Ottawa Valley Outaouais Chapter's Events Calendar

Presentation Title

Navigating Chaos: Managing Projects in Tech Startups

Session Abstract

High tech often feels chaotic—shifting priorities, unclear goals, and tight deadlines can leave teams overwhelmed. But chaos isn’t something to fear; it’s an opportunity to adapt, grow, and build stronger processes. A skilled Project Manager can ride this chaos, guiding teams to improve iteratively and scale sustainably over time.

Key Takeaways:

• Ride the Chaos: Learn how to work with the uncertainty of software development, using it as a catalyst for growth rather than a roadblock.
• Grow Iteratively: Discover techniques to implement small, manageable changes that add up to significant improvements over time.
  Improve Communication: Build trust and alignment through transparent, team-centered communication practices that evolve alongside your team.
• Scale Sustainably: Help teams build processes and habits that allow them to handle increasing complexity and deliver consistently.

With real-world stories and practical advice, this session will show how a steady, adaptable approach can transform even the most chaotic environments. By embracing the messiness of development and focusing on incremental progress, project managers can foster resilient teams ready to tackle any challenge.

Learning Outcomes

Ride the Chaos: 

• Understand how to embrace the uncertainty and unpredictability of software development as an opportunity for growth, rather than a hindrance.
• Learn techniques to maintain focus and momentum in a fast-changing environment.

Foster Incremental Growth:

• Discover how to implement small, iterative changes that enable your team to continuously improve processes, communication, and outcomes.
• Gain insights into helping teams build habits that support long-term scalability and resilience.

Build Transparent Communication:

• Learn strategies to enhance team communication and collaboration, ensuring alignment and trust as your team grows and evolves.
• Develop a toolkit for creating open feedback loops that adapt to the unique needs of your team.

PDU

Ways of Working = 1 PDU

Speaker Kevin McGowan

Project Leader | Mentor | Speaker

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinscottmcgowan/ 

Website: https://kevinscottmcgowan.com/

With over 30 years of experience as a project manager and educator, Kevin has built a career helping teams transform complex challenges into meaningful results. His work spans a diverse range of sectors—including non-profits, public health, and emerging technologies—demonstrating both versatility and impact.

As Chief Operating Officer at Pinax, a blockchain company, Kevin oversees product development, HR, and finance, driving strategic execution in a fast-paced, innovative environment. Prior to this role, he served as Program Manager at St. John Ambulance – National, where he led high-profile initiatives, including a government-funded project to combat the opioid crisis through the distribution of Naloxone kits and frontline worker training.

Kevin is known for his collaborative approach, clear communication, and ability to design processes that truly work for the people using them. He brings a practical lens to project management—focusing less on bureaucracy and more on results. As an educator, he has developed and delivered engaging training programs for audiences ranging from Canadian judges and healthcare workers to corporate teams, combining storytelling, humor, and actionable insights to inform and inspire.

Key skills and expertise:

• Project leadership: Proven success managing high-stakes initiatives with tight deadlines and limited resources.
• Strategic alignment: Ability to align teams and initiatives with organizational goals to maximize impact.
• Education and training: Extensive experience designing and delivering programs for diverse audiences.
• Team collaboration: Strong advocate for cross-functional communication and cohesive teamwork.
• Simplifying complexity: Skilled at turning complicated problems into clear, manageable steps that drive results.

From leading national public health programs to advancing blockchain innovation at Pinax, Kevin brings a results-oriented, people-first mindset to every challenge he takes on.