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Ghosted on a project

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David Cone Product Manager | Project Manager| eReinsure Salt Lake City, Ut, United States
I need some guidance on how to handle being ghosted by a member of the project team who is reluctant to complete his tasks related to the project. As the head of training for a software firm, we rely on his input to complete the upgrade of some training material in relation to a major upgrade. It is clear that he does not 'want' to complete the work, as he continually comes up with excuses as to why he has not made progress even though it is clear he has ample time available. I have offered to help him remove any blockers he has but he will not give me any. He just says he will always be too busy. The company has a very flat reporting structure so am limited in terms of escalation options. Any suggestions from members who have dealt with similar situations would be appreciated.
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Sergio Luis Conte Helping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based Organizations Buenos Aires, Argentina
Difficult to add something different to great comments above. I will try. "No pain, no gain". If somebody is paying you for the work you are doing go with her/him to show they are throw money in the trash not because of you.
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1 reply by David Cone
Jul 10, 2020 11:39 AM
David Cone
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Good point Sergio. Thanks.
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Drew Craig Sr. Agile & Product Coach| Vanguard Philadelphia, Pa, United States
Yes, David, you have gotten some solid advice. My first inclination was more aligned to what Peter shared. First, be empathetic and look to understand what is happening. Something must be going on. This sounds way too unprofessional for it not to be driven by an underlying force.

From there, if no change, formalize with a written dissatisfaction and as an internal impediment. Make this known to the sponsors or whoever you are reporting project progress and status to. Then look to find someone who can do the work and make the transition.

GL!
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1 reply by David Cone
Jul 10, 2020 11:39 AM
David Cone
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Very sound advice Andrew. Appreciate it.
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David Cone Product Manager | Project Manager| eReinsure Salt Lake City, Ut, United States
Jul 09, 2020 8:44 PM
Replying to Drew Craig
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Yes, David, you have gotten some solid advice. My first inclination was more aligned to what Peter shared. First, be empathetic and look to understand what is happening. Something must be going on. This sounds way too unprofessional for it not to be driven by an underlying force.

From there, if no change, formalize with a written dissatisfaction and as an internal impediment. Make this known to the sponsors or whoever you are reporting project progress and status to. Then look to find someone who can do the work and make the transition.

GL!
Very sound advice Andrew. Appreciate it.
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David Cone Product Manager | Project Manager| eReinsure Salt Lake City, Ut, United States
Jul 09, 2020 6:46 PM
Replying to Sergio Luis Conte
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Difficult to add something different to great comments above. I will try. "No pain, no gain". If somebody is paying you for the work you are doing go with her/him to show they are throw money in the trash not because of you.
Good point Sergio. Thanks.
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Adrian Carlogea Australia
You can never be certain that someone does not want to complete the work unless you are an expert in his field and you really understand the work that is being performed. Are you able to do the work yourself? If not then you can't judge.

I have heard of many cases in which people that are not experts in a certain field complain that some work takes too long to complete but in reality they don't really understand what does it take to do that work.

I guess the only solution is to get someone to peer review his work and if the 2nd expert agrees that more time is needed for the work to be completed then you have to accept that you were wrong in the first place.
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BHASKAR ML BOSCH LIMITED Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Suggest :Do little home work , is he doing only to you ,or his track record is the same in all projects or does he have any personal issues or he waiting to get another organization appointment letter , or he is not interested in this job etc.
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