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)
Dealing with issues has already been said as part of project managers, but issues are dealt in different ways and perspective. We all have a way of dealing with issues, so in this case the issues will be dealt with different because of their morals and empathy concerning that situation.
Dealing with difficult issues is part of being a Project manager, it is inevitable. However, the recipe for dealing with this issues is always almost found in the kind of decision to be made, the issue involved and the stakeholders in play. I believe the project managers in the video did was necessary at the time, and handled the issues perfectly.
Project managers deal with issues differently depending on the nature of the problem. It is pertinent that project manager must showcase a high level of knowledge as well as empathy in dealing with an issue that may concern the team member and the organization.
Dealing with issues and taking important decision is one of the skill for a PM.They did exactly what they were meant to do.They would have also acted the same in different context using a different approach.
Its basically all about decision making and updating the stake holders.
As project managers, dealing with difficult decision in project management calls for a well-thought-out methodology. For the three Project managers ,each of them managed the difficulty in the best way they could. They openly analyzed the situation having gathered relevant data and information on the state of the project, engaged the stakeholders in the best way to get their views and concerns. They were ethical and followed due rules in their engagement. They were flexible in a few cases in getting the best of their teammates. They considered the pros and cons where necessary, in taken their choices. In each of their decisions, they had positive dispositions and impact despite the challenging situation and decision made. They ensured the stakeholders are clearly carried along having communicated the rationale behind the decision and got their feedback.
I believe they could have reacted differently in difference context, however whatever their reaction, I believe it will still be the best decision they can take in a challenging situation taking into consideration the stakeholders, holding forth the best values and ethics.
Familua Adeniyi
Cohort 15, Team 1
From the explanations of the experts, they would only try to save the situation and so can do whatsover that is right to be done. That would vary depending on the situation at hand and what needs to be done.
During the course of running a project, there are instances where you would need to make difficult decisions as a project manager.
One thing peculiar to the experts is their ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders involved while analysing the situation on ground and thinking of possible alternatives. They were able to do this by considering the available resources,nature of project,technical issues e.t.c. Also, they were patient and calm enough to address the challenges. I believe that in a different situation, they wouldn’t act so differently because even though each project is unique, as a P. M, you need to be able to adapt to situations, be transparent with every stakeholder involved and think of possible alternatives.
Listening to the experts on the unique challenges they all faced in their different projects,one would realize that every project comes with it’s uniqueness, and proffering solutions to challenges must be a strong point of any project manager and with each decision a project manager arrives at, it must still uphold the value of the firm,this w
Can either make him or discredit him
.
So,every Project manager MUST possess these skills Communication skill,Critical Thinking, risk analysis ,risk manager ,teamwork and transparency .
Mnena
Cohort 15, Team 7
Project management is a challenging task because it requires the ability of a PM to make difficult decisions to have the ability to impact negatively or positively to organisational goals.
What was important to them, was how the decision and management skill (as regards the challenges faced) could impact on the project and organisational target. For instance, the speaker said, “it can be very painful to terminate a project early” but important consideration here is the reason behind the decision.
Would they act differently in a different context? Why?
Yes, because in most cases, different situations require different approaches.
Life itself is characterized by various challenges, and so a project is not immune to challenges. Of course, there might have been a vision for embarking on a project with good intentions but sometimes life happens which could lead to a change in priority, thus putting a pause, redirection, or entirely stopping a project regardless of how far it has gone or how much has been spent.
however, there could also be a good reason why a project has to be paused, redirected or stopped.
Whichever the case, in situations like this just as mentioned in the video, communicating with details to the various tiers of stakeholders is very key. Show empathy and in some cases compensating the project team for time spent might be a great thing to do. Other situations might require the Project manager to come up with a solution for the project to continue, either way communicating with stakeholders is Key.
Mary Ayo
One thing I noticed from the three experts is that there is a target they must achieve, they focused on the goal. And if I was in their shoes I wouldn’t have acted differently.
It was painful to have cancelled a project half way because of the efforts that have been put in to it.
But she had empathy and was able to manage the situation and speak with her team.