Episode 504: Project Success Beyond the Gantt Chart

Written by Cornelius Fichtner.

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Episode Summary

We explore the intricate balance between the art and science of project management with Shannon Keenan, co-founder and partner at ArtemisFactor.com. Shannon, with over 25 years of expertise in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, shares her profound insights into how project managers can navigate the complexities of their field. From managing scope creep and overwhelming communication to mitigating risks and leading people through change, this conversation sheds light on the practical realities of managing projects in today's dynamic environments.

Shannon emphasizes the importance of flexibility and innovation, particularly in highly regulated and global industries like pharma and biotech. She discusses the challenges of large-scale projects involving hundreds of stakeholders across multiple business areas. This episode delivers critical insights and actionable lessons on using Agile and Waterfall methodologies effectively while keeping the human element at the forefront to ensure project success. Shannon also highlights the significance of tailoring communication strategies to meet the needs of different stakeholders, avoiding the pitfalls of both over-communication and under-communication. This episode is a must-listen for project managers seeking to enhance their skills and drive successful outcomes in complex projects.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Balancing Art and Science in Project Management: Combining structured methodologies with flexibility and innovation.
Effective Stakeholder Management: Strategies for handling communication and expectations in large, global, and regulated projects.
The Human Element: The importance of keeping projects fun, engaging, and centered around the people involved.

Quotes from This Episode

"Each project is unique. Methodologies and processes are there to guide, but flexibility and innovation are key." - Shannon Keenan
"Scope creep isn't just a problem in traditional project management; it can also occur in agile environments whenever change requests and scope changes are not properly managed." - Cornelius Fichtner
"When you're working with people, there will always be differences. It's what makes project management both challenging and rewarding." - Shannon Keenan
"Under-communicating can lead to mistrust, while over-communicating can overwhelm. Finding the right balance is crucial." - Shannon Keenan

Connect with Shannon Keenan

Time-Stamped Show Notes

[00:01] - Introduction and overview of the episode topics.
[00:54] - Discussion on the art and science of project management.
[01:20] - Introduction of Shannon Keenan and her background.
[02:36] - Exploring the challenges of scope creep in both traditional and agile project management.
[06:33] - Shannon discusses what a successful project looks like in the pharma and biotech sectors.
[15:41] - Importance of tailoring communication strategies to different stakeholders.
[24:14] - How technology can support communication and project tracking, with a focus on hybrid approaches.
[40:25] - Importance of maintaining a visible and up-to-date risk register throughout the project.
[48:45] - Final thoughts on the human element in project management and key takeaways.

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