Hi there!

Who wasn’t captivated by the recent daring rescue mission in the treacherous confines of a flooded Thai cave that saved 12 boys and their soccer coach who were trapped deep within the labyrinth! It ended a gruelling 18–day ordeal that claimed the life of an experienced volunteer diver and riveted people around the world…

I particularly loved the headline ‘THE GREAT ESCAPE’ splashed across media on breaking news released that the final group of boys and their coach had successfully been extracted from the cave.

Fabulous news and testimony to brilliant teamwork, look what can be achieved working towards common goals!

It is only now being revealed the full extent of the behind the scenes strategies played out in the rescue operation on a global scale – the depth of planning and logistics involved in this unique scenario; the role of each key expert (Thailand’s Navy SEALs, team of Thai and international divers, medics); risk management and contingencies crucial to a successful outcome “mission possible”, 4km to freedom…

How different the result may have been if not managed with the degree of emotional intelligence displayed, calm throughout the storm!

So, imagine if you were to bestow the same precision and focus in planning & strategies for both your business and day-to-day life!

How? By following Project Management principles and apply to any project large or small involving planning + costs + timelines + outcomes.

Following are the key elements of Project Management as a guideline to support decisions and the success of outcomes made on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis:

Integration Management

The processes and activities required to ensure that various stages of the project are properly coordinated, so that a project manager will know what he or she will need to do in order to deliver and implement the project under budget, on time and with saved effort.

Scope Management

An outline of key deliverables required throughout the project to ensure the event is a success.

Time Management

A schedule of all activities and tasks, timeframes and dependencies relating to the project, identifying key milestones to measure if the project is on track to achieve desired outcomes.

Cost Management

An indicative budget to ensure there are no shortfalls with contingencies built in based on the accuracy of tasks and timeframes included in the project schedule with an outline of funding sources.

Quality Management

QA standards and definitions required by the project is a way of preventing mistakes and defects in manufactured products plus avoiding problems when delivering solutions or services to customers.

HR/ Personnel

An outline of stakeholders' roles, responsibilities and information requirements, taking into consideration if the team members involved have worked together on other projects or require further training. Also the resources required - equipment, materials and facilities.

Communications Management

A Communications Plan, in project management is a policy-driven approach to providing stakeholders with information about a project, and the methodology of how they will kept up-to-date.

Risk Management

Risk analysis involves examining how project outcomes and objectives might change due to the impact of the risk event.

If a project risk is identified, they are analysed to identify the qualitative and quantitative impact of the risk on a project so
that appropriate steps can be taken to alleviate the risk.

Draft a Risk Management Plan which can be used as a guideline to assist with the planning and management of a project or event.

Procurement and Contracts Management

Procurement is the process of finding, agreeing terms and acquiring goods, services or works from an external source, often via a tendering or competitive bidding process.

The process is used to ensure the buyer receives goods, services or works at the best possible price, when aspects such as quality, quantity, time, and location are compared. Determine key stakeholder roles and responsibilities during the procurement phase.

Lessons Learnt

Bottom line, the lessons learnt from each project outcome not only help determine decisions made for future projects but help them to succeed.

Whilst some, or all of the elements listed above may or may not apply when planning a project, they provide insights to give structure and act as a guideline to minimise waste of resources – both time & budget.

Footnote: After completing a Diploma of Project Management many moons ago, I had an epiphany moment of thinking to myself ‘I wish I had learnt this years before’, it may have saved some effort in determining if a project was viable to proceed and freed me up to focus on other projects!

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