If you love these stories and want more, reach out to me at 757-759-5282.

Ever waited at a restaurant while everyone’s food was ready except one steak — and the whole table had to wait? That’s the critical path in action. In this episode, Scott Payne breaks down how a dinner out mirrors the reality of project schedules. You’ll learn:

• Why the slowest task (the “steak”) determines when the whole project is done

• How dependencies create chains that can make or break your timeline

• The role of float (wiggle room) in keeping things flexible

• What Goldratt’s “Herbie” teaches us about bottlenecks

• How to spot and manage your own project’s critical path

By the end, you’ll see how understanding your critical path — and focusing resources where it matters most — keeps your project moving and your team finishing strong.

If you have more questions about XP, reach out to me at 757-759-5282 or Jimi at www.fearlessagility.com.

Jimi is the absolute best. You will love this episode. Jimi from Fearless Agility to unpack Extreme Programming (XP) — what it really is, why it was created, and why it still matters today. He dives DEEEP into its core practices like pair programming and continuous integration, the myths that keep teams from embracing it, and how XP fits with Scrum and modern Agile.

If you like these PMP stories and want more, reach out to me, Scott, at 757-759-5282.

In this episode, I break down why the PMO is like air traffic control for your projects. Pilots (project managers) fly the planes, but the PMO clears the runways, prevents collisions, and makes sure the right projects land at the right time. Without it, chaos takes over.

If your organization feels like 30 planes circling the same runway, this episode will show you why a PMO isn’t bureaucracy — it’s the system that creates clarity, alignment, and real value.

If you love this style of story-based teaching, reach out to me: 757-759-5282

LEGO isn’t just a toy—it’s a masterclass in project management.

In this episode, You and I sit down at the dining room table with a massive LEGO Hogwarts set and realizes: this isn’t just building for fun—it’s a live-action lesson in scope, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), scheduling, cost estimation, and integration.

Using vivid storytelling and real-life project parallels, you will learn to realize:

• How the picture on the LEGO box is actually the project scope

• Why the numbered bags represent perfect Work Packages

• How the step-by-step instructions are just like a project schedule

• What LEGO teaches us about cost control

• And how all of it—scope, schedule, and cost—must work together to deliver magic

Whether you're a PMP veteran or a curious builder, this episode will change the way you see LEGOs—and your next project.

What happens when you teach Agile to someone who makes life-or-death decisions every day?

In this powerful one-on-one coaching session, I sit down with a professional firefighter — and what starts as a simple training call turns into one of the most eye-opening Agile conversations I’ve ever had.

We break down the Scrum roles using real fireground command structures, dive deep into velocity, story points, and Kanban, and connect Agile principles to real-world teamwork, urgency, and leadership under pressure.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned Scrum Master, this episode will reframe how you understand Agile — and why the best teams don’t need permission to take action when things get hot.

• Who’s really in charge on an Agile team?

• What firefighting teaches us about decentralized decision-making

• Story points vs. hours — the real reason we use them

• Burn down charts, velocity, Kanban boards — made simple

• Why collaboration beats control (in sprints and in smoke)

• “Scrum sounds good on paper, but what about in the real world?”

• “I still don’t get story points or velocity.”

• “How do I lead without being the bottleneck?”

This conversation is for you.

No buzzwords. No theory. Just real talk.
Listen now. Your Scrum mindset will never be the same.

If you need help reach out to me directly at 757-759-5282

Why do some project managers breeze through the PMP® exam in weeks while others grind away for months (or longer) and still fall short? In this episode, we break down the four levels of PMP preparation — from the exhausting “grind” that traps most people, to the advanced stages of Communication and Imagination where real mastery happens.

You’ll learn:

• The #1 mistake that keeps candidates stuck in study mode.

• Why relying on memorization and endless practice questions actually slows you down.

• How to shift into higher levels of learning that accelerate your prep.

• Practical ways to connect exam concepts to real-world project management so they stick.

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels and want to finally cross the PMP finish line with confidence, this episode is your roadmap from struggle to success.

If you’re scared of procurement or just need help, reach out to me directly — Scott Payne at 757-759-5282.

In this episode, I’m breaking procurement down fast and simple. I’ll hit the high points, knock out the confusion, and give you exactly what you need to crush your fears and start learning with confidence.

Stop reading this — hit play right now. Watch it. Listen to it. Then call me, 757-759-5282.

Let’s go!

If you need help managing your mind, call me, Scott, at 757-759-5282.

On PMP exam day, the real battle isn’t with the questions — it’s in your head. Two forces will be fighting for control: one that feeds your doubt and drags you under… and one that keeps you calm, focused, and moving forward. In this episode, I’ll show you how to recognize the moment that fight begins, how to shut down the mental spiral, and how to keep your head clear enough to make the right call on every single question.

Your PMP success isn’t just about knowledge. It’s about winning the fight that decides your exam fate.