See that guy in front?
That’s the Project Manager.
Guess who’s behind?
…yep, you guessed it the PMO (Programme Management Office).
“Both are intimately entwined on a perilous journey, going at break-neck velocity, with a single end-point that will not move and will ultimately decide both of their fates.” – Sound familiar?
A bit melodramatic?
Maybe, but it’s a great image.
It depicts a scene we have all witnessed in many projects and teams during our careers.
And YES, before you ask, I have been the guy in front AND the guy behind.
Project Leadership
Being the guy in front is like being the Rock Star up on the stage (stick with me on this!).
I’m delivering the ‘thing’ and it’s got all the attention and the focus (we wish).
I NEED things to happen because, I’m ‘the guy’ (Some PM egos take over and you think it’s all about you) and I’m delivering something ‘important’ that needs to be delivered for the business.
Plus I’ve got my ‘burning platform’, the deadline or milestone date that it needs to be completed by.
So I’m off and running at 100 miles per hour and pushing everything out of my way to protect my project delivery.
And it’s all going GREAT…….
It WAS going Great
I’m struggling to get the people and skills I want to deliver this project.
It’s taking longer than I’d planned to get the project defined and agreed.
The cost is a lot bigger than I’d thought it was going to be.
Oh yeah, and right now – I don’t know what I don’t know.
When you need a Friend
Right about now in the story it would be great for a trusted friend to rock up.
To help identify and source those hard-to-get resources that you need.
To shine some light on the wider plans and some other options to help shave and stretch those dates.
With a tried and tested process that gets your approvals through. Oh, and can call on some friends in that space to help move it along.
Also, he/she has a whole bunch of the things that previous projects didn’t know they didn’t know. They’re happy to share these lessons learned with you too!
WOW – wouldn’t that be great!
Praise the PMO
The picture painted is of that guy at the back in the image.
As Project Manager, you have that friend. Locked into delivering the project right there with you.
Your PMO needs the success of the project as much as you do. Tasked with getting it there as much as you are (although in a different capacity).
This is your ‘trusted friend’ and it’s right there beside you.
Confession Time
I’ve had my share of Project bright lights and of rocky roads in project land.
And I’ll confess that in my early days I was not always as gracious in my dealings with the PMO as I should have been.
That was until I realised the value of the PMO and it’s critical place in the success of any project.
So, take a look around yourself at the people helping, hindering, supporting and delivering.
If you’re the Guy in-front
If you’re in front performing as the Project Manager, then don’t forget to check-in with the guys following your lead.
- make sure they’re with you and know how things are going
- use their knowledge and advice to help make this project a success, don’t think that you always know better
- find out what they need and why, so that you can help prioritise your own behaviour
- work with them to make both of your lives better
If you’re the Guy behind
If you’re the guy behind delivering the PMO role
- Keep close and involved to get a ‘feel’ for the project and the team (each is different)
- Delivering can be a difficult place, so cut some slack where needed to improve tensions and behaviours
- Be on the ‘inside’ and work to be part of the delivery team, it will go a long way in improving working practices
- Know that you can be part of the team without losing your independent view – it does not HAVE to be one or the other
- Lead by example, if you’re seen to be ‘working with’ people will work ‘with’ you. If you’re not, then it’s an uphill struggle
Projects come and go but the relationships you build with people last beyond projects, roles, organisations and even years.
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