It was all PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge), WBS (Work Breakdown Structure), critical paths, forecasting, tracking and wretched Gant Charts. Now while all these wonderful tools, techniques and expensive all singing all dancing super software packages are useful I don't believe they are essential to the success of a project. Before you sharpen your knives and pens to write and tell me there are literally hundreds of projects being successfully managed everyday, using all of the above, let me explain.
I believe there are also hundreds of projects being mismanaged. There is one important, very important element which is being ignored. This critical element can't be written into a software package, and most project management courses touch only briefly on it. The key ingredient is communication, simple plain honest communication.
A project manager's ability to communicate ideas, results and issues to all stakeholders in the appropriate manner, at the appropriate time has the single most critical impact on a projects success or failure. To ignore this critical element is to do so at your own peril.
Our new project manager has studied the PMBOK and, secure in her understanding of all the skills and techniques needed to undertake this project, she strides confidently into her first stakeholder meeting. The usual suspects are waiting, Mr. Snipe, Miss Whine, Mr. Anti-Change and Mrs. Letshaveameeting. The fun begins.
Not one of the skills and techniques outlined in the PMBOK will save her from the waiting piranhas. The only answer is communication skills. The ability to identify the psychological make up of the people you will be dealing with on a regular basis and learning how to communicate with them in THEIR language.
By understanding the needs and backgrounds of the various stakeholders early on our new Project Manager will be able to more easily contain any issues which may arise. She will also be able to play the delicate balancing game which is business needs versus egos.
Communication skills, along with a thick skin and a strong backbone will assist in successful project outcomes far more than another any expensive piece of software or WBS course.
Steve Rogers is the co-founder of ITPM, an Australian professional services company that manages the design and implementation of information technology and telecommunications projects for enterprises. You can contact Steve by e-mail at srogers@itpm.com or visit ITPM on the Web at www.itpm.com .
This is absolutely on target.