In an article written by David Cotgreave (2016), the aspect of control in a project management scenario is highlighted as the imperative element to ensure the success of the project, the most reliable and time tested way to do it is to keep a map of milestones and they be ticked off to be able to ensure the project process is in order.
In a pressure situation that entails a project management process the most important aspect that keeps the process on path to successful completion is flexibility.
However, it has to be taken into account that as a tool it needs to be practiced in a manner that is very selective to deal with anticipated and unanticipated part of the project in an effective manner.
The biggest challenge is to not to overdo flexibility, as more often than not it ends up costing more than bargained for with respect to budgets increase and most importantly behind schedule.
The process needs to be adapted with regards to contingencies depending on the project at hand.
However, as evidenced by David, flexibility involves communication, transparency, control, task management. All theses aspects revolve around proper planning.
Control and flexibility are aspects that need a leader who can make the challenges turn into positives for the projects and own the setbacks and motivate the team to achieve the deadlines in a stressful environment in a successful way (P.W. Ford 2004).
References
David Cotgreave (2016, Feb 09). Making a meal out of project management. CIO. Retrieved from http://www.cio.com/article/3031697/project-management/making-a-meal-out-of-project-management.html
P.W. Ford (2004). Top 10 project management challenges. Project Management Course. Retrieved from http://projectmanagementcourse.com/project-challenges.html
