Social Impact of Change

As an outsourced "lean PM" I am often faced with social adversity in the beginning hours of on-boarding a project. Whether it's being brought in to correct deficiencies or to provide consultation in the beginning stages, it's no secret some partners in this process will view my participation as less-than welcomed. Surely my sponsor will deliver a highly enthusiastic introduction on my behalf, but it will be my job to gain their support, very quickly I might add, through performance delivery and social impact. 

Understanding the basic principles of leadership, I learned at a very young age you can't lead without having followers. To maximize the output of my man-power resources it is my job to build a cohesive unit and TEAM first, and THEN a project. Many projects are delayed and bogged down due to poor performance and communication. This can be avoided very effectively by comprising teams with qualities and traits who can communicate effectively and foster forward-thinking and positive work environments. It is not unusual to partner with the HR department in this analysis process. Just don't get caught up in "analysis paralysis".

There are many variables taken into consideration when managing a project. One of the most impactful variables that can derail a project all too quickly is the  "social impact of change". Coming from a military background sometimes we worked on a "need to know" basis as low level do'ers and implementers of the missions handed down. We were taught early, by some slight negative re-enforcement (boot-camp), to do what you're told, no questions asked. To a certain extent this is the most effective way to run certain businesses and processes, but for most companies it involves a much more sophisticated strategy integrating social awareness and analyzing social impact.

Organizational cultures consist of shared opinions, attitudes, and practices. Depending on the complexity of certain projects, focusing on social aspects of project management will ensure a higher rate of efficiency and success of your projects. I've found that re-enforcing accountability at every level has helped in this process tremendously because it provides each individual a sense of importance and loyalty to the project at hand.