The Project Control Paradox | Video

Project Control is an important part of our discipline as Project Managers. But it carries within it a paradox…

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Project Truths

Anyone who has been to any of my live events will know that I have a few project management ‘catch phrases’ that I sometimes repeat within a talk, seminar, or training program.

I hope these sum up fundamental project principles, which I want my audience to really remember and embed in your understanding and practice.

The Rule of Project Control

One of those ‘rules’ is:

‘The one thing that project managers crave, above all else, is control.’

Arguably that’s what project management is all about: exerting control over uncertain events, to create the conditions needed to deliver something new and demanding.

Losing Control

But sometimes we get ourselves so focused on controlling each element of our project, that we start to lose control of it.

Every snag, every hitch, every setback has a solution; if only we can find it. And we’re good at that; it’s what we do. But we are so focused on the monitor and control cycle of assessing progress and intervening to fix problems, that we lose sight of the bigger picture.

And that’s how we end up in the death spiral of a failing project where, day-to-day, we seem to be holding on.

The Project Control Paradox

Sometimes, you have to stop trying to control the details and step back to look at the whole situation. Sometimes we need to create a new strategy and re-plan.

Because, if you aren’t in control of how your whole project fits into the current context, there’s no value in being in control of the individual objectives, deliverables, or relationships.

Recommended Videos

Carefully curated video recommendations for you:

• 12 Rules for Project Management
  No.2 is: ‘The One Thing a Project Manager Craves, above all else, is Control’
• Project Delivery | PM in a Nutshell: Deliver Your Project
• Project Delivery is the Easy Part of Managing Projects
• Handling Contradictions – How Well do you Cope with Uncertainty?
• What is the Cone of Uncertainty?
• Project Takeover Formula: How to Take Over a Started Project

What Kit does a Project Manager Need?

I asked Project Managers in a couple of forums what material things you need to have, to do your job as a Project Manager. They responded magnificently. I compiled their answers into a Kit list. I added my own. 

Check out the Kit a Project Manager needs

Note that the links are affiliated.

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For more of our videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.