01.Mastering Project Management: Unveiling the Fundamentals

Welcome to Mastering Project Management: Unveiling the Fundamentals, where we embark on a journey to uncover the essential principles driving successful project execution. Hosted by Brittany Wilkins, this episode delves into the core components that underpin effective project management.

From ancient civilizations to the complexities of modern industries, project management has evolved significantly. We explore its history, from early techniques like the Gantt chart to contemporary methodologies such as Agile and Scrum. Through Brittany's personal narrative within the automotive industry, we witness the transformative power of project management in navigating diverse challenges and achieving remarkable milestones.

Welcome to Project Management Masterclass hosted by Brittany Wilkins. Whether you're a seasoned project manager looking to sharpen your skills or a newcomer eager to learn the ropes, this podcast is your ultimate guide to mastering the art and science of project management.  In each episode, we dive deep into the world of project management, bringing you insights, practical tips, and real-life success stories. Get ready to elevate your project management game.

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Transcript

I. Podcast Introduction

Welcome to the Project Management Masterclass. I’m your host, Brittany Wilkins. In today's dynamic marketplace, businesses require three key elements for success. Firstly, every business needs a robust culture that establishes the organizational mission and values, aligning everyone toward a common purpose. Secondly, businesses require a strategic roadmap, outlining the vision for innovative products and services. Thirdly, businesses need a robust PMO (Project Management Office) to align teams and implement strategies effectively, bringing new products and services to market. At the heart of every successful business lies project management. It's astonishing how many organizations prioritize technical expertise but struggle to meet deadlines due to low project management proficiency. The solution? It's a return to basics, focusing on the fundamentals of project management. Join us as we delve into these essential principles.

 II. History of Project Management

The history of project management dates back to ancient civilizations, where projects like building the pyramids or constructing roads required planning and coordination. However, modern project management as a formal discipline emerged in the 20th century with the development of techniques such as the Gantt chart by Henry Gantt in the early 1900s and the Critical Path Method (CPM) by DuPont and Remington Rand in the 1950s. 

In the 1960s and 1970s, project management gained traction in industries like aerospace and defense with the development of Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) and the establishment of the Project Management Institute (PMI) in 1969.

Since then, project management has evolved with the advent of technology, methodologies like Agile and Scrum, and the increasing complexity of projects in various industries. Today, project management is a vital aspect of businesses across the globe, with certifications, software tools, and methodologies continuously evolving to meet the demands of modern project environments.

 III. Defining Project Management

Project management is the discipline of planning, organizing, motivating, and controlling resources to achieve specific goals within a specified time frame. It involves coordinating various elements of a project, including people, tasks, budgets, timelines, and deliverables, to ensure successful completion.

 Key components of project management include:

1. Planning: Defining project goals, objectives, and scope, as well as outlining the tasks, resources, and timelines required to achieve them.

2. Organizing: Assigning roles and responsibilities to team members, establishing communication channels, and ensuring that everyone understands their tasks and deadlines.

3. Motivating: Inspiring and guiding team members to perform their best, providing support, recognition, and encouragement when needed.

4. Controlling: Monitoring project progress, identifying and addressing issues or risks, and making necessary adjustments to keep the project on track.

5. Resource Management: Efficiently allocating and utilizing resources such as time, budget, personnel, and materials to maximize productivity and minimize waste.

6. Communication: Facilitating clear and effective communication among team members, stakeholders, and other relevant parties throughout the project lifecycle.

7. Risk Management:Identifying potential risks and uncertainties that may affect the project, developing strategies to mitigate them, and implementing contingency plans when necessary.

Project management methodologies such as Agile, Waterfall, and Lean provide frameworks and best practices for managing projects effectively based on their unique requirements and constraints. Good project management ensures that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of stakeholders.

 IV. My Journey to Project Management

As far back as I can remember, I've always been drawn to the intricacies of organizing tasks, coordinating efforts, and achieving goals. Even as a student, I found myself naturally gravitating towards leadership roles and project-based assignments. Little did I know that project management was a profession.

During my early career, I worked as advanced development process engineer in the automotive industry. I was excited as it was my first engineering job where I was provided a mentor to learn from.  Overtime I begin to see myself more in his shadow with no identity of my own. I felt lost because I was not "known"  like my peers who had patents, trade secrets, and were working on really cool innovations. I was Dave's mentee. I struggled to find my niche. With the emergence of hybrid and electric vehicles arising to shake up the automotive industry, my career would transform into me becoming a project manager. In a conversation with my boss he said to me I am expecting more from you and here is your new assignment. He threw me into the fire to coordinate, plan, and execute build a robotic cell assembly to manufacture a bent tube harness for an electric vehicle platform. A project of this magnitude intimidated me. I had to lead a team of engineers both domestically and internationally who had far more experience than me. 

As an introvert I faced challenges with communicating. I was required to give presentations where I was so nervous I read off sheets of paper. I am fast talker in meetings no one could follow what I was saying. I also did not speak a 2nd language so are Spanish speaking engineers could not comprehend what I was trying to explain. I will never forget working with my Mexican counterpart Manny in deciding how to build the wire harness assembly cell. We didn’t have a translator, so he and I used PowerPoint to communicate with words and shapes to draw out the vision.  As a project manager I had no authority or influence on how to get the team members to commit and do their job. People wouldn’t show up for meetings or respond to my emails.  The challenges of balancing competing priorities, managing stakeholder expectations, and navigating unforeseen obstacles tested my resolve on numerous occasions.  It was after a team meeting where on the senior engineers came to me and said you're timid and too nice.  The conversation really had me thinking about who I had to become to drive success. How could I get this men to listen to a young African American woman.   I was uncomfortable, but I wanted to prove that I could be a valuable contributor and stand on my own two feet without my mentor holding my hand. 

It was a defining moment in my career where I discovered my niche, led the team to installing the first robotic bending cell in our manufacturing plant, received outstanding leadership certificate and bonus from my boss. My boss said  to me your mentor was holding you back. I got to see what you can do for yourself. Project management is your gift. I had finally broken out of my mentors shadow  and gaining the respect of my peers. 

Even achieving incredible milestones leading several projects in the automotive, industrial coatings, aerospace, and HVAC was more of feel. I knew how to be organized but I didn’t know all the fundamentals of project management and different ways to solve problems. The more complex projects I was assigned project management became much harder. Looking back on certain projects had me thinking only if I took waterfall approach or agile approach or had a defined ecosystem for project management things would have gone so much better. 

While I didn’t love project management in the beginning. I love it now because its exposed me so many different opportunities. I knew in order to grow both personally and professionally I needed to get back to the fundamentals. In certain situations I saw a lack of project management office and knowledge and knew this was the purpose I was meant to fulfill. I became a certified associated project management and polished my knowledge my taking project management and project leadership courses to sharpen my skillset.  Harnessing the power of project management to  Help individuals and organizations master the fundamentals of project management.  More to come on the journey of achieving excellence in project management.