Scrutinizing Project Conventions
| Within the realm of project management--or any other complex system, for that matter--accurately identifying failure is difficult to the extreme. There are simply too many parameters to isolate, which makes writing about management a precarious proposition. Oh, there are certainly those cases where a project manager insists that no cost or schedule management systems be used, and it doesn't take long to drive that project into the ground. But in most other areas the link between act and consequence is not nearly so stark. Renowned psychologist, B.F. Skinner, wrote that a variable rate of reinforcement virtually guarantees a behavior will continue. If that is so--and I believe it to be--then it follows that a practitioner who has experienced success using a particular technical approach may be inclined employ that approach over and over--even when it fails over half the time. That same practitioner might also be inclined to join with like-minded project managers to advance a new model or structure for success. Their assertions may be correct and insightful universally, in some specific environs, or completely off base. I entitled this post "Part 1" because I intend to take a close look at some conventions that may have been adapted in that spirit and without the scrutiny of an iconoclastic wise guy such as me. Next up: Does risk management really help bring in projects faster, cheaper or with higher quality? See relevant research from Project Management Journal® as reported in PMI Community Post: Avoiding Project Failure by Managing Organizational Culture |
Optimizing Project Delivery Strategy
Categories:
Agile
Categories: Agile
| One element missing in much of the discussion around project management is a focus on the key early decisions that determine the project delivery strategy. At the project level, strategic decision-making focuses on optimizing the way the project will be structured and managed. Choosing between using Agile or Waterfall, pre-fabrication or on-site assembly, won't change the required project deliverables but will have a major influence on how the project is delivered and its likely success. One size does not fit all; simply following previous choices ignores opportunities to enhance the overall probability of the project meeting or exceeding its stakeholders expectations. Some of the key steps in designing a strategy for success include: • Familiarization with the overall requirements of the project and its stakeholders The problem with implementing this critical stage of the overall project delivery lifecycle is that it crosses between the project initiators and the project delivery team. Both parties need to be involved in developing a project delivery strategy that optimizes the opportunity for a successful outcome. Unfortunately, the opportunities to engage in discussion and planning for project delivery are difficult to arrange. Frequently contract documents effectively prescribe a delivery process, and/or the client and senior management don't know they need to be engaged at this stage of the project lifecycle. I suggest that project managers and project management offices start focusing more on the project delivery strategy during critical early stages of a project. What has worked or not worked on your projects? |
Symbols of Great Teams
Categories:
Teams
Categories: Teams
| Jim Collins (author of How the Mighty Fall: And Why Some Companies Never Give In) had a famous line: "Good is the enemy of great." Those six words neatly sum up the need for a passion for excellence required for any team or organization to reach world-class standards. However, this is an abstract concept and difficult to keep front and center on a day-to-day basis. Symbolism can be an important part of this motivation as is constant positive reinforcement. University of Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz put up a sign that each team member touches before entering the field. It simply reads: "Play like a champion today." With its appearance, team performance "magically" improved--and the sign is now a legendary icon of the university. Easy implementation: Copy the sign and put it in your stairwells--maybe it is truly magical. Tougher implementation: Come up with your own symbolism. |
Acknowledging Young Team Members
Categories:
Teams
Categories: Teams
| Here's another interesting question I received from a student in the University of Maryland's e-Business and Project Management Program conflicts resolution course: I enjoyed the book and I, too, am convinced that recognizing someone for a job well done makes them feel appreciated for their efforts. There is another side to this coin, however, that I think needs to be addressed. The generation currently entering the workforce expects to be praised for everything they do. Being raised in an era when everyone is a winner so as not to hurt their feelings and where everyone gets an award just for participating, they come into the workplace thinking that any accomplishment no matter how small should somehow be recognized. What would you do in a situation like this so as to keep them engaged yet not play into their feelings that they are somehow entitled to praise? John We keep hearing that young people have been so over-validated and acknowledged for the most meager of contributions that they now expect it wherever they go. The generation gap is well established in the United States, but I checked with some colleagues in Europe and Asia who report the same issues there. Younger workers seem to be getting a bad rap simply for being different from their older colleagues--and that's not entirely fair. Elizabeth Kearney, Ph.D. says in the article "It Takes Six Steps to Build a Cross Generational Team," these younger people have been encouraged to: 1. Step out and discover new ways to do things 2. Move quickly 3. Feel free to ask questions and expect them to be answered 4. Believe in themselves and their ideas 5. Use a team approach to solving problems 6. Readily share their views 7. Expect praise for their actions, which means that they may well react negatively when told "no." 8. Expect help when it is needed--coaching, support and/or encouragement These are not bad qualities. They are excellent, action-oriented, results-producing characteristics if properly utilized and appreciated by project leaders and key stakeholders. We want to validate these people for the ways they help us meet our project goals, stay within our timelines and meet our budgets. But the way we deliver this form of praise needs to be quick, specific, clear, yet heartfelt. If they expect praise for their actions, give it to them--but only when it is deserved. |
Visualize Your Success
Categories:
Career Development
Categories: Career Development
| Many years ago, I recall being in an interview where the recruiter asked me if I knew what visualization was. I didn't. She explained to me that it's all about forming a mental picture of something you want to achieve as if you've already achieved it. For instance, imagine a standing ovation for excellent project performance or a big increase in pay or a promotion. It makes the future seem clearer and it tells your brain that you can do it, you can achieve it--because you've seen yourself do it successfully before. So how does it work? Simply do the following: 1. Choose an object and really focus on it. Then close your eyes and in your mind, tell yourself what you just saw--the colors, shapes, details. Open your eyes and confirm. 2. Close your eyes again and see yourself performing activities tomorrow, simply replaying in your mind what you know you will be doing tomorrow. 3. Identify one thing that you want to achieve. Let's say you have a meeting to present a project status report to the stakeholder community and you want to ace it. Close your eyes and visualize yourself standing in front of all the people attending your meeting, confident of the material and how you presented it. See yourself reporting with confidence, referring to documentation on slides or handouts, seeing everyone around understanding what you are presenting and being pleased with your results. 4. Do that a few times until you know exactly what you need to do to obtain that success. I would go as far as spending 20-30 minutes a day to do this exercise. Your mind will become conditioned to visualize the future the way you want to see it and, sometimes intuitively, that will lead you toward the envisioned success. So my question is: What do you want to achieve now? |
