The CEO Calendar Challenge 2027
PM Forum and Managing Partners’ Forum | Free international team challenge
Could you plan the CEO’s week?
Five days. One CEO or managing partner. Decisions that drive growth.
You know what it takes to develop client relationships, build a firm’s reputation and spot commercial opportunities. But what does that look like from the CEO’s desk?
The CEO Calendar Challenge 2027 invites teams of three to five colleagues from the same professional services firm to plan a realistic five-day working diary for the CEO or managing partner of a fictional, fast-growing firm. You’ll decide what matters, what can wait and what should be delegated. Then an unexpected development on Wednesday morning of the fictional week will test your decisions.
The challenge is free to enter and open to eligible teams from professional services firms in any country. The competition opens on 1 December 2026. You can start putting your team together now.
Why take part?
- Think beyond your role.Explore how client insight, marketing, business development, talent, finance and strategy combine to create growth.
- Strengthen commercial judgement.Make convincing choices about competing priorities rather than simply filling a diary with meetings.
- Work across functions.Compare perspectives with colleagues you may not normally work with on strategic decisions.
- Learn from senior leadership.You are encouraged to consult your own senior management, while keeping the team’s ideas and final entry your own.
- Gain meaningful recognition.Four teams will be shortlisted, with opportunities to learn directly from a real CEO or managing partner.
How the challenge works
Step 1 – Form your team
Choose three to five people from the same firm. Bring together colleagues from different functions and career stages if possible. Board members and people who report directly to their firm’s CEO or managing partner are not eligible to join teams.
Step 2 – Create a fictional firm
Imagine a fast-growing professional services business operating in a different sub-sector from your own firm. Describe the market it serves, its size, growth ambitions and main commercial and organisational challenges, in no more than 150 words.
Step 3 – Plan the CEO’s week
From 1 to 31 December 2026, use the online day planner to create a Monday-to-Friday diary. Show how the CEO/MP spends time with clients, understands the market, takes decisions, develops people, delegates work and makes space to think. Add a leadership rationale of up to 500 words explaining the commercial value of your choices. Your original entry is locked at the end of 31 December (UK time).
Step 4 – Respond to the unexpected
On 1 January 2027, registered teams receive a surprise scenario. Revise the CEO/MP’s diary from Wednesday morning to Friday, explain the impact and trade-offs in up to 200 words, and share three lessons learned in a team reflection of up to 150 words. The final entry is due by the end of 31 January 2027 (UK time).
What could your team gain?
Four teams will be shortlisted. Two people from each shortlisted team receive complimentary places at the Professional Services Management Excellence Awards dinner and ceremony in the City of London on 18 March 2027, where the winner and runner-up will be announced.
One member of each shortlisted team will also have an opportunity to shadow a CEO or managing partner from another professional services sub-sector, with a full-team debrief afterwards. These shadowing days are planned for April–May 2027, subject to arrangements and confidentiality. Shortlisted teams may also be invited to share their insights at a Forum roundtable.
Key dates
Date |
Milestone |
| 4 November 2026 | Challenge announced: start forming a team |
| 1 December 2026 | Competition opens; begin the original entry |
| 31 December 2026 | Original entry locked at the end of the day, UK time |
| 1 January 2027 | Surprise scenario emailed to registered teams |
| 31 January 2027 | Final entry due at the end of the day, UK time |
| 19 February 2027 | Four shortlisted teams announced |
| 18 March 2027 | Awards dinner and ceremony in the City of London |
| April–May 2027 | Planned CEO/MP shadowing days and full-team debriefs |
Ready to take on the challenge?
Bring together your colleagues, test your leadership thinking and discover what it takes to make decisions that drive commercial growth.
Participation is complimentary.
Register your team and take on The CEO Calendar Challenge 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Who can enter?
Teams of three to five colleagues from a single professional services firm, based in any country. Cross-functional teams and people at different career stages are welcome. Previous management experience is not required.
Do I need to work in marketing or business development?
No. The challenge is open across professional services functions. Bringing different perspectives together is encouraged.
Can I enter on my own?
No. Entries must come from a team of three to five people working at the same firm.
Are CEOs, partners or Board members eligible?
Board members and anyone who reports directly to their firm’s CEO or managing partner cannot join an entry team. Other participants should check the full eligibility rules.
Is this only for PM Forum members?
No. The published rules allow eligible teams from professional services firms anywhere in the world. PM Forum is encouraging its members and their colleagues to take part.
Can our firm enter more than one team?
Yes. More than one team from the same firm may enter, although only one team per firm can be shortlisted. Each team may make only one entry, covering both stages.
Do we need to use information about our actual firm?
No. You must invent a firm in a professional services sub-sector different from your own. Do not include confidential client or firm information.
Can we ask our CEO or senior leaders for advice?
Yes. Consultation with your firm’s senior management is encouraged, but your team must develop its own ideas and final entry.
How do we register and submit?
The guidelines require teams to register for access through the PMI platform before using the online day planner. The competition opens on 1 December 2026. Follow the registration and planner instructions provided for the challenge. Registration alone is not the completed entry.
What exactly do we submit?
In Stage 1: a fictional firm profile (up to 150 words), a Monday-to-Friday online day planner and a leadership rationale (up to 500 words). In Stage 2: the revised Wednesday-to-Friday planner, an impact explanation (up to 200 words) and a team reflection (up to 150 words).
What is the Wednesday surprise?
A new scenario that tests the priorities and choices in your original diary. It will be emailed to registered teams on 1 January 2027, after the original entries have been locked.
Can we use AI tools?
Yes, for research, brainstorming or editing. The organisers value the team’s independent judgement over machine-generated polish. The entry form includes an AI-use checkbox and, if selected, a short explanation of how AI was used.
What makes a strong entry?
One that connects the CEO/MP’s time to client value and commercial growth, draws on market evidence and colleagues’ expertise, explains delegation and trade-offs, and responds thoughtfully to the surprise. Judges value sound reasoning rather than a packed diary.
How are entries judged?
Strategic understanding (25%), commercial judgement (25%), value creation (25%), realism and adaptability (15%), and creativity and clarity (10%). Judging is undertaken by members of the Growth Champions Club.
Is there an entry fee?
No. Participation is free.
What happens if we are shortlisted?
Two representatives from each of the four shortlisted teams receive complimentary places at the awards dinner. One member from each team will have a planned CEO/MP shadowing opportunity, followed by a debrief for the whole team. The winner and runner-up are announced at the ceremony on 18 March 2027.
Where can we read the full rules?
Please read the official guidelines and terms before entering. They also explain publication rights, confidentiality, personal data and the organisers’ conditions.
