MSPM at USC

09/30/2026

Project data is most useful when leaders know how to interpret it.

A recent Project Management Institute article explores earned value management, a method for comparing planned work, completed work and actual costs to understand project performance better. Beyond calculating metrics, PMI emphasizes the importance of recognizing trends, identifying the causes behind variances and using that information to guide decisions.

For project management professionals, reading the numbers effectively can help surface risks earlier and turn performance data into action.

Tools calculate CPI and SPI in seconds. Here's what they won't tell you about what those numbers mean.

09/28/2026

For decades, a WBS answered one core question: What are all the components of a project? Now, as more AI agents are integrated into workflows, the WBS must answer a second question: What authority gets delegated?

PMI’s Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Certification shows the world that possess the foundational knowledge that project teams demand.

09/25/2026

AI is changing how leaders evaluate options and make strategic decisions.

A recent Harvard Business Review article explores how AI can help teams assess more possibilities, anticipate market shifts and stress-test strategies before moving forward.

For project management professionals, these tools could strengthen planning, risk evaluation and decision-making while keeping human judgment at the center.

Read more:

For decades, the limits of time and brain capacity meant that teams could consider only so many strategic options before making decisions. Strategy tools—SWOT analyses, portfolio matrices—were simple because that’s what planning meetings needed. AI changes those dynamics. It can generate and e...

08/27/2026

Project management is evolving, and so are the skills expected of today’s project leaders.

The Project Management Institute’s updated PMP® exam places greater emphasis on business strategy, stakeholder alignment and decision-making, while incorporating AI and sustainability into real-world project scenarios. The changes reflect a broader view of project leadership that goes beyond managing scope, schedule and budget to delivering value within increasingly complex environments.

Read more about what the 2026 PMP exam updates reveal about the future of project management:

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08/25/2026

As AI infrastructure expands, data center projects are becoming increasingly complex.

TechRepublic reports that operators are navigating rapid capacity growth alongside higher rack densities, tighter power availability and evolving cooling and infrastructure requirements. These interconnected challenges underscore the importance of strong project management—coordinating resources, managing constraints and adapting plans as technology and operational needs evolve.

For project management professionals, the growth of AI infrastructure is another example of how effective planning and ex*****on can help organizations manage complex, large-scale initiatives.

Read more:

OCP’s APAC Summit highlights AI data center management as operators face denser racks, power constraints, and growing infrastructure complexity.

08/04/2026

Meet MSPM Faculty member Michael D. Butler. In addition to being a US Air Force Veteran and currently serving at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Professor Butler brings more than 20 years of public- and private-sector experience in healthcare modernization, enterprise operations, acquisition logistics, supply chain management, operational readiness, and organizational transformation.

Read more here: https://bovardcollege.usc.edu/pm/faculty/marcus-d-butler/

08/03/2026

What does the future of the PMO look like in an era of AI-led transformation?

In this podcast episode, PMO leader Amamira Amir Masaheri discusses how project management offices can move beyond reporting and oversight to become strategic partners that help organizations navigate risk, digital transformation and long-term business value. The conversation highlights a key shift for PMO professionals: success is not just about managing projects; it is about enabling the business to deliver the right outcomes.

Listen to the full episode:

PMOs are at a crossroads. As AI-led transformation accelerates, man...

07/28/2026

Sustainability is becoming one of the strongest indicators of project success, but ex*****on remains a challenge.

According to new research from PMI, sustainability ranks ahead of traditional delivery factors as a predictor of project success, yet 59% of organizations have not fully integrated it across projects and functions. For future project leaders, the message is clear: strategy matters, but ex*****on is where impact happens.

USC’s online MSPM program helps prepare professionals to translate strategic priorities, including sustainability goals, into projects that deliver measurable, long-term impact.

Read more:

PMI’s Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Certification shows the world that possess the foundational knowledge that project teams demand.

07/21/2026

Sustainability is becoming one of the strongest indicators of project success, but ex*****on remains a challenge.

According to new research from PMI, sustainability ranks ahead of traditional delivery factors as a predictor of project success, yet 59% of organizations have not fully integrated it across projects and functions. For future project leaders, the message is clear: strategy matters, but ex*****on is where impact happens.

USC’s online MSPM program helps prepare professionals to translate strategic priorities, including sustainability goals, into projects that deliver measurable, long-term impact.

Read more:

Sustainability is the Top Predictor of Project Success But Most Organizations Cant Execute on it

07/21/2026

Applications are now open for Spring 2027. Apply today to begin your next chapter and start classes in January.
https://bovardcollege.usc.edu/pm/apply/