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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I think all the decisions taken by each and everyone of the PMs where on point. As a PM you must think and see beyond others in other to showcase your problem solving skills.
Any other scenario would have been managed the same way to get a perfect goal. Collaboration, communicate and discuss the pros and cons, if there is a little difficulty or disagreements, take people back to the goals , be transparent and finally ensure egos are kept aside.
The issue of terminating project in progress most at there is need for pm bear in mind the risk in carrying out a project and I the project manager is able prepare for the risk at he will not be off track when that challenge comes
Communication :This was very important in helping the three experts in taking their decisions .As a project manager we should learn to convey our words clearlyfor better understanding.
When it comes to dealing with people, especially when they are from different works of life, Emotional Intelligence is very essential as a skill. This fully came into play with the Project Managers, as a form of adapting to what works for the Stakeholders
They also considered that it would be best to manage their clients & all Stakeholders involved diplomatically. For the expert who had to find a way to communicate with his Stakeholders even when he had a language problem… he went the extra mile & found a way to balance communication. At the end, it was a win-win
I agree with the thoughts that some of my colleagues have shared here, as to whether the Project Managers will act differently on different contexts. Yes they will, because Projects come in different forms, sizes & challenges, so also is the solution & reaction
There are conditions that warrant taking some decision as a project manager to terminate project. This could be painful knowing fully well that the stakeholders has invested their time and efforts.
The reasons for such decision could be well beyond their scope. For example, terminating project because of force majeure, technical and financial reasons are all beyond the scope of the PM.
They would act differently in the same context because of the uniqueness of the project and even the stakeholders. Bei as it may, for any such decision to terminate project to be effective, all the relevant parties/stakeholders must be involved.
These Project Managers wouldn’t act the same obviously, because each case was peculiar and unique.
They all had something in common.
Communication
Discipline
Proactive
Client satisfaction and quality assurance are very important factors that could motivate their decision. Carthy’s situation was tough but she has to as a PM put her clients first – her team will always understand.
For the second expert having water issue,so far as his client was satisfied,the extra cost of solving the challenge did not count much since all the stakeholders deliberated well on it before taking the decision of installing the pipe.
And this is why it is a plus to communicate in the same language or one everyone is fluent because it makes communication flow freely and easily and solutions arrived at faster.
The expert with Language difficulty should in some cases involve or make use of an interpreter to be on the same page with his stakeholders.
Would they act differently in a different context?
I believe they would. Every project is unique with different risks and requirements – even the Stakeholders may be different too. For example,the second expert may focus more on cutting cost if his client is not buoyant enough while Carthy would have negotiated for may be cutting cost.
They would act differently in a different context: different project, different decision and approach.
They project managers acted based on the project at hand, while also considering their customers satisfaction.
Project manage all heard their team in mind when they making those decisions for projects.A good team equals a good work done. Also had the satisfaction of the client at heart to inorder for continuity.
With all this in mind they made different decisions base on the different situations on ground not neglecting their customers satisfaction and their team also.