How Arguments with Stakeholders Hinder Project Managers
| Arguing with your stakeholders is never good. The basis of an argument is to defend your position while defeating the other person's in the process. It's easy to suggest using active listening to understand the other person's viewpoint, but this advice overlooks the inevitable build up of emotions inherent in any argument. Asking the help of a third party to mediate an argument with a stakeholder can be very useful. First, the presence of an observer helps contain excessive emotions. Secondly, a third-party observer can bring fresh insights to help move the argument to a constructive discussion and, ultimately, a solution. Transitioning from a sides-based argument to an "us"-based solution does not require the third-party observer to necessarily solve the problem. Rather, the mediator should help those arguing to develop a solution. An ancient legend demonstrates this concept beautifully: A farmer died and left his herd of 17 camels to his three sons. In his will, he left half of the camels to his eldest son, one third of the camels to the second son and one ninth of the camels to his youngest son. The three brothers were having great difficulty working out a fair way of implementing their father's will and could not agree on who would have more and who would have less than the amount willed. Before their relationship became too stained, the brothers went to visit a wise old woman who lived in their village to seek advice. She told them she could not solve their problem but would give them her only camel if it would help. The brothers thanked her and took the camel back with them. With a herd of 18 the problem simply disappeared; the first brother took 9 camels, the second six and the youngest two. But, 9 + 6 + 2 = 17, so they gave the spare camel back to the wise old lady with their thanks. The point of the story, from a project management perspective, is that belaboring arguments with stakeholders will only succeed in delaying the project. For the sake of keeping the project within the triple constraints, it's best to resolve arguments promptly and for the good of the project. In your projects, how have you handled arguments? Do you seek help before positions become entrenched? |
Reinventing the Project Management Career
| In my previous post, I said, "I can't be sure but I have a feeling that the nature of the project management game is changing." I'm becoming more certain of that all the time -- especially in terms of what that means for my career. Recall that I articulated three trends that "give me pause:"
• Project management jobs are following other IT jobs to emerging markets Each of these injects a fair amount of uncertainty into my career plans. In a project context, uncertainty is interesting in that it has the potential to positively or negatively affect project objectives. The same is true of career objectives, which makes those three trends very interesting to me. So what are my career objectives? Simple:
1. Continue to manage projects To what extent might the aforementioned trends affect those objectives? It depends on the timeframe. Thinking about the state of the profession over the next four or five years, two questions come to mind: • Within that time, what is the likelihood that one or more of the three trends I outline will have an impact (positive or negative) on my two career objectives? • What might that impact be? You tell me. What are your overall goals for the next five years, and how will the shifts we see in project management affect those goals? |
Social Responsibility in Program Management
| Program managers are looking to the future and how best to serve business -- and society -- in a more responsible way. Global trends in corporate responsibility now include sustainable energy, combining improvements in efficient use of energy and renewable energy sources. Enterprises that join this trend will likely prosper. Program managers are responsible for aligning an enterprise's business with its long-term strategy, and for sensing emerging trends that need to be embraced. "Green" technologies, for example, are one such trend program managers should recognize and plan projects and programs around. Organizations like Nike, Taiwan Telecom, Delta and Corning have recently built "green" factories, for example, using such technologies. If program managers don't follow worldwide trends like this, it will affect the organization's long-term ability to compete and prosper. In this way, program managers echo the role of the program management office (PMO). The PMO and the program manager are the main force for business strategy alignment. They adjust the resource allocation and business priorities within projects and programs by launching projects they believe fit the organization's business strategy, and stopping those that don't. The best that we have to offer in our profession is to be forward-looking and socially responsible. What are you doing to be socially responsible? |
Project Delivery Teams are Stakeholders, Too
Categories:
Stakeholder Management
Categories: Stakeholder Management
| We talk a lot about stakeholders. But we often forget that people who actually do the work within an organization's project portfolio and programs are stakeholders, too. And if they're to be effectively supported and motivated to help the organization's project delivery system succeed, you must recognize their needs and aspirations. Here are four broad stakeholder groups that every organization should be paying attention to: Team members: There should be clear direction and support to help project team members accomplish their work and earn the opportunity to grow into a leadership role. Project manager: Success for project managers lies in planning and managing the overall project he or she is responsible for. Organizations can foster their success by providing a supportive environment with effective governance and access to project management skills development. Program managers or project directors: This is a role focused on achieving organizational objectives through the work of other managers. Successful program managers will deliver organizational change and benefits that correlate with stakeholder and sponsor needs and expectations. Organizational support for these senior roles should focus on creating an environment where the managers can create value for the organization. Portfolio management and project management offices (PMOs) support organizational governance structures. These management roles are focused on providing strategic advice to the executive. Portfolio managers assess current and planned projects and programs on a routine basis to recommend the optimum mix for future resourcing. The PMO manager provides input to the portfolio management process based on the performance of current projects. Additionally, he or she provides input to the organization's overall governance structure. Success in the roles of portfolio and PMO managers is being a 'trusted advisor' to the executives in the organization. From an organizational perspective, effective stakeholder management focuses on supporting the managers and helping them support the business. Recognizing the needs and aspirations of each of these groups of stakeholders is important if they are to be effectively motivated and supported so they can help the organization be successful. Do you feel these brief descriptions fit the roles in your organization? Do you consider members of project delivery teams as stakeholders? |
Project Managers On The Go
Categories:
Leadership
Categories: Leadership
| Project managers often travel a lot for work, but you don't have to disappear into some kind of black hole. It's a matter of claiming specific pockets of time based on what's most appropriate for that period. When flying, for example, I might book myself for two hours of focused work on project documentation, like the project plan or strategy documents. If I'm stuck waiting for a connecting flight or in my hotel room, I use that time to catch up on emails. Traveling is also a good way to network. Try to connect with people who might help you resolve project challenges or look at issues in a new way. You might even want to find out how they stay productive while on the go. As a project manager or a team member, I can still be in action and engaged in the project -- no matter where I am. Is traveling a hindrance or a non-issue for you? How do you stay productive yet balanced during your business travels? |
