Adopting a Political Perspective

 

An Influential Project Manager appreciates the political perspective of their work. Failure to do so is a major cause of failure for many project managers.

There are many ways to consider a project. The traditional one looks at a project as a collection of activities that aim to accomplish a given objective. The political perspective considers it in terms of the way it will impact the power structures of the host organisation. The perspective you adopt is your choice. While the facts of the case may remain unchanged, what you notice will alter dramatically.

• Consider your project as if it was initiated to give more power to someone else. Who would that be?
• How is your project reducing the power of different stakeholders?
• What political objectives is your project seeking to deliver, and for who?
• If your objective is not wholly explained at a rational level, could it be at a political level?
• How powerful are the supporters of your project? Why are they supporting it?
• Do the challenges you face have a political backdrop?
• Having considered your project from a political perspective, what action are you going to take?

Considering your project from a political perspective is a choice, and a choice you can make now, at least for a short time while you think through a specific problem you are facing.