The effective engagement of end-users is critical to the success of a new system implementation but can be the most challenging part of the project. The author recommends three inter-related sets of strategies (collaboration, coaching, and communication) along with suggestions for how and when they can best be implemented.
What do you do when you’re unnoticed but your important project has needs? It’s all on you at this point, so you look for ways to promote your project to senior management so you can get the things you need. Here are three things to try.
Problem solving is an essential skill to handle the issues project managers encounter on a daily basis. Effective problem solving circles around the people element—how you relate and interact with people has a major impact on how effectively and how quickly you can solve problems.
In complex infrastructure projects, external stakeholders may have the greatest impact due to land acquisition problems, right of way issues, environmental issues, and government regulations. Using case studies, this article presents the challenges of stakeholder management and supplies tools to help find solutions and ensure positive outcomes.
Stakeholder management is critical to the success or failure of a project. The core team process is an important tool for ensuring buy-in and fostering collaboration throughout the business. It is also a means for collecting ongoing input for the team, which will reduce your level of project risk. Most importantly, it will allow you to manage your stakeholders effectively by actively including them in the project life cycle.
To achieve the best results, a project manager needs a steering committee functioning in a supportive and effective manner. You are the captain of the ship but some of the steering committee members may enjoy watching you “walk on the plank,” as if they want to throw you out to the sharks. Sound familiar? Here are some tips and techniques that may help the next time you encounter this situation.
Are modern organizations successful in helping employees at every level see how the work they do contributes to the success of the organization—as well as the success of their customers?
Ignore emotional intelligence at your own risk. As a project manager, much of what we do is based on exercising EI. We are responsible for inspiring, motivating and influencing team members—and we must use EI first to get our mental health in order, then to help promote collaboration.
Interpersonal skills can often be the most challenging aspect of emotional intelligence. Here we focus on the importance of empathy (understanding and being aware of people's feelings) and social skills (knowing how to work with others in various situations). How do you measure up?
What conditions need to be satisfied for your project to be complete, and who will have to agree? The last thing you want is a debate on these questions as your project winds down. Here are some suggestions, including a stakeholder questionnaire, for preventing this end-game dilemma, so you can focus on the post-project celebration.
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"Drawing on my fine command of language, I said nothing." - Mark Twain |
