I've been trying to improve some spreadsheets by baking in more knowledge in them but I've come across severe resistance from the management whom I can't seem to convince of the value in reducing the data entry work involved. My peers seem to understand and accept the value in the changes I am pushing.
What do you think the root cause of such behavior is?
How did you overcome such resistance? Saving Changes...
RAJESH K LProject Manager, PMP| Bharat Electronics, Bengaluru, IndiaBengaluru, Karnataka, India
I request not to post questions anonymously.
Try to access the impact of such improvement on the relevant processes and stakeholders. The answer will definitely lie there.
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1 reply by Mayte Mata Sivera
Feb 17, 2021 2:51 PM
Mayte Mata Sivera
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I don't mind that they post anonymous , some people prefers to keep it like that or have an agreement with their employer.
Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Instead of trying to convince, help to understand. Saving Changes...
You should listen to them and find out what is in their mind. They may think of something else or their priorities may be different from you. Saving Changes...
Sromon DasSenior Project Manager| Mara ConsultingHalifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
1) It's perfectly fine to post questions anonymously
2) Have conversations with your peers and management- try to understand the source of their fears
3) Demonstrate the benefit in $ terms- show what an improved process means to them Saving Changes...
Ravi Kishan PaliwalProject Manager - UKI| IBM India Pvt LtdNew Delhi, Delhi, India
Never Give up we as a PM has to face this kind of challenges, you need to share the Value like it will help them to track Initial Requirement discussed with customer, allocating right resources as per project requirement, Also how this will help Org & HR to recruiter resources and so on... Saving Changes...
Zach BlockProject Manager / Account Manager| The Expedition CompanyLos Angeles, Ca, United States
Management certainly would be alignment with you reducing work load if it didn't come with a risk of losing information accuracy. Therefore the problem likely lies with a misunderstanding between your goals/managements perceived needs.
Work on the communication and understanding from both of your viewpoints and then present a strong case from process improvement with low risk of business or operational offset. Should be a slam dunk at that point. Saving Changes...
I've experienced this. I was hired to improve the PM process at a company. Middle management fought me all the way. I learned that the middle layer was populated with people who were afraid for their jobs, were incompetent, and were too lazy to improve their skills. Drama and gas lighting were their primary weapons. If the PM practice improved, the spotlight would have moved to the under performing managers.
The middle layer won the battle. The company remains unable to deliver projects on time, budget or successfully. Other PMs have come and gone, but nothing changes.
Anonymous - I hope your situation isn't like this one. There is no hope for improvement when you are dealing with a bad culture. Saving Changes...
My suggestion is two-fold. I feel this might be a change management issue and you might have individuals resisting and many individuals might have group-think to follow others. The steps I would take would be to look at the value to the management and be able to explain to them the ROI. I would also look for a strong sponsor with authority when there is large pushback that could help you. If the sponsor route is not available to you and you do not have authority yourself you will need to use influence to get things moving. Maybe as a couple of managers one at a time for private meetings to show them the value.In In my opinion again you need to show the ones you pickout the value ask them for a trial run it helps when companies have a culture of experimentation and if you can get some on working on your planned spreadsheets the other ones often will follow. Again culture will be the biggest hindrance but if this is a large change it will be small steps. Saving Changes...
Jen Jee ChanManaging Director| DotProjects Pte LtdSingapore, Singapore
Perhaps ask the question of the stakeholders - what keeps them up at night? Work from there to see if there is alignment in the data-entry work or project you are currently doing, how that results in benefits that align with their motivations.
Important to put yourself in their shoes.. it could help make that breakthrough you need - good luck! Saving Changes...
