Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.  So said Albert Einstein.  Yet every year countless projects hit trouble for the same reasons, again and again.  Why?  Because the fundamental principles that determine project success are not being respected.  These principles can be distilled into five laws, realities that always hold true irrespective of the nature or complexity of project.  Here they are:

Law #1  Ambiguity kills Projects

Ambiguity is the enemy of project success.  Clarity is what is needed.

Without clarity there is confusion.  Confusion is not hard to find in projects.  Look for ambiguities in roles and responsibilities, goals, objectives, requirements, scope, estimates, status reports and more.  Each ambiguity is a potential source of conflict, rework and failure.

Make it a priority to seek out and remove ambiguity from every element of your project.  Thoroughly.  Start by reviewing project scope.  Is this as unambiguous as possible?  Is everyone clear on what is in scope and what is out of scope?  Do not rely on assumptions or memory.  Insist on clear communication.  Document every important decision.  Clarity is everything.

Law #2  Credibility requires Detail

Detail is the basis for accuracy in all projects.  Plans that lack detail cannot be believed.

Most projects are underplanned.  They are already late before they start.  Project teams that claim not to have time for detailed planning, typically end up working all hours to meet deadlines.  Insufficient detail in the plan means time and effort requirements will be underestimated.  Only when we get to the detail is the full extent of work revealed.

If you do not know the detail then you will not have credibility in front of your team or your boss.  Define what completion specifically means for each task and deliverable.  If it is at too high a level, break it down.  Avoid surprises.  Get to the detail.

Law #3  No Truth, No Trust

Projects are performed by people.  And people work together best when there is mutual trust.

But trust does not come free.  It is tied to truth.  You cannot have one without the other.  So trust but verify.  Assigning tasks demonstrates trust but what are sometimes missing are the accountability for results and adequate checks to verify status.  Without ownership and truth, we cannot trust ourselves to be focused on the right things.

When you know the truth, good or bad, recognize it, openly.  Be honest about the challenges ahead.  Reward outstanding commitment and performance.  Acknowledge the reality of delays and tough decisions.  Do not hide bad news.  Tell the truth or face the consequences.

Law #4  Uncertainty is Certain

Plans are not crystal balls.  Plans are incomplete views of the future, which means they are at least slightly wrong.

Most project managers ignore most risks.  Yet as sure as the sunrise, sudden events and changes will occur, triggering changes to the plan.  But sudden does not necessarily mean unpredictable.  Experience and a little insight will always expose risks that we can plan ahead for.

Ignoring project risks is the first and biggest risk to the project.  There is no such thing as a risk free project.  Prevent risks where you can and have contingencies ready where you cannot.  Expect the unexpected!

Law #5  Satisfaction is not Guaranteed

Projects do not carry guarantees, whatever the customer was told.  Satisfaction depends on competence, commitment and communication.

Respecting all the preceding laws will count for nothing if this trio is lacking.  Project management is a discipline that has to be worked at.  Learn as much as you can on each project, then use that knowledge to energize yourself and others on the next project.

Communicate with focus and sensitivity, to align the varying interests of stakeholders and team with the needs of the project, repeatedly, throughout the ups and downs of its life.  This is no simple task!  So if you want to be a great project manager then you will need to be an outstanding communicator.  Period.

Stop the Insanity!

I do not claim that observing these five laws alone are a panacea for all project ills.  But they are the strongest forces for shaping success or failure on most projects, most of the time.  Stop the insanity.  Respect the laws!

Project Management is of fast growing importance to organisations whether large or small because it deals effectively with the management of change. As a small business owner you know that your business environment is changing all the time. As a business owner that successful project managment is all about setting and achieving reasonable and attainable goals. In business, project management is an art, a skill, and a demanding full-time job. The fact of the matter is that project management is a human issue of people needing to work together. And you as the business owner are the leader when it comes to project management.

Project management is about being able to create transparency and build trust. It’s about finding solutions that help each team member be better in what they are doing while building teamwork. Project management tracks actual progress against the goals and timelines set forth before the project even began. This permits a better understanding of whether you should adjust your strategy, staffing, or timelines in light of the way in which the project is developing.

Project management has come into its own in recent years. A project manager can do some very useful things. Balancing limited labor, materials, and other resources is a difficult task. And eventually you are going to need people that can do that on a consistent basis. For as your business grows so too will your projects. And as your own tasks become even more varied your going to need good project managers because you won’t always be able to look over their shoulders. You’ve got to be able to trust that they can deliver what you promised to someone. And for whoever you task with delivering a project “on time and under budget” they can expect a great deal of job satisfaction assuming that you also recognize their good work. The job offers the opportunity to lead, and new projects keep the work fresh and challenging.

Typically, projects are managed by focusing on the delivery of the tasks that make up the project, in the seemingly reasonable belief that if these tasks are done on time, the project will be done on time as well. No wonder project management is such a challenging endeavor. Protecting the value of a project involves dealing with the uncertainty that will be associated with its delivery. The role of project management is to assist in turning uncertain events and efforts into certain outcomes and promises. The project manager has a lot of responsibility thrust upon him or her. But hopefully with experience will come consistent success. For many businesses the types of projects encountered are similiar. If you build houses for a living then each house you build will be unique in its own ways but it will share many similarities with other houses you’ve already built. If you capitalize on that experience then you should have many more successes.

Project management is a skill valued in every major industry. Project management is rapidly becoming a key skill that underpins progress and prosperity. As your projects grow larger and more diverse hiring people who have that experience will be of great value to your business.