Project Management vs Managing Projects
Been having a discussion this week with a couple of Certified Project Managers about the difference between Project Management and successfully managing projects. One of my biggest frustrations is the idea that following the PMBOK will result in a successful project outcome.
Being knowledgeable and certified will not necessarily result in a well managed project. I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked for some project management luminaries, including David Trench and Bernard Ainsworth. Looking back, they clearly understood that the core of managing projects is simply a slight variation of Peter Drucker’s roles of management:
- A start and a finish,
- Setting Objectives,
- Organizing,
- Motivating and Communicating,
- Measuring and
- Developing People
Managing a project successfully requires understanding the first bullet and fulfilling the remaining ones effectively and efficiently. The most sophisticated work-breakdown structure or GANT chart only has value when completed in the pursuit of Drucker’s roles of management…oh…..and a completely unwavering commitment to get the job done!
