Have you ever been in a situation we you have a project superior and a line superior, and the have demands/objectives that are conflicting or not align?
ex. One can be align with project objective the other with corporation culture.
What have you done to survive or manage both expectations? Saving Changes...
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Markus KopkoAI Enabler for Project & Program Mgmt | Founder PMotion.ai / The PM
AI Coach| PMotion.aiHamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Hi Vincent,
from my perspective what you have described is the classical task of stakeholder management, isn't it?
If you call them project or line superior or whatever, you will always have stakeholders who are pro your project goals on the one hand and others who are more against the project of whatever reasons on the other hand.
And it is one of the main tasks of the pm to analyze those situations and to manage them towards the projects objectives.
Regards,
Markus
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1 reply by Vincent Guerard
Sep 27, 2016 9:57 AM
Vincent Guerard
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You right they are both stakeholders, with somewhat contradicting goals/objectives.
Saving Changes...
AKSHAY JAINPlanning Group Leader| YOKOGAWA, BahrainGwalior, Mp, India
1) Check relation in your two Superiors. If they are good in mutual relations and you enjoy good relation with them, discuss situation and your practical difficulty, they will make necessary adjustment.
2) In case both cant go along, then situation is tricky. You need to think and propose a solution from your side which they will agree without referring other. Like in place of this task I will do other more difficult task with flexible timing.
3) But in end if you feel, there is no way to satisfy both then you will have to decide which one is more important for you and you will have to satisfy that Superior and other one you will have to say no. You cant satisfy all the people in life but need to choose people whom we need to focus very carefully.
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1 reply by Vincent Guerard
Sep 27, 2016 9:59 AM
Vincent Guerard
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Thanks for you input
Yes it is not always simple, like your three contexts.
Saving Changes...
Dominic LawProduct Manager| PCCW GlobalHappy Valley, Hong Kong
Well, in theory stakeholder management and communications. In practice, easier said than done, especially in matrix organization!! My opinion, it depends who is your real boss, the one who decides your salary. Then seek the boss opinion how to handle the other person's demand and what should be the priority.
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1 reply by Vincent Guerard
Sep 27, 2016 10:00 AM
Vincent Guerard
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In the end you need to go with the one that controls you salary. Make sense, unless the other one get you out of the project.
Thanks
from my perspective what you have described is the classical task of stakeholder management, isn't it?
If you call them project or line superior or whatever, you will always have stakeholders who are pro your project goals on the one hand and others who are more against the project of whatever reasons on the other hand.
And it is one of the main tasks of the pm to analyze those situations and to manage them towards the projects objectives.
Regards,
Markus
You right they are both stakeholders, with somewhat contradicting goals/objectives. Saving Changes...
1) Check relation in your two Superiors. If they are good in mutual relations and you enjoy good relation with them, discuss situation and your practical difficulty, they will make necessary adjustment.
2) In case both cant go along, then situation is tricky. You need to think and propose a solution from your side which they will agree without referring other. Like in place of this task I will do other more difficult task with flexible timing.
3) But in end if you feel, there is no way to satisfy both then you will have to decide which one is more important for you and you will have to satisfy that Superior and other one you will have to say no. You cant satisfy all the people in life but need to choose people whom we need to focus very carefully.
Thanks for you input
Yes it is not always simple, like your three contexts. Saving Changes...
Well, in theory stakeholder management and communications. In practice, easier said than done, especially in matrix organization!! My opinion, it depends who is your real boss, the one who decides your salary. Then seek the boss opinion how to handle the other person's demand and what should be the priority.
In the end you need to go with the one that controls you salary. Make sense, unless the other one get you out of the project.
Thanks Saving Changes...
Hello Vincent,
The first option should be to meet the demands of both superiors. I am sure, there is a valid reason behind their demands.
If that is not possible, then the problem has to be discussed with both superiors openly to make them agree on a solution. Normally, mature people will find a solution agreeable to all parties.
If the superiors are fighting with each other, let them and the subordinate should not take sides. If the superiors can't solve the issue between them, then the issue will be resolved by their boss.
Hello Vincent,
The first option should be to meet the demands of both superiors. I am sure, there is a valid reason behind their demands.
If that is not possible, then the problem has to be discussed with both superiors openly to make them agree on a solution. Normally, mature people will find a solution agreeable to all parties.
If the superiors are fighting with each other, let them and the subordinate should not take sides. If the superiors can't solve the issue between them, then the issue will be resolved by their boss.
Thanks for sharing Saving Changes...
Tobe PhelpsDirector of Digital Experience| Central New Mexico Community CollegeAlbuquerque, Nm, United States
Typically I start copying them both on all communications. Often it is a battle over political power and one that they want kept secret. When they can both see all communications, then they are forced to work in the open to change priorities and direction. It is a dirty trick, but it has provided good results for me over the years. Saving Changes...
