The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of our society and revealed things we never thought were possible. It has highlighted the unpredictability of the future and the importance of being prepared for unexpected events. Our experiences may vary, but the impact is universal.

As an IT project manager, this pandemic has served as a powerful reminder of the crucial lessons that apply to project management and how to approach future projects. With the uncertainty that the pandemic brought, it’s critical to have a strategic plan and be adaptable to the changes that come. The pandemic has taught us to have a more realistic approach when planning by accounting for the risk of unforeseen events and always being ready for them.

You Don’t Know the Future

Tomorrow is always uncertain, and the future always breaks. It means that no matter how well you plan and prepare, there will always be unknowns and unexpected events that disrupt your plans. The question is, how do you handle these unforeseen events? 

When planning for your projects, it’s important to remember that there are no guarantees. Even the best-laid plans can be thrown off course by unforeseen events. It is why it’s crucial to have a flexible approach and the ability to adapt and respond quickly and competently.

When creating your project estimate and schedule, it’s critical to keep this in mind. Don’t fall into the trap of being overly optimistic. Instead, be realistic about the potential obstacles and challenges that may arise. Remember that the more you know about a task, the more difficult it becomes. And stakeholders will constantly push for earlier completion, so be mindful of your commitments.

To ensure you’re prepared for the unexpected, keep yourself grounded. Don’t be afraid to ask for input from others, and be open to feedback. It will help you stay on top of your project and be better equipped to handle any challenges that come your way. The future is uncertain, but with a flexible approach and the ability to adapt, you can navigate through it and achieve success.

Risk is What You Do Not See

Risks are a part of any project. The COVID-19 pandemic is a prime example of this. While pandemics have occurred before, it’s unlikely that many project managers would have included this as a risk in their risk registry. Why? Because it’s an unknown risk.

Despite its high impact, the pandemic caught many of us off guard due to its low probability. No one on our team had experienced it before, and the measures put in place by governments to prevent the spread added a layer of uncertainty.

The question is, how do we mitigate unknown risks like this? The answer is simple: we can’t. No matter how extensively we prepare, there will always be unknown risks that we can’t predict. However, this realization should not stop us from trying to prepare for worst-case scenarios.

We must accept that the future always breaks and that no amount of preparation can guarantee that everything will go according to plan. But, by being aware of this limitation and being prepared for worst-case scenarios, we can minimize the impact of unexpected events and be better equipped to handle them.

Remote Work Works

The current pandemic has forced many companies to adopt remote work, and the results have been surprising. Despite the challenges, remote work has shown to be a viable alternative for many knowledge workers.

One of the most significant benefits of remote work is that it allows for increased productivity. In the traditional office setting, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that being visible and busy means productivity. But, as we’ve seen during the pandemic, this is not always the case. Remote work has shown that even when nobody is looking, we can still be productive.

Leaders should take note of this and trust their team, regardless of whether they are visible or not. If you have doubts about your team’s ability to work remotely, why did you hire them in the first place?

Even if a vaccine for COVID-19 becomes available, remote work will likely continue to be the new normal. We must find ways to make it an efficient and better experience for all of us. This means utilizing project management software and considering the impact on people who are working remotely for the first time.

In conclusion, remote work is a viable alternative and should be an option for those who prefer to work from home or other locations. It’s time for companies to embrace it and find ways to make it a more efficient and better experience for all of us.

Uncertainty and Expectations

The future always breaks, but with the right approach and mindset, we can navigate through it and come out stronger on the other side instead of clinging to the illusion of certainty.

As we crawl our way to the new normal, let’s remember these lessons and apply them to our future projects. It allows us to be more adaptable and resilient when faced with unexpected challenges. It also helps us to avoid disappointment and frustration when things don’t go as planned.

Now, it is your turn. How did the pandemic affected you?

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