There are always going to roadblocks that arise during project management. Sometimes these problems are within one's control, and sometimes they are caused by external factors; enterprise environmental factors (EEFS) are some of these influencing obstacles. EEFS can be external to the organization, such as marketplace conditions, law, social influences, cultural influences, etc. EEEFS can also be internal to the organization, such as organizational culture, infrastructure, available resources, IT software, etc. While these factors are not in the project managers' control, it is essential to identify them and consequentially mitigate them.
Has an EEFS ever delayed a project you were working on? How did you overcome it?
What are some tactics that you find helpful for preventing EEFS from slowing down your projects in advance?
What part of the project management life cycle should EEFS be addressed?
Referenced: PMBOK Ch. 2
On some occasions in research, a project or experiment may be delayed due to availability of products which in some cases cannot be helped. But when possible depending on the materials needed, we could ask to borrow items from other labs and either return the favor or compensate when the orders come in. But the most that can be done is to double check when ordering and ensure that the stock on the ordering site is available.
But on other projects one way to prevent/limit EEFs would be the consideration during the initial stages. This would be the best time because this stage is one where the timeline of the project can be drafted, it can also be a time to double check the necessary supplies for each group of the project. Planning out what can go wrong at the beginning won’t always account for what can go wrong but will ensure that there is a plan just in case.
What are some tactics that you find helpful for preventing EEFS from slowing down your projects in advance?
Competitor research. Projects are rarely ever truly novel. Novel projects are ones that succeed out of all the other failures. By understanding competitor tactics to complete their strategy, their mistakes can be mitigated or avoided while taking advantage of what worked in future project implementations. This is incredibly useful for market penetration.
Has an EEFS ever delayed a project you were working on? How did you overcome it?
During covid, I had a research project where my partner could arrive in person and but I was restricted to an online assistant. This had a significant impact on our productivity that could not be avoided. As a result, we developed a new work methodology and work distribution. We both devoted to specializing our skills and committed to significantly increasing our documentation, because in person communication was impossible. We needed clear information that the other partner can specialize in processing to complete the project. The result was actually faster progress than pre-covid.
EEFS should be considered multiple times during the project management lifecycle. As with risk management, holding regular meetings to assess EEFS is critical for the success of a project. Communication can play a key role in how EEFS are managed. However, the most important segment of the project management lifecycle where EEFS should be considered is the initiation and planning phase. This is a time in the project where all the factors are considered to fully tailor the project's scope to become feasible later on. EEFS can and should be considered with the same urgency as risk within the planning phase. In certain instances, EEFS can be classified as risks. Planning ahead for EEFS that can be foreseen as it can save the project time and money in the future. As with risk, EEFS are also dynamic. Approaching EEFS the same way as risk in an agile strategy can be a viable option for project managers. Not all EEFS can be easily predicted, and the unstable nature of the world can and will cause problems. Unforeseen EEFS can cause a project to pivot like with risks. Proactive management of EEFS can allow a project manager and their team to respond to these challenges without being left stranded.
While I don’t have industry experience yet I can see how EEFS would play a significant role in project delays, especiallywith external factors like supply chain issues or internal factors like organizational culture. From what I’ve read and learned, addressing EEFS during the planning phase seems crucial. Being proactive in identifying potential roadblocks early on and creating contingency plans can definitely help minimize disruptions. I also like the idea of continually revisiting EEFS throughout the project lifecycle, as the dynamic nature of these factors could change over time. Having a clear communication plan and flexibility to adapt seems like it would be key to navigating these challenges effectively.
