168: Project Team Leadership, How Hard Can That Be

<p>Projects are too common.  Because of this we take them for granted, seeing them as part of everyday work, but we don’t approach them properly.  We usually gather the team together and then dive straight into the details of the project, without really applying a professional approach.  We certainly don’t apply as much planning expertise to the task as we should, as we wade straight into the mechanics of the execution.  Why is that?   Poor leadership and lack of skills make for dangerous dance partners, as the team launches forth rocking and rolling with no strategy and little expertise.</p> <p> </p> <p>Often, there is no existing documented planning process in place.  This can be rather ironic because often the projects are repeated or very similar projects are undertaken.  Templates and structure are missing so everyone just wings it, making it up as they go along, re-inventing the wheel.</p> <p> </p> <p>The goals of the project are often vague.  This is a lack of direction from the top leadership to those tasked with doing the work.  The project leader has to push back and manage upwards, seeking clear reasons for the WHY of the project and then make sure everyone involved in the team understands the WHY.</p> <p> </p> <p>Project scope creep is like a cancer that can kill the project, denying it success.  The project begins with vague boundaries around what is to be done.  In quick order, either external parties or the team themselves, become like Emus and are attracted by bright shiny objects.  Very quickly the additional tasks multiply but the time frame and the resources committed to the project do not change.  This never ends well.</p> <p> </p> <p>The implementation strategy regarding roles, budgets, timelines and follow-up is weak or non-existent.  Well, when you are having fun and winging it, you are super busy getting on with the actual work, so no strategy needed.  Later things go wrong because timelines were not clear nor properly planned.  The resources do not turn up at the required timing or the se