Beyond Phoenix: What the PMI Global Summit 2025 Means for the Future of Project Management 

by Laura Lazzerini Neuwirth 

Introduction 

After the PMI Global Summit in Phoenix, its energy and insight continue to resonate across the global project management community. The event brought together thousands of practitioners, executives, thought leaders, and innovators for three days of learning, connection, and inspiration. More than a gathering, it was a moment of realignment for the profession-an intentional shift in how PMI envisions the future of project work. From the debut of the M.O.R.E. framework to the announcement of the upcoming PMBOK® Guide-8th Edition, the Summit signaled a new era characterized by adaptability, value creation, and a holistic approach to delivering outcomes. 

 

1. M.O.R.E.: PMI’s New Framework for the Future of Project Work 

A major highlight of the Summit was the introduction of M.O.R.E., a conceptual framework designed to help project professionals deliver value in a world where volatility and complexity are constants. M.O.R.E. stands for Manage Perceptions, Own Project Success, Relentlessly Reassess, and Expand Perspective: foundational pillars that PMI positions as essential for future-ready project managers. Throughout the Summit, nearly every keynote, panel, and breakout session was required to reference one or more of these pillars, demonstrating PMI’s intention for M.O.R.E. to become a guiding lens for the profession. 

 

 
Manage Perceptions: For a project to be recognized as successful, stakeholders must clearly understand how the project’s outcomes generate meaningful value. Project professionals need to intentionally shape and communicate these perceptions so that the benefits, relevance, and impact of the work are visible and aligned with stakeholder expectations. 

 
Own Project Success: Project professionals are expected to take responsibility for the full lifecycle of outcomes, far beyond administrative project tasks. This means interpreting objectives with a value mindset, and ensuring that the results produced truly address stakeholder needs while minimizing inefficiencies. 

 
Relentlessly Reasses: The project environment evolves constantly, and professionals must reassess parameters, constraints, and assumptions throughout the project. By actively engaging with stakeholders and monitoring changes, project teams can adjust plans, refine priorities, and maintain alignment with the evolving definition of value. 

 
Expand Perspective: Every project influences more than its immediate deliverables. Professionals should adopt a broader, systems‑based perspective that considers organizational goals, societal impacts, sustainability, and long‑term effects. Understanding this wider context helps ensure that project decisions contribute to the enterprise’s overarching purpose and enduring success. 

 

 

2. The PMBOK® Guide-8th Edition: a significant milestone for the profession 

The second key moment at the Summit was the announcement of the PMBOK® Guide-8th Edition, officially introduced by PMI President and CEO Pierre Le Manh. The Guide, long regarded as the profession’s most influential resource, is undergoing a transformation that mirrors the broader evolution of project management itself. 

Principles Based on PMI’s Mindset with Three Foundational Pillars 

One of the most notable changes is the move from 12 to 6 principles, all directly derived from PMI’s newly defined Mindset, which is built upon three pillars: Proactive, Ownership and Value-Driven. These pillars shape how project professionals approach challenges, make decisions, and engage with stakeholders.  

Seven Distinct Domains with No Overlap 

Complementing the refined principles, the PMBOK® Guide-8th Edition introduces seven domains, representing the key areas of professional practice necessary for delivering outcomes. What makes this structure particularly important is that the principles and domains are closely connected, even though there is no overlap of content. 

Appendices That Add Exceptional Value 

The 8th Edition includes expanded and highly practical appendices, designed to offer concrete tools, guidance, and contextual examples. These appendices are essential reading, as the main contents of the appendices touch Project Management Offices, Procurement and Artificial Intelligence usage for project managers. Moreover, there is an appendix that explains the changes if compared with the former version and the comparison and rationale of the shift from 12 principles to 6 principles. 

A Guide that Mirrors the Future of the Profession 

Collectively, the 8th Edition represent an evolution of the PMBOK that emphasizes adaptability, value orientation, and human-centric leadership. The alignment between the new PMBOK® Guide and the M.O.R.E. framework highlights mindset, value-driven approach and tailoring. 

Conclusion 

The PMI Global Summit in Phoenix was a strategic milestone that set the direction for the future of project management. With the introduction of the M.O.R.E. framework and the transformation of the PMBOK® Guide in its 8th Edition, PMI is defining a new era-one built on mindset, adaptability, value creation, and human-centered leadership. Two months later, their significance remains strong: the future of project management is not only emerging-it is being actively shaped. 

 

Laura Lazzerini Neuwirth is an accomplished head of project management office (PMO) and a former board director. She holds a master’s degree in electronic engineering with a specialization in microelectronics from the University of Pisa in Italy, marking the beginning of her professional journey. With over two decades of experience in project management across various industries, including automotive, energy, yachting and telecom, Laura’s strategic thinking, executive stakeholder management and people management skills have been instrumental in driving organizational success. Laura is co-author of PMBOK® Guide 8th Edition, a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)® and a certified PMI PMO Certified Professional (PMI-PMOCP)™. Fluent in Italian, Czech, English and German, Laura excels in leading cross-functional teams and managing complex challenges across different geographies. As a public speaker, Laura shares her expertise on PMO leadership, strategy execution and executive stakeholder management at international conferences and seminars. Known for her ability to connect with diverse audiences and simplify complex concepts, she inspires others to achieve excellence and embrace innovation.