Everyday project management

HAVE you experienced handling multiple projects? These days, the answer to that question would definitely be a big YES.

That is why the ability to manage a project is a skill not required anymore of a select few, but rather an important skill for everyone to effectively drive results given the tasks at hand.

Whatever industry or job title you have, developing competencies and a ‘project manager’ mindset enables a worker to link and apply essential project management principles and tools in their everyday workload, specifically through collaborative workload planning, work prioritization and low-impact activity reduction.

Luigi Mapa is a professional organizational development consultant, educator, speaker, coach, business owner who can help develop that mind-set.

Mapa is recognized for his customized talks and engaging workshops on Leadership, Productivity, Project Management, Teambuilding, Strategic Planning, Cultural Sensitivity and Youth Empowerment.

He is also an accredited Franklin Covey instructor facilitating The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Also, he regularly conducts the Training the Trainers program for various organizations.

We asked people to send their questions about managing projects. Luigi Mapa provides some important insights:

1. What is the importance of knowing the art and science of project management?

Knowing how to successfully manage multiple projects is a competency that is becoming increasingly relevant. Why? Because the demands and expectations of today and tomorrow’s work require it.

As the Center for Project Management in the UK put it—“there is a growing realization by managers today that the project management approach is best suited to handle the dynamic change we encounter daily.”

In the previous decades, work was defined by everyday time and task management where people do the same tasks from Monday to Friday.

However, that comfortable work environment has shifted into one that features constant change, innovation and disruption.

Tomorrow’s professionals—leaders, managers, associates, and entrepreneurs—need to be more independent and agile. This means being capable of leading initiatives, collaborating with short-term project teams, developing risk-proof project plans, and executing these plans until completion. Professionals who can demonstrate these project management skills will be highly valued by organizations and employers.

2. Do you think that project management is a skill that every leader or manager should have? Why or why not?

Project management is not for everyone.

This is why organizations hire expensive project consultants and external project managers.

But what every leader and manager needs to recognize is that they already ARE project managers even if they do not carry the title of Project Manager.

Much of the work that leaders and managers currently do are projects, even if these are not officially called ‘projects.’ For instance, setting up a new system without disrupting operations is a project.

Transitioning to a new process or implementing a new strategic directive is a project. Launching a new product is a project.

Coaching a new employee is a project. Improving on an existing service or finding ways to serve customers better is a project.

This is where Everyday Project Management is most helpful.

It gives professionals a process, an approach, and a set of tools to enable them to effectively handle their project workload better.

And for organizations that would prefer to strengthen their internal project management capability rather than outsourcing projects to consultants, ‘EPM’ provides this needed framework and technology.

Luigi Mapa will be the resource speaker for the professional workshop on “Everyday Project Management” on Oct. 20 to 21 at the Inquirer Academy Building, Chino Roces Avenue corner Ponte Street, Makati City.

The professional workshop is brought to you by the Inquirer Academy and is ideal for department heads, managers, supervisors, team leaders, sales and account executives, event organizers, freelance professionals and entrepreneurs.

To know more about the resource speaker or the workshop, you may write to [email protected] or call 834-1557.

Inquirer Academy is the learning center for professionals who want to get ahead, be ahead and contribute to society.