When is the right time to announce that there might be hurdles ahead? As early as possible!
The need for additional financing for regional or national projects regularly makes front page news.
And generally, what irks the decision-makers is not so much the need for funds, but rather the impression of being presented with a fait accompli.
The decision-maker then imagines two scenarios:
The project manager is incompetent and didn’t correctly anticipate the needs, or
The project manager held back information in the hope that everything would work out
In both cases, the project manager is perceived as incompetent.
To avoid this trap, as soon as an obstacle crops up:
Inform your mandator
Identify possible solutions with your team
Discuss these with your mandator and your management committee
Ask them to choose which option to follow
Communicate openly with all stakeholders according to a communication plan approved by your mandator
Projects without unexpected hurdles are rather rare. To deal with them and really benefit from everybody’s strengths, the best approach is always to lay your cards on the table.
Transparency is crucial for a successful project.
What about you ? Do you have similar or different experiences? Let me know, I'll be happy to discuss it with you!
Artwork: Mélanie Bénard Tremblay,2017, © Marakoudja.