A Reflection on what is the best project management strategy

I was asked this question while in Sydney, Australia: What makes what I am doing work? I have completed some amazing milestones, but what do I do to deliver? I think the best analogy is cooking to answer.

Most of the time, you know what you want to create: a main meal, a dessert, or an entrée (in French, “une entrée”). Then, you consider the preferences and allergies of your guests because you want everyone to enjoy the meal and have a good time.

If you don’t know a recipe or even what to make, you might “Google” it or refer to your recipe books. This gives you a foundation. You are not necessarily a chef, but you do your best because you want to make it happen.

Then comes the realization phase - you apply and follow the knowledge you have gathered. You might still have doubts about your competency, which is fine because it means you are slightly out of your comfort zone and learning. Suddenly, an idea sparks in your brain, and you want to try something different (why not add a different spice you used previously?) to enhance the dish.

Magic! ?? The outcome is beyond expectation, and your goal is achieved: having a superb meal with your guests and a wonderful time.

While this is the ideal outcome, sometimes the result is not great. Then you think of a plan B, considering other factors (such as do I still have time to redo it) or a plan C (such as going to a restaurant!).

This is the recipe: trying, failing, redoing it, and keeping track of the ultimate goal while considering the people around you (client objectives and what my team can deliver).

As a consultant, we don’t have a regular, typical career path because we experience multiple real scenarios in one professional life. This is the value we bring to each project. We have gained different “spices” that we bring to tweak the solution in order to get the expected results while making the experience feasible, even if not necessarily easy, because changes are uncomfortable.

Yes, hiring an external resource can be costly. However, an external set of eyes is always welcome. You don’t know what you don’t know. Nobody can master everything in one area - it’s an utopia. There will always be a layer of discovery, ongoing research, learning, and sharing knowledge openly (I knew some people who didn’t share knowledge, and believe me, it caught up with - that’s another discussion to have.)

If you hire a consultant and decide what the recipe should be and what spices you want, then you don’t need this person. Try it yourself, follow your execution, and see if the results align with your tastes. The downside is that you will never know if this is the best way - again, you don’t know what you don’t know.

To summarize, there isn’t a single way to achieve a result - it depends on the situation. I have foundational knowledge from various past experiences and ad hoc trainings. While leveraging best practices is fine, always take the time to reflect on their relevance to your current scenario. Identify what’s missing, think critically, design, and create while involving everyone in the journey.

Note: Sitting for long hours on an international flight still provides ample time for reflection.