If you’re running a business, you’re not starting from scratch. You must contend with legacy systems, existing infrastructure, regulatory obligations, data protection responsibilities, the list goes on. You have staff whose trust and understanding are critical, and leaders who demand clear evidence of return on investment before allocating resources. Any meaningful conversation about AI must begin by recognising these constraints.

Many of us have already grasped the basics of AI, and are seeing benefits from AI assistants such as Microsoft Copilot. However, the true potential, and real challenge, lies in moving beyond these tools to embrace AI agents capable of acting autonomously, automating workflows, and transforming entire business processes. This leap is proving difficult for many organisations, largely because the gap between hype and reality is not a lack of skills, but a lack of practical methods for implementation.

Enter the AI Design Sprint®, a people-led, practical framework designed to help businesses explore where AI agents and automated workflows can make a genuine difference.  The approach, developed by 33A in Copenhagen, is now available to Prosperity 24/7’s clients, and was designed for exactly this situation.  It is grounded in design thinking and the same human-centred approach that is behind the Google Design Sprint.

This framework is not about helping your team get more from Microsoft Copilot but to explore AI agents and automated workflows which could transform your operations, with the rigour, governance and human involvement that this kind of change demands.

Crucially, this approach requires no technical expertise, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes and sectors. The AI Design Sprint® acknowledges the operational realities faced by organisations and offers a structured pathway towards AI adoption that is both strategic and pragmatic.

At its core is a simple principle: the people closest to the work are best placed to identify where AI can help.  They don’t need to become AI specialists. They need a framework that makes possibilities visible, a language that feels accessible, and a process that turns ideas into something actionable. Understanding these distinctions is vital, the journey to effective AI adoption is not about following trends or chasing hype; it’s about making technology work the way that people work.

The gap between AI hype and practical adoption is real but it isn’t a reason to stand still.  Organisations that succeed with AI will be the ones that start by asking the right questions, with the right people in the room, and move forward in a way that reflects their reality.

You don’t need to reinvent yourself to work effectively with AI. You need a method that respects your experience, your responsibilities, and your people. The technology will keep evolving. The pressure to act will continue. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. The bridge is there. You just need to step onto it.

The post Bridging the AI Gap – find where AI fits business with the people who know it best appeared first on Prosperity 247.

People

At the heart of every successful project are dedicated and talented individuals. From our recent debrief of the APM ‘Women in Project Management’ conference, we were reminded of the vital role diversity plays in project management – Empowering women and fostering an inclusive environment not only enriches our teams but also drives innovation and excellence. This is echoed in the super power of the Change Manager – Getting everyone on the same page at the same time to help deliver successful & sustainable change!

Purpose

Purpose fuels our projects with meaning. As a Project Manager, your super power is being someone who can take an idea or problem and make the solution a reality. When attending the recent Gender Pay Gap Reporting Workshop, delivered by Inclusive Employers in Jersey, we explored how aligning our projects with clear, impactful goals that speak to our key values, enhances motivation and collaboration. Addressing disparities and striving for equity ensures that our work contributes positively to society.

Projects

Successful projects are the culmination of well-coordinated efforts and strategic planning. The super power of a Business Analyst lies in knowing a little about a lot and having excellent interpersonal skills to draw meaning and clear direction to project work. Our Change Activism event with Carmel McConnell highlighted the importance of adaptability and resilience in project management- Embracing change and proactively addressing challenges allows us to deliver projects that not only meet, but exceed expectations.

Then at the Chamber of Commerce lunch yesterday, we heard from Lynn Pamment CBE (Jersey’s Comptroller & Auditor General) that the one of the key themes for improvement made by her office to the Government of Jersey is “seeing change through to improved outcomes”. On this International Project Management Day, let’s celebrate the synergy of People, Purpose, and Projects, and the vital role that we as change professionals play in ensuring businesses realise the value of their change initiatives.

Together, our Strategy & Change team continues to create lasting impacts and drive progress within organisations and beyond. If you or your organisation need support in delivering successful projects, please feel free to reach out to us!

The post People, Purpose and Projects – International Project Management Day appeared first on Prosperity 247.

Planner is an innovative tool that is revolutionising task and project management within Microsoft 365. It merges the best features from Planner, To-Do, and Project for the Web into a single unified and seamless platform that caters for both simple day-to-day task management and project management. 

Benefits and key features

Intuitive User experience -It creates an effortless unified experience that is scalable; from simple task management project management activities; it empowers everyone to manage their work in one place. It is intuitive to use, robust, and deeply integrated with Microsoft 365. It is quick and easy to add items or create a plan from scratch due to the small number of required fields, or use one of the provided templates and as we have quickly come to expect, all of this is assisted by Microsoft’s next generation AI (Copilot) which can help lift the burden of everyday tasks or give you that all important ‘starter for 10’.  

Configure and Extend – Users can configure, extend, and automate tasks and processes (leveraging Power BI and Power Automate to name a few applications), and track against your plan’s baseline, to meet your company’s changing needs while ensuring team members are continually focusing on delivering the right work items at the right time.  

Seamless Integration – A key feature is that Planner 2024 can also be seamlessly integrated with SharePoint and Teams. You can add Planner as a link, a web part, or a tab to SharePoint pages and Teams channels. Enhancing the user experience, extending the aforementioned unified work management experience across different platforms. And…to make the experience even easier Microsoft have created a MS Teams template that comes with an MS Planner tab to link to your project plan, a link to a SharePoint site for your project that includes an issue and project tracker so you can set everything up with ease and little overhead.  

Collaboration – MS Planner 2024 also allows for collaboration with people outside of your organisation through guest access. This feature grants external parties, with the appropriate Microsoft licence, the ability to view and interact with your plan. Guest users can create and delete items as well as edit task fields. You can also add guest users to the Teams channel and SharePoint site ensuring all project communication is easily accessible, shared and centrally located to help achieve the best outcome for your project. 

Centralised functionality – From a functionality perspective, there are not any new features of note that we did not have in Planner, To-Do, or Project for the Web. However, for the first time these features are now in a centralised, unified, one-stop-shop application. No more switching between multiple applications and to-do lists. From the end-user experience I would say that this is a game changer for Microsoft as in brings together ‘the project space’ with ‘operations’ and ensures all involved know what they need to do, across all their to-do items (assigned project activities across all projects, flagged emails, loop components etc) and when they are due! 

Considerations 

That said, there are some areas that would benefit from further development. You can’t @ team members in the comments of tasks (although this is actively being looked at and developed). You can create checklists within tasks, but they don’t have to be marked complete to complete the overall task. These seem like oversights and easy wins / improvements if addressed. The built-in dashboard, or ‘Chart’s as they are called aren’t great but show potential. But as we know it is super easy to link with Power BI and you can even create your own Power BI tab in your Teams Project channel so you and your teams can always and easily view meaningful and bespoke up-to-data MI. Although, we have to acknowledge that, depending on your organisation, this will require the appropriate licenses (and costs) and specialist skillset, thus increasing overhead. 

As I see it there are two immediate development areas that Microsoft should look to address in Planner 2024. The lack of being able to grant users distinct levels of permission / access rights. All users with access can freely edit. External users will have all the same access as internal teams and will have access to all associated files attached to the plan. And, if you or a user accidentally delete a task, or even the whole plan, you are unable to retrieve it or ‘undo’ the deletion. It is gone. You will need to start again. Not great – but there are several steps you need to take so it would take more than a ‘fat finger’ to delete. Hopefully, this will be promptly addressed by Microsoft. 

Licences

There are several license options available. If you are wondering what licence option is best for you and your firm is then please reach out. We have several experts at Prosperity 24/7 who would be able to assist and advise.  

Conclusion

Despite a few limitations, Microsoft Planner 2024 is a powerful application, that offers significant benefits and with its deep integration with Microsoft 365 and other applications like SharePoint and Teams it really does enhance the end-user experience. The benefits and the potential for improvement outweigh any negatives and make it worth considering for those seeking to streamline their task management and project management processes.  

As with anything, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons to determine if it is the right fit for your organisation’s needs. Remember, the perfect application does not exist, but the right one does. And Microsoft Planner 2024 could just be the ‘right’ one for you, especially when considering the benefits of being in a leading class and secure ecosystem. 

I encourage anyone looking to enhance the end-user experience and bring internal teams together, while staying within the Microsoft ecosystem, to explore Microsoft Planner 2024. See how it can help chart a course for streamlined workflows and improved productivity.  

Alternatively, if you are navigating larger projects, programmes and portfolios, and are happy to stretch out beyond the Microsoft shores, I recommend the all singing all dancing Smartsheet, which can also be used outside of the project space and is arguably more user friendly at the time of writing this article. Here at Prosperity 24/7, we offer a solutions-based approach and are not anchored to any one product. This enables us to provide the best advice to meet your business requirements and ensure smooth sailing. 

The post MS Planner 2024: The True North of project and task management appeared first on Prosperity 247.

In other words; Smartsheet is a cloud-based platform primarily designed for work management, project management and collaboration. It combines the familiar interface of a spreadsheet with powerful tools for tracking projects, automating workflows, and reporting on work. But calling them spreadsheets is like calling the Mona Lisa a doodle. These are spreadsheets on steroids. They are dynamic, they are heavily customisable, and they are smarter than your average grid. With dropdown menus, checkboxes, and hierarchies, they turn the fundamental tasks of data entry and planning into a walk in the park.

Features

Smartsheet offers a variety of features designed to enhance productivity and collaboration. These features are adaptable to various industries like IT, HR, Marketing, and more, so while Project Management teams may be the obvious area to implement Smartsheets do not be put off if that is not the area you work in as these features will benefit the whole organisation.

Sample Gantt view
The primary features can be broken down into the following 6 key areas:

Programme, Portfolio, Project & Task Management 

• Task Tracking: Assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress.
• Gantt Charts: Visualise project timelines and dependencies./li>
• Resource Management: Allocate resources and manage workloads.
• Programme Management & cross-project dependencies: link, track, and roll-up all business / enterprise-wide projects.

Collaboration

• Shared Workspaces: Collaborate in real-time with team members.
• File Sharing: Attach and share documents directly within tasks.
• Comments and Discussions: Communicate and provide feedback directly within the platform.

Automation 

• Workflow Automation: Automate repetitive tasks and processes to save time.
• Alerts and Reminders: Set up notifications for important deadlines and updates.
• Approval Processes: Streamline approval workflows for faster decision-making.

Reporting and Analytics

• Customisable Reports: Generate reports tailored to your organisations’ structure and needs.
• Dashboards: Create visual dashboards to monitor key metrics.
• Real-Time Data: Access up-to-date information for better informed and quicker decision-making.

Integration 

• Third-Party Apps: Integrate with popular tools like Microsoft Office and directly into Microsoft Teams.
• API Access: Customise and extend Smartsheet’s functionality with API integrations.

Security and Compliance 

• Data Security: Robust security measures to protect your data.
• Compliance: Adherence to industry standards and regulations.

And for the road warriors out there, Smartsheet’s mobile app keeps you connected to your projects, whether you are in the back of a cab or at 30,000 feet. It is like having a command centre in your pocket, only without the bulky buttons and beeping noises.

Sample dashboard and mobile view

Considerations 

Once implemented and users have become familiar with its features and capabilities, Smartsheet is an incredibly valuable tool. The benefits of Smartsheet outweigh the initial training requirements, and any perceived complexity of getting started. Once up-to-speed users will quickly forget any initial challenges and will wonder how they managed to deliver their work with their old PPM or work management tool!

Here at Prosperity 24/7, as a Silver Solution Partner, we can support you through the full end-to-end onboarding journey, to help ensure that the value of Smartsheet is realised as quickly as possible. We offer comprehensive training, customised solutions, and guidance to simplify the use of Smartsheet, making sure that all users understand the ‘art of the possible.’ We provide all the support required making it easier for users to navigate and utilise its extensive features. There are several plan options available that can grow with your business, which we can discuss with you to find the best option for you and your firm, both now and in the future.

In conclusion, Smartsheet is aimed at a wide range of users, from small businesses to large enterprises and would be particularly useful for teams and organisations that need to manage multiple projects simultaneously and require a flexible, customisable tool.

Smartsheet is not just a tool; it is a revolution wrapped in a cloud-based solution. It is the answer to the prayers of teams everywhere, who long for more hours in the day and less chaos in their lives. So, if you want to be the office hero, the maestro of management, the sultan of spreadsheets, give Smartsheet a whirl. Your projects (and your sanity) will thank you. And remember, in the world of project management, Smartsheet is not just smart; it is genius.

While Smartsheet is an incredibly powerful and valuable tool, it is only part of the solution. To truly deliver successful projects and realise the benefits, it is imperative that you involve the right people and partners, with the relevant skillset and experience. At Prosperity 24/7, we have excellent people with vast experience and a proven record of accomplishments who can help you and your company go from strength to strength.

The post Smartsheet: The Swiss Army Knife of Project Management appeared first on Prosperity 247.

Inspired by social activism, this mindset helped Carmel set up and lead Magic Breakfast which now provides a healthy school breakfast to over 200,000 vulnerable children every day. As a City based technologist, without any education or food background, Carmel built a new model for change, to help people find their passion, purpose and plan. It starts with the heart.

Join us for breakfast at Prosperity’s headquarters from 08:30 on Wednesday 5 June 2024 to find out more about Carmel’s lessons learned from the many mistakes along the way.

Followed by Carmel’s keynote speech, the panel including Kate Wright of The Diversity Network and Paul Murphy from Jersey Business will discuss the need for an inclusive, connected and compelling approach to change, ensuring changes happens through a purposeful lens and for the better.

About Carmel McConnell MBE

Carmel’s MBA (Baynes, London) is in change leadership and broadband technology. She has worked at senior levels in BT, UBS and 20th Century Fox and ran a successful tech leadership development firm based in London, starting with a role as IT project manager in BT. She has lived and worked in the US, India and the UK and is a dual Irish/UK citizen.

Author, Change Activist, Make Big Things Happen Fast.

This title was published by the Financial Times showing how social activists are great role models for a new generation of global business leaders wanting to create profit with principles. The book became a best seller in its second edition in 2002. The 3rd edition published in 2022.

Charity Founder and CEO

While working as senior technology manager in UBS, Carmel found out about the problem of children arriving at school too hungry to learn. She began delivering breakfasts to a small group of schools and, seeing the big difference it made to child concentration and behaviour, Carmel re-mortgaged her home to take a sabbatical, leaving her City role to make sure our poorest children wouldn’t face educational disadvantage. She set up a new national charity, Magic Breakfast, and has raised over £70 million for school food deliveries.

After 20 years as founder & CEO, Carmel stepped back from Magic Breakfast in 2020 to support great socially focused leaders from Govt and business, finding solutions to the biggest climate and social justice issues.

Awards and Honours

Carmel was awarded an MBE by the then Prince Charles for her services to school food in 2016. She received an Honorary Doctorate from the Open University for improving access to education. She was named Barclays Woman of the Year in 2018 and was voted No 4 on the Radio 4 Women’s Hour list of 100 most powerful women in the UK in 2014

The Details

Venue:  Prosperity 24/7, Castle Quay
Date:  Wednesday 5th June 2024
Time:  08:30 to 10:30

The post Great Minds Series: Change Activism – An inclusive, connected and compelling approach to change appeared first on Prosperity 247.

It was a pleasure to meet Dr Karen Thompson, who is the Co-founder and director of Responsible Project Management, to discuss Net Zero as part of a focus group at the end of the conference, but her presentation earlier in the day really resonated with me. It reinforced (without knowing the term Responsible PM, until now) the values and beliefs that Prosperity 24/7 consultants have, in addition to their change project management delivery skillset.

We are engaged by our clients to deliver, yes, but we also gain permission from them to allow us to challenge them and drive effective change in a way that adds value and a learning environment for us all, making project management a fulfilling and enjoyable pursuit.

As Karen outlined; a ‘new’ project management mindset is imperative and explained what’s ‘out’ and what’s ‘in’:

2. Use technology to support the delivery of value in project management

We were challenged around our thinking about the use of Robotics and AI in Project Management – understanding what is available today and what is coming, as well as the impact on the role of the Project Manager.

Steve Maclaren, the COO at The National Robotarium, gave some exciting examples of how AI and robotics are impacting and revolutionising project management. By reducing the inevitable administration that comes with a project manager’s role, AI can allow us to focus even more on the people; to deliver even more value and better project outcomes.   I’m very excited about exploring and supporting AI for Project Management with the use of Microsoft Co-Pilot and Smartsheet AI.  These are tools that Prosperity 24/7 is starting to use to great effect.

3. Think beyond yourself or your organisation and look at your societal impact as a whole

Dr Melissa Marques-McEwan, Assistant Professor of Sustainable and Circular Businesses at Heriot-Watt University facilitated a discussion about how we embed a culture of recycle, reuse, reduce, without thinking about it, or labelling or ticking boxes for ESG – it just becomes part of our project management DNA. The circular economy must be compatible with project management. Your project doesn’t start and end with you, there are always wider implications.

Although this is easier to think about with something like a construction project, it is also relevant when looking at technology. Decommissioning hardware for example, or your suppliers decommissioning the hardware – do you know what is done with the old kit? Make it your business to make sure you do, so society benefits and not just your project.

What was clear to me that Prosperity 24/7 is well on the path to ensuring we are a more sustainable business going forward.  Our philosophy of doing our best to help each other so we can all prosper, by looking after our clients, colleagues and the community equally, means that our impact on society is embedded in our company values.  But of course there is always more we can do.

If you’d like to discuss how we can use AI or find ways to work together to embed sustainable practices into your next change project, we would love to talk to you.

The post Delivering Responsible Project Management appeared first on Prosperity 247.

Peter is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Prince2 and MSP Practitioner. He is able to utilise his varied skills and techniques to realise continued improvement to business processes and operations. Peter recognises that successful operations are not just driven through lean processes, but also through a strong focus on quality and an understanding of root causes.  Peter recently achieved Chartered Manager status from the Chartered Management Institute, which recognises managers with exceptional management and leadership skills, demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and a professional approach that delivers measurable impact.

COO and Co-Founder, Geraldine Evans commented on the appointment, “Peter’s appointment is a critical component of our organic growth strategy as we see increasing demand from our clients both locally and internationally. Change is about making sure that everyone involved has the support, direction and motivation to achieve success. Peter has all the necessary skills and personal attributes to ensure that every team member and stakeholder has a chance of being able to positively influence the outcome.”

The post New Director for our Strategy & Change business appeared first on Prosperity 247.

Our Strategy and Change team is one of the fastest growing areas of the business and we recognise the importance of developing colleagues to be the best they can be for the benefit of our clients.

Strategy and Change Director, Paul Marshall commented on the new partnership, “Project Managers are the professionals that help keep project goals and objectives on track. They help organisations to deliver the expected outcomes and benefits, by making sure the projects run on time, to scope and to budget. They use their excellent communication, organisational, leadership, problem-solving, and risk management skills to make this happen.”

“Our partnership with APM demonstrates our commitment to delivering change programmes in the best possible way for our clients. With access to the incredible resources that the APM has we can continue to develop our team with the latest project, programme and portfolio management tools and methods.”

The post Prosperity 24/7 joins the Association for Project Management on International Project Management Day appeared first on Prosperity 247.