It appears that the latest trend by large organisations is to appoint unskilled or entry level project managers. Let me qualify that everybody starts at the bottom and that this statement is not intended to ridicule up and coming PMs. PMs who have shown their worth are replaced by less expensive juniors with minimal or no skill sets and experience. It seems that the organisation is happy to take the impact of this decision on the chin and live happily with an atrocious project management style, execution and poor delivery. Project failure, costing the company a few extra million, is considered ok ‘cause the amount is not even seen on the bottom line when turnover and profit is measured in billions.
Or is it just me, the organisation I'm consulting to or my demographic location in the world?
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Anonymous
It is not just you. It is an inherent characteristic of modern managerial capitalism. These are big, fancy words, I know, but in modern managerial capitalism the drive to cheaper overrides faster which overrides better.
So many IT projects start badly and end badly simply because they can. Basically, IT project failure is affordable. The common perspective from the executive suite is "necessary evil" and the cheaper the better. Except for themselves, of course.
Alistair Cooke said: "A professional is a man who can do his best at a time when he doesn't particularly feel like it." Keep plugging away.
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Mark Price PerryBusiness Driven PMO Evangelist| BOT InternationalOrlando, Fl, United States
Anon, so sorry to hear of your current situation. Dave makes an interesting point about modern managerial capitalism. I am not sure that moderm capitalism is the villain, but that is a different post altogether and whether it is or is not, Dave's points are very valid. And, regrettably, this is not limited to project management. In challenging times, leadership reveals itself and what emerges often includes equal doses of the good, the bad, and the ugly. Rather than becoming disheartened, perhaps you can find ways to help all those involved with the resulting mess. As they say, "it is what it is." Good luck..! Saving Changes...
Matthew SmithProject Management Consultant| Risk and Project ManagementQueanbeyan, Australia
When you say 'replaced' I hope that doesn't mean you're no longer with the organisation. It's one thing to miss out on a project appointment, but another to lose your job.
Best thing you can do is prove them wrong. It's difficult to keep trying in the face of this kind of injustice and poor management decision making. But becoming despondent may only mean that future roles will go the same way. If you're able to, take some time out. Regenerate your enthusiasm and go back and show them you should have been the one who was appointed to the role. You can do it.
