Management

Free Webinar | Wait, I'm the Project Manager? What to Do When You Are Running Projects

International Institute for Learning (IIL)
International Institute for Learning (IIL)•Mar 26, 2026

Why It Matters

Without a structured approach, informal project managers become bottlenecks, driving higher failure rates and employee burnout; equipping them with simple frameworks directly improves delivery outcomes and organizational resilience.

Key Takeaways

  • •Over half of projects lack formally trained managers.
  • •40% of failures stem from missing planning and structure.
  • •Only 2.5% of companies complete all projects successfully.
  • •Unofficial PMs act as glue, chasing updates without authority.
  • •Implementing simple frameworks can transform chaos into sustainable processes.

Summary

The International Institute for Learning hosted a free webinar titled “Wait, I’m the Project Manager? What to Do When You Are Running Projects Without the Title and the Playbook.” Presenter Carolina Bras Puglisi, a seasoned trainer and PMI‑authorized instructor, addressed professionals who find themselves informally steering projects, often without formal authority or a defined methodology.

Key data points underscored the scope of the problem: more than 50% of projects are led by individuals lacking formal project‑management training, 40% of project failures are attributed to absent planning and structure, and a mere 2.5% of organizations complete every project successfully. Participants learned that the absence of a clear framework forces many to act as the “glue”—chasing updates, aligning stakeholders, and solving unnamed issues—while still being held accountable for outcomes.

A vivid anecdote illustrated the dilemma: a colleague’s simple coordination task ballooned into a full‑scale project, leaving him unaware of deadlines and responsibilities. A live poll revealed that 65% of attendees identified with this scenario. The speaker emphasized that title alone does not confer competence; instead, establishing a lightweight playbook, using templates, and securing stakeholder buy‑in are essential to create sustainable structure.

The takeaway for businesses is clear: investing in basic project‑management scaffolding—standardized processes, clear role definitions, and accessible tools—can dramatically reduce chaos, improve delivery rates, and protect employee well‑being. Organizations that empower informal project leads with the right framework stand to boost overall project success and retain talent.

Original Description

This one-hour webinar is designed for professionals who are managing projects informally—often without the title, tools, or structure of a formal project manager.
We’ll break down what project management actually is, why projects feel harder than they should, and which core practices make the biggest difference.
You will gain practical tools, language, and structure to make your work easier, more effective, and more recognized. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of your role, what to focus on, and how structured project management brings order to the chaos.
Many professionals find themselves running projects without ever having the formal title of “Project Manager”. If you’re coordinating timelines, aligning stakeholders, managing risks, carrying accountability, and driving results—often without formal authority or processes—you’re already doing project management.
After this one-hour session, learners will learn to:
- Recognize when you are doing project management work—even without the title
- Understand the value of project management methods and the strengths you already bring
- Apply practical tools and techniques to make your projects smoother and more manageable
- Explore how the project management profession is growing and why it’s more in demand than ever

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