No one likes to show off their warts. However, on a project, it’s critical to get the warts on the table so they can be managed. Take time before your consultant starts a project and think about all the factors that might be a barrier to the success of the project. Write these down and share them with the consultant as soon as they come on board. Together you can identify how you’ll deal with these barriers.
How do you define “barriers?”. Barriers are anything that could impact the scope, cause the schedule to change, effect resources, or impact the successful outcome of the project. To spur your thoughts on barriers here are some questions you might ask yourself:
- Do we clearly know all individuals or groups that have an interest in the outcome of the project?
- Do we know the “scope” of the project?
- Are there any individuals or groups that are problematic (unsupportive)?;
- Are we communicating adequately with everyone?
- Is the schedule realistic (or do you know)?
- Do we clearly know what defines “done” on the project?
- Are there funding issues?
- Is the project organization clearly defined?
- Are project team roles and responsibilities clearly defined?
Most people know the top barriers facing their project but often feel awkward about discussing them – particularly with a consultant new to the project. Likewise your consultant may notice things that they are reluctant to bring up (being the new kid on the block). But doing so (discussing the barriers) will open up the relationship with your consultant and allow you to mutually identify solutions. This, while not eliminating the warts, allows you to manage them.