Invitation to the 23rd KM FEST’26
KM FEST’26 | Rethinking Project Management for the Future
The 23rd Knowledge Management Festival (KM FEST’26) marks two important moments: the 20th anniversary of our international virtual laboratory, LENS Living Lab®, and a tribute to our long-time colleague and friend, Klaus Pannenbaecker, an internationally recognized engineer and project management expert.
In honor of his legacy, this year's festival focuses on one of the most important disciplines driving research, innovation, and development: project management (PM).
Technical excellence alone is not enough.
Successful projects require more than innovative technologies and engineering expertise. They depend on effective leadership, collaboration across disciplines, organizational alignment, and the ability to transform technical solutions into meaningful business and stakeholder value.
Yet project success rates remain a significant challenge. Too often, failures are attributed to technology when the deeper issues lie in leadership, communication, organizational culture, and the management of complexity.
At KM FEST’26, we will explore questions shaping the future of project management:
- What is the current state of the PM profession, and what challenges lie ahead?
- How are modern business demands reshaping project management?
- Are our organizational cultures and educational programs preparing professionals for the future?
- How can professional associations better support the PM community?
- What role should ethics, sustainability, and human-centric leadership play?
- How can projects consistently deliver meaningful and lasting value?
The central question is whether project management is fit for the future.
KM FEST’26 brings together professionals, researchers, educators, engineers, and industry leaders to examine current practices, exchange perspectives, and discuss how project management can become more strategic, collaborative, ethical, and sustainable.
We invite you to join the discussion and contribute your experience and ideas.
Registration: Register here
Event website: KM FEST’26