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Episode 536: PM Master Quest is 30 Days of Project Management Skill Building

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Episode Summary

Project managers know that skill building requires consistency, but finding the right structure can be a challenge. Olivia Pekny introduces PM Master Quest, a program built around 30 days of practical, daily challenges that strengthen core project management capabilities. Instead of long theory-based courses, participants apply short, focused tasks directly to a project storyline, turning everyday actions into learning opportunities. The design is simple yet powerful: take one challenge per day, reflect on the experience, and gradually develop the mindset and behaviors that effective project managers demonstrate. Olivia explains how the program helps professionals at all levels gain traction in areas such as stakeholder communication, decision-making, and team leadership while creating momentum through daily practice.

The conversation highlights why joining a structured challenge increases accountability and creates space for incremental improvement. Olivia shares why 30 days is an optimal timeframe: it is short enough to stay focused but long enough to form habits. Through a mix of practical tasks and reflective prompts, participants sharpen both technical and interpersonal skills. As Cornelius notes during the discussion, the approach turns project management learning into something you do rather than something you just read about. This also makes the program flexible, since each participant works with their own real-world projects as the foundation for growth.

Listeners also get a sneak peek into specific daily tasks. Examples include mapping a stakeholder influence grid, drafting a risk statement, or practicing concise status updates. Each is intentionally lightweight, but together they add up to a comprehensive training journey. Olivia emphasizes that the design of PM Master Quest supports real application, helping professionals avoid the “course shelf” problem where training is consumed but rarely used. By the end of the 30 days, participants not only expand their toolkit but also create a sustainable practice for continuous learning. For anyone looking to improve their PM capabilities without committing to lengthy study programs, this episode provides a practical path forward.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

  • Why short, daily challenges are effective for building project management skills.
  • How PM Master Quest keeps participants accountable over 30 days.
  • Examples of daily tasks that strengthen communication, leadership, and analysis.
  • Why the format helps transform learning into real-world practice.

Resources Mentioned

  • PM Master Quest - 30 days of structured project management challenges to build practical skills.

Quotes from This Episode

  • "Thirty days is short enough to stay committed, but long enough to build real habits." - Olivia Pekny
  • "This is about doing project management, not just learning about project management." - Cornelius Fichtner
  • "Each challenge may be small, but together they create a powerful learning experience." - Olivia Pekny

Connect with Olivia Pekny

Time-Stamped Show Notes

  • [00:00] - Opening invitation and context for the 30-day challenge.
  • [01:27] - Why join PM Master Quest, daily habit building in 3 to 10 minutes.
  • [03:45] - Motivation mechanics, leaderboard and daily scoreboard updates.
  • [05:25] - What you see when you join, interface and challenge flow overview.
  • [06:32] - Sneak peek 1 (September 11 task), on-screen question breakdown and zoom-in walkthrough.
  • [09:05] - How submissions work, forms close end of September and answers posted in early October.
  • [10:13] - Character-driven prompts with Victoria, how scenarios guide the daily task.
  • [16:09] - Sneak peek 2 with Haldor, stakeholder table and question framing on screen.
  • [20:43] - Key dates and availability, mentions of September 10 and end-of-month closure.

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Cornelius Fichtner
Cornelius Fichtner
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP, CSM, is the host and the author at The Project Management Podcast. He has welcomed hundreds of guests and project management experts to the podcast and has helped over 60,0000 students prepare for their PMP® Exam. He has authored dozens of articles on projectmanagement.com and PM World 360. He speaks at conferences around the world about project management, agile methodology, PMOs, and Project Business. Follow him on Twitter and connect with him on LinkedIn.

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