Welcome to Project Management in the REAL world!
There are myriad sources of info about how project management should be done in the ideal world. The real world is something else.
Projects are MESSY! From the minute the project begins all manner of changes, surprises and disasters befall them. Even when a project is carefully planned and properly kicked off, the plan changes before the ink is dry. Tact and diplomacy can only get you so far in the wild and whacky world of project management
Let’s admit it: project management is not for the faint of heart.
That’s why we’re launching the Silicon Valley Project Management Blog. This blog is about what REALLY happens in the project environment, how to survive it, even THRIVE in it. It’s about how to make sure that you and your team avoid the predictable and avoidable pitfalls that every project faces.
Our blog will rely on contributions and real world wisdom from people who have been in the PM trenches, and it’s sponsored by the UCSC Extension in Silicon Valley, which has been providing technical and business training for over 20 years.
We’ve all been there. Now it’s time to share our experience, best practices and everyday wisdom with the rest of the world, spreading the word about good (and bad) project management practices.
I’ll be acting as chief editor and blog ringleader. But the success of the blog will depend on you. Your ideas. Your perspectives. Your strategies.
I look forward to hearing from you and sharing your stories and insights.
Projects are messy because….people are complicated. The same people that bring the enabling technological skills also bring the self-doubts, energy, resentment, lack of experience in playing well with others, sweeping ambitions, varied knowledge, desire to dominate, etc. that need to be managed as much as the hardware and the venture capital.
Best practice? Think about the people – what motivates them, what excites them, what effect the management structure and the PM activities have on each person’s work.
Reply
Projects are messy does not apply to project managers with proper project management skills. Most important components of the project are compromised of team members. Project manager should act like captain with all team members on the same boat. Motivating each member, providing directing/coaching/supporting/delegating roles to different level of team members and drive the boat fast and safely to the destination. Project will not be a mess anymore. From my own experience, rewards incensitive is not as powerful as keep team members informed about project progress such that everyone felt he/she plays an important role in the project.
Reply