Yesterday was a useful day out of the office at the Madjeski Stadium in
As a football fan, it was very interesting to hear the insights and stories that Roberto Forzoni brought; sharing the trials and tribulations of being involved in elite sport and what he believes increases the chances of success in both individual and team sports. Whilst Roberto’s examples were based on sport, with his experiences at West Ham United and The Lawn Tennis Association at the fore he brought many examples that are equally applicable in Project Management. For me personally it reinforced an early lesson about the “best way to eat an elephant” – one bite at a time! This simple mantra has helped me so many times during my own career to provide focus when faced with what appears an overwhelming task.
Roberto also reinforced the value of having a plan, as few things in life really happen as we dream they will; setting realistic goals, stretch plans if applicable and then being able to measure progress (good or bad) is so important. If we achieve how do we really know what we have really achieved, worse still if we don’t recognise that we are off course then how can we have a strategy to recover and prepare to take the necessary corrective actions?
We also had a presentation from Steve Crowther of BAE systems (Military Air Solutions) about their “Project Control Foundation Scheme”. This I believe is a great initiative which should be recognised and applauded for its approach to filling a recognised skills gap. What I particularly like about this scheme is the way it combines real working experience with formal education, taking a target audience that sits between traditional apprentice and graduate streams. The key for me is that it recognises that “time” is a real requirement if we are to produce capable, skilful professionals for the future. The course takes a full 5 years, which in today’s world is a massive commitment from both BAE and also the A level students who have entered the course. In these days of the quick fix, where people take a Prince2 course and believe they are a project manager this is a refreshingly realistic approach and investment for tomorrow. Having just taken on the class of 2008 there are now 42 young people in this initiative. Not many, but a great example that other companies should take a look at; After all if nobody is growing talent, there will be none to buy in the future!
Other presentations were made by Tom Taylor who was as thought provoking as ever in giving his view of behavioural characteristics of project managers and also Andrew Bragg, APM Chief Executive who gave an update on the process of Chartered status for Project Management and what lies beyond.
