Project Management is not fighting

While developing custom software with a difficult client, it is frequent to see inexperienced Project Managers thinking their job is to fight the client.


I read The Art of War many years ago, but it took me a while to understand most of it. In war, all sides lose much. You must only go to war if you have certainty you will win, and that you will win will be more valuable to you than what you will lose. These three simple concepts have to be in the mind of anyone dealing with a client.


Fighting and conflict might win a small battle but will get you into losing the war. You need to pick your fights since having constant communication and being able to negotiate with the client is one of your main responsibilities as a Project Manager.

A Project Manager should not fight, but solve problems. Use force and conflict only if it's the only way, you have certainty you will win and are sure that what you will get is more than what you will lose.

Where have I been?

I decided to change a few things in Sincronía in 2010:

• We started with market research and organizational consulting ending in new strategic planning and balance score card analysis. 
• To reinforce the operational strengths I leaded the company into a ITMark certification. 

Both processes are going on since March, so, I haven't had much time to write. I will be back soon, sharing all the lessons learned while leading this huge and ambitious projects.

Just one woman

Leading a company in which I am the only woman might not be a big deal for most, but it is for me. Gender issues are present in my daily life. This post is just a thought and hope I have.

Some years back I entered an IEEE mentoring program for women. I started talking to this lady in the US that worked in IT. I asked her about her experience, how she dealt with it all. She didn't understood my questions, she said she went into college and then marry some engineer and all was great in her white picket fence house. What was I talking about? I left the program really fast. Women engineers don't struggle much in the US.

But, I don't know any other women that lead teams in masculine environments. Here in Colombia, women in high positions always hide (or are force to be behind) some man. I really don't have a role model, and sometimes don't know how to get by.

What I do, is pose as a man most of the time. Sometimes I am not so good at it, and my feelings show. I get disappointed and sad, instead of angry when things go wrong and things like that.

I hope that age will help me find balance, so I don´t have to deny my initial instincts, act according to my true feelings and still be able to lead successfully my team. I now think I have to give up to much to be where I am.