project management nightmare

useless

I know this isn't MSE related but thought I would post it anyway, in the hope that it doesn't get deleted!

So here's my problem...

I've never been a project manager before but have been tasked with doing this.
my web developer keeps getting sidetracked by other people asking him to do small projects, and we are now way behind on the big project that I'm managing.
The problem is that it is my line manager (and their line manager as well!) who are doing a lot of the sidetracking!
Do you have any tips for getting the big project back on track without ruffling any feathers?
another problem is the fact that the web developer isn't my subordinate, and he is eager to impress the big guys rather than me.
If we make a mess of the big project then it's my neck on the line with my manager. I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place!!

any advice is much appreciated!!

whitewing

Who is the Project Sponsor? Could you have a quiet word with him?

Also, if dates are slipping, then maybe time to do some kind of Risk Analysis, with a load of project people in the room, and someone can say 'other conflicts on time' etc. It gets discussed and then can be prioritised.

Put stuff in writing. People always take it more seriously.

As far as I am concerned, the Project Manager is there to flag issues, and the Sponsor is there to assist in resolving them.

whitewing

Also, does your company have any overall list of projects? If not, they should have, with regular reviews of project status. It may be that your project has slipped in priority without you being advised. Maybe ask your manager about where your project sits now, and has the current economic situation changed anything.

Do you have a project plan (on MS Project etc)? If not, then you need this, with weekly or fortnightly reviews of your project team to see what is happening with each action. Then minute it and send to all members of the team and their bosses. That will help their focus.

useless

thanks for your quick reply, this is very useful, thank you so much!
My project is definitely the most important one, the public funding body in question is our best bet for securing future funding.

The fools are just adopting a bit of a scatter gun approach, taking on anything and everything. I've seen it before with their predecessors, but I wasn't involved as a PM then so it didn't matter to me so much.

Anyway, moan moan could be worse.

whitewing

Your own project is always the most important one (says she, speaking from experience).

You may need to work a little on your attitude towards your managers. I had similar feelings with a manager of mine when I was younger; it doesn't pay. In my opinion it is unprofessional to speak about people you work with in such a way ('fools') even if it is true and on an anonymous forum. It shows a degree of uncontrolled detrimental emotion. I'm letting you benefit from some very painful personal experience! However frustrating, best to try not to think in such as manner as it blocks creativity in resolving your situation.

Zazen999

Interesting, being given such an important project with no training or experience.

My advice now you are in this is to make sure you document everything, and make sure that issues are flagged with the sponsor and calls are made to the project team to help in resolving these issues - all in writing. Be nice about it [we need joe back on this project or x and y will slip] that sort of thing.

msflowerfairy

Well i am a Project Manager, and you really need to concentrate on your main project prior to completing any of the other smaller projects, these can soon be dealt with once the main one is out of the way.
If it were me i would then have a look at the number of smaller projects, and prioritise them in order of required date of completion, importance, length of time it will take to complete. I find this makes things easier, and you know where your head is, oh and write it down in order of preference so if you are asked the wheres and whys you can show said person your method of working.
Good Luck!

pinkshoes

I would speak to your line manager, and point out that something has to give. Either your deadline gets pushed back to a realistic date, or the web developer is assigned only to work on your project until it's finished. Or can you think of any other way to meet the deadine? Is there any other resource you could use for the job?

moneyspender1981

I am a project manager and find this all the time.

I would create a risk/issues log - in keeping with PRINCE.

Mark it down as a Issue, send this to your key stakeholder.. on your upodate.. and right down the impact it will ahve i.e time/cost.... and your recommendation ..., I.e additonal resource, or you will prob find stakeholders will pull rank and make him stick to the project.

Either way yuor role is to provide details and recommendation for the stakeholder to decide.

Hope this helps