Masonry Magazine June 2006 Page. 51
suggestion-an approach, a methodology, a plan to accomplish the project.
Well, the boss hated the approach, thought the plan was a stupid idea, and sacked the only person who came up with a suggestion. And his two senior PMs were more like "yes men," than advisors. Just sat there and said, "Good call, boss."
In real life, at the companies I have worked with-and I hope also at yours-everybody is encouraged to come up with ideas. Not only that, but everyone is free to argue their points, or explain why they don't like someone else's plan - even if it's the boss's suggestion. Every idea is thrown onto the table, and everyone has a hand at evaluating all of the ideas. This is best done before a particular phase of the project gets underway, and is called "planning." The idea is to do this stuff, talk about what might work and might not work, and hash these things out before you have people, materials and equipment coming to a job site and exhausting budgets. In fact, this has worked so well over the years that, once computers were invented, we now call this "modeling" and, oh yes, project management.
Now, it is fair to say that, once all of the ideas have been poured over and evaluated, a final decision has to be made on a course of action. That final decision is made by the boss. Oftentimes, the boss also happens to own at least a part of the company, so he or she is - and should be-free to pick the direction to go.
Good project management isn't only about building the perfect project. Sometimes it's also about figuring out in advance-what won't work. And the way you do that is to promote an atmosphere in your company where people are encouraged to think unconventionally-to think "outside the box."
After all, in an industry looking for ways to help us build faster, cheaper and better, aren't we looking for the innovators? Don't we love new materials and technologies? In our industry, we are now using satellites to control grades for excavators and bulldozers! What a milestone that was. It is sad to think that, 20 years ago, talk of this kind of innovation and unconventionality could have gotten some of our present-day apprentice PMs fired!
COACH GARY'S PLAYBOOK: Free audio book for you
Coach Gary has something special for his readers. Get an audio download summary of his new book, "Get Paid for a Change! Simply send an e-mail to: audio@fullcontactpm.com, and you'll receive it without cost. The complete e-book is available for purchase, as well. Also, for other valuable helps. click on the Playbook link at Coach Gary's website: www.fullcontactPM.com. You need this stuff! Get it now!
I feel much better now. Think I'll set down my shoe. Gary Micheloni is a project manager, author, consultant and speaker. He can be reached at coachgary@fullcontactPM.com. Copyright © 2006, Gary Micheloni and Full Contact Project Management
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The Voice of the Mason Contractor June 2006 Masonry 49