Lateral Thinking and Projects

Concentrating on linear improvements, project management in many companies is stuck in a hole – companies continue to let previous experience, traditional approaches and work practices dictate their future performance and goals.

On any project their are a number of possible solutions based upon the approach and the trinity of constraints: Resources, Time, Quality.

During construction and IS/IT projects,  we’ve seen time and again how one bright idea can cut through these constraints. Our experience suggests that such insights normally come to people who have studied multiple disciplines and learned to think laterally!

Is your company’s project management capability stuck in a hole?

Lateral Project Leadership

Lateral Thinking - Through lateral thinking, project managers try different perceptions, concepts, and points of entry. They consider multiple possibilities and approaches instead of a single approach. The variety of perspectives used in lateral thinking allows us to solve difficult project challenges.

Empowerment - Due to set leadership attitudes, employees develop the habit of ignoring an issue until it becomes unmanageable. Often, leaders go on record for being a problem solver. Empowered project teams counter this attitude. They focus on getting the job done while solving or preventing problems while the problems are still nascent. When people are excited and empowered, it affects both their approach and persistence. Empowered people get more involved, take on more difficult situations, and act more confidently. The paradox of project leadership is that, to be an effective leader, project managers must develop all team members into leaders.

Pro-active Optimism - Leaders are optimistic and positive. Positive thinking is more than just avoiding negative emotions. It translates into actions that are forward thinking and involved. When negative events happen, excellent project leaders focus on the positive aspects of the event.

Passion to Improve - On-going self-assessment and self-evaluation are critical exercises for ensuring that your project is meeting its objectives and generating a positive impact. Just ask, “What can I/we do even better?”  In asking this question, leaders focus on challenging themselves and project team members.

Positive Delegation - Your primary job isn’t to execute but rather to motivate and accomplish tasks through your project team members. Delegation of tasks and authority means less time spent on fighting fires and correcting errors and more time on vision development, motivation, project change control, and goal setting.  Delegating relieves time-pressures. It provides your team members with an opportunity to expand their decision making and problem solving skills and encourages creativity and initiative. Your feedback and attention will encourage your team to attain higher levels of responsibility. Delegation helps set performance standards based on team members rather than purely on their activity.

Potential - To meet future challenges, leaders must be inspired by real potential and strategies for the future. Only then can they set a vision with reasonable goals and promote the process of developing effective strategies to achieve them. Proactive and realistic future-oriented thinking can lead to greater project success. For leaders, a successful future requires planning now.

Communication - is the key to ensuring that all stakeholders fully understand the project!!!