Project management is top sport

This month, I am celebrating one year at Next Learning Valley. And that has provided a lot of inspiration. Therefore, in this blog I share some tips and tricks for project management by making a comparison with the world of sports. After all, there are many similarities.

Watching high-performers in top sports can inspire us in implementing a new learning vision and associated learning technology. One of the things we look for in both top sports and project management is performance. I say "one of" because I believe it should not come at the expense of the balance of people and mental health, which I am not sure is well managed on national sports teams.

Good preparation does not guarantee success.

One of the crucial components of any sport is the rules of the game. This also applies to project teams: the rules should be well known and easy to understand and use. This will help the team be successful. The "rules of the game" include the processes, methodologies and working arrangements that support project teams. Keep it simple: the "rules" should be about providing guidance and support to make it as efficient as possible for the team.

Flexibility is very important. Especially in software implementation projects. You need to be able to adapt to the situation when needed. Think about the way you communicate or the way you meet. By adjusting leadership per situation, you influence behavior of team members to achieve the best results.

Focus on the total team

Success depends on the performance of the entire team. Team soccer players always refer to the team effort when they achieve a victory. A soccer player who sprints forward on his own to score a goal often runs aground, while as a team you are much stronger and achieve results more easily. But to do that, you have to have a well-functioning team.

Therefore, defining the responsibilities for each role is a good starting point for creating the team. In a team sport, for example, you have a coach, linesmen and referees; it's helpful if the players know who is responsible for what.

To clarify this, set out the responsibilities in a RASCI table. Next, at the beginning of the project, try to set up an informal meeting for strengthening relationships among yourselves. It is critical to do this early. Because, it is only a matter of time before the team has to join hands to weather inevitable setbacks.

Project management is people work

Every top sport involves a group of people who help the team prepare and execute games. They are all needed so that the players get the best results.

The skills of a coach are extensive, as are those of a project manager. Most project managers have expertise in some skills, but not all. Therefore, identify experts in the organization. You can compare this to Louis van Gaal having two assistant coaches.

Sports officials are responsible for identifying, prioritizing work and making strategic decisions. They provide the budget and other resources. Therefore, it is important to keep them informed. In addition, these "officials" can also be used to support in marketing and communications.

The least liked figure in sports is the referee, but perhaps the most important. The referee in the world of project management ensures that the team is set up correctly and for creating a climate of success. Attitude and governance structure are essential in this regard. Referees in projects must consult and advise, rather than just observe violations.

In the end, it is the players that matter. They have to deliver the results. Therefore, make use of the knowledge and experience within the team. In soccer, you see attackers, midfielders, defenders and a goalkeeper. By making good use of the different skills, a successful team can be put together. After playing a game, players need rest to get ready for the next kickoff. This also applies to project teams. They stay in top form if there is a good balance between workload and relaxation.

lastly...

Evaluate and reflect. The voice of the customer is critical in process improvement. A simple, periodic survey is a valuable tool and helps measure the effectiveness of a project. Be sure to share a summary afterwards and keep an action plan with areas for improvement. By keeping the survey questions similar, the effectiveness of any changes can be measured. You can't improve what you don't measure!

But, also celebrate successes. Celebrating successes is often forgotten but is very important. People who take time to reflect on and celebrate their successes are generally more optimistic, take better care of themselves and are less stressed.

And let's face it: project management can sometimes seem boring but it's always great to work with a motivated team of experts. Once you start a project, there is never a dull moment.

Have you become curious about more?

Then read this blog, in which I talk specifically about successfully implementing an LXP.