Franklin Roosevelt once stated “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.”
A project is similar to life in this regard. Smooth Projects Never Made A Skilled Project Manager. The adversities we face in life helps prepare us for the next problem. Similarly, the more complex problems a Project Manager is able to maneuver through prepares him/her for the next. This is exactly why we must never give up and always persevere.
A Project Managers’ skill comes into play in dealing with the complexities that arise during a project. This is where we truly earn our living. Good Project Managers have a great deal of experience in dealing with issues and are able to use said experience for the next complex problem. Experience in this sense does not have to be necessarily achieved yourself but can be gleaned from a variety of means. Observing other Project Managers and how they handle their complex issues is one great way to gain this experience. Additionally like anything you want to be great at, practice makes perfect. Therefore, putting yourself or in this case your project through a series of made up tests before they arise will help garner said needed experience.
However you gain this experience, the key is to understand that problems once solved adds to your repertoire. It becomes an addition tool added to your bag and collecting these tools is paramount to becoming a good Project Manager. Like life, if you are well prepared you do not run away from your complex project problems but you meet them squarely face to face. Soon enough, what may seems complex and difficult to the outside world will become mundane to you.
So, the next time you face a complex problem in your project or in life do not panic rather trust your plan and preparation and smile for you about to become that much better.