Kicking off 2008 on the right foot

Another lengthy day of meetings. Everyone is optimistic that the group is going to achieve great success in 2008. If you are attending similar meetings these days (or hearing about them) I suspect that probably your teams are full of ambitious plans as well. Possibly, they are suggesting a Social Media project or two as an opportunity to think "outside the box".

Very exciting.

As a project manager, however, this is the time of year that I get nervous. I watch as the thinking around the marketing campfires take on a distinctive strategic air, and there is little interest in executional details. I guess it is understood that those details will be worked out later, at some point, — right?

Often when these plans do arrive at the PMO, somewhat conceived and sold through to the project stakeholders (senior management, clients etc.) - I feel like the big bucket of cold water, splashing a resounding "no" - or - "we need to look at the facts" - or - "what is our budget on this" - or - " I don't think we have the resources at that time" all over these once dry plans.

I understand that the marketers are attempting to conceive of a brilliant strategic plan and solving a communication problem, while being innovative; all at the same time. Meanwhile, as project managers, we are attempting to ascertain scope and goals and establish the project's structure and resources. Two trains of thought heading in different directions.

How can we bridge this gap?

Let me suggest to my marketing, pr, and account services brethren to contemplate an opportunity to achieve great communication success: reach out to the internal project management teams as soon as possible to help you in your planning development.

Bridging this gap in the early part of the year by including your project manager to help you plan, will enable your strategic thinking to achieve an easier reality.

"Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes... but no plans." :Peter Drucker