Strategy affects projects, project managers affect strategy
4m 11s
Martha Tong, a Project Manager, discusses the challenges and implications of a particular project, emphasizing the importance of foresight and setting realistic expectations.
Martha reflects on a potential regeneration project and highlights the various obstacles it faces, such as high costs and an undesirable location. She infers that even if the project moves forward, expecting rapid results might be unrealistic. Instead of aiming for a turnaround in a mere 10 years, it might realistically take as long as 50 years to see the desired outcomes.
She underscores the importance of having a consistent narrative from the beginning of a project. This would mean setting and communicating expectations correctly from the outset rather than having to adjust them midway, which could cause confusion or reduce stakeholder trust.
Towards the end, Martha touches upon the critical role of inquiry in project management. She emphasizes that asking the right questions early on can shape the direction of the project and help stakeholders understand and set appropriate expectations. This proactive approach to anticipating challenges and setting long-term visions, she believes, is worth considering for any significant project undertaking.