Project Management learnings from Football

The football fever is high. We’re sure you are spending your time enjoying one of the best team sports followed by enthusiasts from all over the world. While football is a celebrated example of team spirit and hard work, it is also an epitome of exceptional management skills. Football teams have to keep a team-first attitude and not focus on their personal goals during the game!

If you are a project manager, we bet you can learn a thing or two from the game. We have drawn some analogies right from your favorite sport to your project management approach.

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Here’s what you can learn from football to ultimately up the ante on your project management skills-

• Go Massive and Smash It — Some of the most exciting and thrilling games have been when teams have taken a risk beyond their comfort zones. When players neglect the easy choice, that’s when it gets even more rewarding to win. Bold moves make life interesting, even for a project manager. There are times when a tough decision entails a risk for the project manager- in terms of the time or the budget of their project. To go with their instincts, they can meet surprises and turns on their way leading to a newer and better outcome. Playing in the zone is basic. Risking what we have for an instinct (a calculated on), means everything in the end.

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• Strategic and Intentional Communication — All players in a football team are in communication all the time during the play. From the coach to the quarterback, and then to the defensive line, the game continually shifts for the better. And, if a player misses comprehending a communication at the right time, they could get beat or miss an opportunity- which costs. Project teams are no different. Without a clear communication strategy where all team members know one version of the truth, a project may easily get derailed. Project managers need to build mechanisms so the communication between their members is effective and productive.

• Planning to the Bits — Football is never undertaken without a plan. Players prepare for all possible scenarios and spend an entire season planning their strategies for when they are on the ground against their most vigorous opponents. More often than not, projects fail because the leader was unable to outline a plan for the other teammates to follow. Or, there were gaps when they communicated their intention to their team. As a project manager, it lies on your shoulders to lay out the tactics and policies of your project and convey them effectively. These help you see the project through!

Project management is another team sport we play at work.

Whether you are a start-up founder or someone who leads a team, you need to learn the people skills to kickstart your project success journey. And, football imparts some crucial lessons we could all use.

If you’re looking for tools to effectively manage your projects, do check our project management tool which is free for up to 5 users :)