1 managing projects as a consultant how to quickly succeed in a new and unknown environment!...

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Managing Projects Managing Projects as a Consultantas a Consultant

How to quickly succeed in a new and

unknown environment!

©Copyright 2002 Casey Worthington & Bruce Robertson

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Agenda Introduction PM Consulting Defined The Psychology of Consulting Adapting to the Customer Politics and Culture Customer Business Practices Survival Techniques – What not to do ! Summary Questions and Answers

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What you will learn Understand the differences between in-house, vendor,

and independent based project management

How to quickly assess and understand a new customer environment

How to establish and build political alliances to ensure the viability of the project – and your success

Discover and diffuse hidden landmines, which could potentially de-rail your project

Quickly adapt to both formal and informal environments

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Introduction Casey Worthington, PMP Bruce Robertson, PMP

“PM” is defined as Project Management, Project Managers

Presentation examples are drawn from experience in the IT Industry

The presentation is primarily geared for In-House Project Managers interested in pursuing a career as a PM Consultant

PM Consulting is here to stay

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Agenda Introduction PM Consulting Defined The Psychology of Consulting Adapting to the Customer Politics and Culture Customer Business Practices Survival Techniques – What not to do ! Summary Questions and Answers

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PM Consulting vs. Other types of Consulting

PM Practitioner, not Management Consulting for PMO’s etc.

Always a Project! Projects come with a Team Customer Expectations Framework, Standards, Methodology Extension of Management

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PM Consulting: With a Vendor or as an Independent

Branding Support Network Compensation Training Career Path Market Variance Susceptibility Is “Bench Time” Unemployment?

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PM Consultingas an Independent

The World of Head Hunters!– Who Owns the Relationship?– Marketing and Sales– Value Proposition– Loyalty and Self Interest– Restrictions on Future Business– Payment Pro’s & Con’s– Levels of Professionalism

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PM: In-House Vs Consulting

Compensation Packages

Professional Credentials

Support and Allegiances

Higher Risk Projects

Inherently Temporary

Sales Hat

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PM Role Matrix

Pro Con Common

In-House Stability, Comfort, Work Friendships, Career Path, Long Term Alliances

Compensation, New Challenges, Stagnation, Becoming Labeled

Vendor Consultant

Training Funds, Career Path, Support, Team, Compensation

Work Friendships, Stability and Comfort, more politics w/Vendor and Customer, potential for Scapegoating

Sales Role, Temporary Postings, High Risk Projects

Independent Consultant

Revenue, Write Offs, Business Ownership, Schedule Flexibility

Training Costs, Career Path, Market Swings, Bench Time as Unemployment, Stability and Comfort, Work Friendships, Scapegoating

Head Hunters, Sales Role, Temporary Postings, High Risk Projects

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PM Consultant Must Haves

Social Skills Professional Credentials Appearance and Wardrobe Confidence and Self Assurance Language Skills Ability to Interact at Multiple Levels Is Consulting Right for You?

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Agenda Introduction PM Consulting Defined The Psychology of Consulting Adapting to the Customer Politics and Culture Customer Business Practices Survival Techniques – What not to do ! Summary Questions and Answers

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The Psychology of Consulting

Foot always Half out the Door

No sense of Home or Stability

Feeling Alone

Acceptance of Customer Limitations

Can not Rest on Laurels

Weariness from Always Moving

Tough Role

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Agenda Introduction PM Consulting Defined The Psychology of Consulting Adapting to the Customer Politics and Culture Customer Business Practices Survival Techniques – What not to do ! Summary Questions and Answers

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Know your Customer

Consultants must Continuously Adapt to the Customer

Don’t expect the Customer to Change

Learn official Policies, Procedures and Practices quickly

Potential Contradiction in PM Consulting Mission

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Adapting to the CustomerLevels of adapting required:

Turn Key Vendor Body Shop Vendor Independent

Higher

Lower

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What not to Comprise or Change

Core Values

PM Principles

Assertiveness & Leadership

Don’t be afraid to say No …

… but with Options !

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Agenda Introduction PM Consulting Defined The Psychology of Consulting Adapting to the Customer Politics and Culture Customer Business Practices Survival Techniques – What not to do ! Summary Questions and Answers

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The Political Environment

Politics vs. Culture The Power of Influence vs. Formal

Authority 3 Levels of Politics

– Personal, professional and organizational

Establish Relationships at every Level Create Political Alliances

– Personal and business

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Political - Tips and Techniques

General Awareness

You are an Expendable Resource

Cultivate Relationships at every Level of the Organization

Gate Keepers – Identify them Early & get to Know Them

Personal Power – you have it, use it !

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The Cultural Landscape

Understand the Sector, Industry and Company you are working with

Become a Pocket Sociologist

Understand how Leadership is Practiced

Discover the Unwritten Rules and Attitudes

Attempt to Influence only once you Understand the Lay of the Land

Maintain your Own Style

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Agenda Introduction PM Consulting Defined The Psychology of Consulting Adapting to the Customer Politics and Culture Customer Business Practices Survival Techniques – What not to do ! Summary Questions and Answers

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Customer Business Practices

Must Work Within the Existing Context of the Customer’s Business Practices

Depends on the Type of Engagement: – Turnkey, body shop or independent

Working within an Existing PMO Reporting Structures Managing Multiple Parties

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Agenda Introduction PM Consulting Defined The Psychology of Consulting Adapting to the Customer Politics and Culture Customer Business Practices Survival Techniques – What not to do ! Summary Questions and Answers

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Survival Techniques:What not to do!

Don’t take politics and business matters personally Avoid negativity of any type Never take all the credit Avoid any forms of criticism Do not alienate internal stakeholders Avoid discussing or flaunting personal wealth Do not become emotionally engaged with project Avoid discussing your contract or engagement

details

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Summary You must become a student of organizations

and their culture It is your job to adapt Be confident, true to yourself and always try

to add value Maintain your professionalism …

… let your work speak for itself Consulting is an exciting opportunity, which

will require all of your professional and social skills

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What you have learned Understand the differences between in-house, vendor,

and independent based project management

How to quickly assess and understand a new customer environment

How to establish and build political alliances to ensure the viability of the project – and your success

Discover and diffuse hidden landmines, which could potentially de-rail your project

Quickly adapt to both formal and informal environments

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QuestionsQuestions ??

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Presented by:

Casey Worthington, PMPcaseyvw@rogers.com

Bruce Robertson, PMPabrobertson@hotmail.com

Thank You !