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?
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In project management, communication is key for relating or resolving issues, tasks and progress with both clients and the teams members.
Communication is like a lubricant for project managers.
In project management, the ability to transmit and transcribe messages correctly is when communication has taken place. However, one of the difficult decisions/challenge is ineffective communication which is non-negotiable to the actualisation of excellent delivery of a project.
Also, the risk to halt or terminate a project underway is another difficult task to do. The time, knowledge etc invested in the project may pose a great loss to the team.
Dealing with tough decision can be very challenging, but has a project manager, having this qualities would help you to make better decision. Effective communication helps a project manager convey decision transparently. collaboration ensures diverse perspectives among the people involve in the project, this would give room for the project manager to use his/her interpersonal relationship skill in bringing people together to support, and also share ideas which would help the project manager in making decision.
The challenges faced especially with the need to terminate a project is really a big take. I admire the approach of packaging the bad news and being able to communicate it effectively as much as it is a very frustrating event.
The language barrier issue especially when working with international clients is a whole new perspective that Si actually the new norm. So many lessons here.
Dealing with angry and frustrated contractors /stakeholders, is breath taking experience. I see very valuable lessons, being composed, remaining objective, addressing issues objectively, solving new changes in the journey of a project and even at times, terminating it altogether.
the project Managers in the videos handled their challenges the best way possible at the given time.
Dealing with difficult and uncomfortable situation is one of the things a project manager should be prepared handle and in some cases you have to come to a compromise, you may have to decide to terminate a project early after weighing the pros and cons of continuing the project.
Communication is key for a project manager as it helps to relate issues, tasks and progress with both clients and the teams members
Communication is key to Project manager. The PM must understand the difficulty and must be able to come up with favorable decisions
Every other context would have accepted the decision they made.
Why because in the case of projects, a client would not just wake up to cancel a project i progress knowing fully well they amount of time, money and resources that had gone into that project. So it is in the hands of the project manager and stakeholders involved in the project to sit together to understand what really is happening and why it is happening. that way, both parties are better aquainted with developments and make peace with client’s decisions. Without doubt, the needs of the client comes first as far as they are within the values of the stakeholders involved in the project.
the important thing is that the project manager understood the challenges of stakeholders and helped them in the best way they could to bring the desire to accomplishment.
As a project manager, dealing with difficult situations is almost inevitable which is why we are on the project. A project manager must be able to assert himself/herself to proffer solutions. Different situations warrant different measures hence, the project manager must be ready to think outside the box and improvise most importantly checking with the team and carrying everyone along.
Yes, there are situations when as a project manager you have to take some difficult decisions. However, the decision a project manager would take depends on the circumstances surrounding the project.
For instance, a project manager cannot continue with a project which its sponsors have pulled out of. Of course the project belongs to the sponsor who also is funding it and when the sponsor decides not to continue, the PM would have no choice but the end the project.
Again, taking difficult decisions can be challenging to a PM. In the case of the water project, the PM was able to bring together major stakeholders to reach a conclusion on his alternative towards ensuring consistent supply of water to the venue during the event. It was also good that the sponsor accepted his decision and was willing to pay for the change.
Regards.
Difficult situations leading to difficult decisions come as unforeseen during a project, as one of the Project Managers said He had to get an alternative source of water as a buffer during the games and that solved the problem completely even for the future use of that venue.
This was the best decision to be taken since the project timeline might not accommodate options such as sinking a new borehole within the facility.