Imagine you are a Project Sponsor or executive Project Steer Co/Board member. Suppose I report to you as Project Manager that the project timelines should be extended because we have identified technical issues in development. Further, there are no resources available to assist us immediately.
It may just be easier to accept my request. However, your role is to ask difficult questions and challenge my assumptions. Then, make more informed decisions based on more complete and holistic information.
So, consider a few questions and consider asking me (your Project Manager):
- What are the implications of descoping the work the project team cannot complete now?
- Can we descope other project work and deploy resources to this problem?
- What do you need from us to meet the project timeline?
- What are the risks associated with delaying the project?
- What can we do to move this task out of the critical path?
- Why is it coming as a surprise? Why have we been unable to identify this issue before? (for lessons learnt)
The Steer Co’s role is to continue developing the focus, rigour and momentum of the project. The easier path is often to ask simple questions and play nice. However, you can add immense value by asking questions that challenge common thinking patterns and lazy assumptions.
