Agile Admiral - Issue #1

Project Management Journey

Read time:?4 minutes

Hey, welcome to the very first Agile Admiral Newsletter.

What to Expect

Every week, you'll receive an actionable newsletter that highlights the best methods to develop your Project Management Skills.

My Promises to You

I don’t take your attention for granted. It’s your most valuable resource.

There’s so much bad, non-actionable advice out there. I won’t allow it here.

So, to ensure your attention is well invested, I’ve put together these editorial promises:

• I will only share information which is relevant to project management.
• I will NOT waste your time with non-actionable life advice like “just be creative.”

Here is the “menu” for this week:

Short introduction; I will talk about effective stakeholder engagement; Certifications; Your action for next week

1. Who Am I

Corporate answer

I'm a Project manager with 15 years of experience, as per industries, I was lucky enough to work in Oil & Gas(Energy) and Telecommunication. I managed projects from various sizes and geo locations. From $100k to $10 million, from team of 1 to team 35. Been in Junior PM role, Project manager, Program manager, Senior project manager…

Non-Corporate answer

I'm a husband, a father of two. I'm a solopreneur and my mission is to help PMs to grow and reach their highest potential.

2. Effective Stakeholder Engagement - What to keep in mind?

Effective stakeholder engagement is a process that involves actively involving stakeholders in decision-making and communication activities related to a project.

The goal is to build mutually beneficial relationships, foster understanding and create buy-in from stakeholders who may have a vested interest in the outcome.

How?

1. Identify all the relevant stakeholders who may have an interest in the outcome of the project. This includes internal and external stakeholders.

2. Understanding. Once stakeholders have been identified, it's essential to understand their need, interest and concerns. Through surveys, focus groups or F2F meetings.

3. Communication. This includes two-way communication that allows stakeholders to provide feedback and ask questions and also regular updates on the progress.

4. Building relationships. Based on trust and mutual respect. By being transparent and honest.

5. Managing expectations. Setting clear goals and expectations. Regularly review and adjust as per the needs.

6. Monitor. Regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement activities.

In?REAL LIFE

1. You cannot do a perfect job, which means you are not going to be able to identify all stakeholders by yourself, ask for help and discuss with your sponsor.
2. We try to “understand” a stakeholder but we are not here to please them.
3. Communication requires transparency, but sometimes you need to be “politically correct”, which means you have to tell the “story” in a different way :-)
4. What stakeholders want is a person responsible, someone in the driving seat. It means you need to take the lead. You have to demonstrate you have everything under control.

3. Certifications

Certifications are key components in the Project Managers career. It is not only a benchmark of your knowledge, but more importantly, it is your “commitment” to the career path.

I am keen to help people passing PMI’s CAPM and PMP exams, therefore, I run weekly study groups to pass the first try.

If you want to have and join, this does not require more than just simply click in the link below. It will take you to my LinkedIn group, where I always post the latest session details - at 5PM UK, Tuesday: PMP; Wednesday CAPM - every week :-)

CAPM and PMP Weekly Study Group

4. Project Managers: TRY NOT TO PLAY SAFE

Is okay to make mistakes, but make them FAST.

We all learn through experience. I have a story:

In one of my early projects, I made a mistake.?

My cost forecast did not include a specific software licence which was essential($10k).

I realized it was too late and I had submitted an emergency change request to cover the cost.

I was nervous to present the case and explain my mistake to the stakeholder.

Just before the meeting my Sponsor grabbed me and he mentioned an example, how he made a mistake that cost $100k.

The takeaway is we are all humans and we learn from our mistakes.

When you progress with your career, it does not mean you will be perfect all the time.

Instead of playing SAFE, make decisions.

FAIL FAST and GROW.

I hope this helps a few people manage their project better.

5. Next Newsletter

Every Friday at 12PM UK