Aligning With Fast-Track Projects - MAC089

Managing A Career

Last week, in Episode 088 (https://www.managingacareer.com/88), I covered the four key project types that can fast-track your career advancement. This week, I'm going to cover some strategies for when your current project assignment is not on one of those fast-track type projects.

So, to review, the four fast-track project types are strategic projects aligned to organizational goals, cross-functional projects that impact multiple teams, projects tied to revenue generation or expense reduction, and finally, projects that are in trouble. If you find yourself assigned to a project in any combination of those categories, success can be a springboard to the next level.

So, what do you do when your work doesn't fall into any of those categories? The first thing I would do is to get an understanding of why the project even exists. It's rare for a project to be initiated without having some business value, so your goal should be to understand what that value is.

If you are unsure, ask your leader how your assignment aligns with the bigger picture. It's possible that your assignment is a precursor to an upcoming effort. Use this link when you communicate status of your project and include statements about how your current work ENABLES the future project. This linkage can also be your ticket to being assigned to the strategic project in the future.

Alternatively, can you reframe your project so that you create a link between your project and a fast-track project? If you can directly tie the goals of your project to those of a fast-track project, it's possible that your project could be absorbed by the larger project, providing a backdoor route to being assigned to the fast-track project.

If your project is not directly related to a fast-track project, look for ways to elevate your project. Can you expand the scope of your project to include cross-functional aspects? Does your project facilitate revenue generation or expense reduction for other areas of the business? Can someone leverage the results of your project to bring a troubled project back on track?

Projects have executive sponsors. Who are the sponsors of your project? Make sure that they are communicating the importance of your project to your leaders and their leaders. Use their position to tie your project back to corporate goals.

Those strategies would allow you to align your current project with a fast-track project. As long as you deliver on your current project, you can use the connection to a bigger project to help set yourself up for a key assignment on your next project.

The other strategy is to look for ways to be assigned to a fast-track project.

If your team is responsible for or contributes to a fast-track project, the obvious first step would be to speak to your manager. You'll need to make a case for why you would be an asset to that project. Do you have specific knowledge or skills that you can bring to the project? Or maybe you have key relationships that will gain the support of other teams? If your manager turns you down for the current project, ask for specific feedback on what you should work on so that you are considered for the next fast-track project……and then put a plan in place to work on those things.

If you can't get reassigned to a fast-track project, it can still be beneficial to keep up with the progress of projects you aren't assigned to. Pay attention to when those projects have a need for additional resources or skills that you can provide. Volunteer to provide the additional support the projects need and continue to deliver on your current project.

In Episode 013 (https://www.managingacareer.com/13), I cover how sometimes you have to make your own luck. If you work your network and pay attention to the goings on of your organization, you can often find a problem in need of a solution. Look for those opportunities that can lead to a fast-track project. If you are the one bringing the project forward, you will usually not only be assigned to the project, but also have an opportunity to lead that project.

If you find yourself in a situation where you get neither aligned or assigned to a fast-track project, there's still a course of action you can take. Play the hand you're dealt. Deliver strong results and use them to build trust and reputation. Take advantage of being on a less stressful project and use the time to build the skills you will need in order to be ready for the assignment when it becomes available.

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