Presentation: From Chaos to Clarity: How Our Nonprofit Won the Project Management Software Game
Abstract: When our nonprofit decided to transition to a new project management platform, we thought it would be a simple “lift and shift.” Instead, it became a full-scale organizational adventure in change management, communication, and creative problem-solving. In this session, I’ll share how our small but mighty matrix team successfully moved every staff member—from tech-savvy to self-proclaimed spreadsheet loyalists—onto a unified project management tool that transformed how we collaborate, plan, and deliver impact.
This presentation dives into the human side of digital transformation: the messy middle where project management meets psychology. I’ll walk attendees through our journey from the first spark of “We need a tool” to full adoption, highlighting both the roadblocks and the breakthroughs. You’ll hear how I navigated resistance, designed hands-on learning experiences, and used storytelling to build excitement rather than anxiety around change.
Whether you’re implementing a new tool or simply trying to improve team adoption of the ones you already have, this session will equip you with practical insights and laughter from the trenches.
Key Takeaways:
- Adoption is an emotional journey, not just a technical one. Learn strategies to turn skeptics into champions and create a sense of shared ownership.
- Communication is your secret superpower. Discover how to frame change in ways that inspire participation and minimize friction.
- Celebrate small wins early and often. Find out how recognizing progress—no matter how small—can accelerate adoption and boost morale.
Join for a fun, relatable, and solution-focused look at what it really takes to implement new project management software in the real world—and bring your own stories of change to share!
PMI Talent Triangle: Ways of Working
Biography: Keshni N. Washington is senior project manager and strategic leader with 20 years of global experience (Africa, U.K. & USA). She drives business transformation projects through clarity, collaboration, and adhering to a unifying sense of purpose. She is PMP-certified, MBA & BSc. trained, and excels at leading complex initiatives, navigating ambiguity, and building project and change management frameworks that inspire action and align with organizational missions.
Her expertise spans program management, innovation labs, human-centered design, and storytelling—applied across sectors including corporate financial services, international development, and environmental. She has led transformative work at institutions like Standard Bank of South Africa, the Development Bank of Southern Africa before moving to Washington D.C in 2012 to join the International Monetary Fund, and since 2023 leads projects at The Climate Reality Project, a non-profit founded by former VP Al Gore, and her own business Beautiful Lines Consulting.
