Why Project Managers Need Context
Understanding the "why" behind your projects leads to better results.
While some might advocate that simply managing a project with standard project management knowledge, processes, tools, and techniques is sufficient. This approach can be a recipe for disaster.
Project success depend on understanding the specific context of the project you're leading.
Let's explore some consequences of failing to look after project context:
Constant Clarification: A project manager who asks frequent, context-free questions can obstruct progress. The team spends extra time explaining the basics, leading to frustration for everyone.
Missed Information: Without context, following discussions becomes difficult. You might miss key details, hindering your ability to capture accurate action items and next steps for the team's progress.
Blockers: Without context, you can't effectively identify the right resources or solutions. This can lead to two problems: Either your team gets tired of repeating explanations and tries to solve them independently, or worse, stops communicating roadblocks altogether.
Business Understanding: Imagine a project manager who doesn't understand the client's needs. How can they stay in context and make decisions that truly benefit the client and the business?
In my experience, project managers without a strong grasp of project context struggle to effectively support and guide their teams toward success or do not bring value to their business or clients.
But, how can project managers ensure they maintain a strong understanding to deliver maximum value to their teams and businesses?
Tips to gain a stronger understanding of your projects' context.
Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
In project management, we constantly shift between projects with diverse industries and technologies. Continuous learning can be demanding, but by staying curious, you'll gain a significant edge. Not only will you differentiate yourself from other professionals, but you'll also unlock innovative solutions to deliver project success.
Fuel Your Curiosity
Utilize industry publications, online courses, or attend conferences. Like me, make a habit of researching new terms and concepts related to your project. Connecting these concepts to your project context can spark creative solutions.
For example: Leading a mobile app launch, I noticed engineers needed to establish a clear branching strategy and a strong release process. Taking a GitHub training and learning on CI/CD tools (Bitrise) gave me insights to collaborate and help them create a realistic testing and production rollout plan, addressing their concerns and streamlining the launch.
Understand the Solution and Business Value
Understanding the "why" behind your project or product is crucial. What problem are we solving, or what value are we delivering? This not only guides your decisions but also helps you communicate effectively with stakeholders.
For products, immerse yourself in the user experience by getting a walkthrough and testing it yourself. Seeing the product from a user's perspective builds empathy and ensures you're on the right track.
Build Relationships: Key to Project Success
Strong relationships are the backbone of successful projects. Take time to get to know your team, stakeholders, and any other teams your project intersects with.
New to the project? Be proactive! Introduce yourself through one-on-one meetings or informal chats.
Already on board? Invest in building rapport with your team.
Understanding people's strengths, communication styles, and roles fosters collaboration and helps you navigate project challenges effectively.
Finding the Knowledge Sweet Spot
While knowing everything might seem ideal, it's simply not feasible. So, how much context is enough for project success?
Focus on becoming a master translator, not needing to code or know every intricate business detail. Identify the key knowledge you need to grasp the project's opportunities and challenges. This "sweet spot" will allow you to:
Facilitate smooth communication: You'll understand conversations and translate requirements effectively to the engineering team.
Develop the skills to identify and resolve project bottlenecks: By knowing who to reach and how to help, you'll empower your team to overcome roadblocks efficiently.
How to find this sweet spot? You'll know you've reached it when conversations flow naturally, and you can confidently communicate and translate requirements.
Leverage Your Context: Ask Insightful Questions
Having a strong grasp of project context empowers you to ask insightful questions that move the project forward. Ditch generic inquiries like "Is it done yet?"
Instead, demonstrate your understanding by asking specific questions tailored to the situation:
Scenario: The In-App Purchase screen is facing a delay due to backend schema issues.
"I recall the backend schema response was needed to connect the In-App Purchase screen. Did you reach a conclusion about the field format? If the backend team requires clarification, I can help facilitate a discussion on Slack. We can summarize your proposed schema response and address any gaps."
This approach shows:
You understand the issue's context.
You're proactive in finding solutions (Slack conversation).
Scenario: The Product Requirements Document (PRD) for the In-App Purchase screen is pending finalization.
"Since Design and UX are finalizing mockups for the In-App Purchase screen, is that the only step remaining for finalizing the PRD? Should I follow up and arrange a meeting to discuss outstanding items and expedite approvals?"
Here, you demonstrate:
Awareness of the product development stage.
Initiative in moving the process forward (scheduling a meeting).
By asking focused questions that demonstrate your understanding, you position yourself as a valuable team player, not just someone seeking updates.
Conclusion
The project management landscape is evolving. Generic "Project Manager" roles are giving way to more specialized profiles.
We see an increased demand for:
Technical Project Managers: These roles require expertise in areas like software engineering or CI/CD.
Industry-Specific PMs: Experience in healthcare, e-commerce, or other specific industries is becoming increasingly valuable.
Distributed Project Management: In some organizations, responsibilities are distributed across roles like Engineering Managers or Product Managers.
This shift underscores the critical importance of understanding context. Project managers who invest in learning the "why" behind their projects, the technical aspects, and the broader business goals will be the most in-demand.
By prioritizing context, you can position yourself as a valuable asset in today's dynamic project management environment.
Hope you enjoyed this article! Let me know what you think in the comments. If you're feeling generous, you can buy me a coffee to fuel my writing!
