Author Jerry Manas shares ten imperatives for overcoming project challenges.

1. Overcoming Project
Challenges:
Ten Imperatives for Success
Jerry Manas, PMP
jmanas@marengogroup.com

2. #1 – Get the
Roles Right
• Identify all players
• Use a Responsibility Matrix to
clarify accountability
• Ensure one overall project
manager
“It’s better to have one bad general than two good ones.”
- Napoleon

3. #2 – Get the
Goals Right
“Confusion of goals and perfection of means
seems, in my opinion, to characterize our age.”
- Albert Einstein
• Output must define input
• Ask the “Five Why’s”
• Obtain sponsor agreement

4. #3 – Get the
Current Scope
Right
• Expect and Manage change
• Have Foresight
• Aim for Piecemeal Delivery
• Capture lessons learned

5. #4 – Obtain
Stakeholder
Commitment
• Including customers, senior
management, and vendors
• Clearly communicate goals
• Clearly define relationships

6. #5 – Identify
Success Factors
and Risks
• Define what “done” looks like
• Determine the important
enablers
• Identify barriers and risks

7. #6 – Set
Expectations
• Explain and defend the right plan
to meet the agreed-upon goals
• Set expectations for time, cost,
uncertainties, and available
resources
• Raise issues early!

8. #7 – Beware of
Conflicting Directives
• Confirm the owner(s) of the
project
• Ensure alignment or
agreement
• Get this right before
proceeding!

9. #8 – Plan
Collaboratively
• Planning is not a solo effort
• MS/Project alone is not planning
• Leverage subject matter experts
• Consider COTW (Cards on the
Wall) or Mind-Mapping software

10. #9 – Avoid Rigid
Methodologies
• Beware of unilateral or “one size
fits” all approaches
• Consider checklists & principles
• Standardize selectively
• Freedom breeds accountability

11. When to Use Rules
Rules/Steps should only be used
for the most critical items
where*:
1. Exact accuracy is needed
2. Safety is involved
3. A framework, standard or
regulation must be adhered to.
* Source: Marcus Buckingham, First Break All the Rules

12. #10 – Don’t Let
Rank Set You Off
Course
• Don’t be bullied into a failed project
• It is the project manager’s
responsibility to set the right
expectations, warn of potential risks,
and head off potential conflicting
directives at the pass

13. Recap: Ten Imperatives
1. Get the Roles Right
2. Get the Goals Right
3. Get the Current Scope Right
4. Obtain Stakeholder Commitment
5. Identify Success Factors & Risks
6. Set Expectations
7. Beware of Conflicting Directives
8. Plan Collaboratively
9. Avoid Rigid Methodologies
10. Don’t Let Rank Set you Off Course

14. “No matter how far you’ve gone
down the wrong road, turn
back.”
- Turkish Proverb
Source: Dennis Littky, The Big Picture: Education is Everyone’s Business.

15. For More Information
 jmanas@jerrymanas.com
 www.jerrymanas.com
 www.creatingweinstitute.com