“If you’re not using an advisory board, you’re missing out on a valuable opportunity to improve your project’s chances of success.”
Project management, Analytics, SRS, BRD, Validation Plan, Project Implementation Plan, Dashboards, Gantt charts, WBS, Weekly Reports, Deviations, MVP, Agile, Compliant, Security, Trackers, Loggers, Detailed Reports etc. etc. We’ve all heard these buzzwords tossed around as the keys to project success. But amidst the technical jargon, there’s an often-overlooked element that can make or break your endeavor, that’s “advisory”.
Think of your project as a ship navigating treacherous waters. The captain (project manager) steers the course, the crew (team members) handles the sails, and the navigation system (analytics) keeps everyone on track. But where does the wisdom come from to avoid hidden reefs, navigate sudden storms, or capitalize on unexpected currents? That’s where the experienced sailor, the advisor, comes in and jumps starts the system and brings motion into the plan again.
Here’s why advisory is no longer a nice-to-have, but a vital component of any successful project:
Foresight is 20/20 (even in hindsight):
Advisors bring a wealth of experience from diverse industries and past projects. They can anticipate potential pitfalls, identify unspoken risks, highlight unexplored areas, and suggest innovative solutions you might have missed. It’s like having a crystal ball powered by hindsight, guiding you through choppy waters before you even feel the first wave.
Objectivity cuts through the fog:
Project teams, like crew, can get tunnel vision. Advisors, as outsiders, can offer an objective perspective, questioning assumptions, challenging decisions, and ensuring alignment with overall goals. It’s like having a trusted friend or team mate who gently points out what you might not want to see in the mirror.
Expertise fills the knowledge gaps:
Every project has its unique complexities, challenges, milestones, plans, break points, hidden pitfalls, constraints, reluctance, making tech stack too complex etc.
Advisors can plug specific knowledge gaps, whether it’s financial modeling, risk management, sailing through the technical breakpoints, seeking expert advice, validation of logic, consulting or navigating regulatory hurdles. They act as your brain trust, expanding your team’s capabilities and tackling challenges with confidence that may have the least chance of failing.
Adaptability keeps you on course:
Change is inevitable, and projects rarely unfold exactly as planned or rarely meet the deadlines as planned. Advisors help you weather the storms of unexpected twists and turns. They can suggest course corrections, adapt strategies, Provide a walked path, and ensure your project stays agile and responsive in the face of the unknown. In my past ten years of experience in Project Management, I have failed and passed in many instances though every project was a lesson for me to get the better version of the practice. There is no fucking book or cheatsheet that one can stick to to sail the Project through. One has to have their own mindset, leading capacity, decision making power, clarity with standards to get the shit done.
Confidence is a powerful motivator:
Having a seasoned advisor in your corner is like having a savior on your team. It inspires confidence, motivates your team, and signals to stakeholders that you’re serious about success. It’s like having a secret weapon, boosting morale and empowering everyone to push toward the finish line. No matter how tough the challenge is, one has to have or find a viable solution to it.
Whether you’re launching a tech startup, building a sustainable community garden, or navigating a corporate merger, advisory should be more than an afterthought. It’s an investment in your project’s future, a secret weapon that can guide you through uncharted waters and propel you towards success. So, the next time you’re plotting your project’s course, don’t just pack the charts and tools – make sure you have an experienced sailor on board to help you navigate the seas with soundness and compassion.
Remember, in the ever-changing landscape of projects, it’s not just about having the right tools, techniques but having the right guidance. So, embrace the power of advisory and watch your project reach its full potential, sailing smoothly into the harbor of success.
Do remember, as per the recent study, a whopping 70% of the planned projects meets the failure at the end. But, many organizations have inculcated their own processes and techniques to reduce the failure to 20%. If you ain’t learning through the insights or ain’t listing the gaps in every release of the project or ain’t making your versioned checklist, you ain’t doing the right shit mane!
Curious minds welcome! Connect with me for a quick discussion and let’s learn from each other.
