Marilyn Muhammad-Lawal: The Visionary Behind PMCHAMELEONS Leading Project Management Evolution

In the ever-evolving world of business, the ability to adapt is paramount. Leading companies rely on skilled project managers to navigate complex initiatives, manage budgets, and foster collaboration to drive success. However, traditional approaches often fall short in flexibility. The distinguished Marilyn Muhammad-Lawal—a consummate PMCHAMELEON visionary, is leading the charge in advancing project management.    

As CEO and founder of PMCHAMELEONS, Marilyn pioneers an adaptive methodology centered on customization. Her company eschews a one-size-fits-all mindset, instead tailoring strategies to match clients' unique needs across diverse sectors. With laser focus on client objectives and deliverables, Marilyn leads her team in "wearing every hat" necessary to elevate businesses. Her personal dedication to excellence and commitment to innovation shines through in every endeavor.   

The Making of a Consummate Leader

Marilyn's rise to eminent leadership is marked by intellectual rigor and an entrepreneurial spirit. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Business Administration, concentrating in the foundational field of Information Systems. Building upon this, Marilyn sought to expand her skillset—earning a Master of Science in Management with specialized training in Information Technology and Project Management. Ever the consummate learner, she continues to push boundaries by pursuing a Doctor of Management degree.   

Beyond raw intelligence, Marilyn's leadership capabilities stem from an entrepreneurial drive that powered the genesis of PMCHAMELEONS in 2016. Despite initial uncertainty about strategies required for success, she pressed forward, determined to share her hard-won expertise. The missing piece fell into place upon completing her master's as she recognized project managers' multifaceted responsibilities. Her observation of project managers "wearing many hats" sparked the analogy of a chameleon adapting its color per environment. Thus, the name PMCHAMELEONS was born—encapsulating flexibility despite changing conditions.   

With her sophisticated understanding of technology coupled with strategic management abilities, Marilyn built upon her ambitious vision to launch PMCHAMELEONS. Her secret ingredient? An adaptive approach custom-fit to diverse company needs.   

Driving Success Through Adaptive and Custom Solutions

At the core of PMCHAMELEONS is adaptability, explains Marilyn. Having led complex projects for organizations like Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, she recognizes one size does not fit all. The key is customizing methodologies to complement clients' existing strategies while respecting unique organizational cultures. This empathetic approach enables effective collaboration to meet intended goals.   

Integral to this adaptable approach are the company's expansive yet tailored service offerings, enabling them to support diverse client needs. This includes coaching and mentorship services focused on accelerating individual or company growth by providing guidance keyed to their unique visions and strengths. Additionally, PMCHAMELEONS focuses on large-scale project and program direction, leveraging proven PMI frameworks while tailoring activities to industry-specific requirements. Their technical offerings are also adaptive, spanning from streamlining processes through innovative software solutions to strategically supplementing teams with technical experts.   

Underpinning it all is PMCHAMELEONS' commitment to strategic management, from initial planning to adapting to organizational changes. As Marilyn explains, "We wear every hat your business needs to succeed," exemplified through customizable services addressing the full spectrum of complex initiatives, from startups seeking a programmatic foothold to large enterprises pursuing transformation. This breadth of specialized support facilitates inter-company collaborations and seamless integration, fostering cooperation across diverse sectors.   

Driving Success Through Principled Planning

Integral to effective project management is budget oversight. By thoroughly comprehending the scope, coupled with sound planning, Marilyn provides accurate cost estimates for multi-million-dollar initiatives. Her secret sauce? Prudent risk assessment and resource allocation are guided by PMI's standardized frameworks. This structured approach enables her team to justify expenditures while preventing unanticipated overages.   

When asked about financial decision-making, Marilyn reveals several guiding principles. First is keeping an open dialog with stakeholders through consistent progress updates. This transparency ensures continued alignment on goals and scheduled deliverables. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of contingency plans and workback schedules to mitigate potential delays. Finally, Marilyn points to the value of upskilling team members so they can effectively wear multiple hats. Cross-training empowers employees to dynamically respond to evolving needs while controlling labor costs.   

The Vision to Transform Project Management

Beyond daily operations, Marilyn has an eye toward transforming project management itself. Recognizing gaps in conventional strategic planning, her doctoral research examines how to extract greater value from Project Management Offices. She intends to publish these findings to elevate industry standards. Marilyn also highlights PMCHAMELEONS' capability to facilitate digital transformations as a key contribution to evolving legacy systems.   

By keeping abreast of the latest technologies and developing professionals' capabilities, Marilyn leads PMCHAMELEONS in pioneering next-generation project management. Her commitment to flexibility and customization promises to revolutionize an industry clinging to the status quo.  
Indeed, Marilyn is the personification of a PMCHAMELEON, adapting to every environment yet maintaining consistent dedication through it all.   

Key Insights for Aspiring Leaders

Marilyn's exponential success leaves many wondering how they can follow her example. For those considering an entrepreneurial venture, she advises first taking an honest self-assessment to surface hidden weaknesses while playing up natural strengths. Once gaps are identified, dedicate time to bolstering abilities, whether through formal education or self-guided learning.   

She also urges humility paired with confidence by warning against ego-driven complacency. "Once you've achieved a level of greatness, it's important to remain consistently respectful and humble," Marilyn states. Compliments should be received with gratitude, fueling motivation rather than arrogance.   

For aspiring project managers, Marilyn underscores the multiplicity of responsibilities the role demands while encouraging the pursuit of expertise. She concludes with forward-looking advice on the merits of disruption: "It's important to understand when you're skilled at something and educate yourself to support your abilities."   

Marilyn Muhammad-Lawal represents the pinnacle of success in project management—boasting technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and an enterprising spirit. Her ever-learning, future-focused approach drives progress through boundary-pushing transformation. With PMCHAMELEONS, Marilyn builds upon her ambition of sharing knowledge and passion for guiding others to success. Her commitment to paying excellence forward is certain to empower countless leaders, cementing her legacy as a change maker taking project management to new heights. For those feeling stagnated in convention, take inspiration from this visionary PMCHAMELEON as she fuels continual improvement. The future shines bright thanks to forward-thinkers like Marilyn, masterfully adapting to drive evolution across industries.