Solution Driven Mindset in Construction Management

In the world of Project Management, we have to be proactive (not reactive) in predicting what will happen next and plan the whole project until completion.

There are people who always find problems. While this seems bad, it can be a gift especially if they can combine it with a Solution Driven Mindset. I believe this is a key attitude for succeeding in projects, business and life.

Finding Solutions in Projects:

I’ve managed many projects and each one has a unique set of challenges and learnings. Here are my suggestions in strengthening your Solution Driven Mindset in the professional setting and sharing related experience from an actual Project:

1. Anticipate that there will always be new challenges. There are people that when they are given a curve ball, they react negatively and defensively. Be open and listen first. Be objective in identifying the Problem first.

o Experience: We were managing an office fit-out for a big tech company. The Account PMO was micromanaging the team to the point it mentally broke some of our Project Management team members. We’ve proposed a good team for that account but the environment is becoming unhealthy for everyone. I had a conversation with the PMO whose main complaint was the timeliness of responses. There were activities wherein he expected swift feedback but did not get updates for days or weeks. During that conversation, I understood that he was just very passionate about delivering a perfect project to the point that he believed he needed to micromanage.

2. Identify the Goal. Most of the time, everyone in the Project team has the same end goal - to deliver a successful project.

o Experience: I told our Account PMO that our Project Management team has the same Goal as him to deliver a Project that the client will be proud of. The team managing the account has completed projects in the past that the client appreciated and commended, and this is what they also want to achieve now.

3. Propose Solutions. Like in solving math problems, there can be multiple solutions to derive the same answer. Make sure to collaborate on the options to find the best way in solving a problem.

o Experience: I suggested creating a list on Microsoft Onedrive that will be shared to him in a quadrant form based on Urgency and Importance. Quadrant 1 will be where the Urgent and Important tasks are then Quadrant 2 will have the Important but less urgent matters. Quadrant 3 is urgent but less important while Quadrant 4 will have the least importance and urgency. This list will be discussed every Monday for the team to know top 10 or 20 priorities for the week and plan ahead.

4. Prepare Minutes of the Meeting that is action driven. Identify who is responsible for each task and when it is due.

5. In sharing risks and issues, always propose mitigations.

The outcome is that the project became more organized. It didn’t completely stop the PMO micromanaging but at least gave the team ‘breathing space’ to deliver the project the way they know it should be delivered.