Enterprise-wide Information Technology (IT) Projects typically require a great deal of human interaction. This is regardless of the technology or solution to be deployed. The wider the scope of the project, the more human interaction is required.
Several IT projects fail not because the technology is not right, or the system integrators are not competent, but because of mismanaged human interactions and expectations.
There has to be a clear goal and strategy to manage the expectation of every key project stakeholder, and this requires a careful and systematic analysis of each stakeholder’s personality. While one may not have the time to do this during the project, it is possible to easily pick up the key signals and behavioural indicators as the project proceeds if this is placed as a conscious requirement for the project’s success.
This consciousness would lead to the identification of various personality types within the team and can also help identify conflicts and resolve same before it gets out of control. It is vital to always remember that every project team member is important and has a direct impact on the success of the project. Even when people appear to ‘agree’ to a line of action, they may not be doing so from deep within. Emotionally intelligent Project Owners should be able to tell if the team is truly being carried along and in agreement all through the duration of the project.
The successful and timely delivery of project goals and objectives is really important, and it is imperative that the team is constantly in tune with the final project outcomes. There should be clear lines of communications and if possible anonymous ways to express ‘true feelings’ regarding the progress and delivery of the project. Emotions may appear trivial and not important especially in the heat of project implementations, but they do play a key role in the final outcome of projects.
There should be sensitivity about everyone’s feelings, and these should be respected no matter how misaligned it appears to be. Nothing should be left to chance. If the team needs a break to succeed – by all means they should take a break. If there is a need to go through the project objectives and goals again to realign expectations, no matter how mundane it may be, it should be done.
Emotional intelligence is a way of recognizing, understanding, and choosing how we think, feel, and act. It shapes our interactions with others and our understanding of ourselves. It defines how and what we learn; it allows us to set priorities; it determines the majority of our daily actions. Research suggests it is responsible for as much as 80 percent of the “success” in our lives. – Joshua Freedman
It is important to check and continuously evaluate that everyone required for the successful delivery of the project is carried along at all times.
It is effective team collaboration that creates speed and success.
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