Morten Sorensen

Morten Sorensen is Area VP, Global Client Services at Verizon Enterprise Solutions.

Project managers must understand financial and economic drivers

It is true that today’s expectations of rapid delivery, fast benefit realization and faster than ever response times to changes are driving project management practices. There is less appetite for time-consuming upfront design, detailed planning and related project management planning documentation. There is furthermore a trend of increased expectations of more senior project management roles. They must to a higher degree be competent in areas such as financial, business and customer services/solutions. Factors such as market gains, economic value and rapid return on investments are becoming bigger drivers for business requirements and benefits realization. Project managers are increasingly being expected to relate to these aspects of the client’s environment. – Morten Sorensen, VP of Client Services at Verizon Enterprise Solutions

People take much more ownership when setting their own deadline

I wasn’t long out of university when I was asked to take my first project management role. It was after a couple of months in that role working with a highly skilled team of senior professionals that I realized how much more effective project leadership is when you let each team member take responsibility for their own assessments and commit to due dates and deliverables. People take much more pride and ownership when setting their own ambitious deadlines and then work harder and smarter to meet them. – Morten Sorensen, VP of Client Services at Verizon Enterprise Solutions

It is easier to say ‘No’ if you know the facts

It is a lot easier to be comfortable saying “No” in a Project if you have all the necessary analysis, facts and leadership endorsement behind you. Trust is earned through a track-record of strong performance. Once you have that you can afford to stand firmer in debates and hold your position where needed. – Morten Sorensen, VP of Client Services at Verizon Enterprise Solutions

Mismanagement of scope is very often the demise of project managers 

One of the most commonly overlooked areas on larger projects is proper scope management which often ends up being the demise of project manager. Too often project managers do too many favors and over time try to absorb an unsustainable amount of scope changes (ex Gold plating or slippage), which in the end results in delays and cost overruns. Project leaders know how to politely and professionally set the expectations up front and stick to the change management processes. – Morten Sorensen, VP of Client Services at Verizon Enterprise Solutions