Project Management – been there, done that. What Now?

Fresh challenges, bigger targets, better avenues...more success

While I had just finished writing my earlier post, I got reminded of the large community of Project Managers that I have a long association with - they continue to connect, collaborate, and follow-through...they have all delivered small n large, simple n complex change initiatives, delivered organisational strategies during the challenging times, dealt with people and customer challenges, with most of them thinking about...what now?! - The thought behind this posting

Playing field of Project Management has grown and matured over the years – today we witness more elaborate and robust processes, widespread knowledge and skills amongst stakeholders, better tools and their increased use, plus ever-evolving best practices and the culture that is more receptive to ideas, to learn, and to improve.

Project Managers have proven their worth by supporting the organisations in the times of test, and delivering project objectives under extreme constraints of cost and resources – no one could fault that. Project Management has taught them to stay focussed, and deliver the project objectives timely and within the constraints...while being stay agile and manage changes as needed. Meeting Project Objectives flows in the Project Manager’s DNA. Whatever the boss asks, they can make it happen...let the boss ask (btw, the boss has to know what to ask!)

Talking of expectations:

·         Customer organisations, that have been executing extreme strategies to deal with market and economic scenarios, expected partner organisations to be more understanding compassionate, and dependable, support with better and innovative products, solutions, services while being flexible and agile

·         Management is consistently dealing with market and economic challenges, pressure to innovate and deliver as per changing strategy is immense. While projects are started and delivered, somewhere down the line the purpose gets either lost or forgotten. The benefits, for which the project was undertaken, do not show up. It is therefore becoming more and more difficult to justify the investments either done, or being planned, on new projects...show us the benefits!

·         Quality processes and metrics are important, we know. There is a lot of talk happening around Big Data. How do you keep a track of the rigid processes, ensure quality data, and metrics when everything is changing so frequently? Processes and Systems are evolving to track data and information on-the-go.

·         Resource capacity and capability requirements are unpredictable. All that one would know is when the resource is required; it somehow has to be made available. Emphasis is on having multiple skills, be willing to take up any job and deliver, effectively

·         Manage risks and changes throughout and keep stakeholders engaged for successful delivery of overall business benefits

Oh wow! And what the Project Manager thought his job was to deliver the objective, that’s it. But, isn’t the idea behind the project was to deliver benefits?! True, but that should be someone else’ responsibility, isn’t it?! All Project Management taught was – the project begins with the Charter, and finishes ones the product is handed over! When did the role get expanded beyond that?!

Gradually the relevance of Programme Management is being felt. This was one area that was ignored for long. All that companies were doing was manaing big projects, small projects, and then there was the strategy layer. How do you connect the two? Now when the need is there, Management is looking for those who can take-up that role and responsibility. But who to look towards...so, there comes the Project Manager. If they have delivered the project, might as well take the responsibility for the rest...

Dear Project Manager, don’t fret, don’t panic...it’s none of your fault. This is just a side effect of doing your work well. Okay, that’s cool then...but, now what?

Alright, so we know Project Management, and we deliver it well. What they want us to do is beyond...and how does one do that? Guys look at Programme Management – the answer lies there. Btw, I am not talking about a ‘Programme Manager’ title on the business card, but the standards and knowledge. That’s the knowledge that covers the extended areas of – Benefits Management, Governance, Risk Management, Agility, Capability Management, to actually deliver strategy and vision.

Going for a Programme Management certification, after having done Project Management, is making so much sense finally. PMI has a ‘Standard for Programme Management’, and awards the PgMP certification. APMG has a standard ‘Managing Successful Programmes’, with Foundation and Practitioner certifications.

Go for it! Soon!!!
Early bird catches the worm J

Project Management - Is it still the 'In' thing?

Data, thoughts, discussions around economy and job market is one that has been going-on for a while, giving professionals the jitters about their job security and compensations. Extreme measures by countries and industries, with big shifts in strategy, have been taken to deal with the issues. Whatever used to work, doesn’t work anymore. It’s time for Innovation and Action overtime to make-up for the lost time, with passion, and some caution.

Job markets are open with opportunities abound. Companies are bringing the on-shore work to off-shore big time! India is trying hard, and investing big time, to match-up with the Infrastructure needs of the growing Industries – Quality resources are required in good quantity, keeping costs at check. Emphasis is more on specialization, leadership, experience, attitude, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Where does Project Management as a knowledge and credential stand for professionals? Is it still in demand? Should one pursue this as a subject, and practice? This piece of writing might perhaps give a perspective to those contemplating about it.

You would know - we have lived through times when management education was meant for the Managers. Professionals with years of experience, working in the capacity of a manager would go in for formal education or a qualification in Management. And what do we see today? Fresh students, just out of senior school or college are getting into Management schools, before even starting off their career. Why? Because Management has become a basic qualification! Anyone working within a company must understand fundamentals of Business Management. (Btw, I understand the pros and cons of this shift, however would refrain from discussing that in this article)

Now, talking about Project Management – just a decade before Project Management made its entry (talking of India) into the world of professional qualifications. PMP certification was a BIG thing! It gained popularity very fast. Sometime PRINCE2 also came in, and is quite popular too. A certification in Project Management meant a big jump in the salary apart from a better role.  

Today, these are still growing at a decent rate. PMP is still a top-rated credential.

However, companies realise that Project Management knowledge is not just meant for the Project Managers but for any and all participating members. And guess what...? It is becoming a basic qualification too! Colleges and Management schools are introducing Project Management as a subject in their curriculum. Soon fresh workforce coming out of college would be equipped with this knowledge and credentials.

Few data points - according to a survey: 23% of the executives worldwide identify Project Management to be the most important management skill for their company; they attribute 74% of influence on successful project delivery to certified and experienced Project Managers. Demand for Project Managers, in India, estimated to grow more than 40% by 2015.

So, what do we have? Plenty of Project Management jobs! And plenty of Project Managers in the making too! Project Management education is not really exclusive, but a basic qualification now! What would really be valuable is experience and exposure to top-it-up. Project Management is not going ‘out’ anytime soon.

Are you still thinking? What are you waiting for?!! Go get the knowledge, and credentials quick...add some (lots) of experience and exposure to it, and get going before it’s too late.

Good luck folks J

Randomness & Reward

Travelling is no more fun, especially when the frequency gets close to half a dozen (or more) flights in a month. The only way to make it worthwhile is by investing the time in reading and/or networking, while sipping a cuppa coffee from the Café, waiting for the boarding announcements, or up in the sky.

This was another such travel that, and I boarded a flight. But a coincidence made it a memorable one…I was travelling with one of the rarest and best Leaders of the country Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam!!!

He is an epitome of Intelligence, and Morals - the only things I find worth the respect, apart from Age. He was kind enough to enquire my Name, where I worked, what do I do, where I live??? And told he lives in Delhi too :-)

- My trip got Rewarded

Drop that Business Card….will u?

The year of turbulence is closing…finally! A year that was full of changes, unsettling movements, expecting the unexpected, that taught us how to remain focused, calm, poise, optimistic despite of all upheaval and believe that – aal eez well :-)

As the year closes, and we step into the New Year – it is customary to look back and reflect how we evolved in the recent past and how would we want to channelize our energies in the coming year – to get better and better and even better! But this will demand extra hours at workplace, may be – ‘oh that’s okay’. This may demand sacrificing some family time – ‘we’ll make up for it one day’. For this may not leave me with any personal time, for gymming, for swimming, for the guitar lessons, for the regular get-together with friends – ‘once I have sufficient money, I will take out enough time for all of this, and enjoy myself’. Good!!! But isn’t that what we thought last year too!!! Funny :-)

Few observations and reflections:
>>> the typical working mass, wakes up every Monday morning and start ‘working’ – a good 56 to 60hrs per week on an average. They take pride in what they do, not only because the work adds value to the company, but also because – the office building is great, the space given to work is impressive, the laptop and the blackberry adds to the charm, it helps afford a good lifestyle (a fancy car, a nice house, good brands of clothing and fine dining options), and needless to say – an impressive Business Card.
>>> they meet a college/school friend after years, and the meeting – a hand shake hands followed by yapping of what each one does and where they have reached…..without realizing that it is only the work that they are doing for a living, and not what they are! Imagine a day when there will be no visiting card…..it will eventually happen ‘on retirement’, or due to a ‘job loss’ – how will one introduce oneself then?
>>> most of the working community belongs to the Type B and Type C cities who have relocated to the metropolitan cities to make a living. Once in a year or so when we go to visit our hometown, hardly anyone recognizes us. Even if they do, it is through our parents or grandparents – ‘oho, are you Mr. Nair’s son, the one from railway colony?! You have grown up a lot, we have seen you when you were a little boy. What do you do beta?’ and we get an opportunity to boast about ourselves, and we start to tell what we do……but they don’t understand a word because that’s how the corporate profiles have changed these days! All that they say is – ‘very good beta, god bless’. The trips become shorter every year with reduced frequency…
>>> I feel happy in my city, the place where we live and work…people know me here. So this holiday we will spend time at home, I thought, and decided to invest it on my family. A Sunday afternoon the kids are playing in the park, and the dad gets reminded of his childhood and jumps in to play with his kids – a cricket match, great! The neighbors around are watching, and a couple walks near – pretty surprised and amused they look – ‘so you are Bittoo’s dad?!! Never seen you earlier, you must be keeping busy. We stay in B38, the house two blocks away from yours’. Reality strikes…so after years of hard work what have we earned – people don’t even know my name?!!
>>> It is our wedding anniversary next week, and we plan to have a party. Lets invite all our friends and have a bash, we thought, and prepared the guest list – all office colleagues! Family will be there too, it’s an obligation for them but they won’t enjoy. Why? Because the room will be full of talks about the workplaceJ
>>> one day the child was unwell, the meeting at office is very important, what to do? We hire a nurse for a day. Why? Well, there aren’t any friends who will be willing to take care of the baby, the friends in office too have jobs to do, we don’t know the neighbors well, and relatives are not willing to come and stay over because we both are in office all day.
>>> for all the important things in life we are protected – subscribed to a car breakdown service, paying for that 24x7 security guard, a full-time driver and a maid, on demand medical aid and what not! This lifestyle demands money. To sustain this we need to work. Work hard and earn enough. It does take about 60hrs a week you see…

No!!! That’s not what it takes. No matter how long we work, we get paid for 40hrs a week. However, the extra 20hrs definitely takes away a lot. So am I suggesting working less? Be less dedicated to the job? Invest just 40hrs in office and let the deadlines be? Put personal priorities above job priorities? Hell, No!!!

While job is important, life is important as well. All it takes is a good work-life balance. While there is a good 40hrs to be invested on the job, make sure you make the hell best out of it. Give your hundred percent in those 40hrs. Plan the day well, value time, yours and other’s too. Forget that Facebook, Orkut, Twitter, and the GTalk and/or Skype messengers between the work hours - the time that you save will be enough for it all and more. Personal calls are to be done during personal time – get disciplined. Focus on being more productive each day – work hard and smart. Success brings happiness, but you need someone to share it!

That someone who bothers about MY happiness, just because they love ME not my business card...those loved ones are earned too!

PMI Conference, Hyderabad

The who’s who of the Project Management community are meeting, they are here – PMI India, PMI US, all Chapters, many REPs, expecting a gathering of 600+, it’s an eventful day – I am at the PMI India Conference at Hyderabad!! HICC looks grand.

We are also exhibiting - Steve & Peter just walked in, expressed their gratitude for the support – being nice & humble creates an environment of collaboration & cooperation. It’s almost 1600hrs now, and the place is getting busy. I intend to write Live, so you can still be here and not miss the highlights…

Unleash the Power of Project Management for a Better Tomorrow is the theme and Raj Kalady opened the stage (day1) and V Sriniwas Rao (VSR) started passionately, shared the stats that were around India – few that were depressing and also many that were uplifting. He spoke about creating a Better Tomorrow. This talk repeatedly gave me Gooseflesh. I felt strongly for the country and the urge to make a difference.
Leaders with Foresight and Right Projects can create a Better Tomorrow for which VSR takes the lead for the Community – ‘Made in India Leaders’ working towards a peaceful, green, healthy, and prosperous India…part of a PMI Vision 2020

The chief guest of honor Jagdish Khattar former MD, MUL was full of encouragement for the delegates backed with an enriched background. His very Indian way of describing ‘how it was like to try managing a project without Project Management – it’s like trying to cross the road at 6pm Blindfolded’
Some MUL stats are worth noticing – 289workdays uninterrupted per year, consistent 95% average employee attendance, less than 3% spent on wages and achieved highest CSat over 10years. He also endorsed a Harward Business press publication ‘The Disciplines of Market Leaders’ and emphasized the importance of the value principles: Operational Excellence, Product Leadership, and Customer Intimacy.
To hear the stories from his wisdom you had to be here, they made my heart full. He ended with a message – ‘If you Fail to PLAN, you are Planning to FAIL’

It has been a busy day, exchanging greetings, sharing information, ideas, emerging trends, competitions, opportunities, possibilities of collaborations...

An observation that was quiet evident - a strong traction towards PgMP and PRINCE2 now after having done PMP. Also the need to maintain these credentials...we are ready already! The organisation focus continues to be on Project Governance, the value of PMOs is being felt more and more.

The day(2) started with a good discussion with Steven Fahrenkrog, Raj Kalady and few other PMI members with exchange of information, insight into strategies, opportunities available and how we can leverage it better, working jointly...closely.

A topic from the day's agenda picked my interest 'Help! My colleague is behaving strangely' :-)...the speakers dared to push some wrong buttons by talking about behaviours vs perceptions of genders. The Q/A time overshooted obivously :-) The speakers later came over personally to talk to me as they could notice my expressions - I was enjoying the overall subject and the interation - I gave the feedback and we had some exchange of perspectives.

My friend, Shobha from Microsoft Blore, was there to demonstrate the power of its Project/Portfolio server...they are keeping up with the ever increasing expectations of the businesses - the Project Server 2010 is coming out soon with added features...Gartner's magic quadrant is likely to look different then...specially with its Financial Management module.

Dr. Prahlad from DRDO, with presentation and videos of the different missile programs performed so far for the Defence, Navy, and Air Force moved the audiences. All those who were present there could feel so secure and also take pride in the advancements. They are, these days, in the process of making technology that will probably take us from Hyderabad to Delhi in less than 20mins! Our children can then take up jobs in different cities without going through the inconvenience of relocation :-)

And I am looking forward to a rendezvous with Dr. Kiran Bedi...

She had a message - project management starts from within; every person is a project in itself and the work begins from organising oneself, and together it will make things happen.

Evening was busy with networking again, and it was to be used upto its full potential...

My allergies kept me away from the action (day3) until noon, and I had to miss the message coming from Harold Kerzner. Hope will get the video...

All three days were packed with sessions of interest and powerful speakers, but I had jobs to do, hence could only manage to sit through a selected few...I shared those.

Later in the day it was about wrapping up and closing the talks with each other, and a commitment to follow-on and work on the actionables and continue to work towards a better tomorrow. Taking back a lot, to create more, and share even more...

Another take-away from Hyderabad is the famous Chicken Biryani from the Paradise counter...cannot miss that ever!

Everybody says I am fine...

Hi, this story is about Rahul - naam to suna hoga...! He is an ambitious man working for a progressive company in a busy city.

A normal day in Rahul's life:

'The morning dawned with a sweet kiss to his daughter and the child felt warm and hugged, the wife smiled. The parents were up and the greeting exchange made them feel happy about the closely knitted family. After the regular chores, he is ready to leave for office...moves out. The neighbors are as well leaving for work, Rahul exchangs Hellos and checks how everything was - 'things are going good, very well, how about you?' 'Well, all is well...have a nice day' was the reply and drives off. He reaches office, and is falling short of time for an important meeting to attend....makes a brief call home and informs wife that he has reached, she feels peaceful. There are colleagues around - on the elevators, on the corridors, next work-desk, smoke zones, cafeteria....a short Hello and some exchange of greetings with all, and the connection is visible. An old college friend called up during the day, and there was some laughter in the air. There were some meetings, e-mails and all....assured the boss that things are in control....after a long day at work Rahul leaves for the Gym. There were also casual exchange about the weather, the economy, country politics and some corporate news. After the workout, he reaches home. There are regular exchanges about how the day was - the child updates about her school, her friends, her teacher, the toys and the dog in the society, and the flower in the garden....and she learns that Daddy has worked hard in office and is tired. Then there is Dinner and TV and some random talks, and its time to retire. Rahul goes to the study to write his daily diary before he goes to sleep....Haah, looks like it was a fulfilling day - ideal life!!!'

Few Excerpts from Rahul's diary:

'The morning alarm yelled that it was time to wake up....I had a headache. Had not had a good sleep, there were urgent calls coming from the project site......there was hell lot of a traffic.....took a diversion to reach office, was running late for a meeting......argued with the cop....the parking was a mess as usual. The meeting was good, looks like the project that I have been longing for is just around the corner, it will take me to a different level.....I just hope the other manager does not come to know about it, else he would never let me bag it........wondering if the management changes at the client organisation may stall the current project, I am concerned.....there are insecurities around, I have to secure my future and also that of my family, could not fix that appointment with the financial advisor yet again - where is the time? Siiiiigh.....praying for the strength and luck'.

Hmm, things can be so different from what we see on the surface. To find the facts, there is a need to dig deeper, relate well, or ask the right questions. Meaningful interactions require an environment of:

a) Understanding – the information, when shared, the person is able to understand the context and can relate to it.

b) Empathy – the person listens patiently and empathizes, and provides the moral support…this too shall pass.

c) Trust & Mutual respect – the person understands the sensitivity of the matter, understands that whatever is the situation – was not intended, things just happened, and maintains the confidentiality. Also discusses the problem and not the person involved.

d) Confidence – confidence that the person will help me find a solution either because of the knowledge or position.

Information sharing as a process could be simple, however the quality of the same is what matters, and makes all the difference.

In a project environment, PMO is one such entity that is, or is supposed to be, a HUB of information. Not all PMOs function effectively when it comes to execution.

Few things that can be considered to have an effective PMO, at different stages:

Design – while designing the PMO, careful thought has to be given to the scope of the PMO. It has to be a support function that provides the necessary information and help to Projects in order to avoid certain issues and get benefited.

Implement – during the implementation of the PMO, ensure that the right message goes down to the project teams and there is a buy-in for the structure. Make sure that the right people get assigned to it. The PMO staff, in addition to the technical skills, must be high on ethics and values, integrity, with extremely good people skills, with a helping attitude, and should be cool headed.

Execute – repeatedly assess the sanctity of the information and the morale and attitude of people associated. Regular feedback and timely resolution is important for continuous improvement. Needless to say, management commitment is a prerequisite.

It is imperative to create an environment of information sharing, and don't be surrounded by Rahul(s) or be a Rahul. Rahul is no one but just a metaphor that represents the common working community that wakes up every morning and works endlessly in the pursuit to achieve something big, and very soon. There is Impatience, there is Optimism, what is also needed is Team Work – for which Communications have to be healthy and effective.

And you thought I was going to do some movie review…J

All Around there's lot to Learn and Appreciate...

We concluded the Project Management Leadership Conference, in New Delhi, this week - Yes, we did !! There was a gathering of 150+

While there is some unrest on the work front, learning or knowledge sharing or building networks is important and cannot be compromised. It is very satisfying to be an enabler in the process...

The hall was oozing with energy and enthusiasm. There were some strickingly good presentations made, that shared some rich insights:

-> Vinod K (L&T) showcased a case study of a mega project worth USD283 million, that also got them a PMI award !! It was like fresh air amidst majority of the speakers from an IT background. While project management has its challenges, the speaker made daunting projects look achievable.

-> NBS (CSC) shared very powerful thoughts on Skills and Competency, with some ways to measure and build them around. The small things about forming, building and nurturing a team can have big results was the take-away. One point that I completly believe and would agree with NBS is - when there is a choice between the Right ATTITUDE and the Right SKILL, always go with the person with the Right Attitude - Skill can be developed.

-> Hemant Julka (Emirates) was adored by all because of his really cool ways of presentation. With a collar mike tugged firmly, he decided not to get to the podium and moved around the entire hall - talking and interacting with delegates - thats what I call Awesome! One of the statistics that he shared, which was coming from the findings/forecasts of a research firm, took everyone by surprise. It says - the overall IT spend of companies is going to reduce drastically in the year 2009. The IT project managers must hold on to their projects really hard, and close them Damn well, it could be the last project to manage !!!

-> Raj Kalady (PMI India) on the other hand shared some other statistics that were pretty optimistic - the demand for Project Managers is expected to be FORTY times more than what we currently have!!!

Not sure which data is more precise/reliable, and why. We just got the news of BT laying off 2000 people from their BPO in India! It is difficult to predict everything, you are the best one to study the environmental factors around yourself and make an informed decision. But it does require regular monitoring...

The emphasis is on accuracy of data, and to have the basics right, and the rest will fall into place. My sincere best wishes are with Nandan, as he takes charge of the National ID project. It made me think of ways to contribute towards the betterment of our locality or city or country or the society in general - every bit counts.

Changing topic -
The city of Mumbai just added a landmark to its map - the Bandra Worli sea link - the spectacular 4.7kms Cable stayed bridge that runs over the sea just got completed with a cost of 750cr - HCC has carried out marvelous engineering and made an Impossible bridge come Alive! It already has a traffic of 30 thousand vehicles running per day, may take some time to smoothen out the operations. I wanted to experience it at the first available opportunity. The drive was worth it - AMAZING - worth repeating!!!
We need more such mega projects...