You're considering a career in strategy. What makes project management skills essential?

Project management? It’s like the ultimate toolbox for making things happen, whether you’re launching a satellite or organizing a community fundraiser. You’ve got to kick things off, map it out, get the wheels turning, keep an eye on everything, steer it right, and then stick the landing. And it’s not just about juggling tasks; it’s about keeping everyone in the loop, dodging pitfalls, ensuring top-notch quality, and making sure every voice is heard. This isn’t just for the big, flashy projects; it’s for anything that needs a plan and a team to cross that finish line. Its how you turn chaotic ideas into reality

Projects boil down to a series of interlinked tasks. Define the desired outputs or success criteria. Then, identify the required inputs and map out what processes must occur to transform those inputs into the defined outputs. This bridges the gap between the current state and objectives. At each stage - outputs, inputs, processing - lay out the tasks entailed. Their sequential combination across stages comprises the project itself. Viewing projects through this task-level lens brings clarity. It forces explicitly defining deliverables upfront, understanding prerequisites, and recognizing all activities between the start and end points. Breaking down projects into granular, interconnected tasks is key for effective planning and execution.

In my experience project management is all about breaking things down into smaller parts and prioritize things as the project evolves. It is critical to understand how each relates to the whole or to others. This understanding empowers the manager to make informed decisions and communicate with the right parties. It doesn’t matter if it’s a consulting agenda, a product, or a strategy, they all have the same fundamental relationships in connecting to the objective and they all can be broken down into smaller parts.

Project management is fundamental from my expertise point of view, as it allows to tackle problems effectively, being it a transformation, a goal to accomplish or an exploratory research. Any task can be ultimately considered a project.

You can enhance your project management skills by pursuing relevant certifications (eg. CAPM or PMP), attending training programs, practicing task prioritization and delegation, and seeking opportunities to lead and manage projects within your organization.

Some project management tools suitable for strategists include platforms like Asana, Trello, or Microsoft Project, which aid in task management, collaboration, scheduling, and tracking progress to streamline strategic project execution.

You can apply project management skills to your strategy career by utilizing frameworks like Agile or Scrum to iteratively develop and implement strategic plans, establishing clear project milestones and timelines, and fostering effective communication and teamwork among stakeholders.

Roles may vary, with some overseeing execution while others focus on formulation. 1. Execution Proficiency: While strategy formulation is crucial, execution is equally vital. Project management expertise translates strategic plans into actionable steps, ensuring seamless implementation and goal achievement. 2. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strategic endeavors often demand collaboration across departments. Project management fosters structured stakeholder engagement, enhancing alignment towards common goals. 3. Risk Management & Adaptability: Strategic pursuits entail uncertainties. Proficient project management involves proactive risk assessment and agile adaptation strategies, ensuring resilience and success amid challenges.

Additionally, consider honing skills in risk management, stakeholder engagement, and conflict resolution, and staying updated on emerging project management methodologies and technologies to remain agile and adaptable in your strategy role. The PMI certifications and the PMBOK provide great insights into affiliated topics like risk management, stakeholder management etc.