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)
Communication is one of the most important skills you can have. It’s the ability to share your thoughts, feelings, and ideas with others in a way they can understand. Communication is essential in difficult situations. That’s because it can be hard to express yourself clearly when things are tough. in context when risk compliance is in check, they were able to weight the risk of the decisions they took and had the best possible result.
Difficult decisions like terminating impactful project in highly insecure locations .
Resigning from the project to joined a project with better staff welfare.
Implementing a project in a hostile community.
Adapting to strange culture and languages.
In project planning communication is key in that sense language barrier is inevitable so as a project manager u should be vast in languages because you might not get an interpreter Early enough to help negotiate with a client or pass vital information.
planning is also an important part planning ahead of activities to be done during the project.to ensure a perfect work nd result.
Onaivi fidelia ozavize
Team 10
iI think language barrier is one of the biggest and most difficult situation in Project management. This is because project management has to do with a lot of verbal communication and in fact, communication is 80% of all business procedures
The three of them couldn’t have taken same decision because of their different peculiarities.
Organization
Local community
And International community.
Considering these three different characteristics, we should come to realize that what can only remain constant was taken decision, but the decision taken at each level would differ from the othe for the following reasons among others:
– the characteristics of the project situation
– the characteristics of the community
– the characteristics of the culture
– the characteristics of the staffs
-the characteristics of the particular values of the client
– the ethical demand
– the regulatory demands
Olubunmi Johnson,
Cohort 13, Team 1
From their explanation of the situations, each of them acted in a manner very professional of a project manager and thus, were able to achieve result. The challenges they faced were basically that of collaboration and communication. They each displayed the importance of effective communication in achieving collaboration. Therefore i do not think there was other way they could have manage to achieve result outside the effective deployment of communication skills to bring all stakeholders to a place of understanding of the goals of the project which left everyone happy in the end.
Perhaps, one can not really tell if he will act differently until he is inside the same situation. but on this, I may not act totally different in similar situations as described by the project manager, however, one thing was a major contributor to their solution and that is Language or communication. When there is language barrier this makes understand alien. hence, it underscores the importance of communication, and that with effective communication, whatever difficulty encountered can be surpassed.
When there is language barrier, the need for an interpreter become inevitable as a project manager otherwise you are going to encounter great challenges that may lead to failure of project.
In addition, proper planning and effective communication is key to a successful project management.
Ensuring effective communication among team members, stakeholders, and external parties is crucial for project success but can be difficult to maintain.
Establish Clear Communication Channels: Set up regular communication channels such as team meetings, email updates, and project management software platforms to ensure everyone is informed about project progress, changes, and challenges.
Define Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of team members and stakeholders to avoid confusion and ensure accountability for communication tasks.
Active Listening: Encourage active listening among team members and stakeholders to ensure everyone feels heard and understood, fostering open communication and trust.
Use Multiple Communication Modes: Recognize that different individuals prefer different communication methods. Utilize a variety of communication modes such as emails, phone calls, video conferences, and in-person meetings to accommodate diverse preferences and needs.
Provide Training and Resources: Offer training on effective communication techniques and tools to team members to enhance their communication skills and ensure they are equipped to communicate effectively in various situations.
Document Key Information: Maintain clear and concise documentation of project plans, decisions, and actions to serve as a reference for all stakeholders and minimize misunderstandings.
Manage Expectations: Set clear expectations regarding communication frequency, preferred channels, and response times to ensure alignment among team members and stakeholders.
Encourage Feedback: Create a culture of open feedback where team members feel comfortable providing input and raising concerns about communication processes and issues.
Address Communication Barriers: Identify and address communication barriers such as language barriers, time zone differences, or cultural differences proactively to facilitate effective communication among diverse team members and stakeholders.
Regular Check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins with team members and stakeholders to assess communication effectiveness, address any challenges or issues, and make necessary adjustments to improve communication processes.
Conflict Resolution: Develop strategies for resolving conflicts or misunderstandings that may arise due to communication breakdowns promptly and constructively.
Lead by Example: Project managers should lead by example by demonstrating effective communication practices, actively engaging with team members and stakeholders, and fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration.
I will not act totally different if faced with situations as described by the project manager, however, one thing was a major contributor to their solution and that is COMMUNICATION. this makes me understand that with effective communication, whatever difficulty encountered can be surpassed.