PM DNA
Goals are a dream with a plan. Each and every project I’ve ever worked on has been as unique as the stakeholders associated with it. There are some key “same” requirements a PM should bring to the table. It’s definitely fun to weave order from the chaos of a nascent project.
Here are just a few activities that are top of mind…
- Excellent up-front needs analysis – finding the key components to prioritize execution.
- Investing and learning from other team members.
- Data analysis, customer-facing engagement.
- Frequent retrospectives to solidify improvement.
- Listen – listen – listen!
Having worked in verticals from hospitality, marketing, software development, multi-thousand-acre real estate development, oil and gas and retail has given me a wide data pool. Discovering strategic plans, market factors, constraints and learning what the “big win” may be is exciting.
Fortunately, we have cloud-based project management tools to help us collaborate in real-time across time zones. And yet, many of the fundamentals such as storyboards, diagramming and solid content are the same as ever. Necessary. They provide the foundation. What you build on it is up to your imagination.
Whether the project utilizes scrum, waterfall or a hybrid approach depends on the project itself and the people involved. It truly comes down to the people. That is one of the reasons I so respect and admire Agile for the “servant-leader” moniker for the PM.
Contributing to others always brings with it rewards. Perhaps that is why this role has never grown old. It’s new every day…and I’m glad it’s in my veins.
Here is my portfolio. Thanks for stopping by!
– RG
