{"id":486,"date":"2011-01-29T17:57:48","date_gmt":"2011-01-29T17:57:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.projectsguru.co.uk\/blog\/?p=486"},"modified":"2011-01-29T17:57:48","modified_gmt":"2011-01-29T17:57:48","slug":"zen-the-art-of-project-management-pmot-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.amberhill.biz\/blog\/?p=486","title":{"rendered":"#Zen & the Art of Project Management* #pmot #in"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"buddha\" Don’t ask me what “Zen” is.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am not qualified to answer such a question. All I can say is that anyone who studies Zen applies it to their daily lives and work.<\/p>\n

As a project manager I apply Zen in the following ways:-<\/p>\n

1) When constructing a project plan\u00a0 I think of the plan as a river flowing to the sea.\u00a0 It never goes uphill and avoids major obstructions. It has a natural rythym to it with everything happening in the right order.\u00a0 I check it once, twice, thrice then I get the Team to review it.<\/p>\n

2) When allocating timescales I ask the person who is actually doing the task. I might push them to do it quicker but I need timescales which are aggressive but realistic. I need that person’s commitment.<\/p>\n

3) I never lie to the customer. I always keep them appraised of progress even if its bad news. Once trust is lost it’s gone forever.<\/p>\n

4) I always offer the customer options. If my timescale has slipped I offer alternative solutions.<\/p>\n

5) I am neither overly optimistic nor pessimistic.<\/p>\n

6) I tell Senior Management the bad news. They dislike obfuscation even more.<\/p>\n

7) I never allow myself to be bullied into giving unrealistic timescales. What’s the point, I will only look stupid when we can’t meet them.<\/p>\n

8) I am open & honest with my team and expect the same in return.<\/p>\n

9) “Best laid plans of mice & men gang aft agley” – say no more!<\/p>\n

10) Calmness in the eye of the storm is either a sign of great leadership or incredible stupidity.<\/strong><\/p>\n

* Recommended reading: Robert M Pirsig – Zen & the art of motorcycle maintenance.
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chris@projectsguru.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

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