A very big deal is being made about workplace models as we shift into whatever our new normal looks like. But none of this is at all new. The problem is that we simply don’t follow the guidelines, the recommendations, the research and what we know works well.
How do we ensure that project managers can be empowered to drive the decisions that organizations need—while still being supported by those organizations? And how can that be achieved in an environment where leaders can drive overall strategy without having to be involved in every key decision?
The forces that are driving changes in perceptions in projects, in process and in how we work in teams are real, significant and not going away any time soon. The pressure to deliver—and do so quickly—is continuing to ramp up. That has some fundamental implications for organizations, how they think about projects and how they think about project management.
If we assume that we all want our projects to be as successful as possible, we need to take note of what actually drives performance and adapt our behaviors accordingly. A new report offers some insight.
Successful program managers create an atmosphere where team members aren’t afraid if they fail early and adjust. In return, they expect transparency, honesty, loyalty, engagement and alignment on objectives. By encouraging input from everyone, they bring out the best in their teams.
Long thought to only be useful, beneficial and cost effective to larger firms, smaller businesses are also able to incorporate the advantages of a learning management system—a software application/service that helps organizations track, document, report and deliver educational courses and training programs to a workforce.
As our global world continues to shrink nearly proportionally to how technology tends to grow, so does our ability to exploit virtual environments to maximize economies of scale, reach broader audiences and make personal connections. This article discusses what PMs should consider when planning virtual training.
Art works because of structure, process and honesty. If we want our projects to truly deliver results that we care about, we should take lessons from the world of the arts and apply them to our own projects and organizations.
No matter how committed to societal priorities they are, many project managers don’t see how they can influence progress on these issues. What can we as PMs do to change that?