| Back in the early '90's while in college, I was a | | | | to project management? Well, first of all, I enjoy |
| certified ski instructor at Stevens Pass ski area in | | | | skiing (although I don't get out too often at the |
| Washington State. | | | | moment with 2 toddlers at home). Second, I believe |
| In teaching people to ski, one of the things we were | | | | there is a strong correlation to project management. |
| taught was to identify the common thread (or golden | | | | Whether a project is simple and straightforward or |
| thread) of skills which are present at every level of | | | | complex and vague, there is a common set of |
| skiing ability (beginner, intermediate, advanced | | | | activities and skills that can be applied to all scenarios |
| expert). For example, when teaching a beginner to | | | | - a common thread. If a project manager applies |
| ski, we taught them to rise slightly in the direction of | | | | these activities to each and every project, projects |
| a turn when starting a turn (this flattens the skis and | | | | will run smoother. So, what are some of these |
| allows edge transfer to occur more smoothly) and | | | | activities? |
| sink slightly at the end of the turn (to help hold the | | | | Scope clarification |
| new edge throughout the second half of a turn). | | | | Regardless of a project's simplicity or complexity, the |
| This same concept carries through all levels of skiing. | | | | clearer the scope can be defined, the easier the |
| For intermediate skiers, the movements are a little | | | | objectives of a project can be met and the easier it |
| more exaggerated and, for the expert, even more | | | | will be to stay on track. |
| (adding speed, further weight transfer to the outside | | | | Communication strategy |
| ski, stronger rise in the downhill direction, stronger | | | | A simple project might only require a weekly status |
| sinking at the end of the turn, etc.). | | | | email, while a complex project might require weekly |
| Whether a beginner, intermediate or advanced skier, | | | | project team meetings, monthly stakeholder reports, |
| the common thread of skills is the same through all | | | | bi-weekly conference calls with a PMO, etc. A |
| levels of ability. The difference being that the expert | | | | straightforward communication plan for any project |
| appears more refined, graceful and natural in their | | | | will establish project consistency and instill confidence. |
| application of the skills. They are more comfortable in | | | | Change management |
| changing surroundings and, through time on the | | | | Changes are likely to abound in many projects. A |
| slopes and continued practice, have mastered the | | | | clear process to handle these changes and their |
| basic skills necessary to make them stronger skiers. | | | | corresponding impacts (to scope, timeline, budget, |
| So, what would happen if a beginner learns the | | | | etc.) is a necessity. |
| wrong skills when learning to ski? What would happen | | | | Like expert skiers, once project managers master |
| if a beginner takes lessons from a mediocre-ability | | | | the common thread of skills applicable to all projects |
| friend, rather than from a professional? The results | | | | and practice them, they will continually appear more |
| are usually disastrous and an intermediate skier | | | | refined, graceful and natural in their application of the |
| typically plateaus in his or her abilities and, without | | | | skills. The advanced project manager will become |
| re-learning the basics, will never move on to become | | | | increasingly more confident in new, complex and |
| a strong advanced skier. | | | | changing environments, and will have a game plan |
| So, why am I telling you this and how does it relate | | | | from day one. |