On projects decisions matter, timely decisions are crucial to project results and team performance. Wise project managers are skilled in the art of facilitating decisions. Often we find ourselves in situations where a decision Is needed to evaluate a change, determine which path is route best for the organization to support the outcomes. We all know how frustrating it is to wait for a decision only to find that the date needed for the decision has long since passed, and it is going to be a marathon sprint to make up lost time. What can you do as a project manager to assure you avoid these pitfalls?
First, have a good understanding of how decisions are made within your organization. There are several approaches to how organizations make decisions. The tradeoff is often the amount of team involvement compared with the time needed to make the decision. Let us take a look at the different decision approaches
Majority Rules - With majority rules, there are often winners and losers. This approach is effective, but needs to be used with discretion.
Consensus - Consensus building takes a bit of time, and there is a lot of negotiation among teammates. It definitely improves collaboration and has buy-in from across the team.
Small Group Decides - Having a small group decide commonly takes a small committee is elected to research, analyze and determine the best decision. The election to participate in the small committee will be either rank or subject matter expertise, depending upon the purpose of the group
Leader Decides with Input - Often used by leaders with decision making authority, they have a trust council of leaders who provide insights, advantages, and disadvantages of an approach however in the end it is the leader's accountability for the decision.
On projects it is a good practice to establish decision authority protocols reaching consensus among the team, stakeholders, and sponsor. It is also good to keep track of decisions needed, by whom, and what the decision was. Have a way to provide good information so that good decisions can be made.
Sometimes the Teflon aspect of leadership arises, and a leader is reluctant to make a decision or accept accountability. In these situations, don't drive hard for the decision instead determine what the barrier is to making the decision. Barriers come in many forms such as there may not be enough information to the leader is not empowered to make the decision. Taking the time to determine the barriers and developing a tactic to overcome the obstacles will help bring about a good decision in the future.
Decision making must also be fair and done by a trusted source while striving to maintain team commitment. Having decision protocols as a part of your project's controls will help to encourage collaboration and good decisions, it is a tool not project manager should be without.
On projects decisions matter, timely decisions are crucial to project results and team performance. Wise project managers are skilled in the art of facilitating decisions. Often we find ourselves in situations where a decision Is needed to evaluate a change, determine which path is route best for the organization to support the outcomes. We all know how frustrating it is to wait for a decision only to find that the date needed for the decision has long since passed, and it is going to be a marathon sprint to make up lost time. What can you do as a project manager to assure you avoid these pitfalls?
First, have a good understanding of how decisions are made within your organization. There are several approaches to how organizations make decisions. The tradeoff is often the amount of team involvement compared with the time needed to make the decision. Let us take a look at the different decision approaches- Majority Rules - With majority rules, there are often winners and losers. This approach is effective, but needs to be used with discretion.
- Consensus - Consensus building takes a bit of time, and there is a lot of negotiation among teammates. It definitely improves collaboration and has buy-in from across the team.
- Small Group Decides - Having a small group decide commonly takes a small committee is elected to research, analyze and determine the best decision. The election to participate in the small committee will be either rank or subject matter expertise, depending upon the purpose of the group
- Leader Decides with Input - Often used by leaders with decision making authority, they have a trust council of leaders who provide insights, advantages, and disadvantages of an approach however in the end it is the leader's accountability for the decision.
On projects it is a good practice to establish decision authority protocols reaching consensus among the team, stakeholders, and sponsor. It is also good to keep track of decisions needed, by whom, and what the decision was. Have a way to provide good information so that good decisions can be made. Sometimes the Teflon aspect of leadership arises, and a leader is reluctant to make a decision or accept accountability. In these situations, don't drive hard for the decision instead determine what the barrier is to making the decision. Barriers come in many forms such as there may not be enough information to the leader is not empowered to make the decision. Taking the time to determine the barriers and developing a tactic to overcome the obstacles will help bring about a good decision in the future. Decision making must also be fair and done by a trusted source while striving to maintain team commitment. Having decision protocols as a part of your project's controls will help to encourage collaboration and good decisions, it is a tool not project manager should be without.