Is Project a Marathon or a Sprint

 

 I have unabashedly copied the famous quote by Phillip C. McGraw and changed it to fit our projects. While Mr. McGraw described the same about life, I think our projects are no different.

  We as project managers, run agile sprints to deliver what our customer expects. The sprint in turn expects a cadence to be followed. A cadence that needs to be rhythmic for a long term. So, does this cadence not translate itself into a Marathon in the form of a Project?

 

Let us review the classic definitions of both Sprint and Marathon and decide:

 Sprint is defined:

•   for a clearly defined scope

•   with a very solid to unmistakable understanding of deliverables

•   for a fixed and usually (comparatively) short time window

•   with clearly defined and assigned resources

 Marathon is when one wants to emphasize:

•   a team needs to set and maintain a long-term focus

•   individual commitments for the long run (years instead of just weeks/months)

•   the complexity of an undertaking is higher

 

So, a marathon can be thought of as a group of sprints that have a common subject from a certain area of your backlog. Marathons could also be considered collections of Sprints tied to a larger or longer goal.

 As project managers, we need to convert our weekly/monthly Sprints into a steady marathon run. Steadily(but not slowly) we will reach our desired running cadence which is needed for our projects to succeed. Just like we have done in the past, we will take this project too to its closure state.

 

 Let us keep the project management spirit of “We Deliver” intact and start this marathon. We all are in it together to WIN!!!

 

With the the challenges of global and hybrid work, Help Your Team Collaborate Better

 In today’s complex work environments, collaboration sometimes feels harder than ever. To build engagement and drive results on your team, here are four strategies you should commit to as a leader.

Focus on shared goals. Silos form when teams focus solely on their own tasks and miss the bigger picture. Emphasize collective goals that require cooperation across teams and departments. When everyone understands how their work contributes to overall success, collaboration improves.

Use inclusive language. Shifting from “they” to “we” can transform mindsets. Using phrases like “our team” and “our organization” fosters a sense of unity across units and teams. By modeling inclusivity, you encourage others to follow, reducing internal competition and boosting morale.

Allocate resources fairly. Resource inequality breeds resentment. Ensure that every team has access to the tools they need to succeed. Equitable distribution promotes a sense of fairness and trust, keeping teams focused on shared goals rather than competing for resources.

Encourage constructive criticism. Teams thrive when members feel safe to offer feedback. By fostering a culture of openness and transparency, you can help identify areas for improvement without fear of backlash. This psychological safety is essential for innovation and trust, which are both crucial for high-performing teams

Interested to know more?

Read the complete article at:

https://hbr.org/2024/11/4-research-backed-ways-to-help-your-team-collaborate-better