Identifying a Problem, Stakeholders and Needs

We, our lives, are a work in progress.... hmmm sounds a lot like a project!

 I love projects.  I love managing projects.  I love life.  I love being the manager of my own life!

Project Management (and life) is all about outcomes and minimizing risk to your project (uh, life).

Here are some basic concepts of Project Management.

Stakeholders
Needs
Vision
Priorities
Plan, Goals, Objectives, Milestones, Tasks, Work breakdown
People and Resources, durations, availability
The Critical Path, Dependencies
Communication
Time, Money, Quality
Issues and Risks

That sounds a lot like life.

Why should one continuously improve in life or in general?

"You're not important because you look good or because you have a whole lot of money.  You're important because you are created by God." - Mos Def

That's the bottom line.  In the time space continuum you are as important as any other person. You are important because you are a beneficiary and stakeholder of life.  You are an investor and recipient of your will and you deserve any gap in your life filled.  Fulfilling those gaps first begins with a problem statement, identifying the stakeholders, identifying needs, having a vision or plan and executing an action plan.

Problem Statement
The first step in getting help is admitting that there is a problem and that you need help.

Examples of problem statements:
"I'm overweight, I'm not comfortable"
"I drink too much, I'm not connected"
"I don't get enough sleep, I'm worried"
"My house is filthy, I'm depressed"
"I'm scared at home, I'm abused"
"I'm busy doing nothing meaningful, I feel lost"
"I'm broke, I can't pay my bills"

This is not a new concept whether in writing scientific studies or going to Alcohol Anonymous.  Why does it work.  Because it helps you identify "what success means", what progress is, and other problems,

 Assess the problem. What does the problem impact? What is the urgency?

Who does the problem and resolution impact?

Stakeholders
Stakeholders are people or groups who can affect, who are affected by or who perceive to be affected by the decisions, activities and outcomes of a project. That is, your life.  They often identify needs or things to do.  They can be responsible, accountable, consulted or informed of various aspects.


Examples of stakeholders.  It's important to remember that in life you are the number one stakeholder and you play a bold role in each. I bolded it for you :).

Owner - Identifies the problem or the project.  Take authority!
Sponsor - Funds the project and thus has authority.  Take authority!
Manager - Manages the project thru critical paths to meet goals. Plan and make goals!
Senior Manager - Managers that the managers report up to. Be held accountable!
Customers - People that depend on outcomes from the project.  Be responsible!
Team Members - Resource who assists in the planning or execution. Communicate!
Resource Managers - Managers who are responsible for resources.  Network!
Subcontractors - Resource who are funded as subset of tasks. Leverage!
Consultants - Resources who advise. Get advice and mentors! 

During the project or project phases, stakeholders and roles change, new people are added and some are no longer around.  Although changes can be hard to accept some times, they should be expected.  And sometimes it's for the best.

The most important stakeholder is yourself.  You are not all that you have but you are the one constant that relates them all.

Needs

If the problem is that you are hungry, the stakeholder is you and the need is food.

Your stakeholders are interested in all of your needs.  You should be the most interested.  Listen to what your family, friends and co-workers are saying about your needs... your life. 

My blog posts will be in the following categories to help find resolution to common needs.

Health: The physiological needs we need to be fit and ready to take on the day's tasks.

Safety: The physical safety and security we need to feel protected.

Tribe: The feeling of belonging when there is love, compassion, companionship, trust and sharing.

Esteem: The feeling of confidence, competence, accomplishment, recognition and acceptance.

Exploring: Curiosity, travels, the community and world, learning from other tribes.

Aesthetics: How beauty, symmetry, and organization plays in our emotions and achievements.

Self-Actualization: The authentic self and reaching potential.

Let's think about others.

• Phase I - 9 months - Mom and Dad gave this project life and so automatically were the Project Sponsors. How well they planned or prepared impacted all of the stakeholders.  Every pregnant mother was the project manager.  Bad, good or indifferent.  But frankly, being the sponsor, owner and manager, she could've ended this whole project just by ending you or herself the minute this notion was conceived.  At this point, Moms and Dads both should take ownership. Many stakeholders are amassed.  Finally, the baby is born.  What were the needs in Phase 1?
• Phase 2 begins in infancy and should end when we are adults.  What happened to time, budget and quality for the stakeholders during this phase in life?
• Phase 3, as an able bodied adult, you are the manager of you. Who is the sponsor? Who are the team members?  The customers? Who do you consult?

Lets self-reflect.

Who are the stakeholders in your life? Who is responsible, accountable, consulted or informed?
What does it mean for a need to be yours versus one of the stakeholders in your life?
Are you frustrated when stakeholders ask why, need you to elaborate or give you additional need?
How are your needs right now different than your wants?

Go Do.
Start a journal and document the stakeholders using the example above.  Think about all of your problems and all of your needs and how you can improve the communication about your needs with your stakeholders.