Project Management Guru
prepared by Francina J. Price, PMP, MBA
Guru: An influential teacher or popular expert.
THESE ARTICLES WILL BE USED TO SHARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT TIPS AND INSIGHT OBTAINED THROUGH FIELD EXPERIENCE.
Starting with the end in mind, we continue the focus of our first tip…Lessons Learned. This process is critical and insightful. It deserves a fresh look with eyes of sincere appreciation. Here in lies the secrets to my success…
COMMUNICATION IS A CRITICAL PATH
Project Managers must be effective communicators. Each project requires a detailed communications plan and a thorough understanding of the leading mode of communication for each team member. As a PM, devising a platform that enables clear and consistent information to be shared across the project easily, empowers each member of the team. More than 80% of a Project Manager’s time is spent communicating.
Lessons Learned for Managing Change Management Projects:
Once I received a Project that had been started from another Project Manager. It only had a few months left until it was scheduled to close. I never questioned the Communications Plan or Methods of the team. I realized that no one was answering emails timely, nor sending updates, and the project was significantly behind. Additionally, there was missing scope and the team never really met or had regularly scheduled meetings to share information. Everyone was working independently. Immediately, I began to try and save the project but realized that there was so much missing data that it would be impossible. This project could have been successful if an effective Communications Plan and Strategy was shared; it cost the company 9 months of time and money.
After investigation, the previous Project Manager never reached out to the assigned team members, nor did the team members contact the PM. Several gaps in SOW was not obtained and the project was put together piece meal. The Project Manager felt like he understood the requirements so he wrote the SOW without team input.
Tips for other PMP’s:
- Establish rapport with each member early on in the project, this will lead to ensuring that there is no missed information that could be critical to the success of the project.
- Value each members knowledge base. They were placed on the team for a reason.
- Ask the question: Which is the best mode of communication for you? Simply understanding if it’s email, text, phone or face to face is best the way to gain information needed to move the project along. This will save a PM time and reduce the risk in the project.
- Develop a Communications Plan so that each member understands how, what and when information is to be shared.
Reflective Thought?
Can you share a story where lack of communication jeopardized the entire project or perhaps a part of the project? What are ways you can improve your Communications Plan or style?
We would like to hear from you, what other tips would you incorporate?
Thank you to Monteau Outlaw for sharing her insights on communication.