Program and Project management musings by Bobby Taruc.
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As we get closer to the RFP award selection and date, one of the key project inputs (after the correct project processes first and foremost) is having the right or qualified resources. 3rd is leveraging the right business process technologies. To the 2nd key project input, I have started with listing resource criteria. Because we … Continue reading
Posted in Project Management, Project Plan
“The art stakeholder management” -Excerpts from Dr. James Brown presentation to PMI Meeting Chicago chapter 2/8.
Suggested reading: “The art of Wordly wisdom” written in 1649.
Know stakeholders, know them, have rapport, know shared interests. Hell hath no fury like a stakeholder scorned.
Stakeholder identification: follow the money. Follow the resources. Follow the deliverables. Look for “unofficial people of influence.” People behave on how they are rewarded. Whisper bad news, email not ok. Privately. Pay attention to stakeholders’ secretary. Listen through noise and body language. Listen to the right people. There are typically 1 or 2 our of the crowd. Who can hurt me? If I make aggressive decisions and mistakes. Develop rules of engagement with all stakeholders, and track violations. Nothing wrong with complaining if there is a log or record of issues. Assess the cause of meddling.
Seek help with the overbearing stakeholder. Don’t allow the latter to ruin other project relationships or teamwork.
The poor stakeholder who has interest or impacted by the program, but has no significant budget or bidet authority. Poor stakeholders may play politics in order to gain influence. Do not ignore the poor stakeholder. Understanding of how the objectives of the poor stakeholder line up or conflict with more powerful stakeholders.
Untrustworthy stakeholders, no answer exist for this person.
The indecisive stakeholder- as a PM, I need to set up processes an structures that clearly communicate when the decision is required and the impact of the decision not being made.
The unavailable stakeholder, too busy. Maintain a history of efforts and attempts made to communicate with the unavailable stakeholder.
The ideal stakeholder:
Shows interest in project or program,
Make themselves available when needed,
Assigns qualified personnel to act on their behalf when they are not available,
Willingness to be accountable,
Reviews and signs required documents In a timely manner,
Tells me their communication preferences,
Prioritizes their preferences and requirements,
Doesn’t pressure PM’s to circumvent project management processes,
Looks to opportunities to provide relief to the project team as appropriate,
Helps motivate project personnel- shows good appreciation for good work.
Lead the stakeholders: this means me, I am a peer, act as a peer- regardless of stakeholders’ level!
(Dr. James Brown is principal of Seba Solutions Inc..)
Am proud of my countrymen and women for what we are able to do. But having the #Expedia “customer service” calls routed somewhere else is very aggravating. No one knows customer service than having the call center located at the origin of the calls. American customers should have American customer service. (I inadvertently populated my hotel booking to 2/5 instead of tonight. I called the hotel and the hotel told me they would take care of it. When I got to the hotel, latter told me I needed to call Expedia. This was a start of an unpleasant experience with #Expedia.) “Juan” told me I needed to pay an additional $45 to correct my hotel reservation from 2/5 to 2/1. I said I was ok with canceling the reservation and walk away from the hotel. “Juan” passed me to her supervisor without relaying my situation. I had to explain my issue again to “Luwalhati” and had to start at square one. 1/2 hour later, after closely stabbing my eyeballs with a pen, I handed the phone to the Radisson front desk personnel. Radisson ended re booking my room at the same lower rate per original booking, contrary to what “Juan” wanted me to do (pay more). #Expedia canceled my 2/5 reservation since I did not want to pay more. Somehow, they supposedly could not change the hotel booking from 2/5 to 2/1 without me paying the higher rate. (I relayed to #Expedia rep the hotel is empty and I countered what’s difficult with re booking the date?) in retrospect, companies like #Amazon and #Expedia should listen to these customer conversations- these executives will realize off shoring these call centers pushes customers like me to not use these behemoth companies. Epic fail.
Alta Project Management 