August 6, 2019: Question Series #16
Written By: Marc Moskowitz
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Let’s face it, the majority of PMs working today have grown up in the old school world of Project Management. We are now either facing career extinction or having to adapt to the new ways of the modern, more Agile world. If you’re one of the lucky few who hasn’t had to face this yet, your time will come in the near future. However, I’m here to tell you that the modern world isn’t so bad, and in fact, at no time in recent memory do we have more of a need for top-notch project and program management than we do today! All of us are capable of making the transition to the modern world and being successful. Let me show you how!
Did you think I was going to just give you the solutions right away? Of course not! Let me start by taking a quick look at what makes the old school and the modern day need for PMs different. This way, you will have some context to the suggestions I will lay out below and execute like a champion.
Modern day organizations move much faster than older, bloated organizations: As such, PMs need to be aware of this and keep up with it, so as to not become outdated and useless quickly.
Old school tool-sets are virtually obsolete, while Agile tools are ruling the world: If your current organization has traveled down the Agile path at all, you’ll already know what I’m talking about. There is a new generation of cloud-based tools such as JIRA and other industry-specific packages that now rule the roost. They aren’t exactly your dad’s Microsoft Project or Clarity. PMs need to be very aware of this trend, adapt, and learn how to manage projects within, if necessary.
Modern day organizations are more global than in the past: PMs now must learn how to deal with more global organizations, with stakeholders everywhere and development located offshore. Increased proficiencies in communicating and working across time zones are key.
Projects are more complex overall, both organizationally and technologically: Although the Agile world has challenged the PM paradigm over the last five to ten years, this is where I see the biggest gap and need for PMs. It takes more than a Scrum Master, even the most senior of them, to deliver a large initiative to a customer and/or an organization. Working within a large, matrixed organization is difficult, and the technologies are evermore specialized/complicated/outsourced. The number of truly capable, senior-level PMs that can effectively work in the modern world today is very limited. This gap is where the truly adaptable and talented PMs can make a good living.
Business acumen is more in demand than ever before: It’s not enough to just be a good project or program manager these days. Organizations are demanding that project managers are not only good at leading projects, but also leading a business (including the people). The key skills leaders are looking for include: P/L responsibility, software capitalization, product management, contract management, and team building, just to name a few.
As you can see from the list above, project management is more challenging than ever before. Organizations are becoming more complex, faster moving, more reliant on technology as a differentiator, and more financially focused. What is an old school project manager to do in order to survive in this vicious jungle? In a word: adapt. The following list contains five ways you can bridge the gap from the old world to the modern world, while improving your performance along the way:
Master your organization and make friends in low places: At first, this would seem obvious, but I can’t tell you how many project managers and project organizations I’ve coached that don’t do a good job with this. It’s more important than ever before, due to the matrixed nature of most companies. Further, because of all of the specialty roles, systems, and budgets, you will need help somewhere along the line outside of your core project team. Get out of your cube, meet the people, and always say “Thank you!”
Learn the Agile way and become familiar with the tools: Even if you don’t want to be a Scrum Master, product owner, or the like, it will still be of benefit to learn the modern way of doing work. It really doesn’t take much effort, and will benefit you many times more than you think. Focus on the metrics and reporting tools in particular! You’re welcome…
Learn the value of delivering information and your key messages faster than is comfortable: Companies and projects seem to move faster than the speed of light these days. Knowing that, project managers cannot take their time to deliver crucial statuses, messages, or key information. There will be times where you won’t have all the information you want, but you’ll need to send a communication anyway. Find ways to deliver the desired message without risking the key facts. It will be uncomfortable at times, but I can’t overstate the importance of being ahead of the curve on providing key project messages.
Quick Wins (90-day rule): Long projects (12+ months) are commonplace these days, which only increases the need to deliver quick wins to your organization. The more quick wins you deliver, the more credibility and room for mistakes you will have later on. The rule of thumb should be 90 days. Delivering a victory every 90 days will work magic for your team, the organization, and the messaging you deliver to your stakeholders. It will also make it infinitely easier to ask for future opportunities and budget. Be a leader on this topic with your team. Where there is a will, there is a way to deliver something of value!
Learn how your company does finances and/or product management: As mentioned earlier in the article, companies are looking for business leaders more than ever before and that includes those in the project management discipline. If you’re not already an expert in corporate finance (not just project finance), become one. It will not only help you as a project manager, but it will open up many other opportunities for you down the road, elevating your career. Secondarily, if you really want to become a rockstar, learn your company’s products and how they see the product ownership role. Being a product owner is the new it job and something that a lot of project managers can comfortably transition into, if they so desire and put the effort into it. Even if you never want to make that transition, knowing your domain will make you a better project manager! As a final point, if you can master the three-headed monster of project management, finances, and product management, your career earnings will increase significantly. When you become a highly-paid executive, don’t forget the little guys!
There are many other things a project manager can learn, adapt to, or master to improve their performance in today’s modern world. However, I believe that the core five points listed above should cover the vast majority of the gap, as you make your transition from the old school world. Good luck and carry on!
What do you think? What are your top tips for adapting to the modern world and being successful?
Thanks for reading!
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