Consistency is a key attribute in project management. Without consistency, how can you manage your project?
Old Faithful 1856 – Speedphotos via Flickr
Sponsors make sound decisions about which projects they will accept. What could you do to improve?
Random Project Management
This is what I did when first started managing projects. I didn’t realize I was managing a project per se. I just knew that something had to be done. I was not systematic in my approach and this led to years of unremarkable progress in my ability deliver projects well.
Because I was constantly moving and shooting from the hip on every previous project, it would have been impossible to plan “good” projects.
Systems Allow Consistency
I was introduced to formal project management as a discipline and learned how to apply systems to my projects. This allowed me to analyze past performance and predict future performance with some accuracy. This accuracy grew over time. My ability to repeat success grew.
Theory Enables Consistency
If there is no overarching theory to how you manage projects, it can be difficult to know what to do to improve things. You cannot be proactive.
“Rational behavior requires theory. Reactive behavior is only possible through reflex action. W. Edwards Deming
Reactive thinking is not conducive for consistency. This means that you don’t have a basis to react rationally to any changes in the environment. Good systems allow you to anticipate possible outcomes (risk management), before they occur most of the times.