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Rob Nelson, PMP, Project Manager, SaskTel
Rob Nelson is a Project Manager at SaskTel. His 27 years of telecommunication's experience includes
9 years in project management on projects ranging from the development of business cases for
large initiatives (>$50 million) through to process and systems development and implementation.
Rob joined PMI's Regina/South Saskatchewan Chapter in 1997 and is now in his third year as Chapter
President. An avid sports fan, he often refers to the sports world to understand and explain
project management.
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Introduction
We often think of hockey teams comprising just those individuals who coach and physically
play the game. But, is that all there is to it? Is it just a matter of putting a few players
on the ice and expecting them to win? No, we know it's much more involved than that. So, why
should we think of project teams as only those who manage and actually perform the tasks that
build the deliverables? Is it just a matter of putting a few people in a room and telling them
to be on-time and on-budget?
We all know that doesn't work, but what does work? What does it take to win in project management,
to drive from Initiating to Closing with the ultimate prize, success, in mind?
What are those key attributes that separate winning project teams from the rest?
This paper attempts to answer those questions by taking readers on a journey to a parallel
universe where we will uncover the similarities between the hockey world - on their Quest for
the Cup - and the project management world - on their Quest for Success. We will discover the
traits and tactics that characterize great teams, and find that total organizational focus
and commitment is a fundamental building block for achieving the goal.
And how do we get our organizations focused and committed? By helping them understand and
adhere to the First Principles of Project Management.[1]
These principles set the basis for understanding what a successful project is and lay the foundation
for achievement. By examining each principle and applying them to both the hockey and project
management worlds we can discover a simple, yet effective, way to define and understand successful
project management.
1. Wideman, R.
Max, First Principles of Project Management, (Revision 16, 00-11-03), Retrieved 22 December
2002, from http://www.maxwideman.com/papers/index.htm
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