You can’t move fast and break things if the things you might break are people.
Clara Vu – Engineer
In this new work environment, what’s the title and role of the VUCAN who brings all the resources together in the project team? Is the VUCAN a project manager, leader, coach, or facilitator? Or, maybe all of these based on context and situation.
Project work leadership is abstract, touchy-feely, and frankly difficult. The projectized organization looks and feels a lot different than the managerial, hierarchal work model. In the hierarchal model, work got done through one VUCAN telling another what to do and how to do it. Even the term ‘project manager’ evokes images of one VUCAN dictating to thousands of ready minions the direction of a grandiose project, such as moving mountains, building airports, or dredging rivers. Manager implies a hierarchal relationship where the boss is responsible for planning, organizing, staffing, and controlling all project activities. Decisions are based on power and position.
In the projectized model, work gets done differently. A project is organized around a lead VUCAN, who may be called project leader instead of manager. The project leader facilitates and administrates more than actively manages the project. While a project may have started with one VUCAN who had the vision and authority to push onwards, one-person management has been replaced by team driven, project leadership. The project leader may not have sufficient resources or even authority to tell someone to do something. The leader must rely on influence, web of preexisting relationships, and goodwill established through prior work.
What’s in it for the VUCAN in the projectized work relationship? Each project allows you to gain additional experience and exposure to a company’s operations, processes, and products. You’re a team leader or sometimes a virtual team participant. You’re adding value to the organization, team, and finally to your career portfolio.
Work Lesson Earned: PM work is squishy – lots of opportunity, little authority, and lots of responsibility. There are few step-by-step manuals that show the path to project success. PM’s are CEO’s of a work center. It’s great experience and exposure to VUCANs to develop and practice their skills.