Adam Russell

At University, I aspired to be a marine zoologist. The idea of swimming in warm tropical waters and researching cetaceans for a living was marvellously appealing. But then I stumbled upon computers and became a developer, then a technical product manager and ultimately a project manager. I've been managing IT projects, programs and portfolios since 1985. Although I grew up in Sydney and spent much time at the beach, as an adult, I developed a fear of sharks, which may have been a slight problem as a marine zoologist, so everything worked out in the end. I always liked the idea of being a writer but–despite many attempts–never really had anything to write about. But now that I've managed or been responsible for hundreds of projects and been around thousands, I have the knowledge and experience to draw from in my writing. So now I write about project management. I'm in my fifth decade as a software and systems integration project manager, and I write about the successful practice of the art and science of project management. But not the mumbo-jumbo “scope schedule budget” process-driven type of project management that is so often practised. And not the toxic power-based project management that is equally prevalent. I write about project management that fosters trust and abundance and brings business and technical people together to enable customer outcomes. I believe that project success flows from people thinking and working naturally together, not from plans and charts. I'm also studying for a Master of Science in Project Management to establish a research-based foundation for the pragmatic evolution of his management concepts. Optimism is prevalent in my family. My paternal grandfather had a decade-long second career after retirement wore thin, and my great-uncle signed a 5-year work contract at age 91. When I'm not writing, I love to travel, especially to Thailand, with which I've had a 30-year love affair. I live in Sydney, Australia.