Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace by Phil Simon

Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace by Phil Simon is the book I wish all old-school managers were given and forced to read, to open their eyes and make them move away from the mindset that it's impossible for anyone to do a good job if they are not sat at a desk in the office where said manager can see them. 

The book is split into three parts. The first part takes us through the massive forced changes that happened to many workplaces since the pandemic rocked the world and how this has fundamentally changed the way we run projects. The second part provides a whistle stop tour of the world of project management; a good introduction for the beginner or a refresher for the more experienced. In the third part, which for me couldn't come soon enough, we get the key part of the book - how to run projects successfully in a hybrid / remote workplace and what traps to look out for.

Technology is a must in a hybrid work place, and it's crucial that everyone is agreeing on which tools to use and that they are able to use the agreed tools properly. Structured, company led (and paid for) training during work hours is key. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the section on pre-morten (yes PRE, as in BEFORE the project starts!). Plan for the worst, but hope for the best. Having a good think about what can go wrong and what to do when it does, or even what to do so it doesn't even happen. Unpicking the problem backwards. 

I also liked Simon's section on the importance of writing in a hybrid organisation. Without being able to express ourselves clearly in writing, it'll be challenging to communicate in a hybrid world (unless we want to do TikToks instead of Slack messages....). 

All in all a fab book! I thoroughly recommend that you get one for yourself, and one for your manager!

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