worldwide, and coaching people. Since initiating work as a book author in 2002, he has continued publishing books. His latest book, “TODAY IS A GREAT DAY,” was published by CRC Press (Taylor and Francis Group).
Practicing Authenticity and Integrity
Building trust in his team involves practicing authenticity (saying what he believes) and integrity (acting on what he says). Alfonso always tries to spend some time talking to his people about project tasks and personal ones. He also dedicates some weekly time to giving them feedback and receiving some from them. He practices a positive attitude and tries to create a positive atmosphere in his team by asking questions and supporting people’s demands.
Embracing Innovative Practices
He incorporates innovative practices into his project management approach and is always open to feedback, comments, and suggestions. Alfonso likes to ask questions and seeks positive criticism throughout the entire project life cycle. Usually, on Fridays, he dedicates some time after breakfast to receiving feedback and new ideas.
Managing Virtual Teams with Clear Guidelines
Most of Alfonso’s projects were outside his home, so he established a reasonable daily schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. One of his best practices is being registered at a gym and being obliged to attend every day, so at 6:30 p.m., all team members must leave the office. When managing virtual teams, he usually agrees to prohibit virtual meetings after 4:00 p.m. and not having meetings on Friday afternoons, for example. He also asks for feedback regarding their schedule.
Staying Updated with Selected Sources
He obliges himself to dedicate some time on Fridays to stay updated, connecting to his selected websites and sources. Alfonso also accesses applications like LinkedIn for at least five minutes daily to see if there is any interesting news, article, or report to review. Then, he completes this task on Fridays.
Advice for Aspiring Project Managers
Alfonso advises aspiring project managers looking to make an impact in their careers not to reinvent the wheel. Today, they have sources, tools, and tips, including AI tools, to be more effective as project managers. He suggests training as a project manager first, looking for a mentor, and understanding that uncertainty and intricacy will be present in their journey. By telling their people that they want, need, and respect them, they can create a trustful and effective climate in their team.
He also suggests looking for opportunities where they feel uncomfortable for a period of time because that way, they will grow personally and professionally. He recommends developing their courage as project managers and sharing their experiences with other project practitioners. Additionally, he recommends being a volunteer in a project management association, at least for some time, as it has been a great experience in his case.
Continuing a Legacy of Teaching and Coaching
Now, after forty-one years of professional experience, Alfonso’s goal is to continue speaking, teaching, and coaching project managers. He is also writing another book about the organizational context in project management, which he hopes will be published by the end of this year.
As a project manager, he aims to help professionals and organizations improve their attitude toward project management. Over the years, he has developed some material for that. His preferred sentence is “TODAY IS A GREAT DAY, and TOMORROW WILL BE BETTER.”
Advocate of Passion, Persistence, and Patience
Alfonso Bucero, PhD, PMP, PMI-RMP, PfMP, PMI Fellow, and Certified Public Speaker, is an independent project management consultant, author, and speaker. He is the founder, partner, and director of BUCERO PM Consulting in Spain. Bucero has a Ph.D. in Project Management and authorizes twelve project management books. He manages projects internationally.
He delivers workshops and keynote speeches and consults organizations on project, program, and portfolio management. He received the PMI Distinguished Contribution Award on October 9th, 2010. He also received the PMI Fellow Award on October 22nd, 2011, and the PMI Eric Jenett Excellence Award on October 28th, 2017. His motto is Passion, Persistence, and Patience; for him, every day is a good day (TODAY IS A GOOD DAY! is his preferred sentence).
