On 14 May 2026, I had the pleasure of attending in person an engaging and thought-provoking event hosted at University College London (UCL), organised by the PMI UK Chapter London Branch, thanks to the dedication of Chantee and her team, with the valued support and guidance of Dr Nick Lambrou.
The event took place in Lecture Theatre 115, Torrington Place (1–19), London, within UCL’s large and impressive campus complex. We were very fortunate to be hosted thanks to the support of Prof. Maurizio Sammarco, Associate Professor in Management and Programme Leader for the MSc Construction Economics and Management at The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, University College London. His contribution in enabling the use of the venue and supporting this professional gathering is sincerely appreciated.
A total of 60 attendees booked for the event, yet only 22 attended on the day. This was disappointing, particularly for a community of project management professionals who place such emphasis on planning, time management, and commitment. That said, the smaller group created the opportunity for meaningful interaction, strong engagement, and more personal discussion throughout the evening.
The highlight of the event was undoubtedly our speaker, Dipanwita Roy Chowdhury, MBA, PMP®, CSM, DASSM, known to many as “Dippa.”
Dipanwita is an Agile delivery and project leadership professional with nearly two decades of experience delivering complex technology and transformation initiatives across global organisations. She currently serves as a Senior Scrum Master, enabling cross-functional teams and stakeholders to navigate complexity, improve delivery outcomes, and adopt effective Agile practices within enterprise environments.
Before moving to the UK, Dipanwita worked as an Agile Delivery Lead, guiding large-scale initiatives and supporting organisations through Agile adoption and delivery transformation.
Her experience spans major global technology organisations including IBM, Tata Consultancy Services, and Infosys. She is deeply committed to advancing the project management profession, encouraging project leaders to move beyond traditional delivery metrics and towards adaptive leadership, empowered teams, and value-driven decision-making.
Her presentation, titled Beyond Delivery: How Agile Is Transforming Project Leadership, Decision-Making, and Value Delivery, explored a challenge familiar to many professionals: despite advanced tools, structured methodologies, and well-defined delivery processes, many projects still struggle to generate meaningful business value. Success is often measured through scope, schedule, and budget, yet these traditional indicators do not always reflect true impact.
Dipanwita’s session focused on how Agile is reshaping the role of project leaders, not simply as managers of delivery but as enablers of outcomes. She highlighted the mindset shifts required to lead effectively in complex and rapidly changing environments, where adaptability, collaboration, and value-driven decision-making are essential. Through practical insights and real-world experiences, she demonstrated how project managers can evolve from controlling delivery to enabling teams, supporting better decisions, and focusing on outcomes that truly matter.
The presentation was followed by a lively and highly engaging Q&A session, with strong participation from the audience. The discussion reflected genuine interest and curiosity, and the overall mood at the end of the evening was extremely positive. Everyone left satisfied and energised, having gained valuable perspectives on how Agile principles are continuing to influence leadership and delivery in modern project environments.
On behalf of the PMI UK Chapter, I would like to once again thank Prof. Maurizio Sammarco for his support and hospitality at UCL, and Dipanwita Roy Chowdhury for delivering such an insightful and inspiring session. Events like this demonstrate the strength of our professional community and the value of coming together to learn, exchange ideas, and support the continued evolution of project management.
Franco Guarrella
President, PMI UK Chapter