The Manager Who Was Behind The Project Moves To A New Position

It is often the case that projects are started by one manager who may have been stationed overseas. The project idea was a good one. Work is proceeding on the project. Then the manager leaves. There is a vacuum. People at headquarters may not be aware of the project. They left it to the now departed manager to direct the work.

Impact

When the manager leaves, work in the project continues. Then issues arise and decisions are required. Requests for support are made to headquarters, but there is no one assigned to the project since it was going along OK. The project gets assigned on an emergency basis to a middle-level manager. This person lacks the authority to get decisions made on a timely basis. The project goes into a state of crisis.

Prevention

It is never a good idea to depend on one manager. The manager should endeavor to involve other managers and to establish a steering committee at headquarters to support the project. This will ensure that there are other interested and informed managers on hand. There should also be a transition if the manager is about to leave.

Action

In the event that a manager leaves, all of the projects that the manager was involved with should be reviewed. There should be visits to headquarters and the local locations as well to build communications and knowledge.