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The first step to mitigating the risk of project (and thus strategic failure) is to assign a proven leader with project management skills to manage the project.   After all, you have invested millions of your company's dollars in this project and deserve results!   But what traits should you look for when recruting a Project Manager?


Project Managers are essentially tactical leaders that execute the vision of their organization.    Think of them as the orchestra conductor who establishes a foundation for success with the musicians by providing guidance, leadership, and inspiration.    The Project Manager establishes a foundation of sound project management process, tools and techniques to mitigate the risk of failure.


What are 6 key attributes you should look for when interviewing a potential Project Manager for your project? 

  • Demonstrates the discipline to consistently apply practical and proven project management and leadership tools and techniques to protect the project
  • Has the traits of  outstanding leaders
  • Effectively manages competing demands of the quadruple constraints (Scope, Time, Costs, and Quality) for project success…
  • Aligns with and met demands of Stakeholders with differing needs
  • Is bold and expects and accepts criticism
  • Empowers and inspires the project team

Great Project Managers come from different backgrounds and have very differing leadership styles.  Some are more strategic, others are more tactical.  Some are better openers and some are closers.   Some are great influencers while others are great directors of activities. But all are great leaders. Have you assigned a great leader to run your initiative?


If you would like more information on Project Leadership please contact me directly @ ben.bailey@sap.com

Please let me know if your organization could benefit from an SAP Project Success Ambassador or the SAP Chief Customer Office.   


About About the SAP’s Chief Customer Office:

The Chief Customer Office’s mission is to help SAP’s customers achieve success. The team averages 18 years of SAP experience.  When SAP started the CCO, the team was 99% reactive. Now the CCO is 73% proactive and typically gets involved before the implementation starts. All programs the CCO provides SAP’s customers are at NO CHARGE. The one criteria for engagement is that we have a cadence with the customer executive (CIO or LOB leader).