97 Things Every Project Manager Should Know

Chapter 26. The Missing Link

MBA, PMP, MCSE, CHP, CHSS. Paul Waggoner

SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGERS AGREE that one of their most difficult challenges is keeping team members properly engaged in the details of the project, and on top of their assigned tasks and schedules. They understand that team members are conflicted between the routine, operational responsibilities of processing daily work, troubleshooting problems, coordinating departmental issues, and answering everyday communications, versus completing the time-sensitive work of project development.

Although being selected for a project team may initially be seen as a compliment, many developers feel that participation on a team is a major distraction from day-to-day duties. When push comes to shove, a developer may openly admit that daily maintenance and support of assigned systems are more important to him/her than performing project task work.

As a project manager, your first impulse is to conclude that this person does not belong on the team if your work can't, or won't, be given a clear priority. However, most organizations have limited numbers of subject matter experts (SMEs), so changing team members or locating a more dedicated one may not be an option.

Here are a few simple suggestions to help with this problem:

• Make sure all management levels support the goals and objectives of the project.

• Modify the subject matter expert job ...