Project Management Discussion Questions

About the Book

In today's workplace, employees are routinely expected to coordinate and manage projects. Yet, chances are, you aren't formally trained in managing projects—you're an unofficial project manager.

FranklinCovey experts Kory Kogon, Suzette Blakemore, and James Wood understand the importance of leadership in project completion and explain that people are crucial in the formula for success. Their book Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager offers practical, real-world insights for effective project management and guides you through the essentials of the people and project management process. Unofficial project managers in any arena will benefit from the accessible, engaging real-life anecdotes, memorable “Project Management Proverbs," and quick reviews at the end of each chapter.

On BookClub, Kory Kogon and Suzette Blakemore join FranklinCovey Effective Leadership book club host Scott J. Miller for a look at the five project management essentials and why learning how to be a project manager is important work whether or not you’re officially a project manager.

Discussion Questions

1. How can you increase your influence on a project if you don’t have formal authority?
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2. Think of a project you were part of that failed. What contributed to the failure?
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3. Of the four behaviors listed for people skills (demonstrate respect, listen first, clarify expectations, practice accountability), which one are people on your team most challenged by? Which one do you most need to work on?
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4. How can you translate a project you’re assigned “in passing” into a more formal project with a distinct process for managing it?
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5. Why does this book put so much focus on the people side of project management?
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6. Closing a project often involves a post-mortem meeting. How can we change the closing meeting reputation so that is motivating?
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7. What are a few key questions to elicit good key stakeholder information for the project?
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8. Think of a highly effective project you were part of. What made it successful?
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9. Which of the five elements of the project management process is most difficult for your team? Which is easiest? Why?
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10. What’s the best way to communicate project status to key stakeholders and others?
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11. What additional leadership behaviors have you found valuable in motivating team members to action and excellence?
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About the Authors

Kory Kogon

Kory is FranklinCovey’s vice president, global field development, and is a senior leadership consultant. She is a co-author of the #4 Wall Street Journal bestseller, The 5 Choices: The Path to Extraordinary Productivity, in addition to Project Management Essentials for the Unofficial Project Manager, and Presentation Advantage.

Prior to her current role, Kory served as FranklinCovey’s vice president, passholder services, drawing on her experience and background in operations and systems management. She helped to build the engagement process and implementation team to support the FranklinCovey All Access Pass®.

Kory’s current role focuses on ensuring the strong capabilities of FranklinCovey’s sales, implementation, and consulting teams to drive business development, passholder engagement, and customers for life.

Suzette Blakemore‍

Suzette has spent over 20 years in the corporate world, moving from a top producing sales person to Executive team member. Suzette has led both Learning Development and Business Development divisions. She has worked with thousands of businesses including Fortune 500 companies and small business owners in the U.S., Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Brazil, Russia, Japan and the UK.

In addition to facilitating work sessions, and delivering keynotes, Suzette spends most of her time working with clients to develop and execute with excellence, ongoing training and performance development strategies.

Suzette is an author of the Project Management Essentials for the Unofficial Project Manager. She is also certified to deliver The 5 Choices to Extraordinary Productivity, Presentation Advantage, The 6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team, and Unconscious Bias. She is a Certified Franchise Executive and holds additional certifications from the Direct Marketing Association, and ATD. Suzette resides in Salt Lake City with her husband, John, and her Husky Malamute, Kayak. She has three adult children, one granddaughter, and loves to scuba dive, read, cook and travel.