So what do you think? Is an MBA or a PMP certification enough to impress executives at your company? Look for one compelling argument in this blog post.
This week’s interview is with Chris Pope, a dynamic New Zealander who founded The Valde Group. Chris has been published in Fast Company and CIO Magazine. If you want practical tips for making your projects more successful, read on.
LISA: You’re an expert on “projectizing.” Tell us what that means and how it helps organizations take focused action.
CHRIS: Many executives go through the “strategic planning” exercise, however the organisational strategy is nothing more than vague statements of aspiration without any real-world application. By “Projectising” the strategy, we bring it from a “big idea” into operational reality by treating it like a project. We break strategic goals down into tangible outcomes, then identify the deliverables and activities that are required to achieve them. The key is to always ask the question – “What does ‘achievement of your organisational strategy’ look like, and what does it take to make it happen?“
LISA: When it comes to strategic planning, what is an area that companies need to spend more energy on?
CHRIS: I think that companies need to spend more time on three things:
- Defining the tangible / measurable success factors
- Aligning operational activities and projects to strategic objectives (Asking “How well does this project or activity help us achieve our strategy?“) In fact, this should be the criteria upon which Projects are approved and prioritised.
- Establishing strong executive review and performance management processes throughout the year.
LISA: You have a PMP certification in Project Management. Many of our MBAs debate about whether to attain additional certifications. What is your opinion on the value of professional certifications – both the learning process and the perceived value by clients and employers?
CHRIS: My experience is that the certification is only as good at the person holding it. Success calls for strong leadership, decision making and communication skills and no professional exam has been able to certify these. As for the PMP, I have found that it a good indication of someone’s dedication to the project management profession. It requires significant knowledge and experience in the profession in order to attain it. It is also respected by employers – professional project management certification (PMP or PRINCE2) has become a pre-requisite for many positions.
LISA: When a project team is thrown together quickly, how do you go about building team dynamics for healthy interactions?
CHRIS: That is a great question! I do several things to build a strong team:
- I respect the team’s knowledge and skills – I make it clear that as a project manager, my job is to facilitate the best result from the team – I am not the technical expert – they are.
- Keep the team focused on the goal of the project and how it will add value to the organisation! By focusing on the goal of the project and the benefit to the organisation, this gives the team clarity and purpose, while keeping their morale high as contributors to something great.
- Clearly communicate – Open, clear, and honest communication is key to winning the trust and respect of your team.
- Be Pragmatic – I always ask two questions – What is the Goal? And What is the most efficient and effective way to achieve it? Projects are all about delivering benefits to the organisation – not following process. If an activity does not add value or deliver the benefits – why are we doing it?
- Encourage risk-identification – Too many people try to avoid raising risks, and by doing so make them worse. I always encourage my team to raise risks early so that we have more time to mitigate them.
LISA: We’re a global group, and we love learning about doing business in new places. Tell us something unique about the culture of New Zealand.
CHRIS: New Zealand is a great place to live and work. Generally, people in business are pragmatic. They are willing to give something a try and if it does not work, try something else. Many Kiwis work overseas in larger companies and then bring that experience back to New Zealand.
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Thank you for the interview, Chris. I know my next project will be better if I use these tips.
Chris Pope is known for helping organizations in crisis and for rescuing failing projects. To learn more about Chris, check out his articles or his company, The Valde Group.
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