Project management efforts can dictate success

I have been working on a home project that has brought the importance of project management that I want to share with you.

Most organizations have found that advanced capability project management has been a management technique that is critical to their success. We can find projects occurring concurrently across organizations and across all levels of those organizations.

We know that project management techniques have been around for centuries. Also, with the advent of computer software, the design of projects and the information provided by those software packages have positively affected the performance of many projects.

Whether your project starts with a blank sheet of paper on one person’s desk or is the result of a collaboration by multiple departments across multiple locations, the ideas and concepts of project management are the same. The complexity can be different; however, the basic tools and techniques remain consistent across the various scales of projects

Some organizations have invested resources to educate their teams on the proper use and techniques of project management. Other organizations, by the nature of their professions, have project management techniques embedded in their professional DNA. Think of engineering or software development firms.

I recently had a friend who donated her kidney to a longtime family friend. The donation of a kidney is a significant and impressive gift. It also does not begin to recognize the significant project management activities that had to occur for this gift to be given.

As with most projects, this kidney donation started with a date on which the actual procedures would occur. However, prior to the actual surgery dates, there was a significant number of tests that had to be coordinated for both the donor and the recipient. This was done to ensure the kidney would have the highest probability of acceptance by the recipient. Additionally, the testing offered some insight that both donor and recipient were in the best medical condition to have a satisfactory post-surgery outcome. The various tests were on the level of a full medical evaluation. After the medical staff were convinced that the donor and the recipient were a compatible match, the surgery date was determined. This required not one but two complete operating theaters and staff in close physical proximity. I am happy to report that both donor and recipient are doing fine. The brilliantly executed project management was a total success.

The projects in your world may not be as complicated as an organ donation, but as mentioned, you have the same key components. The congruence of time, resources and money continue to be the hallmarks and the challenges of great project management.

I have found that those organizations with a culture of strong project management are more successful, assuming they do not overshoot their skill set by not recognizing key changes in the environment. Additionally, a project management culture can offer clarity of communications throughout the organization.

As you close out 2021 and anticipate a strong first quarter of 2022, evaluate your organization’s project management capabilities and evaluate whether an update on project management would benefit your team.

Cornell Wright is the author of “31 Coffee Breaks to a Better Organization,” an executive coach, trainer and consultant at The Parker Wright Group Inc. in Stratford. The firm strengthens clients’ team development in pursuit of customer service strategies and processes. He is a Certified Partner of Predictive Index. He can be reached at 203-377-4226 or cornell@parkerwrightgroup.com.