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Blog Post: Mastering the Everyday: Kerry Hoffman’s Take on Project Managing Anything
In this episode of the Project Management for the Masses podcast, we sit down with Kerry Hoffman, a project management expert who has mastered the art of managing projects in all kinds of environments—from fast-paced restaurants to large enterprise-level initiatives. Kerry shares her fascinating journey from the hustle of the hospitality industry to becoming a key player in the world of project management, offering insights into how the core principles of project management can be applied to almost anything. Whether you’re handling high-stakes business projects or simply trying to better manage everyday tasks, Kerry’s advice will resonate and inspire you to take charge and improve your processes.
Topics Covered:
Kerry’s Unique Career Path
- From law school to hospitality, and eventually into project management.
- How restaurant management served as an unexpected training ground for project management.
Core Project Management Principles for Any Situation
- Defining clear goals and success metrics, even for everyday tasks.
- Creating a “project charter” for personal and professional projects.
- The importance of identifying risks and setting up contingency plans early.
The Power of a Calm Demeanor in Leadership
- How managing chaos in restaurants taught Kerry to stay calm under pressure.
- Techniques for ensuring your project team stays motivated and confident during turbulent times.
Practical Tips for Managing Projects of Any Scale
- How to start with a detailed brain dump to visualize all aspects of a project.
- The value of working backward from deadlines to create a realistic workback plan.
- Why communication is key and how to tailor updates for different stakeholders.
Real-World Project Management Challenges and How to Solve Them
- How to avoid getting bogged down by too many details without losing focus on the end goal.
- Balancing careful planning with the need to take action, even if the plan isn’t perfect.
- Managing risks without overcomplicating the process.
Kerry’s Favorite Project Management Tools and Strategies
- The importance of retrospectives and how to make them engaging and actionable.
- Using templates and playbooks to streamline repeated tasks or projects.
Links Shared in the Episode
- Kerry Hoffman’s Website
https://www.soverykerry.co/ - Find Kerry on LinkedIn
Kerry Hoffman LinkedIn Profile
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