My journey is one where legal thinking meets project risk analysis and mitigation.
As a former practicing lawyer, drafting and litigating contracts was what I was trained to do and, in my opinion, litigators make great contract drafters.
This is what makes me a better Project Manager today, especially when it comes to risk analysis and mitigation.
As lawyers we are trained to predict each and every possible outcome and often what will happen if the risk comes to exist.
Liquidated damages clauses such as two months’ rent and you’re out of your apartment lease before the end of the term, are an example of this. I can foresee potential pitfalls before they become problems and strategize on how to handle them if they do – beforehand.
In project management, this ability translates to proactive risk identification. With the use of a risk register, identifying risks, their likely occurrence and impact can be planned for in terms of mitigation strategy. Although it does happen, it is unusual to have a risk that was completely unpredictable.
One of the biggest risks in projects is bad communication.
Clear communication is vital in both law and project management.
I translate complex ideas into terms that everyone can grasp often translating the end users desires of workflow into technical terms for the software architects and engineers and back again.
This clarity prevents misunderstandings and keeps everyone on the same page minimizing rework and resulting in client satisfaction. Clients want to be informed of risks and possible mitigation steps and frequently want some say in the plan.
Not all risk is bad, I believe in taking calculated risks or I wouldn’t have changed fields. Being able to make decisions without knowing how things will turn out can be an opportunity.
By combining these legal skills with project management acumen, I’m not just managing projects; I’m safeguarding them.
Let’s talk about how legal insights can drive project success.