Although, I’ve written before about the importance of being able to go-with-the-flow when planning vacation, the PM’s ability to strategize and multitask and plan ahead is useful in when planning many ‘regular’ life events. Sporting events come to mind today.
It’s especially frustrating when those on whom you’re dependent to pull off such events don’t have the same wherewithal. I honestly wonder how it’s so hard to briefly consider a plan a couple months off, especially when all that’s necessitated is saying yes. The organized person (me/the PM) does all actual planning, scheduling and procurement and communications. (See the all those pretty li’l knowledge areas?)
The PM and his minions
In my case, it’s a few friends who work in tech, who can’t see more than 1 or 2 sports seasons in advance. And just as poor planning or obstructions to good planning can lead to cost overruns, my friends’ inability or unwillingness to plan ahead will lead to cost overruns in this case i.e., higher ticket prices.
Perhaps it comes with their territory. That single-mindedness is useful to folks who aren’t PM’s, who don’t have to see the big picture. And just as PM’ing seeps into our lifestyles, that single-mindedness seeps into theirs. So when tasked with planning far in advance, they can’t do it. Sometimes I think that PM doesn’t mean Project Manager, it means Patience Manager.