Aman SoniSales and Application Manager| M/s Camfil India Pvt. Ltd.India
Sometimes it feels awkword to say no for the things we are not responsible for? Still our boss would like to ask such questions? Sometimes it is very difficult to say no; and how can we say the task for which we are being asked is actually not my cup of tea. COmpany has already nominatted a person for the same.
Is a project engineer really responsible & accountable for anything to everything happening on a project assigned to him? How can we avoid it without getting side effects of the same? Saving Changes...
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Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
There is no general answer to your question because it is a matter of culture. What could works in India mostly do not work into other parts of the world. But my recommendation is remember that your boss is a stakeholder so you have to include her/his into your stakehodler analysis. Saving Changes...
John TiesoAuthor, Lecturer in Business Management| The Catholic University of America, Busch School of Business & EconomicsArlington, Va, United States
My approach over the years with my teams has been to say, "Never leave the room, a meeting, or even a conversation with things misunderstood. Clarification questions are always good--waiting until the project or action is due and then asking questions is really stupid."
It is a question of culture, and some managers simply assume that, having a bunch of initials after your name, you know everything there is to know about every part of a task or project. We all know that is not nearly always true. You learn through exercise and experience, and the things you do not do often go to the back of your mind,. or are forgotten. Don't be afraid to ask clarifying questions when you need to.
I had one employee who always ended our conversations with a clarifying question summing up his understanding. it got to the point that, if he did not do that on any particular conversation, I was worried, and summed up myself just to be sure. He was an excellent employee, and I never considered it an imposition to more carefully explain a need or point.
Hope this helps. Saving Changes...
Aman SoniSales and Application Manager| M/s Camfil India Pvt. Ltd.India
Thank you both seniors. Appreciated your response. Saving Changes...
Edward DanielsProject Manager| IndependentGlen Burnie, Md, United States
Aman,
Being singled out by a PM should be celebrated because you are deemed competent to handle additional tasks!
If the task has been assigned to someone else, just say to your PM, i thought that task was assigned to this person (name), am i wrong to assume? do you want me to follow up? or do you want me join forces and assist?
Come up with your own leading questions, new PMs may not be aware of how things are done in your organization. Seasoned PMs in your organization may just think you are awesome and task you with everything. I have been guilty of that in the past.
Is a project engineer really responsible & accountable for anything to everything happening on a project assigned to him? My response, every PM alive would appreciate a little help from the team. Going above your assignments makes you a key contributor and if I am assigned on your project, you will be my hero. Saving Changes...
I decode that you boss have a great confidence in you. Asking something from you when possibly knowing you are not experienced or don't yet have the knowledge.
Try to understand why you are being chosen to do it? Get you to enlarge your competency!
Then according to local culture you can act. Saving Changes...
Mike DewingSenior Project Manager / Program Manager| MLD Holdings Ltd.Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Honesty is always the best policy - if your not sure or aware of something then be honest about it and then volunteer to do the research so you can have an additional discussion on the issue. No surprises - as those can be very detrimental to your project / relationship with him. Saving Changes...
Deepesh RammoorthyICT Project Manager ( PMP®AgilePM®Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®))| Australian Red Cross Blood ServiceTarneit, Vic, Australia
Hi Aman
From personal experience, managers often tend to ask some questions which they know is not in the realm of your responsibilities. In this case, they want you to find out more information.
It just means your Boss trusts you and as per Vincent Guerard, you are his go to person
It would be good to use some polite words to show the commitment that you will try to get him the information that he wants
"Sir I appreciate you asking me this . I don't have an insight into this right now/ I haven't come across this situation in my work but I will ask some questions and get back to you . When do you want this response by?"
It would also be good to make it clear to your boss that whilst you can get others to give you information or do the additional work that your boss wants , your current scope of works will not let you devote more than x amount of time. But in that x amount of time, you must make sure that your friend or colleague is able to assist your boss with the information that he needs.
As Mike Dewing says, be honest and upfront. If you are unsure of something say so, but commit to find out more about it or ask someone about it . Saving Changes...
