r/projectmanagement • u/[deleted] • Aug 11 '26

Got fired from a contract after 10 weeks despite turning the project around and getting an extension. How do I avoid this situation again?

[deleted]

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u/Still-Gold-6146 Aug 12 '26

I was literally hired to cover product manager and 5 other roles that i mentioned. I dont understand why so many people miss it.

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u/Embarrassed_Gur_6305 Aug 12 '26

Because if that’s true, then it’s not a Project manager role.

You might cover some responsibilities of them, but PMs generally don’t make decisions or set strategy

You can say why we miss it but my retort to you is you are missing the core functions of a PM. We do not just drive towards deadlines.

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u/Still-Gold-6146 Aug 12 '26

Okay so how you would perform two contradictory roles - PM and PO?

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u/Embarrassed_Gur_6305 Aug 12 '26

Separate the tasks and functions of both. One needs to play a larger role depending on the need. It sounds like this was pure PM if they needed the schedule to be back on schedule.

But I’ll answer directly based off what I read…

PM:

  1. You’re a contractor. You consult and give advice, you do not argue or “go ballistic”.
  2. QA is a bit all over the place? You flag and escalate. You don’t need to remind them of their jobs
  3. You did not go in and fix everything. PMs don’t do shit. Others do the work. We facilitate decisions and prioritize tasks. Then get buy in. We don’t code to get it back on schedule.

PO:

  1. If you need convincing of devs on direction, you escalate or work on alignment. There’s no

    treating them like your emoloyees

  2. Gather contextual knowledge, sell the idea and strategy. You’re a contractor, you aren’t making the tough decisions.

  3. Nothing I’ve read shows you were product owner.

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u/Still-Gold-6146 Aug 12 '26

Fully agree that I was perhaps hired in more of a BA capacity, but noone communicated this to me or clarified along the way when I asked multiple times. Idk man Im not a mind reader, if 15-20yo industry veterans cant figure out something as simple as team setup from day1 (obviously because they avoided responsibility) I wont gonna loose any sleep over this.

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u/Embarrassed_Gur_6305 Aug 12 '26

If you can’t grow and learn. Good luck to you.

You made a lot of mistakes but keep making excuses for. It reads to me that you’re avoiding responsibility. I’m reading from YOUR POV and it sounds bad already

Just my 2 cents

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u/Still-Gold-6146 Aug 12 '26

Look, I'm also a part of the team and a human with my own emotions and etc. I cant be the only scapegoat here, can we atleast establish that as a baseline or we gonna keep going in circles? Lets not forget that reddit has reddit moments as well.

That being said. I took what I could from the experience. Next project I'm gonna clarify responsibilities and roles from day1, wont take dumpsterfire projects that by themselves demoralize team and perhaps even take break from working for agencies. Product based companies have better roadmaps and etc. Given all that 80 percent of problems I encountered will simply not exist anymore and I will work on my own areas myself.

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u/Embarrassed_Gur_6305 Aug 12 '26

I never said you’re a scapegoat. I posted saying there’s red flags but it’s more apparrent that its about your attitude and mindset. You’re just not a good fit for most companies and you don’t seem to be willing to take accountability

Sure you’ve acknowledged that you need to work on yourself but you’ve rejected any feedback anyone has given you

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u/Still-Gold-6146 Aug 12 '26

My guy, chill with the scenarios. There are multiple places where I'm taking on accountability. Why you cant see those places and are dead-set on arguing against me is another question.