Design and project management have a secret love affair that explains why good things happen. It’s only when the creatives and the PMs are working in sync that the best ideas and designs can make it out the door. What good is a great idea without a schedule that makes it possible? Why bother with a detailed schedule if it kills the creative energy of the entire team? It’s only when you master design & PM together that the good stuff makes it to customers.

Finally there’s an event focused on the crossovers between design and project management: Managing design projects, by Adaptive Path.

Here’s their description:

Whether you call it product management, program management, or project management, it all boils down to managing creative teams. If you are a product manager, program manager, or project manager for creative teams, this is a prime opportunity to join peers for a day of inspiration, education and networking, removed from the hustle and distraction of your working life.

It’s a one day event, recession approved pricing at $245 (if you reg before Jan 15). The full agenda is here, with sessions on new methods, tools, agile, conflict resolution and more. I’m excited to be doing the morning keynote, as I’m beyond crazy about the importance of this whole line of thinking. Hope to see you there.

When: Feb 5th, 2009
Where: Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
Why: This is more important than learning about design or project management alone.

Register for Managing Design Projects here.