What do you do if your program management skills are not adaptable to a rapidly changing environment?
Program management is the art and science of coordinating multiple interrelated projects to achieve a common goal. It requires a high level of strategic thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. But what do you do if your program management skills are not adaptable to a rapidly changing environment? How do you cope with uncertainty, ambiguity, and complexity? How do you deliver value to your stakeholders and customers in a dynamic and competitive market? In this article, we will explore some tips and best practices to help you improve your program management skills in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world.
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Rui Luiz Barbosa Filho, M.Sc , MBA, DASM, PMO-CP, PMPGerente de Projetos | PMO | Mentor | Mestre | MBA | OKR | LSS GB | Prince2®| P3O®| MoP ®| MSP®| M_o_R®| PMI-ACP®|…
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Ragini TripathiStartup India Mentor, Passionate PR Manager, and Startup Manager at Smart City Satna Incubation Center
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Sumana .Project Management Specialist- Civil Society Advisor at USAID/Bangladesh
The first step to improve your program management skills is to assess your current strengths and weaknesses. You can use a self-assessment tool, such as the Program Management Professional (PgMP) Exam Content Outline, to identify the knowledge areas, tasks, and skills that are relevant for program management. You can also seek feedback from your peers, mentors, sponsors, and customers to get an external perspective on your performance. By assessing your current skills, you can pinpoint the gaps and areas that need improvement, and set realistic and measurable goals for your professional development.
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Identifique suas áreas de força: Quais são seus pontos fortes como gerente de programas? Você é especialista em planejamento, execução ou controle de projetos? Reconheça suas fraquezas: Em quais áreas você precisa de desenvolvimento? Você tem dificuldade em se adaptar às mudanças, comunicar-se com as partes interessadas ou lidar com a ambiguidade? Compare com as habilidades aplicadas: Pesquise as habilidades mais procuradas em gerentes de programas no mercado atual. Quais habilidades você precisa desenvolver para se destacar?
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First things first you need to understand the source of the issue: is that outdated knowledge, is that your attitude or does it has to do something with the environment you're working in. Outdated knowledge can be the easiest one to fix while other two might require more time and digging to identify what can be improved.
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it's essential to take steps to improve. Firstly, acknowledge the need for adaptation. Then, focus on enhancing skills like communication, problem-solving, and prioritization. Seek feedback and learn from experiences to become more agile. Embrace change rather than resisting it. Stay updated with industry trends and tools. Ultimately, with dedication and practice, one can develop the adaptability needed to thrive in dynamic environments.
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If my program management skills aren't adapting well to rapid changes, I take proactive steps to improve. Firstly, I acknowledge the need for improvement and seek feedback from colleagues and supervisors. I prioritize continuous learning by attending training sessions, reading relevant literature, and seeking mentorship from experienced professionals. Additionally, I adapt my approach by embracing agile methodologies and flexible frameworks to better respond to changing environments. It's essential to remain adaptable and open-minded to refine my skills continually.
The second step to improve your program management skills is to learn from others who have successfully managed programs in a rapidly changing environment. You can join professional networks, communities of practice, or online forums where you can exchange ideas, insights, and experiences with other program managers. You can also attend webinars, podcasts, or workshops that cover topics related to program management in a VUCA world. You can also find mentors, coaches, or consultants who can guide you through the challenges and opportunities of program management. By learning from others, you can expand your knowledge, broaden your perspective, and discover new approaches and techniques for program management.
The third step to improve your program management skills is to embrace agility as a mindset and a methodology. Agility is the ability to respond to change effectively and efficiently, without compromising quality or value. It involves adopting an iterative, incremental, and collaborative approach to program planning, execution, and evaluation. It also involves empowering your teams, engaging your stakeholders, and experimenting with new solutions. By embracing agility, you can increase your flexibility, adaptability, and responsiveness to the changing needs and expectations of your customers and the market.
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If your program management skills aren't adaptable to rapid change, assess your current strengths and weaknesses, then seek to learn from others who have succeeded in similar environments. Embracing agility as a mindset and methodology can help you respond effectively to change, empowering you to navigate uncertainties with confidence.
The fourth step to improve your program management skills is to leverage technology as an enabler and a facilitator. Technology can help you streamline your processes, automate your tasks, and enhance your communication and collaboration. It can also help you collect, analyze, and visualize data, and generate insights and recommendations for decision making. You can use various tools and platforms, such as project management software, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, or blockchain, to support your program management activities. By leveraging technology, you can improve your efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation.
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This is a loaded question because it depends on the environment that is being referenced. Environment can mean the culture, the technologies, and/or the technical ASK. Hypothetically, the Zen of being a top performing program manager is to know how to adapt your critical and Systems thinking at the same time with your relationship development and influence skills. Being a program manager who is technical is a bonus to being a program manager, who understands the business and operational excellence.
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Embracing technology in program management begins with a mindset shift towards continuous learning. It's crucial to stay informed about emerging tools and methodologies. Engaging with online communities, attending webinars, and enrolling in relevant courses can help. Utilizing project management software for better tracking and collaboration, and adopting agile practices can also enhance adaptability in a fast-paced tech environment.
The fifth step to improve your program management skills is to cultivate resilience as a personal and professional attribute. Resilience is the ability to cope with stress, adversity, and change, and to bounce back from setbacks and failures. It involves developing a positive attitude, a growth mindset, and a strong sense of purpose. It also involves taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and seeking support from your network. By cultivating resilience, you can enhance your confidence, motivation, and performance.
The sixth and final step to improve your program management skills is to keep learning and growing. Program management is a dynamic and evolving discipline that requires constant updating and upgrading of your skills. You can keep learning by reading books, articles, blogs, or newsletters that cover the latest trends, best practices, and case studies in program management. You can also keep learning by taking courses, certifications, or degrees that can help you advance your career and credentials. By keeping learning, you can stay relevant, competitive, and valuable in a rapidly changing environment.
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Change does not necessarily mean to abandon what you have as your strengths and skill sets. While adapting to change think of how best you can use your current skills, where they are still applicable, and how best they can serve your purpose to adapt to change. The next is, while you are engaging in sharpening your ability to take up new skills, be confident to utilize your existing skills that would give you confidence to perform your management job. Being open to use what you can do best and giving yourself time to learn new skills, will help you create a positive mindset and mental framework to accept change without being weary of it.
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If program management skills struggle in a rapidly changing environment, prioritize adaptability. Embrace agile methodologies to facilitate quick adjustments and foster flexibility. Invest in continuous learning to stay abreast of industry trends and best practices. Cultivate open communication channels to solicit feedback and address challenges collaboratively. Leverage technology for streamlined processes and real-time data insights. By embracing adaptability, program managers can navigate change effectively and drive success in dynamic environments.
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