Edward HicklandOwner| Hickland & AssociateMerrick, Ny, United States
I am in the planning stage of my dissertation on the self-efficacy of PMs during the planning of projects. A question I have is, what is an area of project planning and execution where you feel you need more training and/or knowledge? Saving Changes...
Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
I find that we as Project Managers have the technical capabilities required for project planning but are sometimes lacking in the human side. We sit in a closed space applying cost, time, scope and quality management techniques and many times forget to effectively communicate with the significant stakeholders as to their needs, expectations and constraints. We have to go beyond asking questions and accepting answers (especially use of templates). Many times we ask the wrong questions and only hear half the answer. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Edward
this is very individual, most knowledge is obtained after a certain experience when I need something for an upcoming project. Then I prepare by reading, maybe online course and if there is no time by training on the job and getting a mentor.
If there is a general gap, I agree with Peter's view that the human side is more important and also useful in a variety of situations.
So practically, I try to become wiser, develop my personal and leadership skills. I define Wisdom as Expert Knowledge concerning the fundamental pragmatics of life (Baltes).
For example, I work on my ability to change perspectives, be more empathetic, balance my emotions, etc.
Not sure this helps your dissertation though, sorry if not.
Thomas
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1 reply by Edward Hickland
Oct 21, 2021 8:18 PM
Edward Hickland
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Good answer. I am looking for candor. As I read through the academic literature it is recognized practitioners favor the technical side probably because most come from a technical background. If it is assumed project success relies on good planning, then all facets, technical, business, and culture must be considered.
Saving Changes...
Edward HicklandOwner| Hickland & AssociateMerrick, Ny, United States
Oct 21, 2021 1:34 PM
Replying to Thomas Walenta
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Edward
this is very individual, most knowledge is obtained after a certain experience when I need something for an upcoming project. Then I prepare by reading, maybe online course and if there is no time by training on the job and getting a mentor.
If there is a general gap, I agree with Peter's view that the human side is more important and also useful in a variety of situations.
So practically, I try to become wiser, develop my personal and leadership skills. I define Wisdom as Expert Knowledge concerning the fundamental pragmatics of life (Baltes).
For example, I work on my ability to change perspectives, be more empathetic, balance my emotions, etc.
Not sure this helps your dissertation though, sorry if not.
Thomas
Good answer. I am looking for candor. As I read through the academic literature it is recognized practitioners favor the technical side probably because most come from a technical background. If it is assumed project success relies on good planning, then all facets, technical, business, and culture must be considered. Saving Changes...
Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
Let us not forget that a plan is a tool and as a tool it must include for review and adaptation to changed conditions. Too many of us see the plan as our “baby” and can’t contemplate possible changes. One has to balance between commitment to the plan and recognition that the plan is not the end all and be all. As reality changes the plan needs to change
I guess what I’m saying is that the planning “stage” is continuous
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1 reply by Edward Hickland
Oct 30, 2021 12:38 PM
Edward Hickland
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Project managers must be visionaries who can see the shape of the goal. Think there are two directions as the project comes into focus. There is the waterfall direction that requires a solid change management process. That process must include a reason for change, the cost, and the impact to schedule all for review by selected stakeholders. Then there is Agile which is iterative. The methodology depends on the environment. Construction must use waterfall, while IT can choose. I personally think Agile is being used as a substitute for good solid planning.
Every project manager has different level of proficiency in each side of talent triangle. Some project manager may have very good leadership quality but may have less technical capabilities or some may have very good technical capability but little less leadership quality. It generally depends on individual. Every project manager should identify the area of his lacking and work on the same to become a better project manager everyday.
We, as a project manager, should never forget to pay due attention to the needs of key stakeholders.
In planning stage, project manager is generally supposed to interact with all stakeholders to get everyone's opinion for making a good project management plan. Therefore, lacking in paying attention to stakeholders may not even happen at all in planning stage and further, planning is also known as one of the team building activities. Saving Changes...
Edward HicklandOwner| Hickland & AssociateMerrick, Ny, United States
Oct 24, 2021 10:05 AM
Replying to Peter Rapin
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Let us not forget that a plan is a tool and as a tool it must include for review and adaptation to changed conditions. Too many of us see the plan as our “baby” and can’t contemplate possible changes. One has to balance between commitment to the plan and recognition that the plan is not the end all and be all. As reality changes the plan needs to change
I guess what I’m saying is that the planning “stage” is continuous
Project managers must be visionaries who can see the shape of the goal. Think there are two directions as the project comes into focus. There is the waterfall direction that requires a solid change management process. That process must include a reason for change, the cost, and the impact to schedule all for review by selected stakeholders. Then there is Agile which is iterative. The methodology depends on the environment. Construction must use waterfall, while IT can choose. I personally think Agile is being used as a substitute for good solid planning.
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1 reply by Eduard Hernandez
Oct 31, 2021 1:33 PM
Eduard Hernandez
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I would not be so certain that a construction MUST use waterfall. Actually, pure agilists claim that Burj Khalifa could have been built with a pure agile approach.
The waterfall / agile dilemma sounds at times like the Beatles / Rolling of the 60s. Why couldn't one like both?
Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Oct 30, 2021 12:38 PM
Replying to Edward Hickland
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Project managers must be visionaries who can see the shape of the goal. Think there are two directions as the project comes into focus. There is the waterfall direction that requires a solid change management process. That process must include a reason for change, the cost, and the impact to schedule all for review by selected stakeholders. Then there is Agile which is iterative. The methodology depends on the environment. Construction must use waterfall, while IT can choose. I personally think Agile is being used as a substitute for good solid planning.
I would not be so certain that a construction MUST use waterfall. Actually, pure agilists claim that Burj Khalifa could have been built with a pure agile approach.
The waterfall / agile dilemma sounds at times like the Beatles / Rolling of the 60s. Why couldn't one like both? Saving Changes...
Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
People that argue that project delivery must apply a specific methodology miss the concept of management. You manage in order to mitigate risk and enhance benefits. You use the best available methodologies and tools to achieve project delivery. You don’t adjust the project to suit the methodology, you develop the most effective methodology and tools to effectively deliver the project. Once you label the methodology you limit available responses to project challenges
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1 reply by Meeta Evers
Nov 02, 2021 12:24 PM
Meeta Evers
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100% agree. There are many tools in the toolbox - selecting which to use, when to use it, and for which project - is the challenge, and the expectation others have of us. Much of this comes with experience though experience can be accelerated by working in various business sectors. Each business has a culture, and each culture helps us navigate various stakeholder behaviors. Personally, if strengthening our Emotional Quotient (EQ) is a goal, then the mentors we select are independent of the PM skill set. Let's not limit to PM, those who can help us develop our general skills.
Caro Edward,
The project planning stage involves many actors. Having the insight and knowledge to cope with the stakeholders and influence teams and all actors of your context to share information precise, fast, and timely, working in a collaborative approach is essential to build a decision framing successful.
Planning is to predict the future in different types of scenarios. Like a certain environment in the short term or worst in an uncertain long term context. Developing valuable information is crucial for creating a plan that can be a management tool helpful for facilitating the decision-making process. Saving Changes...
In general, most people are not very good at identifying their own weaknesses. Some of it is emotional intelligence, but there are various psychological phenomenon going on such as attribution bias and blind spots.
Seeking out and recognizing personal weaknesses is a lifelong journey, and an area that most of us could use more work regardless of where we find them in the "talent triangle". Saving Changes...
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