If you’ve been a PM long enough, you’ll understand the "hit-by-a-bus" rule.
When I first started my training, I was told how essential it is to keep track of project-related work. I learned to make sure project plans, finances, and statuses were always up to date, easy to find, and easy to understand. That way, if you get hit by a bus on the way to work, someone else can easily keep the project on the tracks.
It’s a bit macabre, to say the least. However, it is the one lesson that has stuck with me over the years and remains the driving force behind my work ethic.
Back in the days of physical documents, we used a large brown A3 folder for each project. The budget and timings were stapled to the front, detailing how much was spent and how far along we were. Inside, all the stages of the project were dated, along with details of which stakeholder received it, when it was sent, and any amendments or approvals.
Nowadays, it's supposed to be easier. Everything lives digitally. With the development of SaaS platforms, automations, and AI, it should be a breeze… or is it?
I have worked at over 20 agencies and various brands throughout my career—I’ve even served in the military—and everywhere I go, I see the same thing: all the gear, no idea. It’s not that people are bad at their jobs. It is just that somewhere up in the clouds, someone who doesn't have to do the work or use the software has convinced leadership that it will improve productivity. Without structure, training, and actual frontline knowledge, these tools usually just cause more problems.
So, rather than writing "insightful," "witty," or "profound" posts that no one cares about, I want to share something practical. Over this series of blogs, I intend to share the useful tips and tricks I use to speed up processes and ensure that if I do get hit by a bus, the project has a chance to stay on track.
