From programmer to project manager: it turns out that all problems can be solved
Whether the project manager has a positive attitude is directly related to the success or failure of the project. In many cases, the project manager is not really unwilling to actively face the problem, but feels that the problem itself is difficult to solve and can only let it be. And in fact, everything is solvable—not just a slogan, but something that can be done. When you hold this belief, your problem-solving skills will become stronger.
1. My second epiphany
Project management training isn't for everyone, but it's necessary for project managers who are eager to get help digesting theoretical knowledge and getting to the bottom of it as quickly as possible. When I first participated in the project management training, I honestly didn't understand anything at all, leaving only a few words like "iron triangle", "rule of 28" and so on circling in my mind. But through this training, I learned that project management has a whole set of theories and methodologies, and it is not something that can be done by instinct, so I began to systematically learn this knowledge.
But this is not what I mean by "Second Epiphany", because "Second Epiphany" gave me a more positive attitude to deal with the problems in the project and face life, which is far more positive than what I learned Some specific theoretical knowledge is much more important.
This important insight stemmed from another project management training experience I attended. During the training, the teacher asked us to do a lot of our training questions, many of which were case studies. They were basically talking about the problems encountered in a certain project and asking what to do? Choose one of the answers ABCD. When I was doing these questions, I couldn't help thinking about the company's project situation. In fact, it was so similar to the description in the question. We used to be so helpless and overwhelmed, and the answer given by the teacher was the same every time. Undoubtedly, it made me realize that every problem can be solved, just as every question has an answer.
Recalling that in the company's regular project meetings, project managers always raised some similar questions again and again, such as:
l The customer has changed the demand again, the change is large, the workload is relatively large, and the project can only be delayed longer than planned;
l There are too many newbies in the project team, and the efficiency is very low.
l No one is doing a certain function, and it is placed there until someone is freed up to do it;
l A certain key personnel is going to leave, and the progress of the project will lag behind;
l During this period of time, I have been doing bidding and have no time to manage the project;
l encountered a technical difficulty, the company has not done it before, and it has been stuck there;
l ……
Problems like this are endless, they are so troubling, but helpless, just like a person suffering from an incurable disease and can only wait silently to die. Management is often speechless in the face of these issues, so much so that in the end they acquiesce that they are really none of the project manager's business and can only be left unchecked.
When I think about these questions again, I realize that we have been deceiving ourselves all the time. Although these problems are a headache, they are not without solutions, and they also have their own solutions:
| question |
Reference solution |
| customer change request |
l Understand why customers want to change, in many cases, we do not understand customer needs, not customer requirements are changing l Assess whether changes are really needed l Are there other alternatives l Whether it can be put into the next phase of construction |
| too many newbies |
l Arrange suitable jobs for newbies l More inspections and more counseling l Request superiors to upgrade more suitable resources |
| Some functions are not done |
l Apply for resources to superiors and explain the importance and urgency of the problem l Request to recruit project personnel l The project team rushes to work l Utilize project buffer time l Evaluate whether the function is on the critical path and whether it can be put back and waited for the staff to free up |
| Key personnel resign |
l Communicate openly and honestly with him to eliminate his worries l Use superiors to communicate with them, appropriately meet their requirements, and strive to retain talents l If you really leave your job, please refer to the above "Some functions are not done" |
| The project manager is busy bidding and has no time to manage the project |
l Overtime. It can only be done when work is busy. If you want to achieve great things, it is impossible to work without overtime l Distribute the bidding work to subordinates who are more relaxed l Explain to the superior that the project work is very tight and request to assign the bidding work to others |
| encounter technical difficulties |
l Organizing discussions with the company's technical backbone l Go to foreign websites to find solutions l Ask for help on technical forums l Use external resources, such as classmates or acquaintances, etc. l Request to transfer the work to R&D staff |
It turns out that there are so many solutions to these seemingly intractable problems. Even if none of these approaches work, there is one more thing the project manager can do, which is to assess the impact and request changes to the project -- don't forget, change is also a method. In some extreme cases, it is even necessary to abandon the project, that is, not to do it, and tell your owner byebye, so that you can get together and leave. When necessary, even breaking up is an option, but there is only one way you can never go, and that is letting go. Know that avoiding the problem is always the worst option.
2. Project management is about solving problems
There is a solution to all problems, and this was a very important realization for me because it changed my mindset about looking at projects. Only by being brave enough to face the problem and actively looking for a solution can we achieve our goals.
(1) The problems in the project should be dealt with positively
It is normal to have problems with the project, and it is a special case if there are no problems. Project managers should cultivate an optimistic attitude. They should not be sullen and lifeless because of problems. Just imagine, if there are no problems in the project, what is the value of the project manager?
Of course it is said that project managers should prevent problems, not solve them. It would be nice if you could prevent all the problems, but it's almost impossible to happen. What's more, how to prevent the problem is actually a more difficult "problem".
In the face of problems, we must actively solve them, instead of thinking that there is no good way to do it. When some project managers are criticized by their superiors, they always try their best to justify, which is a very negative approach. Don't think that if you make your boss feel helpless, you can feel at ease, or even a little complacent. Don't think that your boss is praising you by nodding. In fact, he is evaluating you through everything to see whether you are a mediocre person or a talented person.
From "I can do nothing" to "I can think of a way", a small change is enough to achieve a leap from mediocre to excellent. Positive or negative, active or passive, just a thought, and this thought will directly affect the results of the project.
While every problem can be solved, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to every problem. How to solve it requires a specific analysis of the specific situation. There is no simple method or rule that can solve all the problems. This is just like when surfing, the height, direction and strength of each wave are different. Surfers cannot set a fixed posture for themselves. They can only adjust according to their own experience when the waves come, otherwise they will quickly will be knocked over.
(2) Actively face the problems in life
Like projects, life is full of problems. As the saying goes: "Every family has this sutra that is difficult to read." In fact, as long as they face it positively, everyone can recite this sutra well.
"All problems can be solved", I also use this view to encourage myself in my life. When I have a conflict with family members, I think that this can be solved, so I communicate with them to let them know more about my situation and my true thoughts. The sentence "Long live for understanding" is not wrong at all. Many The problem is solved in this way, all of which benefit from my understanding this time. Just imagine, if I take a evasive approach to the problems in my life and turn a blind eye to them, conflicts will inevitably accumulate and one day they will explode. Why are there always so many families who are in trouble because of trivial matters, and even break up the family? It can be said that the inability to actively face the problem is an important reason.
A few days ago, I saw a piece of news on the Internet. A man in Gansu thought he didn’t get along well for 16 years. I lost the warmth of my family for 16 years. In a project, will you not report to your superiors because you feel that the project is not going well? In fact, the more problems there are, the more you should report them, and strive for the understanding and support of your superiors. You must know that your superiors often have broader knowledge and more resources. Maybe he can help you?
from http://developer.51cto.com/art/201211/364725.htm