A project is more than a temporary endeavour; it’s a leadership opportunity. As project managers, we are at the steering wheel, directing initiatives that deliver valuable products or services to our customers. Our role is pivotal—we lead projects to solve problems and fulfill needs, ensuring that what we deliver makes a real difference in the lives of our clients.
To lead effectively, we must align our leadership skills with the project’s processes and resources. This alignment is crucial for delivering the product or service efficiently and effectively.
The five phases of Project Management are our roadmap to optimising delivery within the project’s scope.
Project Management through the lens of leadership:
- Initiation with Vision: A project begins with clarity and foresight. Defining the business case, project scope, and charter is the first act of leadership. It sets the stage for success, providing a clear direction for the team.
- Strategic Planning: Armed with a well-defined vision, we craft a plan that outlines our path to success. This includes a work breakdown structure and baselines for cost, schedule, and scope. Effective planning minimises changes and prepares us for smooth execution.
- Execution with Agility: In this phase, we bring the project to life, leading by example and ensuring that our team delivers according to plan. Leadership means being adaptable—managing changes with a structured process when necessary.
- Monitoring with Insight: Vigilance is key. We monitor all phases, ready to guide and correct the course as needed. This ongoing oversight ensures that deliverables meet performance criteria and that any deviations are managed to minimize impact.
- Closing with Finesse: The final act of leadership is to close the project with precision—ensuring that all deliverables meet standards, financials are settled, and administrative tasks are completed. It’s a testament to our leadership when a project concludes successfully.
As project managers, we are not just overseeing tasks; we are leading people and managing resources with a clear vision. Our leadership skills (communication, decision-making and team-building) are what make a project truly successful. It’s these qualities that inspire our teams and drive projects to their triumphant completion.
Steve Kersop
Project Manager Facilitator/SME
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