PM Networking: Metrics That Executives Actually Care About (DPMC)

Overview
The Denver Project Management Collaborative (DPMC) hosts this weekly, practitioner-led forum for project, program, and change professionals who want real conversations about real work.

Each week we focus on a specific topic shaping the project management profession—combining structured discussion, peer learning, and intentional networking.

This forum is designed for practitioners who value thoughtful participation, respectful dialogue, and practical experience.

February focus: Delivery Excellence
This Week’s Focus: Metrics That Executives Actually Care About

Description
Most PMs don’t struggle with tracking metrics—they struggle with choosing the right ones and communicating them in a way leaders actually use. Dashboards are full, but clarity is often missing.

This session is designed for experienced PMs who want to sharpen how they measure and communicate progress, risk, and value at the executive level—without overwhelming stakeholders or defaulting to activity-based reporting.

We’ll focus on how senior PMs move from status updates to decision support, and how the right metrics build confidence, credibility, and trust with leadership.

This is not a reporting tools session and not a dashboard design workshop. It’s a grounded, peer-driven discussion focused on applicability, judgment, and professional growth.

What to Expect
• Structured introductions (no awkward open mingling)
• Small-group discussion with rotating prompts
• A practical takeaway you can use immediately
• A professional, welcoming environment for experienced PMs and leaders

Whether you’re actively job searching, securely employed, or simply staying sharp—this session is designed to be worth your time.

AGENDA
0–5 min | Welcome & Framing
• What DPMC is (and is not)
• Topic framing: why metrics still fail—and why that matters

5–15 min | Structured Introductions
This week’s introduction:
• Intro: Name, role, and reason for attending
• Question: What’s one metric you spend a lot of time reporting—and are you confident leadership actually uses it?

15–45 min | Facilitated Breakout Discussions
Prompts and discussion topics:
• What metrics actually influence executive decisions?
• How do outcome-based metrics differ from activity-based reporting?
• How do you surface risk, confidence, and dependencies without creating noise?
• What metrics build trust—and which ones unintentionally erode it?
• How should metrics change based on audience, timing, and context?
(Groups rotate once midway to broaden perspectives.)

45–55 min | Group Synthesis
• One insight per group
• Patterns you’re seeing across roles and industries

55–60 min | Close & Forward Signal
• Next week’s topic: Agile, Hybrid, and the Reality on the Ground
• Upcoming relevant partner events
• Wrap up

60–90 min | Open / Networking
• Mingle and continue conversations
• Grab food or drinks from the food court

This event is part of a weekly series hosted by Denver Project Management Collaborative (DPMC), with rotating topics focused on modern project leadership, delivery excellence, and career growth.