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Project Management as a Way of Life - Reflections on International Project Management Day

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Every year, the first Thursday of November is celebrated as International Project Management Day, a moment to honor those who plan, lead, and deliver projects that shape our world.  But project management is not limited to the workplace. It is a mindset that can guide us in every part of life, helping us live with focus, balance, and clarity. Life as a Series of Projects Our daily lives are full of small and big projects. Planning a trip, managing finances, organizing a family function, or setting health goals all require structure and discipline. When we think like project managers, we bring order to everyday activities and turn intentions into achievements. Planning Brings Purpose A good project begins with a clear plan. The same applies to life. When we plan our week or day, we prioritize what truly matters. Instead of reacting to situations, we respond with purpose. Start each morning with three key goals and let them guide your actions. Managing Time and Energy In professional...
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Father’s Remembrance Anniversary / рдкुрдг्рдпрддिрдеि (03 April 1945 – 29 October 2024)

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  Today marks one year since my beloved father, Late Shri Dhirendra Singh Sindal, left this world, yet his presence continues to guide, inspire, and comfort us every single day. He was not just a man of many talents but a man of deep character, unshakable values, and endless love. A devoted husband, a proud father, a caring brother, and a dutiful son, he carried every relationship with grace and dignity. ЁЯПР A True Attacker with Passion In his younger days, he was a volleyball attacker at the net, known for his agility, focus, and unmatched team spirit. His energy on the court reflected the same zeal he carried throughout his life — fearless, disciplined, and full of heart. He believed that every game was a lesson in teamwork and perseverance. ЁЯОЩ️ The Orator Beyond Comparison Words were his strength. His oratory skills had a rare power, a blend of command, clarity, and connection. Whether addressing a school assembly, a cultural event, or a na...
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The Real Cost of What We Buy: Why Saving is the Smartest Earning

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Introduction We often judge a purchase by the price tag. If it’s expensive, we call it costly; if it’s cheap, we call it affordable. But in reality, the real cost of a purchase lies not in its price, but in its value and necessity. Sometimes, spending a large amount is actually the wisest choice, while even a small, unnecessary expense can become the costliest mistake. When an Expensive Purchase is the Cheapest Example 1: Health Spending 5,000 bucks on a health check-up may feel like a burden today. But if it helps detect a problem early and prevents a major illness, it saves you lakhs in treatment later. That “costly” check-up is actually the cheapest decision. Example 2: Education & Skills Investing 5,000 bucks in a professional course may pinch initially. But if that skill leads to better career opportunities and higher income, that’s not an expense, it’s an investment that pays back many times over. Example 3: Travel for Growth Booking a 20,000 bucks trip to attend a conference...
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Rethinking the Three Pillars: Learning, Remuneration, and Career Progression

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In any career journey, three things often dominate our thoughts:  Learning ,  Remuneration Career Progression   These are important pillars that shape our growth and satisfaction at work. But how often should we really focus on each of these? Let’s understand this through a project management lens , where timing, prioritization, and long-term value matter the most. Ideal Frequency of Focus Learning – Daily Just like in agile project management, continuous improvement is key. Daily learning builds skills and adds value to the team and organization. It keeps you adaptable and future-ready. Remuneration – Yearly Much like annual budget planning, remuneration should be reviewed periodically. Thinking about salary on a daily basis leads to stress and dissatisfaction. A structured yearly review aligns better with business cycles and appraisal systems. Career Progression – Every 2–3 Years In project lifecycles, major milestones take time. P...
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"Organization рдХे рд╕ाрде рднी, Organization рдХे рдмाрдж рднी" – A Tagline That Became a Way of Life

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I still remember the first time I saw LIC's advertisement with the tagline " рдЬिंрджрдЧी рдХे рд╕ाрде рднी, рдЬिंрджрдЧी рдХे рдмाрдж рднी ." It wasn’t just a line, it felt like a life philosophy. It had meaning, depth, and an emotional impact. Since then, I started using a version of it in my own professional journey: “ Organization рдХे рд╕ाрде рднी, Organization рдХे рдмाрдж рднी ” In every job, we meet many people, but we connect with only a few. These meaningful connections go beyond daily tasks and office walls. I’m proud to say that some of my closest colleagues and team members from over 25 years ago are still a part of my life today. These are not just professional relationships; they are real friendships built on trust, respect, and shared journeys. Of course, not everyone stays. Toxic colleagues, ego-driven bosses, and unaligned team members, these connections didn’t survive then and don’t exist now. But the opposite is equally true. Honest people, supportive teammates, and inspiring mentors, they’re...
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When Systems Fail the Systematic: How an Organization's Unsystematic Working Style Can Lead Even a PMP-Certified Project Manager to Failure

A PMP-certified and experienced project manager is trained to bring structure, clarity, predictability, and strategic alignment to projects. They rely on globally recognized frameworks, processes, and best practices to deliver value efficiently and effectively. They are not just task managers but change enablers, strategic thinkers, and organizational integrators. However, even the most capable and skilled project manager can struggle, or even fail, when placed in an environment that is fundamentally unsystematic or dysfunctional. It may seem counterintuitive, but an organization's chaotic nature can actively undermine the very principles that the project manager is trained to uphold. The Reverse Reality: From Structure to Struggle This chaotic and reactive environment is the exact opposite of what a PMP-certified and experienced project manager is trained to implement. Instead of enabling success, it often creates an environment where failure becomes inevitable, not becau...
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Why We React Differently: A Perception-Based Lens on Project Management

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Have you ever been surprised by how differently your team and client react to the same update? Maybe you mentioned a two-day delay, and while your team shrugged it off, the client escalated it. This discrepancy isn’t just about roles, it's about perception. The Perception-Behavior Flow The sequence often follows this path: Event → Perception (filtered by beliefs, values, assumptions, and past experiences) → Conclusion → Feelings → Behavior This explains why a single event, say, a missed milestone can cause calm in one person and panic in another. In project environments, this psychological chain reaction plays out frequently. Example 1: The Team A developer is told a key feature won’t be shipped this sprint. Perception: “It’s fine, we’ll catch up next week.” Belief: “Delays are common and manageable.” Conclusion: No big deal. Feeling: Calm. Behavior: Continues work, maybe a little overtime. Meanwhile, a junior QA might per...
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