Financial Management Specialist | US Peace CorpsYaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Sun Tzu’s Art of War is a classic text that has been studied and applied in various fields beyond military strategy. It offers practical and strategic advice on how to win battles and achieve victory, based on the principles of deception, agility, and adaptability. In project management, agility and adaptability are essential for achieving success and meeting project objectives.
Have you ever read Sun Tzu’s Art of War? Kindly share with us your takeaways
"A good commander is benevolent and unconcerned with fame" - words to live by for PMs!
Kiron
...
1 reply by Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
Aug 07, 2025 7:36 AM
Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
...
This is powerful! Thanks Kiron
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong Absolutely — The Art of War has been a profound source of insight for project leaders throughout history. One of my key takeaways is this:
- “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”
In project management, this translates into knowing both the internal capabilities of your team and the external dynamics of stakeholders, risks, and the environment.
It's about situational awareness — strategic clarity combined with adaptive execution.
Another powerful lesson is the emphasis on preparation over reaction.
Sun Tzu’s wisdom teaches us that winning happens before the battle — just as successful projects are won in planning, stakeholder alignment, and continuous learning loops.
Agility isn't just speed — it's purposeful movement within context.
That’s where ancient strategy meets modern agility.
Sun Tzu's wisdom applies many places in project management. One of my favorites that applies in office negotiations is to never box your opponent in with no way of escape. If defeat is certain, they will fight bitterly to the end, costing you too much. If they see an opportunity to escape however, they will will not put up as much fight knowing they have a way out.
Your main battle strategy is leaving an escape route that steers the opponent to your advantage and focusing your efforts there.
Another good read in a similar vein is Machiavelli's The Prince. While people often consider "Machiavellian" as ruthlessness, it's really very clinical analysis of past leaders in history, how the attained power, maintained it, and often fell from power due to their own mistakes.
...
1 reply by Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
Aug 07, 2025 7:37 AM
Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
...
This is much wisdom here... Thanks Keith for talking about the "way of escape"
PMO Leader | Speaker & Mentor | Content Leader – PMOGA Latin America
Hub| Catholic University of UruguayMontevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
Yes, I’ve read The Art of War by Sun Tzu, and I often revisit certain passages. What stands out most to me is the emphasis on knowing yourself and knowing your environment—which, in project management, translates to understanding your team’s capabilities, stakeholder dynamics, and the changing organizational context.
One of my key takeaways is:
“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”
This reminds me that uncertainty is not something to fear, but a space where leadership, innovation, and adaptability can shine—especially in complex projects with shifting priorities.
Another favorite is:
“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”
In project management, this speaks to the power of communication, anticipation, and alignment—solving issues before they escalate and influencing outcomes through strategy rather than force.
Sun Tzu’s principles feel timeless. They challenge us to lead with awareness, flexibility, and intention—exactly what modern project environments demand. Saving Changes...
The Art of War is a great text - Sun Tzu was keenly mindful of the resources and leadership needed to succeed in battle, already drawing parallels to project management. Some of the most famous quotes have already been mentioned, but I like "If it is advantageous, move; if it is not advantageous, stop." So many times, people embark on and/or continue projects without true justification. It's wise to always make sure that there truly is a gain (or conversely if there is an danger or opportunity cost of not doing the project) before embarking to avoid waste.
...
1 reply by Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
Aug 07, 2025 7:37 AM
Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
...
Thanks for this
Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
First of all, the text which adds value is not a customized version. You know, you can find "The Art of War for....." which do not add value at all. Second, I am ITF/ATP International Certified Tennis Coach, Elite level. It does mean I had to study a lot for 5 years. Then, I applied "The Art of War" in my tennis coach activities. Third, I added "The Art of War" to my business analysis and program/project/portfolio management courses I have the pleasure to run from 1998. So, I think it answers from my side your very interesting post. Saving Changes...
I always have problem trying to visualize how the 36th strategem 'Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, fleeing is best' can help with project management, and recently read that it does not really mean to run away from the project, but rather to know when is the best time to disengage and to preserve resources and time. Hence Scrum builds on how to develop based on Product Increments, and even if a project is cancelled, the output from those increments will still be something that can be usable (not totally wasted) or can be built upon in the future. Saving Changes...
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace CorpsYaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Jun 03, 2025 1:50 PM
Replying to Keith Novak
...
Sun Tzu's wisdom applies many places in project management. One of my favorites that applies in office negotiations is to never box your opponent in with no way of escape. If defeat is certain, they will fight bitterly to the end, costing you too much. If they see an opportunity to escape however, they will will not put up as much fight knowing they have a way out.
Your main battle strategy is leaving an escape route that steers the opponent to your advantage and focusing your efforts there.
Another good read in a similar vein is Machiavelli's The Prince. While people often consider "Machiavellian" as ruthlessness, it's really very clinical analysis of past leaders in history, how the attained power, maintained it, and often fell from power due to their own mistakes.
This is much wisdom here... Thanks Keith for talking about the "way of escape" Saving Changes...
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace CorpsYaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Jun 04, 2025 8:47 PM
Replying to Amanda Loewy
...
The Art of War is a great text - Sun Tzu was keenly mindful of the resources and leadership needed to succeed in battle, already drawing parallels to project management. Some of the most famous quotes have already been mentioned, but I like "If it is advantageous, move; if it is not advantageous, stop." So many times, people embark on and/or continue projects without true justification. It's wise to always make sure that there truly is a gain (or conversely if there is an danger or opportunity cost of not doing the project) before embarking to avoid waste.
Community Champion
