RECENT LESSONS LEARNT ... AGAIN #2

Direction must be given, but in the right way.

A series of blogs of lessons learnt or re learnt from a recent project, after all we all have room and need to keep learning!

EXPLANATION

To make the project a good as it could be, it needed people to think in a certain way that they weren’t accustomed to. 

On this occasion it was to take responsibility for all aspects of the project, something sub-contractors aren’t used to. The project was a fixed price with no concept.  It was a blank canvas at the start, and we had to fill in the gaps as we saw fit, as efficiently as possible before the target cost was passed. 

If they didn’t the project would stagnate and start to hemorrhage costs as nothing purposeful would be getting done.  There was no one to blame.

SYNOPSIS

Most people don’t have the time or inclination to change either how they do things or think unless they have to.  But every project is different and needs a slightly different approach to make it the best it can be. 

A cookie cutter approach to managing every project means that sometimes you over do, say, the admin or meetings and other times you under do them.  They also may need a different attitude, sometimes more defensive sometimes more open and freer. 

​To make a project the best it can be as many people as possible have to work in the best way for the project.

LEARNING

Understand quickly what the project and people need.  You will probably go down a few wrong routes at the start, but as soon as you realize the right way make sure you reinforce what is required and explain it at every opportunity to everyone.  It may not sink in the first time but sooner or later it will and help focus all parties as to what is needed. 

​Thanks for reading
 
Simon