Download PMW_0002_PPM.mp3 (17.5MB)
Project Managers often face the reality of choosing between doing something that will provide quick, easy results and something that will produce long-term success but require significant time and planning. It’s human nature to take the shortest road to success. Even small, quick successes can earn a project manager praise, bonuses, promotions or more importantly, support for larger, more grandiose ideas.
From the perspective of the organization, successful projects directly impact the bottom line. Organizations are challenged by delicately balancing overlapping short-, mid- and long-term goals that can make or break a project’s success. Ultimately, an organization’s project success will depend on both the soft factors such as stakeholder management and the hard factors such as project execution – being on time and within budget.
In this episode, we look at how an electronics company, a consumer packaged goods company, and a tower designer made choices between short- and long-term goals in project management.
Our show is divided into 3 segments.
In part 1, we will go Roaming with the Salty Dogg and explore how much it really costs when you get something for free. To illustrate the hidden costs and risks of getting something for nothing, Wayne Thompson shares the experiences of a British electronics company during its selection and purchase of enterprise software.
In part 2, we will be talking to industry insider, Hugh Woodward, who has over 35 years of project management experience. Hugh served two terms as Chair of the Project Management Institute (PMI) and almost six years as a member of PMI's Board of Directors. Tonight Hugh will be sharing with us the importance of project portfolio management in the consumer packaged goods industry
In part 3, Willie Maykett, our in-house project management specialist, will sound off in Painfully Honest with Willie Maykett. This episode’s target is Gustave Eiffel – the designer and project manager of the Eiffel Tower, the gateway to the 1889 World’s Fair (Exposition Universelle de 1889) and the tallest structure in Paris, France.
We hope you enjoy the show and encourage you to send your questions, issues, and war stories.
Music Notes
1. The opening of the episode – “montreal stand up” by Lil JJ
2. Intro to Roaming with the Salty Dogg – “Salty” by Last Page
3. Interview with industry insider – “Penny Wise?” by HealthyMilk
4. Intro to Painfully Honest with Willie Maykett – “Your Honesty Is Killing Me” by Pete Krason
5. Outro to Painfully Honest with Willie Maykett – “Paris” by Kankajou
6. The closing of the episode – “Time is Money” by Matt Gower
