As we saw in Part 1, knowledge is power. So we should really examine what does proactive and reactive mean ? Proactive is when you action on an issue before the issue becomes an issue. Reactive is when the issue occurs and you are playing catch up. So I think you would agree that Proactive will be the better option for a successful project. Knowledge does not necessary to be from yourself only. A good project manager knows how to form his team so that he has the appropriate knowledge at hand to consult if you require. It is easier to leverage on the knowledge gained by others then to try to obtain all the knowledge yourself. So the second skill or power the Project Manager will need is to be able to build a good balance team with the appropriate balance of skills and knowledge as all as the personality to be able to work together.  

To be a project manager there are 2 paths you can take. The proactive path or the reactive path. Just as you do in your personal life, the path you wish to take is individual to each person and is depends on several factors. To be proactive means that you need information. The lack of information will normally cause a project manager to be reactive. To have the knowledge for example the amount of development time required to resolve the issue, what resource is available, what viable alternative options are available etc will enable a project manager to be more proactive rather then reactive. Knowledge is the key. The more knowledge you have, the more proactive you can be as you will be able to join all the pieces together to get the bigger picture to see the big picture. The less knowledge you have, the more reactive you become, since you will not know what you do not know until something happens.

To be a project manager there are 2 paths you can take. The proactive path or the reactive path. Just as you do in your personal life, the path you wish to take is individual to each person and is depends on several factors. To be proactive means that you need information. The lack of information will normally cause a project manager to be reactive. To have the knowledge for example the amount of development time required to resolve the issue, what resource is available, what viable alternative options are available etc will enable a project manager to be more proactive rather then reactive. Knowledge is the key. The more knowledge you have, the more proactive you can be as you will be able to join all the pieces together to get the bigger picture to see the big picture. The less knowledge you have, the more reactive you become, since you will not know what you do not know until something happens.

2012 begins and today is the first day of work for most people in this new year. If you have a project that is still ongoing and carried forward from 2011 then you may or may not have had a good holiday at the year end. Depending on where you are at in the project, you enjoyment of the year end holidays may be inversely propotionate to the issues that you are facing in the project. With the new year dawning, revisit these with fresh eyes and a new energy. Every issue is just an opportunity to make your project better. Wishing you a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR and a GREAT year ahead !