Craig Brown writes a blog at BetterProjects.net. Craig and I are regular readers of each other’s sites and now we are having a conversation from site to site.

Dear Craig,

Of course, we do need more than training alone to improve Project Managers and everyone else involved in projects. From the top of my head: "discipline". You can train as much as you like, but if you drop everything you learned the moment things are getting a little tough, there is no use. Especially in PM, it is tempting to cut corners on documentation, taking minutes and communication in general, when the pressure is on. But we all know that the first things we drop, were supposed to avoid the bad situation in the first place. So, if you ask me what more is needed, that would be my first answer.

Photography by Ogwen.

I think the master-apprentice model you suggest offers a good solution. Project life is very suited for this concept. Lots of smaller Project Management tasks can be created to let the apprentices have a go at it. Supervised by the master of course. In my interpretation of this concept, the master works closely with the apprentice and supports him even with the nitty gritty of project details if needed. This is rather similar to the role of project strategist you are referring to. Although I imagine that the strategist is more likely a kind of senior coach to the PM and surrounding higher management. The essence being that these roles require a close and intense working relationship.

With a project shrink I was thinking more along the lines of relationship therapy. Without having all details, you can improve a situation by means of having guided counseling. "How did you experience this situation?" "What is your relationship with your mother like?" It can provide a needed "snap-out-of-it" moment for a PM (or BA). Reflection is not something that comes natural to all of us. We discussed earlier that cause-and-effect chains are getting complex, so someone to help you order your thoughts on any situation can be beneficial.

The shrink wouldn't be closely involved with the project. He can stay within generalizations and is merely there to facilitate the mental juggling of the project people. Because of the generalization and relative distance between the project shrink and the project stakeholders, I think this could work perfectly in combination with Web 2.0 tools. Heck, this blog is my own personal reflection tool, so yeah, it can definitely work.

What do you think? What are your sentiments on this matter? (See, it works.)

Bas and Craig have a weekly conversation, back and forth on their respective blogs, Project Shrink and Better Projects. With blog titles like that, you don't have to guess what the topic will be. Feel free to join in.