Don't Ignore the Basics of Project Management

 
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Don't Ignore the Basics of Project Management
Mads, US
While I agree with most comments in this excellent forum on project management - I do feel that sometimes we tend to overstate the complexities in PM.
I have seen project managers become very successful with nothing more than diligence in the basics - like collecting status, providing updates, periodic communication, appropriate escalation, reviewing progress, when appropriate asking for several opinions, treating your customers and team members with courtesy, etc.
In most projects 70-80% of your challenges can be overcome through a steady focus on the basics - typically everybody else pretty much falls in line.
Tasks perceived to be more complex - such as customer management, team management, vendor management, motivating team members, etc will all become much easier if you can simply focus on the basics. 		 

 
Focus on the Critical 20 Percent in your Project
Danny, Manager, United Arab Emirates
Totally agree Mads. Never forget the Pareto principle as well, work out early what the important 20 percent is and manage that 20% with great diligence to reduce the projects overall complexity. This is what you should report on, the rest will take care of itself.
  

 
Basics of Project Management are Not Enough
David Dicanot, Analyst, France
Hello, although I totally agree with this principle to always come back to the basics in project management, I would just add the comment that project manager responsibility is more and more diluted in complicated matrix organizations.
The consequence is that her/his management capabilities, influencing people capabilities and network corresponds to the higher part of of his activity than in a basic application of project management.
What I mean is that people in project teams are less and less dedicated to these projects.
The project manager doesn't manage resources dedicated to the project, but managers whose resources are involved in the project.
As a consequence, different objectives in term of time, costs, availability and final target can occur within projects.
  

 







 

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