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)
How could this be mitigated?
Project managers could work alongside the team to show their own willingness to work overtime and during festivities.
Making additional services and facilities available for team members with families who may appreciate arrangements such as babysitting and transport services to make up for longer working hours.
Awarding additional days off at the end of the project, as compensation for the demanding commitments of the project.
Understanding is key . Understanding the stakeholders and their needs and also the decision they are making or have made in respect to the project at hand during difficult situations also ability to communicate effectively to other key players
When navigating challenging discussions, prioritizing communication with all cross-functional team members is essential.
For terminating a project early ;the project manager in consultation with the donor and the project team can look for local community based organizations that have the capacity of taking over the implementation and use the available funding in building the capacity of the very local based organizations.
For inability to deliver;the organization should hold a standard of 75% capacity to the party given the responsibility to deliver a particular service and conduct a pre-visit to conduct an audit of the capacity to deliver
For the project managers, I believe what was important for them in taking those decisions was if after all is said and done, is if everything is still aligned to the project goal that was set at the start.
Options to either continue a project, terminate or change course must be clearly set out to enable all stakeholders deliberate before a decision will be made and communication is key for this to happen.
And yes, the project managers could have acted differently in different scenarios because each situation is unique and will need different skills, methods and techniques to handle it.
Basically in any PM setting, open communication with all stakeholder is very key. Its the responsibility of the P. Manager to set the tone at the onset of the Project in this regard. Thereafter outlining in very clear terms the purpose and the deliverables of the project is essential. Once the project objective is clear then working in concert towards the common goal is half solved. Along the line in case project variation arises bringing disagreement on its trail, its easier to navigate the terrain by reaching out to the initial project goal ( the project road map) for fine tuning, adjustment or amendment so long conviviality of communication, respect and trust reign.
In the terminating of any project, the PM firstly should have communicated with the specialist team members, community representatives and one else who knows and understands the effect of the challenge(s) before the PM communicates with the client relating the challenges and the reason(s) why the project termination is the best solution.
At all time, in handling difficulties in different scenarios, the key factor should be “understanding” the difficulties on ground and possible ways to fix them. Understanding would give room to a better report to the necessary members of the team. The focal point for me would just be, in writing or verbally, always communicate with understanding, listen to understand and always make sure you understand and also, you’re being understood.
Understanding is key in dealing with difficult situations. Seek to understand the stakeholders involved and the reason for the decisions they made or are making. This would enable you to deal well with the outcomes.
Before making a decision, gather as much relevant information as possible. This may involve consulting team members, stakeholders, subject matter experts, and relevant documentation to fully understand the situation. For instance, a project may have reduced priority and resources may need to be deployed elsewhere or maybe prevailing events may have made the project no longer feasible. Whichever way pulling the plug on a project tough call.
My humble opinion is that in a different situation the difficult decision that well
Managed by the three experts would have met with a different approach or response if they lack project management skills to handle such situation