Patti VennemanProject Manager| P Venneman ConsultingCo, United States
Hello everyone!
What is one skill that you hear people say "I wish Project Managers would do ... better" or "I wish project managers understood ... better"? For example "I wish that the project manager would be better with communicating with stakeholders", or "I wish project managers were better at the lessons learned" etc.
Thoughts? Saving Changes...
Sort By:
Prasanta SwainPractice Director| ITOrizonBangalore, Karnataka, India
Hi Patti, Honestly, the two sample examples you quoted are the ones in top two of my list. To extend on that thought, giving some concrete examples: -
1. Closing the loop is very important (In worst case - "Agree to disagree" but just close the loop)
2. MOM not waste of time! It could prove to be a great saviour at times & a great tool to be on the same page.
3. Just like the way, an Engineer (coming from that background) takes time to think of a complex logic to be coded, in similar way, PMs should take some quality time out to "put some thought" around complex problems and do "Effective Stakeholder Management/Communication".
4. Trust me, Team members don't want to take/read the Lessons Learnt KB (Knowledge Base) until they learn a lesson (make mistakes) in their Projects! So, the key here is - How do we sell them the idea that "they can save time & resources" if proactively review the Lesson Learnt of past. That's the job of PM & I strongly believe a PM can justify the role well if fully sold into the idea that "I must help my team avoid/reduce mistakes". Saving Changes...
I wish more project managers were better at figuring out the right mode of communication for different subject matter.
Some information is fine to just post on a communal message board, some is a great use of instant messaging. A quick phone call or face-to-face works a lot better than a lengthy email chain or hijacking someone's time with no warning via IM. Sometimes an email with the background story is important before engaging in a detailed conversation.
With so many different modes of communication these days, I'm amazed at how many people can choose the least effective and most disruptive means of communication possible. Saving Changes...
I wish more project managers "owned" the business case for their projects. What I mean by that is that a PM needs to have sufficient awareness and judgment to know when the rationale for investing in their project is no longer valid or achievable and to ensure that the right decisions are taken. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
I wish project mangers understand that I not buying the product or the process to create the product. I am buying the scurity they will give me a solution to my current problem situation. Saving Changes...
I wish the project manager understand who is the true use of the product of the project. Saving Changes...
LORI WILSONRETIRED - Technical Project Manager| RETIRED - LifePoint HealthClarkston, Wa, United States
I wish project managers would know how to stand up to workplace bullies better. Most project managers are kind, honest and easy to get along with. When a bully interrupts them mid-sentence, hijacks the meeting, is a roadblock or worse yet sabotages projects - project managers don't always have the skills to effectively respond. I just read THE WORKPLACE BULLYING HANDBOOK by Paul Pelletier. It provides excellent information on dealing with and preventing workplace bullies and I believe it would be helpful for all project managers to have these skills honed and ready to use if needed vs. being taken off guard or not knowing how to appropriately respond. Saving Changes...
I wish project managers would know the knowledge sharing with there colleagues, effective communication to stakeholders and they know the business case of the project. Saving Changes...
William KlingLEAD PROJECT MANAGER| LumenFircrest, Wa, United States
I wish project managers would stop asking my team for so many updates. Saving Changes...
