About Brett Harned

Project management made human.

I’m Brett Harned—project management coach, operations consultant, speaker, and author of Project Management for Humans. With more than 20 years of experience helping teams work better, I’ve learned one thing over and over:

You can’t lead projects if you ignore the people doing the work.

That belief is at the heart of Project Management for Humans—not just a book, but a way of working. It’s practical, not precious. Personal, not prescriptive. Real talk, not rigid frameworks. Whether I’m helping a team fix its process or coaching a burned-out PM, the goal is always the same: create systems that support the humans behind the work.

What I do now:

• 1:1 coaching for leaders and PMs who want to lead with confidence
• Consulting for teams who need better systems and communication
• Fractional leadership for organizations in transition
• Speaking and workshops on project management, team culture, and leadership

Everything I offer is grounded in experience—not theory—and tailored to your context, not someone else’s template. It’s all part of what I call Project Management for Humans.

Other things you might want to know:

• I’m the author of Project Management for Humans (Rosenfeld Media), which has helped thousands of people manage the work and the humans behind it.
• I’ve spoken at more than 100 conferences and events (and I still get nervous every time).
• I co-founded Same Team Partners, a content platform focused on honest leadership and the emotional reality of work.
• I host a podcast called The High Five where we talk about the weird, wonderful ways teams operate.
• I believe in trust over templates, clarity over chaos, and leading with empathy—even when it’s hard.

Let’s work together

If you’re looking for someone who can help your team move forward—with strategy, sanity, and just the right amount of snark—get in touch. I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Brett Harned?
I’m a project management consultant, coach, speaker, and author. For more than 20 years, I’ve worked with digital agencies, startups, and in-house teams to improve the way they deliver work. I’m best known for helping project managers and creative teams bring structure and collaboration to fast-moving environments without losing the creativity and energy that makes the work worth doing.

Why do people call you the “Godfather of Digital Project Management”?
The nickname came from peers in the industry. I co-founded the first Digital PM Summit in 2013 and built the Bureau of Digital’s DPM community, which provided project managers around the world with a platform to connect and grow. I also wrote Project Management for Humans and have spent more than a decade writing, speaking, and coaching on project management. Over time, people began calling me the “Godfather of DPM” because I’ve been part of the community since its inception.

What is the Digital Project Management (DPM) community?
The DPM community is a global network of project managers working in creative, tech, and digital organizations. It started as a conference I helped create and grew into a worldwide community with meetups, events, and online groups. The community has become a go-to space for PMs who want practical advice, support, and career development.

What kind of work do you do now?
I focus on consulting, coaching, and fractional leadership. I work with agencies, startups, and growing companies to build better processes, improve delivery, and strengthen leadership. Sometimes that means leading workshops on communication, collaboration, or culture. Other times it’s coaching a project manager one-on-one or stepping in as a fractional head of operations or delivery.

Do you work with individuals or only with companies?
Both. I coach individual project managers and leaders who want to grow their skills, and I also partner with companies that need help building a stronger project management practice or improving operations. Whether it’s one person or a full department, I design the engagement around what you actually need.

Do you still speak at events?
Yes. Speaking is one of my favorite ways to share what I’ve learned. I’ve spoken at conferences such as SXSW, PMI events, the Dubai Project Management Forum 2025, and industry gatherings worldwide. My talks are practical, honest, and often a little funny. I cover topics like human-centered project management, leading through change, and collaboration without chaos. Get in touch if you'd like to hire me to speak at your event.

How can I work with you?
The easiest way is to reach out through this site to schedule a conversation. We’ll talk about what you need and figure out if I’m the right fit. If you’re not ready yet, you can follow my writing, subscribe to my newsletter, or listen to my podcast The High Five to get a feel for my approach.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?
Outside of work, I love exploring the world and the outdoors. I’ve hiked and climbed mountains on different continents. When I’m home in the Philadelphia area, you’ll often find me playing kickball in a local league, at the gym, taking photos, at a concert, or more likely hunting down vegetarian meals that are actually filling. I’m also a lifelong Philly sports fan and a music nerd. These things don’t show up in my résumé, but they shape how I connect with people and how I lead.