Project Management Archives

Too Many Projects Chasing Too Few Resources in the Strategy-Starved Organization

Saying "No" to new projects and "No More" to projects in process are difficult for the best of firms and impossible for organizations without a clear strategy and the supporting processes. The participants in strategy-starved organizations have no context for decision-making and unless that context is created, are destined to founder and likely sink while the crew focuses on constantly rearranging the deck chairs. Armed with the context of strategy, project portfolio management is still a difficult task requiring unceasing commitment from the executives and constant vigilance at the project management level. If you are currently running around with a deckchair in your hands, it's time for you to look at the captain and officers and start asking the strategic questions.

By Art Petty|2024-08-08T13:50:38-05:00April 27th, 2008|1,770 Legacy Leadership Caffeine and Management Articles|0 Comments

Coping Strategies for the Project Manager Facing an Executive Mandate on Schedule

A management team well attuned to rapidly emerging market forces might recognize an opportunity that can be leveraged for significant gain and competitive advantage if the organization acts quickly. It is management's prerogative and responsibility to identify and motivate the organization to act and seize these opportunities, even at the expense of order and business as usual.

By Art Petty|2024-08-08T13:50:49-05:00April 13th, 2008|1,770 Legacy Leadership Caffeine and Management Articles|0 Comments

From Strategy-Starved to Strategy-Fueled: It’s All About Communication

It's critical for leaders to recognize that organizations that broadly understand their strategy and employees that specifically understand how their activities and decisions impact strategy execution are going to defeat less-enlightened competitors. Strategy is not an abstract concept reserved for the deep-thought thinking sessions of senior leaders. Strategy is a powerful leadership tool to engage the hearts and minds of associates and to fuel performance.

By Art Petty|2024-08-08T13:50:58-05:00April 2nd, 2008|1,770 Legacy Leadership Caffeine and Management Articles|1 Comment

It’s Time to Recognize the Project Manager as a Leader

The most challenging leadership positions are the informal roles where an individual leads based on his or her credibility and capability without the backing of a formal reporting structure. These positions are often characterized by a high-level or responsibility for results with little direct authority over the people doing the work. The role of Project Manager matches this description perfectly, with organizations increasingly looking to the individuals charged with project or program management to play key roles in executing on strategic priorities. Unfortunately, in many organizations, the role of Project Manager is inappropriately disconnected from the strategy process and is often viewed and treated by executives as a mid-level or administrative role. This is wrong. Senior executives would be wise to tap into the unique skills, insights and capabilities of the best Project Managers as they look to build out their leadership teams and to propel their organizations faster.

By Art Petty|2024-08-08T13:51:00-05:00March 30th, 2008|1,770 Legacy Leadership Caffeine and Management Articles|1 Comment

Improving The Executive and Project Manager Relationship

As professional project management practices (and project managers) grow in importance to a firm's success (see my post: Struggling With Strategy? Think Project Management), it is critical that top leaders learn how to support the process rather than beat it into submission. And because as the saying goes, "it takes two to tango," Project Managers need to learn how to "manage" their executives to minimize unproductive involvement or outright interference.

By Art Petty|2024-08-08T13:51:08-05:00March 16th, 2008|1,770 Legacy Leadership Caffeine and Management Articles|2 Comments

Struggling with Strategy? Think Project Management!

Strategy is a healthy mix of art and science. Unfortunately, too many organizations approach strategy as if were alchemy. Adding formal project management practices to the strategy program increases the “science” component and improves a firm’s chances of success for a successful initiative as well as for sustaining of an on-going, healthy program.

By Art Petty|2024-08-08T13:51:10-05:00March 12th, 2008|1,770 Legacy Leadership Caffeine and Management Articles|3 Comments