December 2004

Project Management is not an

In-Basket Exercise...

By: Dutch Holland

One thing we have learned by now is that completing an organizational change … on target, on time, and on budget … takes a project mindset. Not only a project structure needed, but effective organizational change requires disciplined Project Management.

OK, that said, what is the problem? The problem is that Project Management rolls easily off our tongues, but in many cases, it’s only “words.” That’s right, Project Management may be a real discipline with real rules and principles and ways of thinking to some of us, but not to all. If you have lived in the construction, engineering, or information services functions of an organization, chances are you have at least been exposed to Project Management, but not so in other parts of most organizations.

In many operations, workers have what used to be called an “in basket” mindset. That is, they spend their days in a continuous stream of work that comes through their work station or across their desk. They do not live in a project world where they are required to “complete a unique set of steps that meet a specific quality standard, on time and on budget.” To many of these folks, “project” is just a word.

The bottom line for this hot topic is simply to not take project management skills and capabilities for granted when you work your change initiative. You might start by ensuring that the leaders of your change effort have grounding in PM, at least to get a chance to hear and practice the “PM tricks of the trade” before you launch into a full-blown change initiative.

Dutch Holland, CEO of HDI, has worked as a management consultant for 30 years, helping organizations and leaders manage and implement change successfully. And if you enjoyed this short article, you'll love his book, Red Zone Management: Changing the Rules for Pivotal Times (Dearborn Trade, Chicago, Fall 2001, released with new cover by WinHope Press (Houston) October 2004)). Check your local bookstores or read a review at amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com! Contact Dutch at 713.877.8130.

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