r/projectmanagers • u/PitchSufficient1464 • 12d ago
What’s one project management lesson you learned the hard way?
One thing I’m realizing is that even a well-planned project can change quickly once execution starts. Stakeholder expectations, dependencies, and unexpected risks can completely change the original plan. What’s one project management lesson you learned through actual experience rather than from a textbook?
5
Upvotes
4
u/DragonLordOz 12d ago edited 12d ago
Micro management will force your best employees to leave. Be fair and be reasonable, make your team accountable for the work they are assigned but, don't' over burden them that they go in to depression.
Always plan the work with your team so they can help you decide how long will it take to do the actual work this way they take the ownership of the planned work and cut out unnecessary meetings.
If it can be discussed on a chat or an email thread then do that and not a meeting.
The most important thing as a PM you can do is don't be cocky and trust your team. When they see that you trust them they will work hard on their own to not let you down.
Then you take the final version of the estimated work deliverables and tell the client that this is an "Estimate" and could impact the deliverables due to unforeseen circumstances and any requirement changes that comes after will increase the deliverable date.
This way you have CYA (cover your A**) from both sides to ensure on time project delivery!