Rome Business School recently welcomed a distinguished guest to campus: Carmine Paragano, President of the Project Management Institute (PMI) – Central Italy Chapter and Head of Program Management at NTT Data. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, Paragano delivered an inspiring session to students enrolled in the International and Executive Master in Project Management programs.
Opening with the concept of a VUCA world (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous), Paragano stressed the importance of agility and adaptability for modern project managers. “We no longer live in an era where long-term plans work,” he remarked. “The real challenge is navigating complexity with clarity and confidence.”
Students were encouraged to see the role of the project manager not as an administrator, but as a transformation leader. “Your job isn’t to give orders—it’s to enable your team to generate value,” Paragano emphasized. He likened the project manager to a coach: someone who empowers people to innovate, problem-solve, and deliver outcomes—not just outputs.
Referencing Amazon’s “Two Pizza Teams” and Valve’s Flatlandia model, Paragano highlighted the importance of creating autonomous, cross-functional teams. He reminded students that at the heart of any project is a motivated, empowered team—and the project manager’s task is to provide the right environment and tools for success.
Rome Business School’s curriculum emphasizes exactly this approach, with programs like the International Master in Project Management and Executive Master in Project Management offering students the opportunity to learn both classic and cutting-edge methodologies.
A major theme of the session was the evolving role of technology—particularly Generative AI (GenAI)—in project management. Paragano shared a real-world example where GenAI tools produced technical requirements for a project. While the tool was powerful, it also generated errors known as “hallucinations.” His message was clear: “The project manager remains accountable, even if AI generates the deliverable.”
Another standout moment was Paragano’s distinction between outputs and outcomes. “Deliverables are not the endgame,” he said. “A successful project is one that delivers measurable benefits and value to the organization, community, and stakeholders.”
He emphasized the importance of business acumen—understanding the strategic goals behind the project and aligning the team’s work with long-term impact.
Paragano’s keynote aligns perfectly with Rome Business School’s mission to prepare students for international careers. His insights touched on Agile Project Management in Italy, leadership in global organizations, and the skills needed to succeed in a dynamic professional environment.
As project management continues to evolve—especially in hybrid, AI-assisted, and remote-first environments—Rome Business School remains committed to training professionals who are not only technically proficient but also adaptable, ethical, and strategic.
