Strengthening and Enforcing Our Profession

In order to be an efficient project manager (PM), we should always check out our definition of project management. Definitions surprisingly vary greatly by organization and individual. we should always take care about calling something project management that basically isn't . Doing so often confuses the profession. Call it what it's . If an edge is more administrative, add this label. If an edge is more holistic with overall responsibility and leadership for the success of the project, I'd be more inclined to call it project management. Well defined roles aren't only essential for the organization and individual, except for the profession at large.


If someone is employed to providing project leadership and overall project responsibility under a PM title, certain expectations are set. If subsequent opportunity doesn't provide an equivalent opportunities and expectations both the organization and individual may experience issues. Likewise if someone is during a lower level position where they simply schedule meetings and follow-up on action items, this individual may develop an inappropriate perception of project management. Remember, a real PM is liable for all aspects of the project, including management of scope, time, cost, quality, procurement, human resources, communication, risk management, stakeholder management, and integration. I'd even take this list a step further and involve the PM in scope discussions during business development. It's never too early to involve the author for top stakes efforts.


Other pet peeves of mine are a scarcity of study and a scarcity of communication skills. Project management isn't about producing reports or documents, but managing to make sure project success. Project data is important to make sure success, but without analysis and interpretation it's strictly administrative data. I'm also often amazed at the shortage of communication in project management. Strong PMs spend eighty to ninety percent of their time communicating. this does not mean just forwarding emails, but providing impact analysis and proposals . And my final complaint (for this posting!) centers on improperly handling situations by escalating all items or informing all parties of all developments. This goes along side communication. Determine your stakeholders and the way you'll interact with those stakeholders. it's going to be easier to repeat everyone involved, but it isn't about what's easy.

Let's do our part to strengthen the standard of our profession and improve the standard of our projects.