How will you report in a status report a project risk caused by the majority of the critical tasks pending by only one person who is the SME? This without making the person feel uncomfortable. Saving Changes...
Highlight their value to the project/company and recommend that they be paired up with someone else to avoid putting too many eggs in one basket. Is there truly only one team member who is that critical as I've normally had a few with varying levels of criticality in which case you can generalize the description of the risk but develop response plans specific to each role.
Kiron
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1 reply by Ruth Garcia-Andrade Foy
Jul 09, 2019 5:07 PM
Ruth Garcia-Andrade Foy
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Thanks Kiron and yes, in this project the main SME currently does not have a backup. But, yes we are working on prioritizing and develop another resource to support this critical project contributor.
You have to be transparent & highlight the risk to seek attention & guidance from stakeholders so that you can work on the mitigation plan/response for that risk.
No individual is bigger than project and it is not you are making the person uncomfortable but helping to solve the problems in hand & taking the project towards success. Saving Changes...
Not sure of the question with respect to making the person feel uncomfortable, but have you spoken to them and identified any real risks as it might relate to them leaving? If the impact of them potentially leaving will result in a situation that you are not willing to accept, then you should be investigating mitigation strategies to avoid such a scenario. For us, (Federal Government), one of our biggest risks at the enterprise level is HR as relates to having the right amount of people with the right skills to meet the business objectives. Saving Changes...
The risk has nothing to do with the person. It has to do with the role they are currently playing in many of your activities. State the risk around the role. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Fully agree with Stephane. In fact, I have registered risk of this type and the involved people alwys has seen that it was to help them. Saving Changes...
It would depend on who hired the Subject Matter Expert. If the SME was a political appointee and does not have the necessary skills and experience to deal with the job I would tread carefully as they are probably well connected and it may be you who could have the axe falling on you. First I would find out who hired the SME, who they directly report into and who has their ear and talk to them before putting anything down on paper that may come back to haunt you. As project are based on team input I would also look at possibly delegating some of the responsibilities if possible and maybe see if the SME as any personal issues that maybe effecting the SME's to perform their duties.
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2 replies by Daire Guiney and Eric Isom
Jul 09, 2019 8:56 PM
Eric Isom
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Excellent insight to point out the need for political awareness.
Highlight their value to the project/company and recommend that they be paired up with someone else to avoid putting too many eggs in one basket. Is there truly only one team member who is that critical as I've normally had a few with varying levels of criticality in which case you can generalize the description of the risk but develop response plans specific to each role.
Kiron
Thanks Kiron and yes, in this project the main SME currently does not have a backup. But, yes we are working on prioritizing and develop another resource to support this critical project contributor. Saving Changes...
Eric IsomOwner| learn.pmguaranteed.comUt, United States
Jul 05, 2019 10:45 AM
Replying to Daire Guiney
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It would depend on who hired the Subject Matter Expert. If the SME was a political appointee and does not have the necessary skills and experience to deal with the job I would tread carefully as they are probably well connected and it may be you who could have the axe falling on you. First I would find out who hired the SME, who they directly report into and who has their ear and talk to them before putting anything down on paper that may come back to haunt you. As project are based on team input I would also look at possibly delegating some of the responsibilities if possible and maybe see if the SME as any personal issues that maybe effecting the SME's to perform their duties.
Excellent insight to point out the need for political awareness. Saving Changes...
Harish RanganathaPgMP coach and Program Manager Consultant| ACEPROBangalore, Kar., India
This is about the work, and not getting personal. So I think 1-1 meeting with SME and highlighting the risk to the project objectives is very essential. Further, the person may also appreciate your concern about the work If the person is a senior SME will surely understand the importance.
I think you should approach with a positive outlook, present about 2-3 options (timing or how they can or delegation etc) that works for you and what you think it may work for them.
Being open will surely get into someone heart, Irrespective of their political affiliation, and surely make them listen to you.
In case, if they are so negative, for whatever the reason, I suggest you seek the help of a third person - could be your sponsor or someone else for guidence. Saving Changes...
