The Essential Guide to Managing Large-Scale Projects Effectively
Part Two of Learnings from the new book by Flyvbjerg and Gardner
~862 words - 4 minutes max even if you read the ad!
A week ago in part 1 describes some of the high points of the new book: How Big Things Get Done: The Surprising Factors that Determine the Fate of Every Project, from Home Renovations to Space Exploration. By Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner
He shows various case studies in it, primarily from large public projects. Some eventually were built and finished. But few came in on time and on budget.
He also relates how the principles can impact even “small projects” like bathroom remodeling.
After doing that a few years ago, I feel that pain!
The first four are in the prior issue here.
Here we go for our final set:
5. Take the outside view
Every BIG PROJECT feels unique and special. They assume it has never been done before.
It is probably part of a larger class of projects where one can find similarities and patterns. However, because most organizations' focus is internal, this is problematic. They do not know of other efforts that are similar to theirs.
Last year, I gathered three multisite churches I knew from consultations with them. They felt they were unique in their approach. Each, indeed, had a slightly different context and a slightly different approach.
But once we gathered the right leaders and began asking the right questions, they knew there was much to learn from each other. They realized that it was not the same at all.
The same can be said of my succession work. Every place feels unique, and you are. Every situation is different.
But as an outsider who has helped over 60 churches in consultation on this topic, I know there are patterns and transferable concepts that can be applied in the right order and sequence to get good outcomes.
Most of my clients grew to a large size by being experimenters and feeling that their situation and church were unique enough to have to try bold new efforts to fulfill their mission. They have been great experimenters. And when something didn’t work, they stopped and tried something else.
That works well for many things, but succession, not so much. You don’t won’t false starts and problems in that area.
6. Watch your downside – Or be aware of the risks.
Avoiding failure at each step is the key to getting to a win. Focus on the long-term goal, but carefully take it one step at a time.
They do not overly hurry.
I see the mistakes churches often make in these areas with big projects:
“We will figure it out as we go.”
“We need to get dirt turning so people see the activity and will give more.”
“If we cut back to one service in the summer, that will be better for everyone. We will have no issue moving back to two.”
Some risks are necessary, but unnecessary risks can be deadly and cause momentum stall.
In the Senior Pastor Smart Succession ™, we focus on building momentum throughout the process. It moves slowly as we get to decisions, then builds each month through the handoff.
Two more after the ad…
And last week the ranch gate was left open and all the cattle started pouring out.
(working with two pastors now that keep cows)
I received seven new requests for conversations about their succession plans. I conduct multiple conversations before deciding whether we are in a good place to work together, so there is no pressure or obligation.
Before you head out on summer break, sabbatical, or vacation, consider this question:
Is it the right time to discuss Senior Pastor Smart Succession ™?
Are you five years or more out from a handoff? A brief overview call is enough.
Are you three years out? An initial conversation with the Senior Pastor and Dave to determine the best timing and steps.
Are you two years out? If you haven't already, having that conversation is getting more urgent. We need to plan together the process to help the church build momentum during that season.
Are you 18 months away? Now is the time to start. Starting too late hurts momentum.
Are you 12 months away? We should have talked before now.
The process needs time to build the tracks that your church will follow to best multiple ministry momentum during the season.
Email me if you want a time.
Story continues below…
7. Say No and Walk away
Focus is key.
Every project leads to great enthusiasm and excitement early in the process.
But without the right team, people engaged, and funds to do the job right, including contingencies, the risks escalate. The potential for failure begins to loom.
In churches, I see them try to do too many major initiatives at one time.
For me, a major initiative involves 20-30% of the congregation OR 50% of the staff efforts. This means that the focus of attention and significant efforts are directed towards an initiative.
These include initiatives like:
A building project.
A total staff reorganization.
Relocation.
A change in the small group system.
Adding or subtracting a service.
Adding a site or closing a site.
Changing the database.
A Generosity Campaign or initiative.
A spiritual growth campaign.
A succession process. (which eventually involves the whole congregation)
By law change.
Membership covenant changes.
And many more.
In my experience, a church can do no more than two at one time and, normally, no more than three or four over a year.
Learn to walk away when tempted to do more.
To answer a question I get, a major initiative does not include:
A staff retreat or youth retreat, or camp. Those are major efforts for some of the team but are limited in duration.
Vacation Bible School.
A change in our budgeting process.
A small group training weekend.
Board election and nomination.
Tweaking a few staff roles and assignments.
All the above are important but engage and involve limited teams and time.
8. Know that the biggest risk is you.
We all think ourselves smarter than we are.
Most of the leaders I serve have been very successful in the past. More successful than my career.
But that success leads to blind spots.
We all have limited views based on where we sit and what we have seen.
We develop our lenses, biases, and habits based on our past and what we have seen.
Sometimes, those have served us well, but hubris will consume us if we do not guard against it.
New on the Generis NEXT SUNDAY podcast:
8 Mistakes Churches Make with Generation Z – with Jim Sheppard and Frank Bealer
On Apple
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