“Dad, what do you do as a job?”
I do many things but, first, I am a Project Manager.
“And what a project manager does?”
Project management is the profession of planning, organizing and managing many things, including people and projects.
“And what is a project?”
A project is a temporary and unique set of tasks that have a definite beginning and end.
“And it’s a difficult job? How long did you study on it?”
Well, is not so difficult but you have to care about many different topics.
“Mmm, tell me more …”
OK, let’s start with a triangle and SMART goals …
Franco and me, when it all started
Every Project Manager, with a teenager as a child, is asked such questions. While explaining to my son the principles of Project Management, I decided to write down some notes using informal language, adopting examples that can interest a young mind.
In the isolation of the pandemic lockdown, I found myself confined within the walls of my home for several months. This unexpected pause in life presented a unique opportunity. I embarked on a journey to sift through and organize my notes. These were transformed into two distinct, yet equally insightful books. One is tailored specifically for teenagers, while the other speaks directly to parents. Both aim to unravel the complexities and nuances of Project Management, making it more accessible and less daunting for these diverse audiences. This endeavor was not just a task, but a mission to demystify a field often perceived as intricate and challenging, especially for those just stepping into its wide landscape.
In this blog, I summarised some of the most interesting discussions I had with him, hoping to stimulate other parents to introduce their children to the amazing life of Project Management.