I’ve Been Assigned to a Project… Now What? — HR Leaders Summit 2025 Workshop Recap

August 11, 2025. In July 2025, Talent Crunch partnered with WeAreDevelopers to host the official workshop series at the HR Leaders Summit in Berlin. This Playbook is the last in a short series.

“I’ve Been Assigned to a Project… Now What?”

Facilitator: Bruno Morgante — Founder & CEO, Mantegora

Intro

Being handed a project without context, process, or clear responsibilities is something most professionals experience at some point. Bruno guided participants through a structured approach to turn ambiguity into progress — combining project management foundations with the human skills needed to align stakeholders, manage expectations, and deliver results.

Why This Workshop?

Many professionals are pulled into projects without the right clarity. Often there is:

• No clear brief
• No defined process
• Uncertainty about roles and responsibilities
• A mismatch between the skills available and the skills required

Learning Outcomes

• Define and align on project foundations
• Communicate with impact
• Manage stakeholders strategically
• Lead a project from confusion to clarity

Workshop Structure

1. Project Management Foundations — in 30 minutes: what projects are, why they succeed or fail, essential elements to set up, what to watch out for when they derail.
2. “You’re Assigned to a Project — Now What?” Small-group exercise simulating stepping into a project mid-stream.
3. Role-Play Simulation: participants took on stakeholder roles — negotiation, conflict resolution, alignment. A surprise plot twist tested adaptability.
4. Debrief and Takeaways: group reflection on strategies to apply immediately.

Key Takeaways

• Understand the foundations before making progress
• Projects often fail because of people, not process
• Stakeholder engagement means involvement, not just updates
• Influence is often more effective than authority
• Communication is defined by what others understand, not just what you say

Core Concepts Covered

• The Iron Triangle — Scope, Time, Cost, plus Quality, Resources, and Risks
• Project Approaches — Predictable (“Waterfall”) vs Adaptable (“Agile”)
• Operations vs Projects — “Run” vs “Change” work
• Outputs, Outcomes, and Benefits — and why executives respond differently to each
• Stakeholder Engagement — identifying, analysing, engaging
• Why Projects Fail — scope creep, poor communication, lack of alignment
• Planning and Communication — high-level milestone plan, effective comms strategy

Who is Bruno Morgante?

Bruno has over 20 years’ experience leading Project Management Offices in large multinational organisations. Through Mantegora, he equips individuals, teams, and organisations with the mindset, skills, and structures to drive impactful projects and deliver meaningful change.