💡 In my opinion, aligning team priorities is crucial for project success. The key lies in understanding both project goals and client needs for balanced progress. 🔹 Shared Vision A clear, unified project vision helps teams focus on common objectives, reducing conflicts and driving effective strategies. 🔹 Client-Centric Focus Focusing on client needs can align priorities. When the team sees the impact on client satisfaction, it fosters collective alignment. 🔹 Data-Driven Decisions Data showcases project impact, allowing objective evaluation of priorities and moving discussions from subjective to fact-based. 📌 Combining a shared vision with client-focused and data-driven strategies guides teams toward successful outcomes.

What is the point of having project priorities if they do not meet the customer needs? They must be aligned, otherwise it is a project for a project sake.

Client Priorities and Project needs are synonymous. with proper scoping and analysis of the project and the governance of the project they are aligned. As a project leader, you have to consistently communicate that to your team. I have experienced people being assigned to projects that fall into their comfort zone which is not the deliverable of the client. So, it is about coaching the team to the deliverable and the priority from the top client. Identifying issues on the floor that the client may not know about is great and a strategy for account development but do not lose sight of why you are there.

In situations like this going back to basics help. The project delivery plan is made after considering urgent and important deliverables/milestones. While most of the times the client needs would be already factored in these deliverables, clients may ask for things that are not factored in or are scoped for at a later time in the project plan. In either scenario, client has to be informed of the situation and basis the timelines and effort needed project scope may be realigned after discussing it with the clients.

Regardless of industry, this scenario is commonplace. Success hinges on two critical factors: deciphering the client's true needs and grasping the team's objectives. Open dialogue with your team is crucial for uncovering goals, but ultimately, you must make the final call. Your role as a PM is to identify and leverage opportunities where these priorities intersect, within budget, schedule, and workforce constraints. Pleasing everyone is impossible, but ensuring your team's continued employment is paramount. While client needs may take precedence at times, sustained business relationships create long-term opportunities for your team to pursue their priorities.