As PMs we often have all the responsibility to make things happen, but none of the actual authority. We can invoke the chain of command when necessary, but that is typically a last resort and not a good way to win friends or build lasting relationships. We instead have to influence others to do what we think is the best plan.
What techniques have you learned that help you influence the decision makers, so that you can go on about building and managing a plan to get the job done? Saving Changes...
Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
This question reminded me of the real case that Chris Johnson faced when he was assigned to lead the GLOBE Program to set up SAP across all Nestle business units and satellite companies. He was given - by his boss - the names of the Team that he would be using. He used his network to evaluate the suitability of these names, and concluded that they were not the most suited to carry out the work.
Thus, he provided an alternative list of names and said that he would take upon the assignment only if he could count on his newly proposed Team. They accepted. Thus, sometimes forcing is a good approach to get buy-in, despite the risks it might entail. Saving Changes...
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