The act of planning and executing projects is itself a skill. However, many managers fail to see the utility of having a designated project leadership team or project management office. Without any central authority for projects, departments often end up competing against one another, prioritizing their interests over the project’s greater goals. This can lead to dysfunctional project teams that fail to finish their projects. Project consulting can solve these problems and set you up for future project success.
How Project Consulting Can Bridge the Gap Between Different Departments
Filling the PMO Void
Businesses are gradually starting to see the need for designated project staff. The Chief Project Officer role exists now, something that was unthinkable a few years ago. In fact, some experts predict that the CPO will become more important than the COO as companies shift their focus to projects over regular operations. We’re already seeing this trend develop as more companies have put project management offices (PMOs) into place. Some are department-only PMOs, while others are enterprise-wide.
However, even when a company does have a PMO, they tend to be inexperienced. The number of PMOs has risen considerably since 2017, which means that most of them have fewer than 5 years of experience managing projects. If your PMO is failing to move projects forward, or you have yet to implement a PMO in your company, consulting can help you fill that void in the meantime. We can even teach you how to best build a PMO.
A Neutral Perspective
One of the reasons departments fail to work well together on projects is that each department has its own interests. When the IT department needs to work with finance, each side is likely to value their own priorities over those of the other. IT wants better infrastructure and more features, while finance wants to keep the costs as low as possible. Each side has valid arguments, and without a neutral arbiter, decisions and compromises are hard to make.
A project consultant is more likely to be listened to by both sides since they have no vested interest in either department. By listening neutrally to what both sides have to say, a consultant can find a healthy middle ground and look for ways to compromise. This ultimately leaves both departments more satisfied with the final decision and encourages better interactions going forward. Just like courts rely on neutral judges, your projects should have a neutral person in charge.
Fewer Conflicts, More Collaboration
No workplace is completely free of internal power struggles. Personal conflicts between workers in the same department or even heads of different departments vying for positions in the company can destroy projects. An outsider can spot these tensions quickly and resolve them. A consultant can also tear down the barriers that silo teams and limit communication. In the end, your teams will collaborate instead of competing.
To get a project consultant for your company’s endeavors, contact Project Genetics. Our experts in project management can help you meet your deadlines and pave the way for smoother projects in the future.
