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)
In the case of an impromptu challenge like the inadequacy of water distribution for the event, it is very necessary that all stakeholders device necessary strategies to see to it and that can only happen through effective communication. In this case, certain organization values might need to be overlooked in order to get the job done. Although, companies do have their contingency plans for cases like that but, there are cases where events unplanned might occur and will require the project manager and other necessary stakeholders to sit down and device strategies for it. This is why the project manager has to be skilled at negotiating the project at the initial phase so as not to put the company at loss.
communication and meeting deadline is the key to effective project management,
Reply
Now for the 3 scenario.
I would say communication was important. All stakeholders directly or indirectly involved in this were consulted. So this helped to analyze the financial or time delay burden that will be geared for the project success.
If there was a different context, I don’t think they will act differently. Communication is still key. Solution is what was needed, but we know that it has to be communicated with the cost of putting it to effect.
communication and meeting deadline is the key to effective project management, i think they can but most times some things are inevitable.
Lack of adequate communication attract difficult decision making.
So effective communication is key to favorable negotiation.
The most important thing for them to make a decision was communicating, all they needed was communicate with their teams to see reasons why they couldn’t go further with the project and why they need to deliver to their clients.
Do not be afraid to communicate no matter what the news is or how difficult the decision is.
When there is lack of communication decisions will be difficult and unfavorable
Like we learnt in our previous lessons as a project manager, do not be afraid to communicate, no matter how difficult a decision is. Communication makes all the difference in the way a team functions. Even though sometimes it comes across as Been soulless. Communication is key
The decision to terminate a project early:
Importance: The experts may prioritize factors such as project feasibility, resource allocation, financial implications, and stakeholder interests when deciding whether to terminate a project early. They may weigh the potential risks and benefits of continuing the project against the costs and consequences of termination.
Context: In a different context, such as if the project is critical to the organization’s strategic objectives or if there are significant sunk costs invested in the project, the experts may approach the decision differently. They may be more inclined to explore alternative solutions, renegotiate project scope or timelines, or seek additional resources to mitigate risks and salvage the project.
Drawing on supply:
Importance: The experts may consider factors such as supply chain reliability, cost-effectiveness, quality control, and long-term sustainability when deciding whether to draw on supply. They may assess the availability of alternative suppliers, the impact on production schedules, and the potential for supply chain disruptions.
Context: In a different context, such as if there are geopolitical tensions affecting the availability of certain supplies or if there are concerns about ethical sourcing practices, the experts may act differently. They may prioritize diversification of supply sources, invest in supply chain resilience measures, or explore opportunities for vertical integration to reduce dependency on external suppliers.
Not working with his native language:
Importance: The experts may consider factors such as language proficiency, cultural competency, communication effectiveness, and project requirements when deciding whether to work in a non-native language. They may assess their own language skills, the availability of language support resources, and the potential impact on project outcomes and stakeholder relationships.
Context: In a different context, such as if the project involves complex technical specifications or legal requirements that necessitate fluency in a specific language, the experts may act differently. They may prioritize hiring bilingual staff, engaging language interpreters or translators, or partnering with local experts to bridge language and cultural barriers and ensure effective communication and collaboration.
In each of these scenarios, the experts’ decision-making processes are influenced by a combination of internal and external factors, including project objectives, resource constraints, stakeholder interests, and contextual considerations. While the underlying principles guiding their decisions may remain consistent across different contexts, the specific actions they take may vary based on the unique challenges and opportunities presented in each situation.
Communication was the most important step they took. The project manager communicated the project’s challenges to the team and stakeholders which enabled them to know if the project was to be continued or if it would be pulled. Would they have acted differently in a different scenario? Definitely, cos all projects are not the same in terms of time, budgeting etc
From the different case studies, the most important thing for them to make these decisions was communication. All 3 project managers made sure they communicated with their team and worked with them to see the reason why they couldn’t go further with projects or why they needed to put more effort in other to deliver to their clients.
I also noticed that every project had its pecks, different budget, Scope, and time. As a project manager, you need to know what approach best works for your client.
According to the discussion so far, effective communication is one of the things we should do in such moment in other to address the issue.
Every projects has different scope, time and budget. So tackling of problems in the project will have to be based on how it was been planned, seeing where the errors are and fixing it.