Relationship as a Project: Navigating Stakeholders and Milestones to Success

Navigate Your Complex Relationship with Project management Skills

What is a Project?

The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Seventh Edition) defines a project is a temporary endeavour, that is undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result with specific objectives, constraints, and defined timelines. Projects have distinct characteristics, including a clear start and end date, unique deliverables, a defined scope, and a dedicated team working towards achieving the project's goals. For the purposes of this discussion, a project will be viewed more in the traditional Waterfall (Predictive) sense than Agile or Adaptive. Having come to terms with the characteristics of a project, every relationship, whether platonic or romantic, must be viewed in that light.

The temporary nature of Projects

Projects have a defined lifespan with a clear beginning and an end. They are not ongoing, continuous endeavors but rather have specific timelines. Every relationship, irrespective of how long it lasts, comes to an end, just like a Project. Temporary does not necessarily mean a short time – a hundred years’ project is still temporary!

The Unique Nature of Projects

Each project produces distinct outcomes or deliverables that are specific to the project's objectives. No two building or road projects produce the same results. Likewise, no two relationships produce the same results. Many relationships are started with the vision to progress into a long-term mentor-mentee relationship; a husband-wife relationship; a servant-master relationship; peer-peer (friends) relationship, etc. The unique nature of each of these relationships stems from the unique individuals involved in each of these relationships, the environment and the different stakeholders involved.

Scope and objectives of a relationship as a Project

Projects have defined scope and objectives, outlining what needs to be accomplished within the project's boundaries. Projects with unclear objectives produce unclear scope, resulting in ambiguous scope statements are prone to uncontrolled growth in scope (scope creeping). Project Scope must contain all the work that is required to be performed and exclude all the work that is not included in the Project. Relationships that begin with poor scope definition begin to see one party asking for more than had been anticipated by the other party. Scope creeping sets in. Scope creeping, just like the creeping plant, does not spring up overnight. It creeps in subtly, whiles the Project Manager and or the Project team fails to adhere to the tenets of Scope Management, which is anchored on a holistic Change Control Mechanisms. When circumstances change and one party to the relationship wants more than had been agreed upon from the initiation phase, a Change request must be issued (in the form of a conversation). The Change request will either be accepted, deferred or rejected based on the careful analysis of the party’s expectations, resource availability and long term long term goals.

Resources and Team

Projects require resources, including people, time, finances, and equipment. A dedicated team is assembled to execute the project. In the relationship as a project, time, financial resources, Trust and commitment are vital resources required to see the project to a successful end. These resources are not infinite. The absence of any of these resources might impact the project adversely.

Project Constraints

Projects operate within constraints such as time, budget, and available resources, which must be managed effectively. Relationships and for that matter, the individuals involved do not have infinite resources. Time, financial resources and commitment are in short supply globally and and its manifestation can impact the fortunes of the relationship.

Project Risk Management

Risks are inherent in every project. Project managers assess and plan risk responses to each of the risks. The Project Manager (in the context of this discussion, each party to the relationship is a Project manager. Potential risks that may impact the project's success and hence must be deliberately identified and the various individual responses planned. Risks, when they manifest introduce cost, expansion or reduction in scope, loss of reputation and strained relationships

Stakeholder Engagement in Relationship as a Project

Drawing parallels between a relationship and a project can offer valuable insights into managing and nurturing relationships effectively. Relationships, like projects, have distinct characteristics and involve various stakeholders who influence the dynamics and outcomes. Whether it's a romantic partnership, a friendship, or a family relationship, the principles of project management can be applied to enhance understanding and communication. The RACI Chart (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) comes in handy. Some stakeholders are responsible for certain things in the relationship, whiles others are accountable. Some need to be consulted before certain things can be done, whiles others only need to be informed.

Identifying Stakeholders in a Relationship Project

Stakeholders in a Project are the individuals and Organizations who will impact or be impacted by the Project. These individuals can be real stakeholders or perceived ones. Each of them have the ability, albeit with different capabilities to influence your relationship. In Project Management, Stakeholders are identified at the very inception of the Project. They are then analysed and their power and influence ascertained. A carefully designed Communication plan is developed on how to engage them in order to bring harmony throughout the life cycle of the Project. The key Stakeholders are the individuals directly involved in the relationship, such as romantic partners, friends, or family members. External stakeholders who may have an influence on the relationship, either positively or negatively may include friends of both parties, ex partners of each party to the relationship, work and social circles colleagues, etc. These are determined the environments in which the partners interact with others and how these interactions impact the relationship. Cultural norms, societal expectations, and values can also influence the relationship. These could be likened to the regulatory entities which have great influence on the Project.

Analysing Stakeholders and Their Effects on the Relationship

Effective communication and support from all stakeholders can strengthen the relationship. Conversely, lack of communication or negative influences can strain the relationship. Each stakeholder may have their own expectations and beliefs about the relationship, which can impact the dynamics. Resources like time, money and commitment are invested by stakeholders in the relationship to directly or indirectly affect its growth and longevity or otherwise. Just like on every Project, relationships are prone to conflicts and how they are resolved play a crucial role in shaping the relationship's health.

How a Project/Relationship can come to an end

Projects come to an end under various circumstances: i. When the Project is completed and it achieves all or some of its objectives. ii. When there is no more funding for the project. iii. When the requirements of the project can no more be met iv. When a regulatory requirement prohibits the continuation of the project. In view of these, not all relationships are meant to progress to achieve all or some of its set objectives. With specific emphasis on romantic relationships, you may ponder over similar circumstances under which your relationship can come to an end. In the context of a relationship, the end of the project can be identified in various ways: i. Mutual Growth and Adaptation: A relationship may evolve and transition to new phases as stakeholders grow and adapt together. ii. Decision to Part Ways: Just as a project may have a defined end, stakeholders in a relationship may decide to end the partnership amicably. iii. Unforeseen Circumstances: External factors, such as relocation, life changes or death, can lead to the end of a relationship as a project.

Conclusion

In conclusion, viewing a relationship as a project enables individuals to apply project management principles such as effective communication, risk management, and stakeholder engagement to nurture healthy and fulfilling relationships. By recognizing the influence of various stakeholders and understanding their effects on the relationship, individuals can take proactive steps to build strong, enduring connections that stand the test of time. Author: Frank Owusu-Asamoah, PMP®, MSc, AH-MC®

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