326: The AV Project Manager Handbook Is Here!

In this episode of The AV Life, hosts Tim, Renee Benson, Nancy Blanchard, and Murphy Daley celebrate the release of Murphy Daley’s new book, The AV Project Manager Handbook. The team discusses the growing interest in AV-specific project management resources and how the book fills a gap for professionals seeking practical, field-ready guidance rather than general management theory. 

Murphy’s “PM Minute” focuses on the importance of organized, searchable project information, emphasizing folder structures, standardized naming conventions, and the value of keeping documentation accessible during project execution.

The conversation also explores how AI tools like Microsoft Copilot are being used to summarize articles, generate quick start guides, and assist with meeting notes.
 
In a lighter segment ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, the hosts reflect on moments of luck, timing, and serendipity in their AV careers—especially how many of them became involved with the podcast. The team also looks ahead to a major milestone: the upcoming 10-year anniversary of The AV Life podcast later this year.

Topics Discussed:

• Release of The AV Project Manager Handbook by Murphy Daley
• Industry response and promotion of the new book
• AV-specific project management vs general PM resources
• Murphy’s PM Minute: organizing project information
• Folder structures and documentation best practices
• File naming standards and searchable systems
• AI tools in AV workflows (Microsoft Copilot, transcription, summaries)
• Creating quick-start documentation with AI assistance
• Career “luck” and serendipity stories in the AV industry
• Origins of the hosts’ involvement with The AV Life podcast
• Reflections on changes in the AV industry over the past decade
• Preview of the upcoming 10-year anniversary episode

The AV Life is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at higheredav.com.

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