In today’s newsletter, I want to share some truth bombs. A topic which can raise many eyebrows but that’s ok. So, here we go - What is the difference between traditional Project Manager and Modern Project Manager?

Now, you might argue that - this comparison should not be there - or everyone has different working style. But still, it does make a difference. We will talk about this difference from three perspectives:

Mindset, Communication and Methodologies.

Disclaimer - This newsletter is general observation, advise you to read it with open mind and if any points resonate with you - Be open to make changes or request changes with your Project Managers too :)

Let’s get started:

Mindset about planning:

Traditional PM:

Focuses on predictability and control: Rigid adherence to pre-defined plans and methodologies is paramount. Success is measured by hitting deadlines and staying within budget, even if it means sacrificing flexibility or innovation.

Modern PM:

Embraces agility and adaptability: Comfortable navigating change, responding to evolving requirements, and iterating based on feedback. Prioritizes learning and continuous improvement.

Mindset about authority

Traditional PM:

Hierarchical: Views themselves as the sole authority figure, responsible for making all decisions and directing team members.

Modern PM:

Collaborative: Values teamwork, empowers team members, and encourages open communication across all levels.

Mindset about risk

Traditional PM:

Risk-averse: Prefers to avoid uncertainty and minimizes risks by sticking to established processes.

Modern PM:

Data-driven: Makes decisions based on insights from data and analytics, rather than intuition or gut feeling.

Communication with team:

Traditional PM:

Top-down, hierarchical: Frequent reporting to superiors, limited information flow across teams. Communication tends to be formal and one-way, with little room for open dialogue or collaborative problem-solving.

Modern PM:

Transparent and collaborative: Utilizes technology to promote real-time updates and information sharing. Encourages open feedback and participation from all stakeholders. They are mindful listener too.

Mindful Communication

Traditional PM:

Focuses on written reports and presentations: May not be as skilled in real-time communication or active listening.

Modern PM:

Emphasizes active listening and effective storytelling: Skilled in communicating complex information in a clear and concise way.

Co-ordination:

Traditional PM:

Command-and-control: Project manager dictates tasks and assignments. Team members operate in silos, with limited cross-functional collaboration.

Modern PM:

Empowers self-organizing teams: Trusts them to manage their workload, collaborate effectively, and make decisions. Scrum Guide also encourages on self-organizing team.

Methodologies

Traditional PM:

Relies heavily on Gantt charts and waterfall methodologies: Can be slow to adapt to changes or unexpected challenges.

Modern PM:

Utilizes agile frameworks like Scrum or Kanban: Promotes iterative planning, continuous feedback, and rapid delivery.

Leverages project management software: Tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira facilitate communication, task tracking, and resource allocation.

Metrics:

Traditional PM:

Traditional project managers focus on metrics like time, budget, and scope.

Modern PM:

Modern project managers also consider additional factors like customer satisfaction, team morale, and innovation.

Remember, these are generalizations and there will always be exceptions.