CXO Round Table 2025: How PMI Pune–Deccan Is Accelerating India’s Readiness for the Project Economy 2026

A Gathering of Leaders Shaping India’s Transformation Agenda

Senior leaders from sectors such as automotive, manufacturing, technology, BFSI, engineering, consulting, and academia came together to share insights on the fundamental shifts redefining leadership in India’s project-driven future.

Opening the evening, Rinoo Rajesh, President & CEO of PMI Pune–Deccan India Chapter, set the tone with a powerful message:

“The Project Economy 2026 demands a new kind of leadership—one that blends foresight, agility, and responsible innovation.”
— Rinoo Rajesh

His remarks underscored a collective commitment to developing leaders who can think across systems—combining governance, innovation, human-centricity, and execution discipline.

Why the Project Economy 2026 Matters

The Project Economy represents a $20+ trillion global opportunity, but success depends on more than adopting new technologies. Organizations must build:

• Strong governance frameworks
• Responsible AI capability
• Human-centered leadership systems
• Cross-industry collaboration models

The CXO dialogue contextualized these needs with three critical realities reflected in the industry today:

• Project management is now essential to business performance
• AI is reshaping delivery models at breakthrough speed
• Human skills—resilience, adaptability, empathy—remain the ultimate differentiator

Key Themes: Leadership Priorities for the Project Economy Era

1. AI as an Enabler of Decision Velocity and Trust

AI emerged as a strategic accelerant—helping leaders drive better forecasting, prioritization, and resource allocation. Panelists emphasized the need for trust and ethics as the foundation of AI adoption.

“AI will amplify human potential—but only if organizations build systems grounded in trust, ethics, and long-term learning.”
— Vishwas Mahajan, Entrepreneur & Industry Leader

Leaders agreed that the next decade of project success depends on designing AI systems that are explainable, compliant, and culturally aligned.

2.Predictive Delivery Excellence Through Data and Governance

Insights highlighted the shift from reactive to predictive project delivery:

• Real-time data enabling early risk detection
• Governance frameworks scaling across diversified portfolios
• Automation reducing manual overhead and improving accuracy

“AI, data-led insight, process redesign, and strong project governance must work together. The Project Economy will reward enterprises that can execute change at speed—and with discipline.”
— Krishnan Raghunathan, Chief Business Transformation Officer, WNS – Part of Capgemini

3. Human-Centered Transformation: A Strategic Multiplier

Panelists reinforced that transformation is not only technological—it is deeply human.

“Skilled workforce, IP-driven projects & Startups are key factors to Viksit Bharat Mission. Industry will accelerate the same by co-locating and co-developing with Academics. The journey of Projects to Products Nation will be only achieved by strengthening the triple-helix collaboration of Government-Industry-Academia.”
— Dr. Mohit Dubey, Pro VC, MIT ADT University, Pune Academia & Industry Interface Specialist

“Resilience is emerging as a foundational leadership capability… and will determine who navigates disruption successfully.”
— Niket Karajagi, Author & Researcher in Organisational Resilience and Transformation

Leaders emphasized empathy, resilience, diversity, and psychological safety as key enablers in AI-led enterprises.

4.Cross-Industry Collaboration: Pune as a Multi-Sector Leadership Hub

Pune’s strategic significance was a prominent theme. As home to major global capability centers, engineering houses, leading universities, manufacturing giants, and R&D centers, the city provides the ideal environment for a collaborative project leadership ecosystem.

PMI Pune’s ongoing initiatives—including the Automotive & Manufacturing SIG, Construction & EPC SIG, and the upcoming CXO Advisory Council—were highlighted as powerful platforms supporting leadership development and capability building.

Building India’s Future-Ready Leadership Ecosystem

Event host Amit Jain, Vice President Corporate Relations, PMI Pune–Deccan, emphasized the importance of uniting industry and academia:

“The intersection of industry and academia is where transformation happens. PMI Pune is uniquely positioned to facilitate that dialogue and build a pipeline of future leaders.”

Leaders echoed strong interest in continuing the dialogue through PMI Pune’s upcoming CXO forums, SIGs, and capability-building initiatives.

Key Takeaways for Project Leaders

1. AI Is Not Optional-Governance Is Critical

• Build transparent, ethical AI frameworks
• Prioritize explainability and bias mitigation
• Treat data governance as a business imperative             

2. Delivery Excellence Must Be Predictive

• Invest in real-time analytics and early warning systems
• Establish integrated governance across programs
• Automate insights to accelerate decision-making

3. Human Skills Will Decide Competitive Advantage

• Develop resilience, emotional intelligence, and systems thinking
• Partner with academia for workforce readiness
• Create psychologically safe transformation environments

4. Collaboration Is the Catalyst

• Engage peer networks to benchmark and co-learn
• Participate in industry–academia partnerships
• Support professional communities for continuous capability building

The Road Ahead: Preparing for the Project Economy 2026

As India accelerates toward a project-centric growth model, PMI Pune–Deccan India Chapter is committed to empowering professionals and enterprises with the frameworks, forums, and leadership development opportunities needed to thrive.

Planned initiatives include:

• Monthly CXO Dialogues on AI, governance, strategy, and execution
• DISHA 2026 – the region’s premier annual leadership conference
• Expanded SIGs across high-impact industries
• Deepened industry–academia collaborations for curriculum innovation and talent development

The message from the CXO Round Table was clear:

Organizations that lead with purpose, embrace responsible innovation, and prioritize people will define the Project Economy 2026.

About PMI Pune–Deccan India Chapter

The PMI Pune–Deccan India Chapter is one of India’s most active PMI communities, driving project management excellence, leadership development, and industry partnerships through a strong volunteer-driven ecosystem.

For collaborations, participation in upcoming forums, or media inquiries:

PMI Pune-Deccan India Chapter
Email: info@pmipunechapter.com
Phone: +91 99229 09060
Website: https://www.pmipunechapter.com/our-events/cxo-round-table/