PROJECTS SEEM DESTINED TO FAIL

?#projectmanagement #coaching

Let′s put some industry context for you to understand where this article is coming from:

§?85% of projects have costs overruns, in average 28%

§?Mega Projects take 20% longer and up to 80% over budget (McKinsey & Company indicated that project performance declined in some industries since the 90s)

§?Between 35% and 45% of Project professionals report spending up to 14h per week in non-essential activities! That alone, costs the industry over US$ 1.7 Trillion according to McKinsey & Company

§?Technology is here to help, but often is underutilized by project professionals.

§?30% of projects fail because of poor communication, according to a study conducted by the Project Management Institute

Therefore, considering that in the past 20 years we have seen a spike in the number of accredited certifications (ACP, APM, BVOP, CAPM, CPD, CPM, CPM-IAPM, CSM, CompTIA Project+, MPM, PRINCE2, PPM, PMP, PgMP), how comes that projects keep derailing, failing and costing value to shareholders and stakeholders? For me the answer lies in some basic principles, which by watching The Playbook they came back to me as a flashback.

THE PLAYBOOK

I recently watched the Playbook (Netflix). It made me realize that the experience of the five coaches in the documentary, relates not only to our daily lives but also to the way projects evolve. Somehow, the project industry believes that a certification in project management guarantees success in project development and execution. Don′t take me wrong, I use the PMBOK (Pmbok Project Management) guidelines as a reference and complement that with Risk Management and LEAN Methodology, and in some cases working hand-in-hand with strategic consultants like McKinsey & Company.

For you to understand my viewpoint, I have led complex projects, large (US$830MM) and small (US$30MM), in single locations and spread over several regions or even countries, with complex actors and in some cases challenging boards, but all of them resulted in positive outcomes for all stakeholders and shareholders, with excellent safety, environmental and community records, under budget and ahead or on time.

Next you will read about the lessons learned from five coaches, then you will see how it relates to project management performance.

The Coaches

DOC RIVERS, CELTICS COACH

1.???FINISH the race – it is important to go all the way through

2.???I won't be a VICTIM – don't blame the current situation on others, take actions to overcome the obstacles

3.???UBUNTU is a way of life (The art of being human) – treat everyone with the same respect and with the same degree of expectation

4.???PRESSURE is a PRIVILEGE – If you and your team are feeling the pressure is because something good is happening, you are making it happen

5.???Keep moving FORWARD (NEVER, EVER, EVER QUIT) – if you fall, get up, dust off and keep going

JILL ELLIES, USA WOMEN′S SOCCER COACH

1.???Mountaintops are SMALL, and the air is THIN – when you are up there, there is not enough space for everyone, and everyone wants a piece of you.

2.???HOLD Fast, Stay TRUE – Believe, keep moving in the direction that your principles show you, some can “see ahead”, use it.

3.???RISK is OPPORTUNITY – it is only by taking calculated risks, and managing them, that you will achieve value beyond expectations.

4.???BE TRUE to YOURSELF – Jill overemphasizes the need to stay true and believe in your vision

5.???If you want to be HEARD, make a STATEMENT – not everyone is ready to hear you, sometimes you need to take non-orthodox actions to ensure that you are heard.

JOSE MOURINHO, SOCCER COACH

1.???Understand the AUDIENCE – it is important to know who you are pitching to, adjust your language and posture, be prepared.

2.???IF you are PREPARED for the WORST, you are PREPARED – this is one that is true, if you can foresee the worst scenario, then you will be prepared to tackle the issues as they arise.

3.???The UNDERDOG ATTACK - when in fear, face it and attack, go for it. Sometimes is better to have the right attitude than titles.

4.???Some RULES are meant to be BROKEN – I have a difficulty with this one, but I believe the message is that often rules are set by humans with the limited knowledge they had when imposed… and stayed like that forever (like the limits you have in a growing organization, often operations limits differ from project management limits).

5.???The TRAIN does not stop TWICE – when you see an opportunity, take it.

6.???Don′t coach the player, coach the TEAM – this one I love, don′t spend all your time in a limited number of resources, make sure that your entire team feels considered in every aspect, and if not, let them know why.

PATRICK MOURATOGLOU, FRENCH TENNIS COACH

1.???Your greatest WEAKENESS can become your greatest STRENGHT – it is often that we can use our own weaknesses to our advantage, to enquire more about something, to learn more, to understand more, AND often something new and valuable comes from the weakness,

2.???NEVER be afraid to get FIRED – this one I like, personally. If you approach life afraid of what could happen, then you are not ready to grow. Do your best, always strive for better performance, for you and your team, even if that costs you your position.

3.???Mistakes are INEVITABLE but DON′T let them DEFINE YOU – making mistakes is an integral part of life but having assessed the risk will help you mitigate the impacts. But, if for whatever reason a mistake materializes, fix it and move on, don′t dwell, learn but don′t dwell on it.

4.???EMOTIONS are the WORST Advisors – how many times in life we let our own emotions impair our decision-making processes. Keep a straight face, all the way to the end.

5.???Let them KNOW they are not alone – your team is not YOURS, they are an integral part of your performance, let them know you are with them all the way through, hold their backs even if your is broken! I call that being a Chief FACILITATING Officer. Wish we could all be facilitators to all stakeholders.

6.???A good LIE can become a TRUTH – be careful with this one, if the trend tells your that something is not right, don′t apply make up to it, you will end up in the ditch.

DAWN STALEY, WOMEN′S BASKETBALL COACH

1.???Bring your OWN Ball – love this one, if where you are don′t have the tools, bring them and use them, make sure that you always have the right attitude to use the tools even when others consider it unnecessary.

2.???GROWTH takes place OUTSIDE your COMFORT ZONE – if you want to mame a STATEMENT, you need to move away from the sidelines, get into the spotlight and shine.

3.???Create YOUR OWN HOME Court Advantage – this is simply true, in life and projects you are negotiating always, make sure that you create spaces that are “holy” to you and your team, and make sure that all stakeholders know that. ?

4.???24-hour rule - have the passion always

5.???What is DELAYED is NOT DENIED – how many times in life it seems as if you won′t achieve your goals? Same happens in projects, just make sure to let everyone know that there is a plan and that the promised value is coming as promised.

PROJECTS AND LIFE

In summary, it is not the number of certifications you may have as project manager, the statistics demonstrate that. The most important thing is to have flexible leadership combined with good use of tools and principles. I took the five most relevant lessons, to me, from The Playbook, and built the following declaration shared with my children (27, 25, 23) and now with you:

It is time to use the pressure on your favor, attack as a team by taking calculated risks and let go off mistakes, seize opportunities, do not let emotions overtake you and don't display them until the buzzer is off, at the end, if you do that, and apply all principles and tools diligently, the result will show, just be steady and keep the goal always in everyone's sight and mind, what is for you is already there, just keep going patiently.