The Three Cardinal Attributes of Successful Project Management
“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” – Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
In today’s environment of complex capital and mining projects, achieving project success requires more than just technical expertise. It requires a deliberate focus on project management fundamentals that drive performance, reduce risk, and deliver measurable business value.
Project success can be defined in two ways. Firstly, from the organisation’s perspective, project success is the value a project adds to the business, often measured in monetary terms. Secondly, for the project manager, success means delivering the project on time, within budget, and to the client’s expected quality. Failure to achieve either of these often makes the newspaper headlines.
A headline that is rarely seen, however, is the failure of project management itself. It is often assumed that a project manager is competent, and project failure is seldom attributed to project management. Instead, we find it easier to blame factors like communication breakdowns, scope creep, environmental conditions, incompetent contractors, or executive interference. Extending Tolstoy’s words to projects: all successful projects have three things in common, but all failed projects fail in their own terrible way.
The Three Cardinal Attributes
Three cardinal attributes – Structure, Routine, and Discipline – are essential for a project manager to ensure success. Without these, even simple projects are at risk, and complex projects are sure to fail.
1.Structure
Structure refers to an organised system of project processes, roles, and procedures that guide task completion, team interactions, and decision-making. Structure provides a clear framework that allows project teams and stakeholders to understand responsibilities, streamline workflows, and allocate resources effectively. Good structure reduces ambiguity, enhances coordination, and supports accountability within the organisation.
Example: On a project, structure might involve defined work stages – such as initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closing – with specific deliverables, review points, and assigned roles at each stage. For example, before moving from planning to execution, the team must present a project plan, budget forecast, and risk assessment. This structured approach, sometimes referred to as a methodology, ensures that projects are thoroughly planned and that any issues are addressed before significant resources are committed, helping to keep projects aligned with organisational goals.
2. Routine
Structure alone achieves little without routine. In a project context, routine refers to a set of regular, repeatable actions or tasks performed consistently to maintain productivity, quality, and efficiency. Routines create predictability, enable team members to build expertise over time, and establish a rhythm that fosters a stable and manageable work environment. Routines are invaluable for handling tasks that must be completed reliably over time.
Example: A project manager’s daily routine might involve a morning check-in with the team to review priorities, followed by an update to stakeholders on any critical changes. They might then spend an hour reviewing project timelines and budgets. This routine keeps everyone aligned and informed, helping the project manager to proactively address potential issues and support the project’s smooth progress.
3. Discipline
Even with a solid structure and established routines, success is not guaranteed. The differentiator in managing a project, or any endeavour, is discipline. Discipline is the practice of consistently adhering to a set of principles, rules, or standards that foster productivity, quality, and accountability. It involves a commitment to working with focus, meeting deadlines, and maintaining high standards, even amid challenges or distractions. Discipline ensures tasks are completed reliably and efficiently, contributing to the stability and effectiveness of the team and organisation.
Example: Imagine a project manager who is disciplined in providing weekly project updates. Every Monday morning, they review the project’s progress, update stakeholders, and adjust resources as needed. Even with unexpected meetings or urgent tasks, they stay committed to this schedule. This consistency enables the team to stay informed, anticipate potential issues, and adapt proactively, ensuring the project remains on track.
In Conclusion
These three cardinal rules of successful project management – Structure, Routine, and Discipline – apply to all human endeavours. Whether in sports, academics, business, parenting, or personal growth, people who achieve success share these attributes. By integrating these rules into your work, you will strengthen the foundation for project success and set yourself on a path to consistently achieving your goals.
Author:
Werner Meyer (Director & Principal Consultant )
