By Ian Ortega
Last weekend, I managed one mini-project. It was an installation of security cameras at my residence. Well, two cameras for the start. I bought these cameras during one of my travels. And then realized I needed to get an electrician to power them. To power these cameras required some materials, electric cables, non-standard sockets and clips. The electrician needed some tools, a cable cutter, a voltage tester, a movable ladder and of course, things such as drills, plugs and screws.
At the end of the day, two cameras were up and running, and I could now monitor them from my phone. But that’s not the point I am stretching, I am just bringing the skill of project management to the forefront. To get this electrician, I contacted a brother of mine who happens to be an electrical engineer. Then I had to schedule time in the calendar for this work, and then I had to hope that UMEME doesn’t take its electricity (this could have delayed the project). That explains why Sunday was the best day, UMEME rarely interrupts connections. Perhaps when it rains, it could pull a surprise.
I have managed larger projects in my previous engagements in the corporate workspace. Over that course, I managed over 20 projects, and registered incredible success. Now, I realize the most important skill I could ever pass on is to encourage more people to become project managers.
Everyone should have project management skills, that ability to coordinate various tasks and activities, manage the risks, keep the scope intact, and ensure the cost is also aligned without compromising quality. I now manage my life as a series of macro and mini projects. Because life is also a game of interdependencies, and you need to manage these dynamics. Once you learn project management, then nothing is out of reach.
Your career can be coded as Project Career, you could have your house construction as Project Home, you could have a gardening project, a marriage project, a social connection project, endless projects. And you will learn about the stakeholders of your project, you will learn about Gantt charts, planning and scheduling, about budgeting, about finding the resources both financial and manpower.
Yes, if you really learn one important life skill, it should be project management.