Riad AlhammoudProject management| LanganAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
In projectized organization, what is the best way ( meeting, email, one to one meeting) to let the team know that the client will not renew the contract, and when they should know ( 3 or 6 months pre contract over).
Unless the team members will be moving to a different project for a different client, they might end up losing their jobs in a project-oriented (PMI's new term for a projectized organization) company if a project ends and there isn't further work for the client.
In such cases, it is better for the PM to let the whole team know in person and then meet 1:1 with any individual team members who are taking the news harder than others.
Given the potential impacts to the last stages of the project if team members get disengaged, the PM will need to come up with appropriate risk responses depending on how close to the end date he or she chooses to inform the staff.
As far as when to inform them, it really depends on the context and the two main influences to the decision will be how much of an impact the project ending will have on the team members and how much risk of them quitting early or disengaging is there.
Kiron
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1 reply by J. Jorge Torres
Jul 05, 2019 9:19 AM
J. Jorge Torres
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Hi Riad,
I agree with Kiron, formally give the announcement by e-mail in terms of an appointment for the related issue, then let the whole team know in person and then one by one to show them interest in continuing business further in the future or to assist everyone as possible, we all have different needs when a project ends. In this way you´ll minimize the impact and avoid other related problems.
J.Jorge
Saving Changes...
J. Jorge TorresElectrical Design Engineer| Techint Engineering and ConstructionLeón, Guanajuato, Mexico
Jul 05, 2019 8:34 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Riad -
Unless the team members will be moving to a different project for a different client, they might end up losing their jobs in a project-oriented (PMI's new term for a projectized organization) company if a project ends and there isn't further work for the client.
In such cases, it is better for the PM to let the whole team know in person and then meet 1:1 with any individual team members who are taking the news harder than others.
Given the potential impacts to the last stages of the project if team members get disengaged, the PM will need to come up with appropriate risk responses depending on how close to the end date he or she chooses to inform the staff.
As far as when to inform them, it really depends on the context and the two main influences to the decision will be how much of an impact the project ending will have on the team members and how much risk of them quitting early or disengaging is there.
Kiron
Hi Riad,
I agree with Kiron, formally give the announcement by e-mail in terms of an appointment for the related issue, then let the whole team know in person and then one by one to show them interest in continuing business further in the future or to assist everyone as possible, we all have different needs when a project ends. In this way you´ll minimize the impact and avoid other related problems.
J.Jorge Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
You can use the method best fits for your company. But in my case I alwys go for 1-1 meetings or just in case they are remote with phone calls or skype calls. VERY IMPORTANT: to put in notice to people with the enough anticipation to allow them to act in concecuense. Saving Changes...
The trouble is that if you tell them as soon as you find out you may start losing key staff essential to the management of the project that are normally in high demand and wont want to be there just to see out the project. Also if you hold back this key piece of information of the project status it may reflect badly on you and you could come across as a bit of a manipulator. Personal, I would tell them as soon as soon as you have found out the reasons the project wont be renewed and that any further deal or negotiations to a project extension has failed. These reasons could be total out of your control and the projects sponsor and may have no reflection on you ability to manage the project. A All hands meeting would be the best way to deal with this situations as you can deal with any questions that may arise and alleviate any concerns. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Well, we know upfront that a project will end, even if we hope for an encore. We also are aware of the adjourning part of Tuckman's ladder. Hope then, anticipating the future, there is an activity/work package in your WBS to deal with adjourning and it is started way before the sword hits. Also good risk management. There is no need for crisis management.
What could such a work package contain?
Know your staff, their individual career ambitions, and know who could replace them, shadow them early.
Help them find new jobs, promote them. The best manager creates new managers and tries not to fence in people.
People stay for other people, not for jobs. Observe yourself if you created followers or job positions. Strive for the first, improve yourself. Trust means to be willing to suffer for the other, people that trust you will stay until you find another engagement for the team.
It is OK to let mavericks go. Saving Changes...
I think people should be told as early as possible that the contract or the project is coming to an end. and the intention of the organization regarding them.
The important is the truth spoken by the leader make the announcement. The courage of the direction or its weakness is gone become visible. Some large international corporations have not the gots to be true about there intention, in the long run, it is not playing well for them.
Early warning to your employe shows that you care. Some may leave before the project is completed, that is a risk. Saving Changes...
