Authority Inside a Project Team
Service Getting (Giving) “How did you explain it to the team?” Catherine asked. “As I approached each department manager, I told them I was working on a project, Project X, where I needed specialized...
View ArticleCross Functional Working Relationship – Auditor
Auditor “We have some contractual commitments still in force,” Javier explained. “While we may renegotiate some of these obligations, until then, we have to abide by the contract. In some cases, I...
View ArticleCross Functional Working Relationship – Monitor
Monitor “And for some cases, I don’t think we need a full blown auditor,” Javier explained, “but we may need someone to monitor the way we do something. The monitor and the auditor are looking for the...
View ArticleCross Functional Working Relationship – Coordinating
Coordinating “And what’s this between marketing and operations?” Catherine asked. “The timing is tricky,” Javier explained. “We need to close a gate and shut down operations, but we also need to...
View ArticleCross Functional Working Relationship – Collateral
Collateral “And, what is this collateral relationship?” Catherine asked. Javier nodded. “It’s like a coordinating relationship, but typically between project team members. They are required to...
View ArticleCross Functional Working Relationship – Advisor
Advisor “And this advisor relationship?” Catherine asked. Javier stopped, looked first at Catherine and then at Jim. “That’s easy,” he concluded. “Jim is your advisor. He doesn’t make task assignments....
View ArticleHot Spots
“So, I am the one to fix this problem with my silos,” Regina slowly realized. “And I can’t just leave my managers in the room to figure it out. Where do I start?” “Putting your managers in the room is...
View ArticleWhat If There is a Hiccup on the Project?
“I just want to be clear on this,” Roger said. “For my project, I initially asked for five hours of accounting support from your department. It turns out I needed ten hours, but you are giving me three...
View ArticleNot a Personality Conflict
From the Ask Tom mailbag – Question: I am trying to sort out an argument between one of my foremen and our safety officer. They have two different personalities. My foreman is driven, goal oriented...
View ArticleBecause We Said So
“Just to be clear,” Sarah wanted to know, “if communication is the symptom, but accountability and authority is the cause, what’s the fix?” “You already told me that your communication seminar did not...
View Article