Project Management

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Generalizing Specialists (GS) are conquering le PM world. Maybe?

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Eugene Jacquescoley DO PhD MPH Managing Partner | Eugene Jacquescoley Et Al Ptr Pa, United States
I come from the world of academia et mediciine. Specialists en my view have a "pre-ordained" mission en their speiality of care. Generalizing Specialist (GS) has been tossed around lately. En your perspesctive, what does a GS really do? Do they have a "pre-ordained" mission for their project roles? Do you forsee changes en Project Manager (PM) methodology as this role evolves over time?
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Kiron Bondale Retired | Mentor| Retired Welland, Ontario, Canada
Eugene -

Any team member has one mission - the success of the project. The difference between the two types of contributors is the former focuses on a narrow set of activities whereas the latter will also focus on those but have the versatility to step into other roles should that be in the team's benefit.

This isn't a change to PM practices as providing opportunities for team members to grow or develop their skills is a fundamental aspect of team building and inspiration.

Kiron
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1 reply by Eugene Jacquescoley DO PhD MPH
Aug 19, 2022 9:47 PM
Eugene Jacquescoley DO PhD MPH
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Ineresting response. Thanks. J
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Eugene Jacquescoley DO PhD MPH Managing Partner | Eugene Jacquescoley Et Al Ptr Pa, United States
Aug 19, 2022 5:23 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Eugene -

Any team member has one mission - the success of the project. The difference between the two types of contributors is the former focuses on a narrow set of activities whereas the latter will also focus on those but have the versatility to step into other roles should that be in the team's benefit.

This isn't a change to PM practices as providing opportunities for team members to grow or develop their skills is a fundamental aspect of team building and inspiration.

Kiron
Ineresting response. Thanks. J
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Thomas Walenta Global Project Economy Expert Hackenheim, Germany
Eugene,

the term Generalizing Specialist seems to be another rumination of age old concepts. Every project manager needs to be generalist as they integrate specialists in teams and translate between customers/user and specialists. And every project is a new situation (per definition unique) that requires to learn about the context and even the content when for example technology evolves.

The mission of a PM is to make 'it' happen by mainly reducing complexity for stakeholders (thats why communication, planning, structuring, integration, streamlining, caring are key attitudes).

Thomas
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Peter Rapin Subject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent Consultant Ontario, Canada
Makes me thing of the old saying: "Jack of all trades, master of none". As I see it the Project Manager has to be the MASTER of management but JACK of all all other subject matter expertise that goes into project delivery.
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1 reply by Kiron Bondale
Aug 20, 2022 6:35 PM
Kiron Bondale
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A generalizing specialist is expected to be Jack of all trades, master of ONE, otherwise they are just a generalist...

Kiron
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Kiron Bondale Retired | Mentor| Retired Welland, Ontario, Canada
Aug 20, 2022 11:06 AM
Replying to Peter Rapin
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Makes me thing of the old saying: "Jack of all trades, master of none". As I see it the Project Manager has to be the MASTER of management but JACK of all all other subject matter expertise that goes into project delivery.
A generalizing specialist is expected to be Jack of all trades, master of ONE, otherwise they are just a generalist...

Kiron
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Sergio Luis Conte Helping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based Organizations Buenos Aires, Argentina
Fully agree with @Thomas comment above. Regarding project management this is an old debate: generalist or specialist?. I sustain generalist. First for my personal experience. Second after reading and interact with people that made research on the matter. Is like in medicine. The first approach must be to a generalist and the generalist will evaluate and engage the specialist/s.

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