Episode 509: Project Success Starts with the Right Project Team (Free)

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Episode Summary

Achieving project success involves more than managing timelines and deliverables; it starts with assembling the right team. In this episode, award-winning project management consultant and speaker, Dawn Mahan, shares her expertise on creating cohesive, effective project teams and maximizing the impact of each role. With her extensive experience advising senior leaders, Dawn brings a wealth of practical insights to help project managers make the best use of their team members’ skills and ensure everyone is aligned with the project’s objectives.

Drawing from her book, "Meet the Players in Project Land," Dawn discusses essential project roles, including the sponsor, steering team, project manager, and team leads. She highlights the challenges of pre-assigned team members, aligning sponsor expectations, and fostering a team culture that transcends traditional hierarchies. Dawn also reveals practical strategies for managing stakeholders, including handling challenging personalities who may impact the project.

This episode offers valuable guidance on maintaining alignment, setting clear expectations, and leading a successful project team, making it a must-listen for project managers aiming to enhance their leadership and team-building skills.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Fielding the Right Project Team - How to assess and align team member roles to fit project needs.
• Role Clarity and Expectation Setting - Key techniques to communicate roles and responsibilities clearly to sponsors and stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Management Strategies - Practical steps for engaging with both supportive and challenging stakeholders to keep projects on track.

Resources Mentioned

• Meet the Players in Project Land - Dawn Mahan’s book, offering a guide to understanding essential project roles and maximizing team impact.

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Quotes from This Episode

• "Building the right project team is fundamental to project success." - Dawn Mahan
• "The more aligned and empowered each team member is, the more likely the project is to succeed." - Dawn Mahan
• "Understanding team roles and expectations can transform project outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction." - Dawn Mahan

Connect with Dawn Mahan

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnmahan/
• Website: https://pmotraining.com

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• [00:00] - Episode introduction and overview of topics.
• [05:02] - Dawn’s insights on managing pre-assigned team members.
• [10:12] - The sponsor’s role in project success and strategies for maintaining alignment.
• [15:23] - Steering team vs. committee: Why terminology matters and impacts project outcomes.
• [18:47] - Key responsibilities of the project manager and avoiding common pitfalls.
• [25:44] - Building a "Dream Team" and inspiring team members with the project vision.
• [30:34] - Strategies for managing challenging stakeholders and aligning expectations.
• [37:16] - Closing takeaways and final thoughts from Dawn.