Imagine this: the best project managers from various industries coming together for just a few hours to create solutions that could genuinely make the world a better place. Sounds like a movie plot? Not this time – it’s the reality brought to life by the participants of PMIthon!
During the 19th PMI Poland Chapter Congress, the second edition of this unique hackathon took place, once again bringing together project management enthusiasts. This time, the challenge required not only technical skills but also empathy, creativity, and innovative thinking – all aimed at helping non-governmental organizations tackle real-world problems. PMIthon is not just a competition. It’s a vibrant platform for exchanging ideas, sharing knowledge, and drawing inspiration, where every project had the potential to change lives.
Creative, collaborative, and brimming with problem-solving energy – that’s how the teams approached the challenge of developing innovative solutions for our NGO partners: Stowarzyszenie Dwie Kreski and Stowarzyszenie SOS Wioski Dziecięce. Now, it’s time to celebrate the winners of the Grand PMIthon 2024!
Behind the spectacular finale of Grand PMIthon 2024 lies more than just rankings and winning titles – it’s a story of passion, creativity, and a genuine drive to make a difference. Let’s step behind the scenes, where ideas were born that captured the jury’s hearts and responded to real challenges faced by NGOs. We spoke with the winning team to uncover what fueled their work, what obstacles they faced, and how their award-winning project came to life.
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Fot. Agnieszka Wanat
What were your first impressions after announcing the PMIthon task?
VML Team: Honestly, it was a mix of excitement and a little pressure! The theme, „Marketing and Advertising in the World of Non-Profit Organizations” was incredibly relevant and timely. We knew we could leverage our skills to make a real difference, but we also understood the challenge of creating a truly impactful solution within a limited timeframe. What made it even more special for us is that many of us on the team are actively involved in volunteering, working with NGOs and educational institutions. So, the idea was particularly close to our hearts, and we felt a real personal connection to the task.
What was the biggest challenge for you during the competition?
VML Team: Given the broader subject of „Marketing and Advertising in the World of Non-Profit Organizations” our biggest challenge was maintaining focus. The sheer number of potential avenues to explore was initially overwhelming. We had to resist the urge to chase every interesting idea and instead strategically narrow our scope to a single, impactful solution. Furthermore, we weren’t just aiming for a quick fix. We wanted to design a solution that could deliver tangible benefits to non-profits in the short term while laying the groundwork for sustainable, long-term improvements in their marketing and communication strategies. Balancing those immediate needs with future scalability requires careful planning and a deep understanding of the non-profit sector.
What was your process of working on the project like?
VML Team: Our process began with a deep dive into understanding the specific challenges non-profit organizations face in marketing and advertising. A key part of this was conducting brief, targeted interviews with representatives from several NGOs. These conversations were invaluable in uncovering the nuances of their situations, their limitations, and their specific needs. Understanding these details was absolutely crucial to designing a relevant and effective solution. From there, we brainstormed potential solutions, prioritizing those that directly addressed the pain points we’d identified in our interviews. We then moved into a rapid prototyping and testing phase, constantly iterating based on internal feedback and our understanding of the NGOs’ needs. Finally, we focused on crafting a clear and compelling presentation to showcase the value and impact of our solution.
How would you rate the level of competition in this edition of PMIthon?
VML Team: The competition was fierce! We were impressed by the creativity and dedication of the other teams. Seeing so many talented project managers working together to address such an important cause was inspiring, and it definitely pushed us to be our best.
In your opinion, what is the key to success in such events?
VML Team: This wasn’t our first PMIthon rodeo, and that experience definitely played a role in our success. We came in with a better understanding of the format, the time constraints, and the judging criteria. The key, we learned, is a combination of factors. First, you need a solid project management foundation – clear planning, efficient execution, and effective communication are essential. Second, you need a deep understanding of the problem you’re trying to solve. This means going beyond the surface level and truly understanding the needs and challenges of the target audience. We also researched existing solutions on the market to identify gaps and opportunities for innovation. It’s not enough to develop a creative idea; you need to understand what can realistically help the organizations you’re trying to serve. Third, you need to be adaptable and willing to pivot when necessary. Things rarely go exactly as planned! But perhaps most importantly, you need self-belief. Knowing that you have the skills and the ability to create something valuable, even under pressure, is crucial. We combined the lessons we learned from our previous participation with our confidence in our abilities, which ultimately led us to victory.
What advice would you give to future PMIthon participants?
VML Team: Our most significant advice would be to plan meticulously. You have enough time to tackle everything, but only if you timebox effectively and stick to your schedule. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-structured plan! Second, cultivate a strong belief within your team that you can design the best solution and win the competition. Without that unwavering confidence, you’ll have a group of individuals, not a cohesive, winning team. Finally, remember that all aspects of the competition are important, not just the solution itself. The judges also evaluate your working style, how you cooperate as a team, how you manage and engage with any NGO experts you consult, and how you present your ideas. The solution is the ultimate deliverable, but the process and your ability to communicate effectively are equally crucial. Show them what you created, how you created it, and why it’s the best approach.
Describe Grand PMIthon 2024 in three words.
VML Team: Innovative, impactful, rewarding
What benefits do you see in participating in PMIthon, both for your team and NGOs?
VML Team: PMIthon was an invaluable opportunity for our team to hone our project management skills in a high-pressure environment. It fostered teamwork, creativity, and a sense of purpose. For NGOs, PMIthon provides access to innovative solutions and fresh perspectives to help them improve their marketing and advertising efforts, ultimately leading to greater impact and reach. It’s a win-win situation!
The VML team not only secured first place but also won the hearts of the jury and organizers with their commitment, design maturity, and empathetic approach to the challenge. Their story is a perfect testament to the fact that success in PMIthon is more than just good ideas – it’s also about collaboration, flexibility, and a genuine desire to make a difference for others.
For future participants, their advice is clear: don’t be afraid of challenges, because PMIthon is a space where you can truly create something valuable, both for yourself and for the world.
The winners of the second edition of PMIthon were the project Dobra akcja, VML Team consisting of:
- Wojciech Gliszczyński,
- Przemysław Herman,
- Marcin Stefaniak,
- Polad Hajiyev,
- Pamela Arteniuk.
The second place was taken by project University-NGO Collaboration, consisting of:
- Kinga Olpińska-Michałek,
- Kamila Cydejko,
- Grażyna Bancerowska,
- Monika Tryniszewska.
Third place goes to project SMARTmatch 1.0, consisting of:
- Aleksandra Przybylska,
- Olga Mańkowska,
- Paweł Grzegorczyk,
- Łukasz Piotrowski.
Marketing and communication specialist focused on impactful campaigns, event coordination, and brand storytelling. She contributed to the creation of Grand PMIthon 2024 as part of the PMI Poland Chapter teams, bringing a project management perspective to communication and promotional activities.