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\nCould You Survive on Mars? Problem-Solving.\n

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\nCould you survive on Mars? This is, to a large extent, a Project Management question. And the answer is about your attitude to problem-solving.I rewatched the film 'The Martian' with Matt Damon. Coming from a science background, I was...\nCould you survive on Mars? This is, to a large extent, a Project Management question. And the answer is about your attitude to problem-solving.


I rewatched the film 'The Martian' with Matt Damon.
Coming from a science background, I was delighted to see that it mostly respected the science. Just mostly, though 😉


There's another manned spaceflight movie that inspires a sense of awe for the Project Manager's potential: 'Apollo 13'.


The Long Haul

My sense of wonder doesn't come from the long duration steady research, planning, and project management that designs, builds, and launches a space mission over many years.


That's like what you do every day as a Project Manager.


Working the Problems
What excites me is the calm, deliberate approach to solving problem after problem, one at a time. Identify the problem, find a solution, plan it out, and execute it quickly.

'Let's work the problem people. Let's not make things worse by guessing.'
Gene Kranz, NASA Flight Director, depicted by Ed Harris in the film, 'Apollo 13'

The True Spirit of Project Management

Far too many people argue about the pros and cons of traditional and Agile project management approaches. But, they miss the key truth. The essence of project management is problem-solving. You must be a problem-solver.


Look at every problem as a chance to figure it out. That's the fun, and it's how we earn our keep. Anyone can follow a plan. The challenge is to create one from nothing, at the start of your project. And then to create new plans to tackle every setback and unexpected bend in the road.

'In the face of overwhelming odds, I'm left with only one option, I'm gonna have to science the shit out of this.'
Mark Watney, the lead character in the film, 'The Martian', played by Matt Damon

The distinction that matters among project managers is not whether you do Predictive or Agile PM. Nor whether you focus on tasks or on people.



The question you need to answer is:
'Are you a plan-follower, or a problem-solver?'\n
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Resource Details

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Media Length
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3:31
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Grade
10th - Higher Ed
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Subjects
Career & Technical Education
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Media Type
Instructional Videos
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Source:
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\nOnline PM Courses\n\n
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Date
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2021
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Language
English
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For Teacher Use
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film, time, space
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problem-solving, problem-solving skills, the martian, apollo 13, surviving mars, what if, apollo 13 movie, the martian movie, project management, solving problems, let's work the problem people, gonna have to science the shit out of this, problem-solver, mike clayton, onlinepmcourses, space travel movies, project management skills, the martian scene, apollo 13 movie scene, matt damon, problem solver, solving, character, fantastic, people, science, problem, plan, martian, story, create, impressed, captivated, watched, films, testing, solution, miss, point, figure, follow, tackle, played, knowledge
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