George FreemanThought Leader | Author | Architect| Florida, United States
As enterprise revenue streams dry up and profits go south, executive crisis committees are making tough decisions about on-going projects and associated personnel. So, are the project managers in your organization viewed as a strategic tool available for such a time as this, or are you typecasted to specific implementation roles unseen to any additional value?
Question: Should we take the initiative and “sell ourselves” and our colleagues as a “strategic instrument” available for the needs of this time, even though it may be outside our wheelhouse? Or accept our fate with no effort to counter? Saving Changes...
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Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
You are joking. 'accept our fate'? Never.
Somebody said 'never waste a crisis'. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
If somebody who is performing project management do not "sell" the role to others then she/he is "DoA" (dead on arrive). This is something that must be done from the creation of the role. Saving Changes...
Yes, Petyr Baelish is not the most wholesome character to model one's behavior after, but he does make a point.
PMs are more likely to be able to roll with the punches and pivot quickly than functional managers who are used to having operational processes and their budgets relatively stable.
The cost of (project) failure is potentially higher now than before - both in terms of picking the "right" projects with more constrained funding and in terms of executing those projects "right".
Who will help with that more than a PM...
Kiron
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1 reply by Alexandre Costa
Apr 04, 2020 10:42 AM
Alexandre Costa
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Kiron,
Even i agree with you that a PM could be better prepared to deal with this situations, However the project Manager is not a god an between project managers there are many levels capabilities and that not domain the same level of project complexity.
I also think there are many others persons that not being PM are perfectly capable of helping in this time of crisis even without any kind of qualifications.
In fact, I think the main ingredient to overcome this crisis is teamwork rather than focusing too much on positions, qualifications, reputations. The most insignificant person can sometimes make the greatest contribution.
Alexandre
Saving Changes...
Alexandre CostaScrum Master| Integer Consulting - Pictet technologiesLoures, Portugal
Apr 04, 2020 9:23 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
...
"Chaos is a ladder"
Yes, Petyr Baelish is not the most wholesome character to model one's behavior after, but he does make a point.
PMs are more likely to be able to roll with the punches and pivot quickly than functional managers who are used to having operational processes and their budgets relatively stable.
The cost of (project) failure is potentially higher now than before - both in terms of picking the "right" projects with more constrained funding and in terms of executing those projects "right".
Who will help with that more than a PM...
Kiron
Kiron,
Even i agree with you that a PM could be better prepared to deal with this situations, However the project Manager is not a god an between project managers there are many levels capabilities and that not domain the same level of project complexity.
I also think there are many others persons that not being PM are perfectly capable of helping in this time of crisis even without any kind of qualifications.
In fact, I think the main ingredient to overcome this crisis is teamwork rather than focusing too much on positions, qualifications, reputations. The most insignificant person can sometimes make the greatest contribution.
Alexandre
...
1 reply by George Freeman
Apr 04, 2020 12:27 PM
George Freeman
...
Alexandre,
The question I put on the table is a rhetorical call to action for our profession. I agree that teamwork is the main ingredient, but guess what, that team needs coordination – and that’s where we have a value proposition that may not be readily understood by executive management.
So, let’s gently remind them that they have a pool of professionals that have functional and technical skills for such a time as this.
Saving Changes...
George FreemanThought Leader | Author | Architect| Florida, United States
Apr 04, 2020 10:42 AM
Replying to Alexandre Costa
...
Kiron,
Even i agree with you that a PM could be better prepared to deal with this situations, However the project Manager is not a god an between project managers there are many levels capabilities and that not domain the same level of project complexity.
I also think there are many others persons that not being PM are perfectly capable of helping in this time of crisis even without any kind of qualifications.
In fact, I think the main ingredient to overcome this crisis is teamwork rather than focusing too much on positions, qualifications, reputations. The most insignificant person can sometimes make the greatest contribution.
Alexandre
Alexandre,
The question I put on the table is a rhetorical call to action for our profession. I agree that teamwork is the main ingredient, but guess what, that team needs coordination – and that’s where we have a value proposition that may not be readily understood by executive management.
So, let’s gently remind them that they have a pool of professionals that have functional and technical skills for such a time as this. Saving Changes...
