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You might have noticed me missing on LinkedIn over the last month: I have a good reason.

My home needed urgent, emergency repairs - in the form of a whole house pipe refitting, bathroom replacements, and associated cleanup with construction work. (You know - filling up holes on the outside of your house, replacing the vinyl plank flooring you had put five years ago - all that good stuff.)

Tl;DR: My project management skills kicked into high gear, transforming what would typically take months into a mere three and a half weeks. Let that sink in.

Now, let’s rewind and set the stage. Picture this: my kids were mid-shower when they noticed the water refusing to drain in the tub. As seasoned residents of our beautiful house, we knew our plumbing was a ticking time bomb. Regular drain clean outs had become a biannual ritual, and every plumber who graced us with their expertise was genuinely shocked by the state of our pipes.

But here’s where the stars aligned in our favor:

1) Spring Break Blessing: With school out for two weeks, our girls wouldn’t bear the brunt of the disruption. We all squeezed into Laci's childhood room. (Yes, it was cozy.)

2) Top-Notch Plumbers: We’d been loyal to Cisneros Bros Plumbing—the same company—for years. Their familiarity with our house and data-driven insights helped us decide to re-pipe everything.

3) No Water Damage: Quick thinking saved us. As soon as we noticed the backup, we halted toilet flushes and showers. Our personal possessions remained unscathed.

4) My Secret Weapon: Enter my mad project/program management skills and experience. ??♂?

So, how did I shrink the timeline? Here’s the playbook:

1. ?? Building Relationships with Vendors: I saw our vendors as humans first. I made the effort to get to know them and emphasized how crucial this work and the abbreviated timeline were for my family. We fostered group chat threads where everyone shared challenges and possible solutions. Regular calls with each vendor kept me informed, allowing me to be their eyes and ears on-site. Remarkably, the plumbers even volunteered to work through the first weekend to expedite the process. No need to ask—they cared about quality and speed (Notice I did not say cheap…..??)
2. ?? Setting Expectations Early and Often: At the project’s outset, I collaborated with our team to map out milestones. I asked probing questions: “What conditions would allow us to move faster?” and “What cost-saving options do we have?” My commitment? Working from my trusty office shed every day, ready to answer questions and overcome roadblocks. When suppliers said “no,” they put me on the phone to negotiate.
3. ?? Daily Goal Setting: Each morning, we gathered on-site for a group walk-through. We set clear goals for the day and encouraged questions. This proactive approach allowed us to address potential problems early. And yes, I sprinted to plumbing supply stores to fetch fixtures and parts the plumbers hadn’t anticipated. Plus, we kept our partner vendors in the loop, adjusting timelines as needed.
4. ?? Providing Frequent Feedback and Accountability: I didn’t shy away from giving feedback. Whether praising progress or addressing hiccups, I was there. Accountability mattered. When results fell short, we discussed improvements. It’s amazing how a candid conversation can keep things on track.
5. ?? Bonus: Appointed my wife Creative Designer, with full design control.? I love her, and this made her happy. So it made me happy.

?? Let’s Connect! If you’re seeking a learning programs project management wizard, someone who thrives on tight deadlines and delivers exceptional results, reach out. I’m here to turn challenges into triumphs. Let’s collaborate and make things happen! ??