Management Scholars Academy

“I can do it” is a good form of motivation. But there is an even more powerful form of motivation. Having a mentor who can tell you – “You only can do it”. Choose a mentor who can help you develop management skills. You can read any number of management or self help books. But when you try to apply the principles from there, you may want clarification or get stuck for want of systemic deficiencies or just need assurance that it will work. A person who has been there and done that may have an answer. See this – Brain functions that improve with age Once the mentoring relationship matures, on the right occasion your mentor will say – “You only can do it” and it will help you sour the skies.

When you are assigned as a PM for a project, you may find the umpteen number of tasks that need your attention and the objectives set by different stakeholders like the boss and the customer, very daunting. Face it with a ‘can do’ attitude. You are chosen to take up this responsibility because you have proved yourself in some manner. But you may remember some of your shortcomings and failures. Learn lessons from them but don’t let them bother you. There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly. What you were in the past or have been in the present should not stop you from what you can be in the future.

Some of you could have wondered like I did as to why “Integration Management” is placed as the first chapter, first knowledge area in PMBoK because integrated project plan or PMP can be produced only after all other elements of planning are developed, right? We need to learn the other tools like WBS, Critical path, risk identification before we can learn EVM and change control, right?

But I guess the answer may be – An integrated view of the project should be developed even as we initiate the project and when we plan for the project. Risk identification has to happen even as WBS is developed to provide input to estimating the time and so on. So integration begins with project initiation, continues with planning, execution, control and closure. So my tip today is – Read integration management once before and once after the other 8 knowledge areas to get better insights into applying tools to arrive at the PMP.

This is a slight diversion. MS Academy decided to sponsor SPICON 2010 the annual conference of SPIN Chennai. My next tip to you – Research professional associations like SPIN Chennai, visit their websites and attend their monthly meetings and conferences to get the inside scoop on what’s happening in the industry. You can meet and network with individuals who could provide you with the key to your next job (-:)

Develop a solid business case for your project. Developing a business case will identify whether it is worth it. You should even consider if the project fits your personal strategy for career growth. But for the senior management your business case should

• Briefly describe the business issue that the recommended project would solve
• Describe the anticipated outcomes of implementing the project that addresses the business issue.

We said, tips to PM, right. Let’s begin to talk about projects. The first tip here is - See if the project you are asked to manage is worth it,  for your organization, that is. If the risks outweigh the rewards, and you can convince key stakeholders, try it. Be very objective here because your reputation is at stake.

The earlier you realize that it helps you, your self-esteem to thank others, the faster you can climb the management ladder. There will be times you will have to ask them to ‘get it done’. If you have thanked them every time in the past, they may not mind to ‘get it done’ for you.

But there is an even better way to build your self esteem – This is acquired taste – By being nice to others. It is easier than you think. Participate in a community event or teach someone a new tool or technique till he /she experiences the benefits of it fully. Tell me how you did this recently – Built your self esteem by helping others…

The first tip to you is  - Focus on your self esteem. If you are feeling good about yourself it will show in the way you look and speak and smile. Build your self esteem by doing something nice to yourself, once in a while – like buying a watch or a gadget that you will enjoy, not just use. What did you gift yourself recently?