This one always gets me. You know the phrase…”If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” Black and white, this or that, help or hindrance. I don’t really buy into it…there is nearly always an in between. And with project clients – albeit as a creative management project or a simple consulting engagement or whatever – I think it is the same. The client is nearly always a help as well as nearly always being some sort of hindrance. How can they be both? Easy. Just look back on some recent project engagements you’ve led or been involved in.
If the client is helping…aka, a friend…then that’s great. As long as that help is in the form of real help as opposed to the kind of help some project clients bestow upon the project manager in the form of micro-managing, extreme budget oversight, or even installing their own project manager on their side who sometimes tends to be a figurehead who gets in the way. True help, like decision-making, task engagement, knocking down barriers, efficient handling of issues and questions…those are very much appreciated.
If the client is helping…aka, a friend…then that’s great. As long as that help is in the form of real help as opposed to the kind of help some project clients bestow upon the project manager in the form of micro-managing, extreme budget oversight, or even installing their own project manager on their side who sometimes tends to be a figurehead who gets in the way. True help, like decision-making, task engagement, knocking down barriers, efficient handling of issues and questions…those are very much appreciated.
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