What strategies should new practitioners adopt to quickly adapt and thrive in a fast-paced project management environment? Saving Changes...
Sort By:
Bob PatrinoConsultant/Project Leader| TamazariNewport, KY, United States
Thanks for the question Prasad! Let me provide a 20,000 ft view of what I think being successful as a Project Leader means. The first thing you need to do is to get a mindset about what you will be doing.
At it's core, Project/Program management is about the people who work with you. Yes, we have tools, we have the hardware that helps us. We sometimes get overwhelmed by these tools, systems, processes, and methods. We tend to give these tools too much power and then we forget the most important resources we have, our people. So, the first thing in your mindset is to be a people person. If you aren't , learn to become one.
Projects provide solutions to business problems. Pretty simple isn't it? So, know both the solutions you are working on, as well as the problems it is going to solve. If that connection isn't apparent, dig into it. As a lot of questions, as why a LOT. Be curious.
There are lots more things on this subject, but I will close for now with this:
- Know your people, gain their trust
- Know your 'why'. Saving Changes...
I think Bob completely nailed it in the last 2 bullets. Having a firm understanding of why your project is important and how to sell it to the critical stakeholders is probably the most important skill in project management.
I have said similar things regarding engineering such as the smartest idea in the world means little, if you can't explain it to the people who can make it happen. Saving Changes...
I highly recommend maintaining an open mind and adapting to the specific characteristics of each project, industry, and working environment. Project managers often have a clear vision of how things should be done, but this can sometimes lead to rigidity. As Bob mentioned, curiosity and open-mindedness are crucial in today's dynamic landscape. What succeeded in Project A within Industry B may not necessarily be effective in Project X within Industry Z. Embracing flexibility and a willingness to learn can significantly enhance project outcomes. Saving Changes...
Community Champion
