What is the most difficult obstacle you have had to overcome as a Project Manager ?

Most of the times, most difficult is to engage team in developing a solid project plan (WBS, creating baselines for scope, time and cost, a risk analysis with right level of contingency reserve). Most of the team would like to do a short cut and start working on the project tasks without spending reasonable time on planning activities. I guess they don’t see any immediate/near term benefits.

 

In some environment, it is very difficult to get team members interested in serious planning for the project and at times following the agreed plan. Many want to go ahead and start work immediately and think their own way of doing things is better than the agreed approach. I managed many projects, particularly in I.T. environment where I don’t always come in at the beginning of the project. (Maybe they find me good in managing projects) Trying to bring proper project management approaches in those situations can be very trying and tiring. Staffs do not want to stop to give the Project Manager a chance to re-plan to bring the project back under control. Much depends upon senior level management support behind the Project Manager.

Hope you have a good mentor to support and appreciate your work.