The importance of project management!

Project managers are important when it comes to transformational changes and innovation. If the scope doesn’t challenge the existing by bringing something new into the organization, the project is just a task that should be solved by operations. They are the experts, and they do that type of work every day. Here is one definition of project management I have experienced to be suitable for the projects I have lead:

Project management is the planning, organizing and managing the effort to accomplish a successful project. A project is a one-time activity that produces a specific output and or outcome.

Project management is about creating something new, that we haven’t done before. Meaning that there has to be some moments of innovation emerging from the process. At least this is my hope and recommendation for projects in general.

There are various levels of innovation from incremental to radical. The more radical, the higher the competitive advantage. “… innovation is about survival or growth – if we don’t change then competitive forces may threaten our future.” (note 1).

Transformational change is compared to transactional change, which has short-term results, more complex, however building the foundation for the innovations of tomorrow. ”A transaction is a give-and-take or reciprocal process. A leader encourages employees to reach the goals of the organisation; a transaction leader ensures himself of their commitment by promising rewards for success or punishment for failure. The leader rewards workers in exchange for commitment. Unlike transformational leadership, transactional leadership capitalises on workers’ self-interest.” (note 2).

In my opinion, it is ambitious project management, e.g. not only installing equipment, but also taking the transformational change seriously. The success of your project and future benefits for the company will depend on how well you guided your stakeholders through the change. ”Project managers have a duty to promote an optimal project climate and optimal state of mind among team members during the project’s life cycle. Project work can be stressful. A project manager must spread enthusiasm and reduce frustration. The prevailing project climate and emotional response to work both affects thinking and behavior.” (note 2).

Customers defining the solution in the initiate phase will probably not get the best possible ROI. Present me with a problem, you want me to solve, and I will guarantee a process where the project group members are innovative in the early phases of the project, enabling the best solution, we could develop in the actual context, to be presented at a decision gate prior to execution.

Dear PM professionals, and other stakeholders, please feel free to comment. How is your view on and experience with transformational leadership and innovation in the role of a project manager?

Enjoy your day, and don’t forget to make it count.

Best regards

Peter Jensen

?PM professional studying a Master in Project and Innovation Management at SDU

Note 1: Tidd, Joe & John Bessant (2014): Strategic Innovation Management. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester (418 pages).

Note 2: Andersen, E. S. (2008): Rethinking Project Management – An Organisational Perspective. Pearson Education, London (345 pages).