In this down cycle I have never had more work to do as a PM. Everyone in the business is screaming for more revenue. The only problem is that they want to see it without creating a budget. I have been working for a major international company now for the last year and even though my projects have all been driven for the desire to increase profits I have yet to be given a budget. So does this mean I have been doing nothing? The fact is I have been working 55+ hour weeks and have managed and directed projects which have brought in or saved several million in revenues.

I'm sure you have heard the old saying it takes money to make money. In today's economy that is not true. What it takes is a desire to achieve a goal and a creative mind to think outside the box to find a way to partner with the people you do business with to make or save money.

Patrick I suggests that there is truly only one kind of project and that is a cost benefit project. I know you are saying what about Federally mandated projects and security concerns and business process improvements? They are all really cost benefit projects because there is a cost associated with running or not running the project. The costs could be fines, plant closures, litigation costs, loss of customer base but the benefits are usually always the same and that is how does this affect my company and it's ability to survive and return a profit to it's investors.

After 25 years of PM leadership with a business/IT focus I know I sound jaded but a wise man once told me that I would always have a job if I could make or save my company money. So what type of project does that sound like?

Comments and flame mail greatfully accepted. pmoeducator@gmail.com