Advisory Council and Project Management

Dear Luis,

The term advisory board can manifest itself it many different forms and are not exclusive to large mega projects. Usually this would be the responsibility of the Project Sponsor. Once the project is in motion a project sponsor can make small course adjustment changes but it would be difficult to make radical changes as the project as the project is dependent and interdependent on many different contributors. Sometimes in a project you need a sounding board. Someone with no connection to the project but who understands the type of environment that projects grow. I find these people give the best advise as it impartial, advise is phrased and structure on how they relate to you, can give new insights and understanding, can verify information that you already know and they can give you motivation and encouragement. A lot of the time the advisory board do not have any real interest in the project and maybe instead just political appointees to satisfy a legal requirement.

Daire

Dear Luis,

In my particular case my corporation has an advisory board, it's purpose is to take strategic decisions. In fact yesterday they announced officially the bought of 80% of the Acrelec ( French company) an investment of $223 millions.

The projects are tracked and decided by a Project Committee, a group of senior executives that decides if the projects are aligned with the corporation strategy and aligned with the vision and in the end if add value to the organization.
Yes is important to have allies in the project committee , it's a way of the project resist to minor setbacks, and keep implementing the project even there are delays or extra costs. But all of this depends of the project, the duration , the cost and the strategic importance.

Alexandre

Dear Rami
Thank you for participating in this reflection and for your opinion

How does the Project Manager make the people who make up these three committees your Weight Allies?

Luis

They are allies as we all are in the same boat and work towards ones goal.

RK

Dear Daire
Thank you for participating in this reflection and your opinion

Interesting what you wrote: "I find these people give the best advise as it impartial, advise is phrased and structure on how they report to you, can give new insights and understanding, can verify information that you already know and they can give you motivation and encouragement "

Dear Luis,

The more removed an advisory is from the project, the more likely you will heed their advise as there are merely providing their own experience in relation to the project that you are working on.

Daire