Are You Planning for Projects That Are Not Clearly Set in Stone?

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"I'm always open to learning new ways of managing my time and my tasks," he says. "My way of managing my work is sort of Google Docs making myself lists using a project management tool called Asana" He asks his team how they plan for projects that are not clearly set in stone, like building the plane as we're flying it. "'You cannot plan by having a 30 minute hour long meeting,' you have to invite from the top down in sideways."

We’re in a project economy, where so much of our work is developing something new — a product, a service, an event. That means that many of us manage projects, even if “project manager” isn’t in our official job title. And we’re typically doing this work alongside others, on a deadline, often with multiple stakeholders involved, while objectives and circumstances continuously change. It’s not easy, and it’s no wonder that people get certified in project management: it’s a discipline that’s surprisingly deep, from planning to close-out.

A former clinical social worker who recently pivoted to project management has already experienced several of the most common challenges, including uncertainty, interpersonal conflict, and lack of responsiveness from the team. She and Amy B talk with an experienced project manager who shares tips for motivating and influencing others, communicating effectively, and solving problems.

Guest expert:

Tamara McLemore is a project manager who is certified by the Project Management Institute to train others in the discipline, and the founder of the Project Business Academy, through which she coaches people on what it takes to pass the Project Management Professional exam.

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