Project Management Battlefield
Project Management Battlefield
Sun Tzu's wisdom on project management
A Fresh Perspective
PMBOK® and The Art of War
Beyond PMBOK®
Develop a unique perspective on the aspects of programs and projects in the context of your environment.
Develop an understnading how the lessons of The Art of War are similar with the intent behind PMBOK®
Develop a perspective to balance he conflicting needs and interests, need to contain the resulting organizational power games and communication challenges.
Sun Tzu says that “The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger”.
Project manager hears, “The organizations tend to develop cultures unique to them and manifest in numerous ways, such as shared vision, values, norms, beliefs and expectations, policies, methods and procedures, relationships with authority, and work ethics. It is this that ensures that the project team follows authority and works toward the vision”.
Sun Tzu says that “In war, the general receives his commands from the sovereign, collects his army, and concentrates his forces”.
Project manager hears, “The project manager is appointed by the project sponsor and receives instructions from the sponsor. Based on the organization structure, (functional, matrix, or projected), he has varying degrees of authority and control over the team”.
Sun Tzu says that “The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers”.
Project manager hears, “Organizational structure is an influencing factor in how projects are run. Projects of all sizes and magnitudes can be managed with ease provided smaller teams are created’”
Sun Tzu says that “Fighting with a large army under your command is nowise different from fighting with a small one: it is merely a question of instituting signs and signals”.
Project manager hears, “The project manager must understand the organizational structures and choose the appropriate method of managing the team. Different structures require that you approach them differently and institute different processes and procedures to govern the project. Projects of all sizes and magnitudes can be managed with ease provided appropriate processes, tools and communication mechanisms are deployed”.