Project Management Happy Hour 096 - Design thinking: don’t take things at face value or you will face plant, with guest Erik Rueter
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Aug 20, 2024 In this engaging discussion, Erik Rueter, a senior project manager at the American Marketing Association with 20 years of diverse industry experience, shares his expertise in design thinking. He explains how understanding user needs can enhance project outcomes and cultivate better team dynamics. Erik highlights the importance of audience awareness and empathy in project management, revealing transformative strategies like design sprints and inclusive collaboration techniques. His insights aim to inspire project managers to empower their teams and approach problem-solving creatively.
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Embarrassing Design Fail Taught Audience First
- Erik designed a brochure he loved but the client rejected it because it wasn't tailored to older readers.
- He learned the hard lesson of audience awareness after that embarrassing failure.
PMO Rollout Face-Plant
- Erik and his supervisor built a risk-management PMO deliverable that staff openly rejected.
- The backlash caused stress and anxiety and prompted serious re-evaluation of their approach.
Apologize Publicly And Rebuild Trust
- Own the mistake publicly and apologize to rebuild trust with your organization.
- Reach out individually to stakeholders and invite them to help design a better solution.