We've seen this all too often. We go into strategic planning sessions, we come up with wonderful sounding plans, we rally the troops and execute like hell, and then - we fail miserably. While there are so many moving parts that make strategic execution a difficult endeavor, there is one aspect often missed out by C-Level executives.

Good Project Management.

Your strategy can never be executed without implementing a project. New marketing campaigns, releasing a new product version, implementing an ERP system, and many many more strategies all rely on having a project implemented. However, it is quite interesting to note that having good project managers is rarely on the agenda of the board. My guess is that C-Level executives merely do not have an appreciation on the value of project management and this leads to executing strategy without the proper discipline required. There is a tendency to just throw the strategy to the organization and expect things to fly. This rarely succeeds.

Projects vs Operations

This is how it should go. Every organization develops is strategic objectives that articulate its vision and mission. These objectives are obviously a challenge to the status quo of the organization's operations. (e.g. improve production efficiency by implementing new automated systems). In order to achieve this objective, a project is created.  The results of this project is applied to the current operating environment in order for the operations to achieve the strategic objective. In doing so, the organization meets its strategic objectives. Simple, right?

Aligning Projects to Strategy

There is a definite need to align all projects to a company's strategic objective. In fact, you need to rethink a project if it does not align to any of the company's strategic objective. You might be needlessly consuming resources for projects that do not give you a proper return on your investment.

Executive Sponsorship

On the same vein, it is important to remember that as a C Level executive, you need to be actively involved in projects, primarily as their project sponsor. Remember that you, as the executive, is accountable for meeting the strategic objectives of the organization. Your project manager, is responsible for meeting the requirements of the project. He will need your guidance and direction in steering the project to achieve the strategic objectives that you are accountable for.

Project Management is a Profession

Project Managers are mini-CEO's in their own right. They look at a project (or a business) from all angles and weigh-in on the risks, and issues of each project against all other constraints of time, cost, scope, etc. They balance the art of managing resources, communications, and stakeholders with the science of cost management, time management, scope management, quality management, and others.
As a C-Level executive, wouldn't you want someone in your team who you can rely to help you achieve the strategic objectives of your organization? I'm pretty sure I would.

Knowing more

Get to know more about the value of project management. Download a copy of PMI's thought leadership publication - PMI's Pulse of the Profession 2015. If you'd like to attend some courses on project management, visit SAS Management Inc. to find out more.
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