If you know a mistake is bound to happen, explain all the risks involved, and the boss still insists on proceeding down the same path, how do you mitigate the inevitable?
My project is on time and under budget, but we are proceeding down a path that cannot sustain itself in the long run. I've tried explaining this to upper management, but they view the situation from a very narrow-minded point-of-view. How do you convince people to see the big picture when everything at the moment is going well? Saving Changes...
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Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
You can't. The best you can do is document everything so blame can't be assigned to you. More than once I've seen senior management blame everything on the PM who was forced to implement their poor decisions. Saving Changes...
Drake SettsuProject Manager / BloggerHi, United States
Bruce,
I agree with Eric. That seems to be the best route to take. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
You do not have the whole information. Something above you must take the decisions (program and portfolio managers or any other similar role). Project manager duty is to create all the needed information and publish it or present it at planned times. They must take the decisions about to continue/hold/kill the project or about the risk you must recorded and manage. The project manager must request an answer.
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1 reply by Anju Ammini
May 23, 2018 7:11 AM
Anju Ammini
...
I too agree with Sergio.
To add on ... PM must involve all Stakeholders in the Risk management process. If the risks are only documented and left, that alone is not going to resolve it.
As Aaron rightly said, we must include these in the status reports , with the Impact and Risk response plans. Each risk should have an owner. That will make them accountable , and inorder to realise the benefits out of this project, stakeholders are bound to come back on it.
Am sure the project requirements and outcome definition, has been defined involving all stakeholders.
Are you sending out regular status reports? Are you including the risk on the status reports? Do you have an owner identified for the risk? Have you talked with the owner about the risk? Has the risk been quantified and prioritized?
Create a trail - CYA. Also, if you can, prepare a contingency plan for how to respond should the risk be realized. Don't publicize the plan, just be prepared to execute it should it become necessary. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
May 22, 2018 5:25 AM
Replying to Eric Simms
...
You can't. The best you can do is document everything so blame can't be assigned to you. More than once I've seen senior management blame everything on the PM who was forced to implement their poor decisions.
Thanks Eric. You're answering all my questions. haha Saving Changes...
Anonymous
May 22, 2018 6:11 AM
Replying to Drake Settsu
...
Bruce,
I agree with Eric. That seems to be the best route to take.
Thanks Drake. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
May 22, 2018 7:38 AM
Replying to Sergio Luis Conte
...
You do not have the whole information. Something above you must take the decisions (program and portfolio managers or any other similar role). Project manager duty is to create all the needed information and publish it or present it at planned times. They must take the decisions about to continue/hold/kill the project or about the risk you must recorded and manage. The project manager must request an answer.
Thanks Sergio! Saving Changes...
Anju AmminiSenior Project Analyst| ConduentAlleppey, Kerala, India
May 22, 2018 7:38 AM
Replying to Sergio Luis Conte
...
You do not have the whole information. Something above you must take the decisions (program and portfolio managers or any other similar role). Project manager duty is to create all the needed information and publish it or present it at planned times. They must take the decisions about to continue/hold/kill the project or about the risk you must recorded and manage. The project manager must request an answer.
I too agree with Sergio.
To add on ... PM must involve all Stakeholders in the Risk management process. If the risks are only documented and left, that alone is not going to resolve it.
As Aaron rightly said, we must include these in the status reports , with the Impact and Risk response plans. Each risk should have an owner. That will make them accountable , and inorder to realise the benefits out of this project, stakeholders are bound to come back on it.
Am sure the project requirements and outcome definition, has been defined involving all stakeholders. Saving Changes...
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