The Human Life as a Project: Navigating the Journey with Project Management Principles

Life is a magnificent journey, a project of epic proportions that each individual embarks upon from the moment of conception until the final chapter.

Life is a magnificent journey, a project of epic proportions that each individual embarks upon from the moment of conception until the final chapter. As we navigate through this unique and complex project called "human life," we encounter various milestones, challenges, and opportunities for growth. Interestingly, when we apply the principles and concepts of project management to human life, we gain valuable insights into the art of living purposefully and achieving success in our personal projects.

Initiation - Conception

Today, I will like to share with you, the semblance between life itself and a project.

Every project begins with an idea and a vision. For humans, it all starts with the miraculous event of conception. This can be likened to the initiation phase in project management. During this phase, stakeholders define the project's purpose, scope, objectives, and constraints as well as assumptions. The Project Charter, which appoints the Project Manager is assented to by the Project Sponsor, authorising the Project manager to apply resources to the Project. In the context of human life, the stakeholders are the parents, who envision the arrival of a new life into the world. 

Planning - Gestation and Birth

As the project progresses through gestation, it undergoes meticulous planning, akin to the planning phase of project management. Here, the necessary arrangements are made to ensure a successful delivery, paralleling the project planning process, where detailed strategies and schedules are formulated. The parents begin to wonder and actually begin to discuss what the gender of the unborn baby is going to be. Choice of clothing, School, etc sometimes come to the fore during such discussions – the same way project outcomes are envisioned. Identifying stakeholders early in the project life cycle and effectively engaging them throughout the human (project) life cycle is essential for personal growth, success, and well-being of one’s life as a project. The stakeholders in this context include family members, friends, educators, mentors, colleagues, partners, and community members. The success of one’s life largely revolves around how well one is able to effectively engage these stakeholders of the project called life. Parents and immediate family members are the primary stakeholders. They play a crucial role in nurturing, supporting, and providing a safe environment for a child's growth and development. Educators and Mentors: Early childhood education and exposure to positive role models are essential. Engaging with educators and mentors can help shape a child's learning experience and instil essential values.

Execution - Birthdays, Schooling, and Socializing

The execution phase is the heart of any project, where plans come to life and actions are taken. Similarly, human life unfolds through various stages, marked by birthdays. Each year represents a milestone in the human project, signifying progress, growth, and learning.

Schooling is a vital knowledge area, akin to project management knowledge areas, and plays a central role in shaping an individual. It is comparable to the executing process group, where new skills are acquired, experiences are gained, and character is developed. Socializing, making friends, and building relationships are crucial elements during this phase, mirroring the project's interactions with stakeholders and building collaborative networks.

Stakeholder engagement continuous at this point of the project, as individuals transition into adolescence, they rely on family and friends for emotional support, guidance, and understanding. Maintaining open communication and trust is crucial during this phase, whiles engaging with educators and school counselors can assist in making important academic and career decisions.

Monitoring and Controlling - Adulthood and Career

As humans transition into adulthood, they face numerous challenges and responsibilities, resembling the monitoring and controlling phase in project management. In this phase, individuals constantly compare the plans they had from childhood to what is actually playing out in their lives, assess their progress, make adjustments, and steer their life project towards success.

Choosing a career path aligns with project management's integration knowledge area, where various aspects of the project come together harmoniously. People make decisions based on their strengths, passions, and opportunities, ensuring that their career journey aligns with their life's overarching goals.

At this point, the effective and continuous engagement of stakeholders is essential. Building a network of contacts and engaging with professional associations can provide valuable career opportunities and support. Additionally, seeking guidance from mentors and coaches can aid in making informed decisions and setting career goals.

Marriage and Family Life

Marriage is a significant milestone in human life, akin to other key work packages in a Project that need to be properly decomposed for effective completion of its individual activities. Just as projects are finalized, and objectives are achieved, marriage marks the beginning of a new chapter, where two individuals unite their lives and create a family. Transitioning into this phase requires a careful stakeholder analysis, resulting in one of your stakeholders moving closer and becoming your spouse. 

As life evolves, spouses or partners become key stakeholders. Maintaining a healthy relationship and effective communication are vital. Engaging with colleagues and superiors at work can foster professional growth and opportunities; whereas the opposite can hinder progress. Engaging with the community and social groups can contribute to personal growth and a sense of belonging.

Parenting and Legacy

As individuals become parents, they enter an ongoing project management phase where they take on the roles of project managers. Parenting is a continuous effort of nurturing and guiding the next generation, which mirrors the executing, monitoring, and controlling phases of project management. It involves fostering growth, imparting knowledge, and adapting to changing circumstances.

Throughout the project of life, individuals may experience various challenges, joys, successes, and setbacks. However, by applying project management principles, individuals can better manage their life's journey. Just as a successful project is a result of effective planning, execution, and continuous improvement, living a fulfilling and purposeful life requires careful consideration of goals, adaptability, and a willingness to learn and grow.

Closing - Death and Legacy

As every project eventually comes to an end, so does human life. Projects do not always come to an end when the project is successfully completed; projects may come to an end when there is no more funding for the project; when the intended purpose of the project is no more relevant due to advancement in technology making the project obsolete, or by a regulatory legislation making it non-conforming. 

In the Human life project however, death is the only ultimate determinant of an end that project of one’s life has come to an end. Death represents the ultimate milestone, marking the completion of the human project. However, what remains after one's passing is their legacy—a reflection of the impact they made on the world and the lives they touched. In project management terms, this legacy is akin to the project's deliverables, outcomes, learned lessons and the lasting effects it has on stakeholders and society.

Viewing human life through the lens of project management provides a unique perspective on the significance of every moment and the value of thoughtful planning, execution, and Monitoring and Controlling. Embracing project management principles allows individuals to navigate the complexities of life, make informed decisions, and leave a meaningful legacy behind. Just as successful projects leave lasting impacts on organisations and communities, a life well-lived can inspire and positively influence future generations. So, let us embark on our personal projects with purpose, determination, and a commitment to excellence, making each day count as we progress through the remarkable journey of the human life project.

I will be happy to hear what your thoughts are on this discussion. If you have questions too, I will be more than happy to engage in a discussion to address them.

Thank you for reading.

Mr. Frank Owusu-Asamoah, PMP®, MSc, AH-MC®