Avoiding Pitfall Assumptions
Now that we have discussed what is happening and why it is happening, we need to identify the problem and provide
a solution.
The Problem:
In our society we tend to reward people when they are operating in Q1 (the quadrant of crisis) and give lip service to
those operating in Q2 (the quadrant of leadership).
Some of the long-term consequences of spending too much time in Q1, Q3 and Q4 and not enough time in Q2 include:
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Burnout, stress, turnover, poor quality (Q1)
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Stress, frustration, anger, sense of being used, resentment (Q3)
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Laziness, boredom, lack of fulfillment, unemployment (Q4)
Some of the long-term outcomes and results of spending just a little time in Q2 include:
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Productivity, increased control, balance, being proactive, more energy, greater success, better relationships, less
stress, fewer Q1 crises
The Solution: A Phased Approach
In order for a project manager to successfully leverage project management processes, it is crucial to understand the
value of planning. Spending as much time as possible in Q2 planning will naturally decrease Q1 crises. The first step is
identifying and effectively managing Q3 interruptions; the second step is knowing how plan in a way that is simple. By
breaking down project management into four easy-to-implement phases, an everyday project manager can accomplish
these goals.
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