FREE PROJECT TEMPLATES WHEN YOU BUY THIS BOOK Most project books are theory based and talk about methodologies, tools, setting up controls etc etc...THIS IS NOT THAT TYPE OF BOOK... this is a very lighthearted and entertaining short book that talks about the everyday, practical problems that we encounter during our projects and gives some great ideas that you, as the best project manager in the industry, can either prevent them happening in the first place or resolve them whilst they are happening. YOU ALSO GET FREE PROJECTILY RAID, COST MODEL, DECISION LOG, DEPENDENCY TRACKER TEMPLATES TO DOWNLOAD WHEN YOU BUY THE BOOK. The best way to describe this book is to give you a cheeky preview.... NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE ROOM ‘Getting everyone there? Like trying to herd cats. In the dark. While drunk.’ PREVENT Not getting what you need in front of whom you need is an age-old, endlessly infuriating issue. But if the proof is in the pudding, getting the best pudding is in the planning. So at the start of your project, identify your stakeholders’ commitments/dependencies/potential complete lack of engagement and find a way to work around them. The key here is notice – if you can flag with a big klaxon that something needing their attention will be coming up soon and then tie them down early, you’ve halved your stress. And that’s one sweet pudding. Then at least you’ll feel accomplished when your best-laid plans fall around your ankles because no matter how much you plan, people will let you down. And that’s why you have a contingency in your back pocket. ‘Cos you’re a smart cookie (first puddings, now cookies – who’s hungry?) you’ll have expected a few people to skip over your meeting requests or simply not turn up, and will have already checked their calendars to set aside the next time they’re free. So when they do decline the original invite, instead of begging for ten minutes during their lunch break, you simply agree to meet them on the next day you knew they’d be available - but the key is that you put both meetings in your plan and allow for the extra time it will take to get the answers you need. RESOLVE You can spot the serial meeting-dodgers a mile off, and when they just won’t turn up for you it’s time to start asking why. This doesn’t mean diving headlong into an argument, but rather trying to understand the pressures they’re under and come up with a solution that works for everyone. Offer 1-2-1 sessions if their time is precious – they feel like you’re going that extra mile to engage them, and you get their eyes on your project at long last. Then, fingers crossed, they’ll remember how accommodating you’ve been the next time you need their approval (it happens, but don’t hold your breath). And if that doesn’t work, suggest different ways of reviewing off-line that will get them to say ‘Yes, this looks excellent, have a raise and a car.’ Paper copies? Interpretive dance? Doesn’t matter, just get it done