The Loose Knob of Project Management: Overcoming Procrastination!
Picture the scene from It’s a Wonderful Life, where George Bailey ascends his creaky staircase, grabbing the loose banister knob that wobbles free in his hand. He knows it needs fixing. He could grab a bit of glue, or a screwdriver, tighten it, and be done. Yet, repeatedly, he grabs that same loose knob, grumbles, puts it back, and moves on. That loose knob is a perfect metaphor for procrastination and has a place in project management. There is always something we know we should tackle but repeatedly defer. These can often lead to bigger problems down the line and be impediments to greater successes.
In project and program management, procrastination often shows up as neglecting the fundamentals. Why? Is it the demanding environment, the thrill of complex tasks, or the push for quick wins? These pressures can stop us from taking critical early steps like setting clear objectives, aligning stakeholders, or building solid communication plans, risking project stability.
According to PMI’s 2024 Pulse of the Profession report, 60% of project failures stem from poor scope definition and inadequate stakeholder engagement. These are issues that fester when we procrastinate on the groundwork. And there are other basics we often miss:
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