Mar 5, 2009
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Advice for New Project Managers in a Downsizing Economy
There are a lot of new project managers out there - being created every day by someone else in the organization losing their job. You may not know that you are a project manager but if you are now charged with getting things done, you are a project manager.
You will have the same amount of responsibility as the last person but with likely fewer resources and a ton more stress.
It can be tremendously overwhelming.
Job Definition List
My first, and best word of advice, is to make a list of everything you are now responsible for, a Job Definition List.
This will allow you to visualize what is on your plate and breathe easier. Going through this exercise will help give shape to the amorphous feeling of doom you may be feeling.
The JDL should be bullet points with a maximum of two sentences clarifying a point, when needed. If it takes more than two sentences to explain, than the bullet point itself isn’t defined clearly enough to be actionable.
Meet in 3 Directions
The JDL should be the product of meetings with three different groups.
1. Meet above -meet with your manager(s) and make a list of what you are expected to deliver and/or keep running.
2. Meet below -meet with the people you are responsible for and who are part of your delivery team.
3. Meet sideways -meet with your peers and colleagues in the organization to understand what they do and the role your team plays in it.
Even if you think you already know what you have to do, carve out the time for these meetings. And come to it with an open mind. As a manager, your responsibilities and energies need to be focused in different places than when you were a team member. Going through the process of creating a Job Definition List will help you see that.
Remember, you are now a manager. You are responsible for delivery and team execution.
Keep it Flexible
The JDL will help you get a handle on your new responsibilities and see the big picture.
At the same time it becomes a reference point for how to organize and prioritize your action items.
If you forget something, learn something new about what you need to do (as you will) or need to change your understanding of one of the items, go ahead and do it. The Job Definition List should be a flexible tool that changes over time.
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