Reduce Waste by Planning Less: Building for Resilience, Not Perfection

Ways of Working

OVERVIEW

Planning isn’t the problem—misguided planning is. In project management, overemphasis on detailed, upfront planning often leads to waste, missed value, and brittle delivery approaches. What if we could achieve more by planning less, but doing it better? 

In this session, John Stathakis draws on his experience delivering the Student ID Card Project at QUT as part of the HiQ transformation to illustrate how a shift in planning philosophy—away from prediction and toward adaptability—can reduce waste and maximise benefits. 

Using a mix of practical techniques and mindset shifts, John will demonstrate how value-focused planning and system resilience helped deliver outcomes that traditional methods might have delayed or derailed.  

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  1. Reframe their approach to planning  
  2. Identify and cut out planning waste  
  3. Build project environments that adapt and endure 

OUR SPEAKER

John-Stathakis.jpeg

John Stathakis 
 Director, System Architecture | Economic Development Queensland 

John Stathakis has spent the past two decades working in digital delivery and transformation across a range of industries, including higher education, local government, and the Queensland public sector. He’s led and supported projects of all sizes, and is particularly interested in how we can reduce waste, simplify governance, and create more resilient delivery environments. Currently working in a senior ICT leadership role within government, John holds a mix of traditional and agile certifications including PMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner, PMI-ACP, SAFe SPC, and ScrumMaster. He was involved in delivering the QUT HiQ Student ID Card project, and has continued to explore ways to focus less on detailed planning and more on value, adaptability, and sustainable progress. John also volunteers as a mentor and co-organises Agile Brisbane, a local meetup aimed at growing the agile community through open discussion and shared learning. He looks forward to sharing some practical reflections and hearing from others in the room.

Linkedin: Connect Now!


 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Microsoft Teams Meetings
Following your registration, you will receive all relevant details, where applicable, via email. Please check your inbox for this critical information, as it will provide instructions and links to access the event.

Refunds
You may request to cancel your registration for a full refund up to five (5) working days before the date and time of the event (Excludes PMDoS). We will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Photography / Videography
Attendees should note that our events may be recorded and published in various media, including print, audio and video formats, without further notice.

Questions / Feedback
If you have any questions about our events or would like to provide feedback, please get in touch with us at Events@pmiqld.org or contact Roosevelt Dias, Chief Executive Officer, at CEO@pmiqld.org or +61 406 096 907.

Not Receiving PMI / PMI Queensland Emails?
Please take a moment to update your communication preferences in your myPMI account to ensure you receive essential information [CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW].

_____________

DISCLAIMER

PMI Queensland events are intended for educational purposes only. Statements of fact and opinions expressed are those of the participants individually and, unless expressly stated to the contrary, are not the opinion or position of PMI Queensland, its sponsors, or its partners. PMI Queensland does not endorse or approve, and assumes no responsibility for, the content, accuracy or completeness of the information presented.

Register for this event
Register for this event

Information

Event:Chapter Event

PMI Talent TriangleWays of Working

Event Date:24 June 2025

Event Time:17:30 to 20:30

Registration Close Date: 24 June 2025 at 19:00

# PDUs:1

Price

Students: Free

Members: $25.00

Non-members/Guests:$45.00

Location

Hudson Recruitment, Gold Tower

Level 27/10 Eagle St
Brisbane, Queensland, 4000

[Click here for Map and Directions]