Project Management Relations

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While I’m looking to hire a Project Manager for the Cats (PMCats) (see blog post:  Project Management), it is also helpful to note that I am a Project Manager for the Kids (PMKids).  Furthermore, I am managed by a Project Manager for Adults (PMAdults)—for me that’s the laws of God and the laws of the land.

I have found with Project Cats that unless I sit down and delineate the responsibilities in the beginning, the PMCats may not have the same vision as I do.  She may envision less or even more.  When the day to day management of the project begins, the lack of communication causes conflict between PMKids, PMCats, and ultimately PMAdults. 

As a PMKids, I recognize the delineation of commitments can be over the top—micromanaging.  I have to be careful not to overstep my boundaries.  I recognize my kids’ current INabilities to manage a project on their own.  I set up a training window where I don’t expect them to hit every commitment on the nose all at once but I do expect them to make consistent progress towards that goal. 

A PMCats also has boundaries that she needs to take care not to overstep.  I desire her to respect my direction and recognize my responsibility.  She needs to expect me to  communicate the commitments to her and train her in how to keep them.  I’m looking to hire someone for the PMCats position who has these qualities (and I’m willing to do Temp to Hire).  If she refuses to submit to learning to care for the cats, I will outsource them to another home—hire someone else.  This leaves the ball in her court if she decides to drop it.

This relationship will experience conflict if either PM doesn’t keep her commitments.  I push her over the edge when I micromanage her.  I give her too little structure when I under-manage her.  She disqualifies herself for the position when she resists my management.  She pushes me over the edge when she tries to manage me.

It is important to have meetings with my PMCats where it is safe for her to express her desires in regards to my management techniques.  But this too is a two-way commitment.  When she is disrespectful in her assessments, I’m not too attentive.  On the other hand, when I take every evaluation as an unfounded criticism, I miss opportunities to improve our relationship.  These meetings quickly get out of hand if both PMs use a tone that ignites defensiveness.  Ground rules set out before the meeting have aided us in keeping the peace.  When either of the PMs can’t keep the rules, the meeting is adjourned until a recommitment takes place.

Ground Rules for Evaluation Meetings

·      Start with Positive Reinforcement

·      Express Desires, not complaints

·      Objectively deal with each Conflict—look for the solution instead of putting the blame on each other but don’t be afraid to objectively look for and take my share of the blame

·      Don’t take the other person for granted.  My most important goal is to see our relationship as valuable—worthy of nourishing, and treat it with the utmost care.

·      Teach the PMCats about the PMAdults so she knows I’m also subject to certain commitments when it comes to caring for her.

·      When things don’t work out after spending sufficient time in regular communication,  the Project Management relationships have to be altered. (i.e. if either the PMCats or the PMKids is bullheaded and unwilling to work with the other over an extended period of time, one or both projects will have to be outsourced.)