Project managers are often thought of as the ones who keep timelines on track and budgets under control—but for Lucas King, PMP humanitarian project manager, the stakes are much higher. In our recent Wear Your Cape to Work podcast episode, Lucas shared what it’s like managing multi-million dollar U.S. foreign aid programs across continents, often in unpredictable and high-stakes environments.
From responding to geopolitical crises in Ukraine to coordinating safety and education initiatives in Honduras, Lucas has lived the project management challenge at a global scale. His story offers key takeaways for any PMP-certified (or PMP-aspiring) professional navigating complex, multi-stakeholder work.
1. Stakeholder management isn’t just a domain, it’s survival.
While corporate PMPs often juggle executive stakeholders and end users, Lucas works across an intricate web of players:
U.S. government officials from USAID and the State Department
Embassy personnel
Local government leaders and technical experts
On-the-ground implementation teams and beneficiaries
Lucas describes his role as the savvy middleman between government objectives, technical experts, and local communities. PMP professionals can take note: success depends not just on managing stakeholders—but on listening, adapting, and aligning priorities across cultures and continents.
2. Scope change is constant, but planning still matters.
Whether facing COVID evacuations in Honduras or the sudden expansion of aid projects after the invasion of Ukraine, Lucas has learned to expect the unexpected. While PMP methodology is often seen as predictive, he shares that tools like work breakdown structures, procurement schedules, and budget forecasting still play a critical role even when the project pivots mid-flight.
“A lot of our projects were cost-plus fixed fee. That meant we’d front the costs, then get reimbursed—so financial planning wasn’t optional, even when the scope exploded.” -Lucas King
3. Sustainability is the true project closeout.
Humanitarian projects often run for five years, but Lucas emphasized that the true measure of success comes after the official timeline ends.
Whether working on education, governance, or economic development, Lucas’s projects are judged by their long-term viability:
In PMP terms, this aligns with benefits realization and transition planning. For Lucas and his peers, it’s a non-negotiable.
4. Project reports don’t tell the whole story, but they keep it going.
With USAID’s rigorous reporting requirements, Lucas explained how weekly, quarterly, and annual reports are essential to keeping aid funds flowing. But the paperwork can quickly blur the mission.
“It’s easy to lose sight when you’re tracking how much we spend on coffee, but those details keep the mission alive.” -Lucas King
His team counteracts this by sharing success stories: narratives from teachers, students, and communities impacted by their work. These stories serve as morale boosters and as qualitative proof that the project is working.
5. The PMP isn’t just a certificate, it’s a mindset shift.
Although PMI certifications are less common in international development, Lucas sees major value in the PMP framework—especially after working with PMP coach Jeremiah Hammon of
Project Revolution.
“Even after getting my CAPM, I didn’t fully connect the dots. Jeremiah’s course helped me realize how much value PMI best practices can bring...even in spaces like humanitarian aid.” -Lucas King
He noted that while some techniques (like Agile) may not directly map, tools like earned value management, formal risk planning, and communications management are more relevant than ever in complex, high-stakes environments.
Superpower Spotlight: Relationship Building
When asked about his project management superpower, Lucas didn’t hesitate: it’s relationships.
“Understanding how people work, how to communicate with them, how to get things done even when it’s not in the official process—that’s been the key.” -Lucas King
It’s a reminder that no matter how structured the methodology, human connection remains at the heart of effective project delivery.
Whether you’re managing IT rollouts or international aid missions, Lucas’s story reminds us that PMP best practices are not just theory, but they’re tools for clarity, control, and impact in the real world. From navigating geopolitical uncertainty to ensuring long-term sustainability, humanitarian PMs have a lot to teach the rest of us.