3 experts have described difficult decisions they had to take in one project.
Now think about what was important for them in taking the decision the took. Would they act differently in a different context? Why?
(If you are part of an ongoing PM bootcamp cohort on DEXA, also copy your comment to your group)
I don’t think the three project managers in the video clip would have acted differently because the premises upon which their decisions were made emanated from their acquired skills and experience over the years.
In case 1: Termination of project early.
The truth is not all projects are bound to be successful. A successful project is not a completed project even though there are enough funds to finish it. If there are indications that the factors required for a project to be successfully completed are not favourable, I think it is the best thing to terminate it early in the interest of everyone on the project.
Case 2: Challenge in providing adequate water requirements for a games venue.
Project management is all about team work. When a project is being confronted a seemingly knotty issue as this, the onus lies on the project manager to engage all stakeholders on the project and brainstorm on how to solve the issue at hand. This is what the man involved in this case 2 did and at the end, everyone was happy as solution came.
Dealing with difficult situations in project execution does require a combination of experience, intelligence, and a range of essential skills. A good project manager should have the ability to anticipate potential issues, make informed decisions, and effectively communicate with stakeholders to ensure the project stays on track. Experience from previous projects can be a valuable resource in navigating challenges and ensuring the project’s success. Balancing different aspects of a project and knowing when to stop or pivot is crucial for efficient project management.
All the project managers might act differently but the result at the end will be the same. Their purpose is to deliver the project successful
Project managers often times makes difficult decisions for the good of the company as copied from the video. However, all the team members should be carried along in whatever decisions that’s being made. What they could’ve done differently was to have an alternative backup plan should incase the first plan didn’t work.
What was important for them in taking the decision here were
-Effective Communication and
-Collaboration
In a different context I believe they wouldn’t have acted differently because these important actions taken is the key skill of any project manager.
A project Manager thrives on problems. A lot is expected for the successful completion of a project. Hence, there’ll be times where the project manager would have to make difficult decisions. The main thing is that he should ensure everyone( Stakeholders, clients, team members) is carried along and there is no communication gap.
As a project manager, you are going to face situations where you have to make tough decisions because the ultimate responsibility for that project is yours.
One thing that is clear with the three managers is the fact that they ensured clear communication of the challenge, and involved all stakeholders in trying to find a great resolution, ultimately making the right decision for the project through collaboration. Also importantly, they took responsibility for the project.
Every project is different, and of course, different projects have different contexts, but regardless of the project, I think that they would still make sure that
communicating clearly and engaging stakeholders in reaching a resolution is paramount.
Dealing with difficult decisions is part of the job as a project manager. What I love about them is thier proactively countering the challenges . As PM we need to have a broad understanding and architecture of the project, from venue to everything about the machines needed and etc. Time wasting is not accepted , we need to be actively in search for solutions. I love how they tackled it, it’s shows how passionate they want to get the job done, and which is somthing every PM should have at the back of their mind. Getting the job done.
Isibhakhomen Angel Alimikhena
Dealing with difficult decisions in a common challenge in project management, All three PM were able to navigate through some of these processes
*Identify the problem
*Gather information
*Analyze option
*Access risks
*Consult stakeholders
*Prioritize criteria
*Make the decision
*Communicate
*Implement and monitor
*Learn and adapt
*Seek support
Note: Not all decisions will have straight forward solutions.
Developing strong decision-making skills is crucial for successful project management.
What stood out for me from what all 3 project managers said was the importance and effective communication and collaboration. In solving difficult issues, different heads have to come together with different perspectives and ideas.