Is it time to fire your project manager?

Lacks the big picture viewpoint

Most project managers become extremely myopic in the view of the organizational world that surrounds them because of their focus on the project at-hand. While this may serve the project well, for a time, it ultimately leads the project team to forget why it is the project was undertaken in the first place. It also causes the project team to forget their place in the organization, particularly when they are dedicating most of their time to executing the project while the organizational world around them feverishly works the day-to-day ops tempo.

As a result, project team members invariably begin to feel a sense of isolation from the organization at large.

Fails to engage regularly with project sponsors

Project managers (PM) also consistently neglect to engage with project sponsors and do not take advantage of the resources at their disposal. If the PM were to   maintain consistent and candid dialogue with the executive or senior leader that initially commissioned the project, he or she could seek resolution of issues that only the sponsor could resolve. Consequently, project issues are not readily solved, and the project suffers stagnation. 

Does not work well with stakeholders

One of the critical functions of the PM that is invariably neglected, is the paramount need for the PM to focus on stakeholder relationships. Too often, the PM makes decisions unilaterally, without soliciting feedback from the stakeholders that will have to live with the project outcome down the line. This not only leads to feelings of disenfranchisement but to frustration about what stakeholders will be given once the project is complete.

In turn, these stakeholder sentiments damage the relationships they have with the project team and the result is a stalemate and stopping point at major decision stage gates when stakeholder input is required.

Questions to Consider

Have you lost confidence in the ability of your organization to deliver a stream of projects that provide growth and bolsters the organization’s effectiveness?