Top 5 project management myths in 2022

MYTH 1: You need custom project status reports to make all stakeholders happy.

While this sounds excellent, keep in mind that as a project manager with a PMP or CAPM Certification, you probably have five or six projects on the go at the same time and value your sanity. Choose a one-size-fits-all project status reporting solution with a nice dashboard for the C-level quick overview, and make sure to include last week, this week, and upcoming activities, current issues and change orders, something that shows budget and resource forecasting status and health, and anything else that makes sense on your project for you, your team, your customer, and the industry. But only do it once a week in one way and you're done.

MYTH 2: Whatever management says goes.

This mentality failed me on two occasions on projects totalling around $2.5 million - one in the commercial sector and the other in the public sector. But it's the same company and the same PMO director. Ouch. He is no longer in charge of the PMO. Since those two mishaps, my philosophy has been "customer first." Actually, it had happened before then, but I wasn't aggressive enough. The PM understands both sides of the coin better than anybody else...if you don't believe that a management choice or direction is in the best interests of your client or project, speak out. Whatever happens. Even if the project fails due to circumstances beyond your control, it is still YOUR failed project.

MYTH 3: One PM tool will do everything you need.

I might be incorrect about this - and I'm sure there are specific initiatives in specific sectors for specific clients where this is true. However, for me and the projects I've led, old habits die hard, and I've still needed certain assistant tools, and nothing has yet replaced my financial and resource projection spreadsheets. But I'm still willing to be proven wrong...and I've seen some tools that come very close. As a PMP and CAPM Certification holder, my advice is to look carefully at numerous tools and choose one that covers all or most of what will satisfy you, your team, senior management, and the client. Because if you can accomplish anything with just one tool, you should do it.

MYTH 4: Your project team will follow you anywhere.

They will more often than not follow you if they respect you and you maintain your commitments and make smart decisions. But your project team is full of experienced creative thinkers, which you require far more than "yes" guys. Take use of the different information and perspectives they bring to the table. With their help, you'll be able to make better overall judgments for the project, team, and client.

MYTH 5: You win and you will get your rewards.

If you're in project management for the kudos, you should go now. Your reward will be more in the form of well-done projects and project teams with whom you like cooperating than in any monetary compensation. "You're just as successful as your last customer believes you are..." is my credo. These are words to live by. You are expected to triumph, despite the fact that more than half of all initiatives fail to some extent. So, have fun at work...have fun with the teams you work with. That is the most important thing you take away from this. And that is sufficient. It's a pleasure to work with terrific folks.

Summary / call for input

These are just a few of the project management fallacies I've discovered in my 25+ years of managing projects, technical development teams, and dealing directly with CIOs, CEOs, and PM vendor presidents and CEOs in different employee, consultant capacities – and not to forget the CAPM, PMP, and ACP Certification exam prep. How about you? What would you add to or disagree with on this list?

Richard Pierce An expert in Pmi and Iiba Certifications.