Dear all,
First apologies for posting anon but my company is quite active on scanning employees profile and I fear consequences when posting with real name.
I would like to raise a topic which makes my project lead life very hard - politics in project. I have done a couple of projects for different companies and strongly depended on the management and the stakeholders it personally was a success or a failure in the sense I do not want to do any projects there again. I believe I am a good project lead because I want to integrate my project into the companys vision. But currently I strongly doubt whether project lead isthe right thing because of the politics. I have a management that does not commit to anything or take responsible. I havea program lead who never did a project lead. He was placed there to move him away from his current position. He is unfortunately also my project sponsor but he is unable to shape the scope or provide budget for the project. Architecture and strategy don't have a vision so I need to come up with something and in the end no-one looks what is good for thecompany but for themselves (meaning I need more people in my department because the other department has got new people too)
I have the feeling that being a project lead doesn't count anything. It is something it feels everyone can do but it is not. The problems I have are mainly because people especially upper management don't understand there is more to just announcing a new program/project lead. I would like to hear your opinion how project management can get a better and supported status and what I need to change personally. Shall I just accept the facts, because currently I am fighting to change it and fighting is the right word. Saving Changes...
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Mario TrentimCEO| PMO Global AllianceSao Jose Dos Campos, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Hello, you're not alone! There are a couple of interesting books that touch on this topic. I would suggest you take a look at Sponsorship (Englung and Bucero, 2006), Emotional Intelligence for PMs (Mersino, 2007) and Managing Projects Without Authority (Kendrick, 2006).
Thank you Mario. Books are on my list to read. I've already read through the blog and I guess I can add a chapter what if a Sponsor has no clue about the Project. It's not that he doesn't want it but he doesn't understand it (Big Data and Digitalization). It's like the big Boys buzzwording and then it goes like oh we Need a Project for that but they don't know what Big data and Digitalization can do for you.I guess this will be our future getting to the digital Age. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Don't waste your time in the current position, and move on to a new job where you have a better match of values, culture and competence. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
I you are in a company where you have to post this type of thing anon then you are in big trouble or you are there because the cost/benefit relation is acceptable to you. Saving Changes...
Check seriously why you stay, then make your choice. That's the kind of context where it drain your energy. Saving Changes...
Dominic LawProduct Manager| PCCW GlobalHappy Valley, Hong Kong
In my opinion politics occur in all companies, and one has to live with it in this world. However, it you do not feel comfortable in the current job, it is worth to consider a different one, as per advice above. And more reading can equip you better. Saving Changes...
