Tag: Leadership
Mastering Project Schedules: The Art of Staying on Track
The Day the Schedule Saved Us It was week three of a software rollout, and the client’s go-live date was non-negotiable. Then, a key developer fell ill, and testing hit a snag. Panic could’ve set in—but our schedule didn’t let it. We’d built in buffers, tracked progress daily, and knew our critical path cold. A…
The Hidden Costs of Project Delays: A Financial Wake-Up Call
The Day the Budget Blew Up It was supposed to be a straightforward project: a six-month timeline, a solid budget, and a clear scope. But then, a key supplier missed their deadline, and the dominoes started to fall. Two weeks turned into a month, and before we knew it, the budget was spiraling out of…
The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Project Leadership
The Day I Almost Lost My Cool It was a high-stakes meeting, and tensions were running high. A key stakeholder was frustrated, the team was defensive, and the project was at risk. My instinct? Push back hard. But something stopped me. I took a breath, acknowledged the stakeholder’s concerns, and shifted the focus to finding…
The Adaptive Project Manager: Thriving in an Ever-Changing Landscape
The Day the Plan Fell Apart It was a Tuesday morning, and everything was on track—until it wasn’t. The client called with a bombshell: their business model had shifted, and our project needed to pivot, fast. My carefully crafted plan? Suddenly obsolete. Panic bubbled up, but I took a breath and remembered: Adapt or drown.…
The Art of Prioritization: Making Tough Calls in Project Management
The Moment I Learned to Say No Picture this: a high-pressure project, a tight deadline, and a team stretched to the limit. Halfway through, the client drops a bombshell—a shiny new feature they “need” ASAP. My gut said yes to keep them happy, but the numbers didn’t lie: adding it would derail everything. After a…
The Silent Killer of Projects: Scope Creep – And How to Stop It
A Cautionary Tale: The Project That Almost Was It was supposed to be a straightforward project: a six-month timeline, a clear set of deliverables, and a happy client. We kicked off with enthusiasm, but by month three, things started to shift. A “quick add-on” here, a “small tweak” there. Each request seemed harmless—until they weren’t.…
Navigating Uncertainty: Strategies for Project Managers in a VUCA World
The Storm Hits: A Project Manager’s Tale Picture this: You’re six months into a year-long project. The team’s humming, milestones are on track, and the client’s thrilled. Then, out of nowhere, the market shifts. Your client’s business model flips overnight, and suddenly, your carefully crafted plan is obsolete. Panic sets in. What now? This was…
The Power of Project Retrospectives: Learning from Every Project, Win or Lose
A Tale of Two Projects (and One Missed Opportunity) Early in my career, I managed two back-to-back projects. The first was a mess—delayed, over budget, and full of friction. We barely made it. The second? Smooth sailing. On time, under budget, and the team was thrilled. After the first project, we were so relieved it…
The Power of Storytelling in Project Management
A Tale of Two Projects Let me tell you about two projects I managed early in my career. Both had similar scopes, budgets, and timelines. Both had talented teams. But one soared, and the other… well, let’s just say it limped across the finish line. What was the difference? Storytelling. In the first project, I…
The Dark Side of Project Success – When Winning Feels Like Losing
Introduction: The Illusion of Success Imagine this scenario: A high-profile project is completed on time, within budget, and with all deliverables met. The stakeholders are thrilled, the project sponsors are celebrating, and the team is being praised for their outstanding effort. Yet, beneath the surface, there’s exhaustion, burnout, and resentment. The project manager has pulled…
