When I was at university, I aspired to be a marine zoologist. The idea of swimming in warm tropical waters and researching cetaceans for a living was marvellous. But then I stumbled into computing, first building an early 8080 SDK, then becoming a developer, then a technical product manager, and ultimately a project manager.

I also developed a fear of sharks.

I always liked the idea of being a writer, but, despite many attempts, I never really had anything to write about - until now. Now, I write about project management. In his fifth decade as a software and systems integration Project Manager, Adam is writing about the successful practice of the Art and Science of Project Management. And since 2023 writing about Generative AI tools both applied to project management and as a stand-alone topic.

My position on project management is not the mumbo-jumbo incantation of “scope schedule budget” process-driven project management that is so often practised. And not the toxic power-based project management that is equally prevalent. I write about project management that fosters trust and abundance and brings business and technical people together to enable customer outcomes.

Project success flows from people thinking and working naturally together, not from plans and charts.

I recently completed a Master of Science in Project Management to establish a research-based foundation for the pragmatic evolution of his management concepts. My dissertation researched the attitudes and use cases of project managers to ChatGPT. Why do a higher degree late in life, you ask? Because I'm optimistic about the future. Optimism is prevalent in the Russell family. My grandfather had a decade-long second career after retirement bored him, and my uncle signed a 5-year work contract at age 91.

When I'm not writing, Adam loves to travel, especially to Thailand. I used to be passionate about large-format photography, but it's logistically difficult and expensive.

Adam lives in Sydney, Australia and has two adult offspring.