Michael AyresComputer Scientist IT Systems engineer program/project manager| Mace & AssociatesSan Francisco, Ca, United States
After over fifteen years as a PMP and running projects, large and small, in high project capability organizations (VISA International) to chaos, I see a systemic problem for PMs is gathering resources for your project, which should be supported by the organization, but too often is not. Some companies openly admit the PMs are on their own for 'gathering resources for your project in our highly matrixed organization." This means we don't really want to support formal PM processes, we are too busy, but we want to go through the motions and have someone to blame for our incompetence.
My point is that the PM must get committment for the necessary resources!! 1) I saw this at VISA which had a formal transparent 'sizing' exercise step in which resource managers publicly, within the organization, committed to providing the needed resources. 2) Many internal organizational steps, processes, commitment of resources, require a formal process; need a refund for business expenses, or travel approval? Use this form, with approval steps. Run a 6 or 7 figure project, well you just try to get the resources as best you can. Make it clear you need committed resources, and open and report every period the 'project', not you, has a (high, medium,low) resource constraint risk if you are not given needed resources. That the PM's duties include gathering resources is only true to a point. Don't be a patsy for an organization or workers who really don't give a damm about your project AND have not been directed to support your project.
PMs need leadership skills, negotiation skills, great interpersonal skills, persuasion skills, right? OK, but how about giving me the resources I need. If not, I will do my best, but you will not have my heart because I will know are not really serious, and you consider me a patsy. For professional PMing, the organization needs to be Project Management professional too. Saving Changes...
I agree with you on 'organization needs to be Project Management professional too'.
I have been following other leaders, putting questions, but didn't get any satisfactory answer. Everyone talked about PM skills only. Glad you brought this out. Saving Changes...
Michael AyresComputer Scientist IT Systems engineer program/project manager| Mace & AssociatesSan Francisco, Ca, United States
I think the proper role and expectations for PMs has become very distorted, morphing from actual PMing to some amorphous creature who has to 'add value' or 'transform' this or that. Anyone else in an organization with the typical responsibility of a PM will have some authority, or well defined responsibilities. Only PMs too often have a distorted balance of responsibility to authority ratio. IMHO. Saving Changes...
Should there be a sponsor of the projects? Organizations need to understand the real role and responsibilities for both the sponsor and the PM.
Sponsor role is often overlooked. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Michael,
This is a great and very sensitive point that you brought up.
Ive seen this happening in many organizations and I totally agree its wrong and unprofessional. Organization should be commited to their projects as much as the PM is and part of their commitment is providing the necessary resources. PM's should stand up for this fro mthe beginning. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Michael, I am close to 30 years in leading all type of initiatives in several different organizations around the world and I can say: its the same old story, the song is the same. At least in 80%-90% of organizations I have the pleasure to work. And it is the way it must be. The world is simple. To understand why some of the thigs happends we need to understand the System Theory applied to organizations (Bertalanphy, Mario Bunge, Ackof, Prahalad), Sir Isaac Newton´s Three Law of Motions and some of the Quatum Physic postulates related to reality. Saving Changes...
Patrick DiceyManager, Customer Project Management| CentralSquare TechnologiesOrlando, Fl, United States
You are right! There needs to be organizational support for project management. I quit one position after three months because of this issue. I never thought I would be so happy to accept a lower paying position :)
When starting new PM positions I try to evaluate the culture and make recommendations on change management, etc related to the acceptance of PM. Good luck! Saving Changes...
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