subject: Five Important Questions to Ask [print this page] Five Important Questions to Ask Five Important Questions to Ask
Being a Project Manager in the IT industry for a number of years has resulted in a few of my own lessons learned. I was recently out to lunch with a new colleague of mine (a bit younger in age and experience) who was struggling to produce something even remotely adequate to please their new manager's requests. As we were discussing the issues my colleague was experiencing, it seemed as if my colleague was describing the same issues I was experiencing only a few years earlier. Apparently, my friend and their supervisor were not even close to being on the same page when it came to expectations and responsibilities. I am not sure where the gap was started but it seemed as though a large gap existed.
I am not sure where or when I sat in on a project management webinar that addressed this topic head on but I went through some of my old notes and found this information. I use these questions myself not always at the right time mind you, but they are all used. Remember to also use these questions in the right context and voice tone as they may rub people the wrong way if not used correctly.
First question: How is this new project relevant to my current workload? Another way of saying this is how will this new project affect or change what I am currently doing? Does it relate or is this a new area of responsibility?
Second question: What specifically needs to get done? This is where you and your supervisor would need to develop a list of the next steps of the project. Even as minimal as to what should be done to get the project started in the next week.
Third question: What does success or failure look like? Mainly, what are the expectations of the project? This deals with evaluation of the result. Is there a specific goal that management already has in mind such as a reduction in costs by a certain percentage, etc.?
Fourth question: What tools and support are available for me to use for this new project? Is there going to be a reduction in focus for the other projects or is this in addition to? Are there additional resources (time, money, head count, etc.) available for this project? This question is rarely answered by management in a complete way. We would all like to know that we have additional resources for all of the projects we are working on but let's face it, this is not normally the case. The better way to put this so everyone understands is who is backing or pushing for this project to be completed?
Fifth question: What is in it for me? Or, what will I get in return? This is particularly important for those that are really watching how they are managing the exposure of their careers either internally or externally to their current organizations. We may not always have a choice to which project we are assigned but some of the lucky ones do. It may also depend on the amount of risk you are willing to accept.
The answers to these five questions can be used as a marker to where you presently stand with the project or the people that you work with. They will differ each time you ask yourself based on the circumstances that you are faced with during each project and or position.
These five questions have made my life a bit easier it seems no matter where I am employed or on which project I have been assigned. I don't use all of them all of the time, but they do all come in handy now and again. By the way - my colleague has since started using some or all of these questions and I am happy to report that his relationship with his supervisor has been steadily improving. Rome was not built in a day and neither are working relationships. Continue to strive towards self-improvement in all areas of your current positions and projects. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
