PM Influencer Series: Phil Rocheteau
In our series, The Aha Moment, we chat with influencers in the project management space and get to know them better. We ask a bunch of questions, some biz related and some not so biz related, in order to understand what makes them tick and find their aha moment.
This month’s feature is PM Guru Phil Rocheteau. A fun fact about Phil is that he is first generation in the US – his parents are originally hail from France.
Q: What is your current job title and which industry are you working in?
A: I am an independent consultant continuing to lead PMO transformations in the medical device, pharma, and software industries.
Q: What Is The Most Important Skill A Project Manager Should Have?
A: I believe having perspective to understand each of your customers is paramount to supporting their successful journey through a project.
Q: What is your tech stack (i.e., Proggio, Smartsheet, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Slack, Gmail)?
A: Office 365 and Proggio
Q: What is the biggest challenge in your profession? How do you overcome it? Do you use certain software (tech stack), have a certain daily routine, etc?
A: The most significant challenge I experience in projects is the velocity of change and management of its potential risks, which impacts the triple constraints (Scope, Cost, and Time). Maintaining project team focus on the Quality of deliverables is paramount. My program leaders and I experienced a significant revolution in the way we were able to facilitate workshops and mitigate risk scenarios by using a cutting edge adaptive project portfolio management application, Proggio. It has enabled us to create very complex schedules, while allowing us to paint scenario solutions for our customers by leveraging its superior visual interface. Long live ‘The Dynamic View’!
Q: In your experience, why do projects fail or fail to meet their deadlines?
A: There are many reasons, but I would summarize that the key theme is due to a failure of alignment between individual team deliverables and to the major project goal or purpose. I have been blessed to work with some fantastic team mates over the last 20 years delivering a portfolio of projects and programs per goals and objectives.
Now for the Fun Stuff….
Q: Have you read any books, articles or other resources that changed your perspective on project management?
A: There is a great book I read a while back, which was completely unrelated to the topic of Project Management, but it validated my philosophy for leading projects . I am sorry, I cherish that secret lesson and can’t bring myself to share its secret power, at least right now.
Q: What advice would you give to up-and-coming professionals like yourself?
A: Listen well, and try to add value each and every day for your customers.
Q: What’s one song or artist that you’re embarrassed to admit you like?
A: The theme song from Fiddler on the Roof, played by Isaac Stern, of course.
Q: You get to be the host of a late-night talk show. Who would be your first guest?
A: Just too many great historical figures to choose from.
Q. What three items would you like to have if stranded on a deserted island?
A. Sunglasses, and a coconut opener.
If you want to connect with Phil, find him on LinkedIn.
Thank you Phil for hanging out with us and answering our questions!
