Projects are wonderful settings for learning and innovation. The challenges of a project along with the diversity of people on the project team lend to breakthrough opportunities for individuals, the team, and the client. Unfortunately, too many projects are taxing for the participants. With a dose of determination that can change.

kaizen is the habit of easing our life.

The kaizen approach can make a big difference for you and your project team. kaizen is about making small improvements (changes) to make ones work easier, to improve quality, and to bring more value for the customer, the team, and the firm. The big challenge is getting in the kaizen habit.

I've started reading a book by Susan and Larry Terkel, Small Change. I've only read the first 40 pages, but I've scanned the whole book. I like the whole-life approach the authors take. They cover everything from a healthy lifestyle to a successful work life. Many people don't consider this to be kaizen. For me, kaizen is the habit of easing our life. It's time we all got in the habit. I'll write again about the book.

Construction project management is changing. The Lean Construction Institute (LCI) is behind it. Each year LCI has a conference that features industry people sharing what they have learned on their lean journey. This year it is in San Francisco. It's not too late to join us. But for those who will miss it, I'll be blogging throughout the congress on Wed and Thu. Expect a stream of postings throughout both days.

Is project management even possible? David Schmaltz thinks not. He writes Why Project Managers Can't Manage Projects. Just read it…please…for your sake. It's Pure Schmaltz!

Magnificent projects are underway throughout the world. China is getting more of my attention these days. The Chinese are showing quite a bit of lean practices in industry along with significant undertakings in the built environment. The photo of the Caiyunba bridge crossing the Yangtze river is the longest tied-arch span incorporating both rail and highway traffic, according to ENR.

Good projects connect people in ways that transcends difference while enabling connectedness

Will this project come in on time and on budget? Who knows. Will it address the community concerns of the people who want to cross the Yangtze river? Who knows. In fact, we can't know before the fact. I don't think on time and on budget are the point.

This bridge is a spectacular undertaking. It shows off a design sensibility that just might be timeless; it represents an ambition for the built environment that others will copy; and it is practical — all good design is practical. I love the Caiyunba bridge, and Boston's Zakim bridge, and who doesn't love the Golden Gate bridge? Why do I love these bridges? For me, they represent the big purpose of doing projects…good projects connect people in ways that transcends difference while enabling connectedness. I am involved in projects for the sake of building bridges.

No, this isn't another ruse to sell greeting cards. The idea of an International Project Management Day was conceived to bring recognition and appreciation to project managers. The stated purpose is

"Increase the awareness of the value of project management within the large business, government, small business, and social communities and promote project management as a true profession and key business strategy. This includes, but is not limited to: construction, information technology, entertainment, government, aeronautics, health care, ecology, social, disaster recovery, community improvement, and quality of life projects."

Take the time to acknowledge or appreciate someone on your project, in your organization, or your circle of family and friends.

Showing appreciation and acknowledgement is a good thing…a really good thing. It keeps us going both on the giving and receiving end. Let's take the time, not just on November 2nd, to let project managers, project teams, clients, and contractors know that we sincerely appreciate working with them. The Gallup Organization research indicates without appreciation and acknowledgement at least once every 7 days individuals and teams won't sustain high performance.¹

In addition to the IPM-day events you'll be attending, how about you begin building a habit in your organization for acknowledging and appreciating each other? Last year I invited readers to Try this with Me: Acknowledge and Appreciate. I followed it with my Field Report: Acknowledge and Appreciate. I have to admit I need to do more work. It takes my attention to engage with others in ways that they know I appreciate them. So, I'll be doing the exercise again for the next two weeks. Here's the exercise: Read the rest of this entry ¶

1. As reported in First, Break All the Rules, by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman, published in 1999. [ ⇑ back ]