Lessons Learned for Project Managers – Part XIII
Lessons Learned for Project Managers – Part XIII (#13 in the series 128 Lessons Learned for Project Managers)
By Jerry Madden
- There is only one solution to a weak project manager in industry — get rid of him fast. The main job of a project manager in industry is to keep the customer happy. Make sure the one working with you knows that “on schedule, on cost, and a good product” — not flattery — is all that makes you happy.
- Talk is not cheap. The best way to understand a personnel or technical problem is to talk to the right people. Lack of talk at the right levels is deadly.
- Projects require teamwork to succeed. Remember most teams have a coach and not a boss, but the coach still has to call some of the plays.
- In the rush to get things done, it is always important to remember who you work for. Blindsiding the boss will not be to your benefit in the long run. Over-engineering is common. Engineers like puzzles and mazes — try to make them keep their designs simple.
- Never make a decision from a cartoon. Look at the actual hardware or what real information is available, such as layouts. Too much time is wasted by people trying to cure a cartoon whose function is to explain the principle.
Reprinted with permission from NASA. This article first appeared in NASA’s ASK Magazine, the NASA source for Project Management and Engineering Excellence.
