Project Management Journal’s Post

Law 40: “Despise the Free Lunch” In Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power, Law 40 teaches us that what comes for free often comes with hidden strings attached. In project management, this law couldn’t be more relevant. Whether it’s time, resources, or knowledge, nothing in a project is truly “free.” Every decision and shortcut has a cost. As project managers, we must weigh the real value behind every offer or favor. Free services may lead to scope creep, or “free” time may set unrealistic expectations for future deliverables. Instead of chasing “free,” invest in the right tools, people, and processes. Prioritize quality and sustainability over short-term gains. By paying your way upfront, you ensure control, maintain trust with stakeholders, and drive long-term success for your projects. #ProjectManagement #Leadership #48LawsOfPower #ProfessionalGrowth #SuccessMindset

Law 45: Preach the Need for Change, but Never Reform Too Much at Once In The 48 Laws of Power, Law 45 emphasizes the importance of embracing change but cautions against overwhelming people with too much at once. This lesson is particularly relevant in project management, where leading teams through transformation requires a strategic and empathetic approach. As a project manager, I’ve learned that driving change successfully involves balancing innovation with stability. Introducing new systems, tools, or processes can increase efficiency, but too many changes at once can lead to confusion, resistance, and burnout. Here are three ways to apply Law 45 in project management: 1. Prioritize Incremental Change: Start with small, impactful adjustments that address immediate pain points. Allow your team to adapt before rolling out more significant reforms. 2. Communicate Clearly: Keep the team informed about why changes are happening and how they benefit the overall project. Understanding the purpose behind each shift makes the team more likely to embrace it. 3. Build Trust First: Before implementing change, ensure you’ve earned the trust of your stakeholders. People are more willing to follow a leader they believe in. Change is essential for growth, but progress is sustainable when done step by step. #ProjectManagement #ChangeManagement #Leadership #ContinuousImprovement #48LawsOfPower

Addressing Poor Project Performance: A Holistic Approach 2024-07-16 AsSalam... Hello everyone, Norzul here to share some insights! Poor project performance across your portfolio can stem from multiple factors. One effective way to understand and address the root causes is by using the People-Process-Tools (PPT) Framework. 1. People: Ensure the right skills, proper communication, and effective leadership are in place. 2. Process: Evaluate and optimize workflows, methodologies, and procedures for efficiency and consistency. 3. Tools: Utilize the appropriate technology and tools to support project management and execution. By analyzing and improving these three critical components, organizations can significantly enhance their project outcomes. How do you address poor project performance? Share your thoughts and strategies in the comments below! Special thanks to Independent Project Analysis for the insightful case study on improving project performance. #NorzulInspires #LeadershipMoment #CLIMPS #ProjectManagement #OrganizationalDevelopment #ResourceManagement #PortfolioManagement #ProcessImprovement #EffectiveLeadership #TechnologyTools

Human Tendencies: A Menace To Projects (Part 1)👺 Let me begin by outlining the problem; 🎯 Project team often see termination of projects as the end of the road rather than the start of new ideas and exciting opportunities to see what works and what didn't work Wrong perception when managing project can be very costly. 🎯 Project sponsors/owners become emotional attached to a project even when it's super clear that it doesn't fit the market. I was writing an article and I said "projects don't respond to your emotions" what I mean is: 🎯 Projects are driven by more objective factors like market needs, resources, and goals, not by the personal feelings or emotional attachments 🎯 While keeping profits is important in business, the main reason for starting projects doesn’t always have to be money 💰 Yes! Don't look at me like that 😭 🎯 How about trying to prove a point with that project to your competitors, even when resources, effort, potential opportunities, and valuable initiatives are being put on the line? I think that's bad - really! 🎯 So, you also fear the unknown and would rather remain in that state of rest, comfortable with current situation rather than embrace change or agility. Be aware that running into snags, missed growth opportunities, stagnation in performance often accompany that decision What I'm trying to say is this, Keep your human nature in check when managing your business/organization/projects 🧐 Kindly reach out for consulting & coaching & speaking💌 #ProjectManagement #EmotionalIntelligence #ContinuousImprovement #SmashingProjects

48 Laws of Power: Law 26 – Keep Your Hands Clean In project management, maintaining a clean reputation is essential for leadership. Law 26 emphasizes the importance of staying above the fray and ensuring that you are seen as a steady, reliable force in the midst of challenges. In a complex project environment, there are countless moving parts—and sometimes, things can go wrong. As a project manager, the key is to anticipate problems before they spiral out of control, delegate with precision, and avoid unnecessary entanglements that can damage your credibility. When handling difficult stakeholders or managing tough project decisions, maintain transparency and communication while carefully steering clear of blame games. Protect your team’s morale by owning the solution without getting bogged down in finger-pointing. A project leader who “keeps their hands clean” is one who solves problems with tact, keeps the focus on delivering results, and ensures the team thrives without unnecessary distractions. #ProjectManagement #Leadership #48LawsOfPower #ReputationManagement #ProblemSolving #StakeholderManagement #ProjectSuccess

Law 11: “Learn to Keep People Dependent on You” – A Project Management Perspective In Robert Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power, Law 11 advises that to maintain influence, you should make others dependent on you. This concept might seem counterintuitive at first, especially in a project management setting where collaboration and empowerment are key. But let’s look deeper. As a project manager, ensuring the success of your projects often means positioning yourself as an indispensable asset to your team and stakeholders. It’s not about creating unhealthy dependencies but about becoming the glue that holds everything together. Here’s how you can apply this principle: 1. Be the Knowledge Hub: Understand every facet of your project, from technical details to stakeholder needs. When you’re the go-to person for insights and decisions, your value is undeniable. 2. Facilitate Strategic Partnerships: Build and maintain key relationships across teams and departments. By being the bridge between different groups, you become the essential link that ensures smooth communication and collaboration. 3. Anticipate Needs and Risks: Always be a step ahead. By identifying potential issues before they arise and proposing proactive solutions, you show your team and stakeholders that their success hinges on your foresight and planning. 4. Develop Your Team: Empower your team members to grow and excel, but remain the central figure who guides and aligns their efforts with the project’s goals. Your leadership becomes the crucial element that enables their success. Ultimately, making others dependent on you in project management isn’t about hoarding power—it’s about ensuring that your unique contributions are recognized as critical to the project’s success. When you position yourself as the linchpin in the project’s ecosystem, your value as a leader and manager becomes irreplaceable. #ProjectManagement #Leadership #48LawsOfPower #TeamSuccess #StrategicThinking

Poor project performance across your portfolio can be a symptom of deeper organizational issues. The root cause of one company’s poor outcomes was unbalanced resourcing and a poorly structured organization. Read this short case study to learn how IPA helped get this client back on the path to success: https://lnkd.in/eWzwMX6d #OrganizationalDevelopment #ResourceManagement #PortfolioManagement #Organizations #Organisations #FoodIndustry #FoodProduction #ConsumerGoods #ConsumerProducts #Construction #ProjectManagement

🛠️ Law 5: So Much Depends on Reputation—Guard It With Your Life 🛡️ In project management, reputation is your most valuable asset. It’s what sets the tone for collaboration, trust, and leadership. Every decision you make, every project you lead, contributes to your professional brand. Just as Law 5 of the “48 Laws of Power” advises, we must protect our reputation as if everything depends on it—because it does. 1️⃣ Deliver Consistently: Projects have tight deadlines and high expectations. Consistent delivery isn’t just about meeting deadlines; it’s about exceeding expectations and maintaining quality. This builds a track record that speaks volumes. 2️⃣ Communicate Transparently: Clear, honest communication fosters trust. Whether it’s good news or bad, transparency strengthens your reputation as a reliable leader. 3️⃣ Manage Stakeholders Effectively: A reputation for being able to align diverse interests and keep stakeholders satisfied is invaluable. It shows that you’re not just a project manager—you’re a trusted leader. 4️⃣ Learn from Setbacks: Challenges will arise, but how you handle them defines your reputation. Approach every setback as an opportunity to demonstrate resilience, problem-solving, and growth. Remember, in project management, as in life, your reputation precedes you. Guard it well, and it will open doors to opportunities and successful collaborations. #ProjectManagement #Leadership #48LawsOfPower #Reputation #CareerGrowth

It's better to prevent problems than to solve them. But how to do this in unique collaborations with no history of previous mistakes to learn from? One effective method is a managerial exercise called a 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗺. This strategic tool encourages project teams to imagine a scenario where their project has already failed. By proactively considering what could go wrong, teams are better equipped to anticipate and mitigate risks before they materialize. You can read a good description of the method at HBR, and here are a few additional tips to make the most of the exercise: 1. Divide the process: Break the project down into different phases or components and analyze each part separately. This ensures a thorough examination of potential risks at every stage. 2. Encourage Diverse Perspectives: Involve people from various departments and levels of hierarchy—not just managers. Different perspectives can uncover a wider range of risks and provide a more comprehensive view of potential challenges. 3. Plan Follow Ups: Document all identified risks, prioritize them, develop mitigation strategies, and schedule follow-up meetings to review and update these plans. It's also helpful to assign someone to oversee this process to ensure accountability. By leveraging the premortem exercise, you can better safeguard your projects against potential pitfalls and set them up for success! https://buff.ly/2GYtV6R #R2P_tip, R2P_resources, #collaboration, #cooperation, #coordination, #network, #partnership, #samenwerking, #R2P, #project_management

“Disdain Things You Cannot Have: Ignoring Them is the Best Revenge” – Law 36 of the 48 Laws of Power 🧠 In project management, we often encounter obstacles beyond our control. Whether it’s a missed deadline, resource constraints, or a stakeholder’s last-minute change of mind, these are realities we must accept. Instead of fixating on these setbacks, Law 36 reminds us to shift focus and energy towards what we can influence. Ignoring things we cannot control allows us to keep our momentum and maintain a clear vision. As project managers, this law helps us: 🔹 Prioritize key tasks over distractions. 🔹 Manage resources efficiently by avoiding unnecessary conflict. 🔹 Lead teams with calm and confidence, without being derailed by external forces. Remember, not everything is worth your attention. Focus on what moves the project forward! 🚀 #ProjectManagement #Leadership #48LawsOfPower #FocusOnWhatMatters #ProfessionalGrowth