S3 E7 How to Set Up Claude for Project Delivery: Live AI Trial on a Portfolio Strategy

Send us Fan MailMost project managers know AI can help. But knowing that and actually having it set up, loaded with context, and ready to execute meaningful work are two very different things. In this episode, DK walks you through exactly how she has configured Claude CoWork from scratch: the desktop setup, projects, skills files, and voice prompting, then runs a live trial on a real (dummy) portfolio strategy to show what AI-assisted project decision-making actually looks like in practice.After running a live portfolio strategy trial analysing 301 projects against a $20 million CapEx constraint, DK is clear: AI is outstanding at synthesising large amounts of structured data and giving you a starting position. But real-time reprioritising, reading the room, and navigating political complexity still requires a human. The goal is partnership, not replacement.💬 Key Quote"I know that it cannot do everything that I do automagically. It just can't. But there is definitely space for AI, and definitely still space for humans. It is just about how we synthesise all of that and create this perfect partnership."— DK (Daniela Kellett)🧠 This Episode Is a Must-Listen If You...•  Have tried AI tools but felt like you were starting from zero every time and never really got traction.•  Are responsible for portfolio decisions and want to see how AI can help you think through stop, start, and continue choices.•  Work in project delivery and want to understand the practical difference between AI as a chat tool and AI as a genuine project ally.🧭 What You Will Learn: 3 Key LearningsLearning 1: Context is everything. If you do not set it up, AI cannot help you.Claude is only as useful as the context you give it. DK walks through exactly how she structures her Claude projects with detailed instructions, attached files, and markdown skills files.Learning 2: Skills files are your secret weapon for repeatability.Creating markdown (.md) skills files allows you to embed your methodology once and reuse it across every engagement. Learning 3: AI cannot replace in-the-moment human judgment, but it can dramatically reduce manual work.⚙️  Most Actionable Takeaways•  Create at least one Claude project for your main work area. Write clear instructions: who you are, what you do, what your standards are, and what you need from it. Attach relevant documents so it has real context.•  Build markdown skills files for your core delivery disciplines. •  Set up Claude on your phone and use voice prompting. •  If designing an automated project workflow: N8N for scheduling and triggers, Supabase for structured project data, and Claude for the intelligence and analysis layer.•  Run a stop, start, continue exercise on your own portfolio. 🔗 Connect and Learn MoreHost: Daniela Kellett (DK) | Project Director, Speaker, Founder of Powering ProjeX and Alliora.AILinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-kellett-813b1337/Alliora.AI: https://alliora.ai🧠   Takeaways•  Your AI is only as smart as the context you give it. Set it up properly once and it pays dividends forever.•  AI cannot replace the in-the-moment thinking of a great project manager, but it can eliminate hours of manual work every week.•  The partnership between human judgment and AI capability is not a future state. It is available right now, if you build it.⚡ Closing ThoughtThis episode is a blueprint, not for a perfect AI system, but for the mindset shift that every project professional needs to make: AI is not something that happens to you, it is something you build with intention. DK has done the hard work of figuring out what works, and she is sharing it so you do not have to start from zero.The project professionals who invest in giving their AI the context and struThanks for following Powering ProjeX. Please do subscribe wherever you consume podcasts.In 2026, Powering ProjeX will be publishing some of our long-form content on Patreon. 20 minute episodes will be published YouTube Podcasts, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.  Head over to our Patreon site for more content and member only offers.Patreon:  https://patreon.com/PoweringProjeXSupport the showThanks for following Powering ProjeX. Vision: A world where project people are celebrated as the quiet architects of progress: turning the boldest visions into victories through wisdom, courage, and relentless learning.Mission: To equip project professionals to master their craft through raw, authentic conversations with the respected CEOs, experts, and practitioners.Listen to the Powering ProjeX on:You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@poweringprojexSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ouQGB93q1OThUbNODUedu?si=23eb21e242dc4b2bApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/powering-projex-from-vision-to-victory/id1823405814In 2026, Powering ProjeX will be publishing some of our long-form content on Patreon. Short form (20 minute episodes) will continue to be published YouTube Podcasts, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.  Head over to our Patreon site for more content and member only offers. Patreon:  https://patreon.com/PoweringProjeXDonation: You can support Powering ProjeX with a one-off or recurring donation at https://buymeacoffee.com/poweringprojexEngage with Powering ProjeX on:X: https://x.com/PoweringProjeXLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powering-projexContent Frequency: Powering ProjeX releases full length podcasts fortnightly on a Monday at 9:00am AEST.Until next tim...