Project: England - A World Cup Special Blog
Well this is it; England begin their bid to win the World Cup this evening! A whole lot of change since the last international tournament. A new manager. A new team sheet. A new continent.
With all of these variables, surely it begs the question... is this a project?
Of course it is! That's why I am writing this blog...!
Transient Structure
Every international campaign is a temporary endeavour. It has a defined start date, a defined finish date, a clear objective and a team assembled to achieve it.
Sounds familiar doesn't it?
That's because those are all characteristics of a project.
While the first game gets played this evening (and hopefully our last game being the final) there is an appreciation that these times don't last.
Football fans have to wait four long years for each World Cup. Plenty of time to prepare, practice, train... but who did their homework the best to deliver the goods on match day?
A Change of Leader
Our project manager has taken a change also. We say so long to Gareth Southgate and welcome Thomas Tuchel.
Now I'm not here to debate whether that was a good move, in fact only the results will truly tell us, but a new PM means a new management style, new structure, and new expectations.
Remember, it is always 11 people on a pitch, some subs and a manager. These are roles that can be filled by anyone who is capable, just like a project. "Roles not jobs" is one of my favourite phrases, and the World Cup reminds us of this.
Communication Has Shifted
Have you noticed the big shift in marketing around our team? No? Not the social media admins making the team look more professional? I've noticed!
Think, Harry Maguire on an inflatable unicorn! Not this year. It is professional headshots of all the team (although don't think that Declan Rice's sunburn went unnoticed).
There seems to be a sense that this team are here to do a job. Maybe you liked the old style, maybe you like the new, regardless, Project England is emitting a new image.
Risks Around the World
This is my main concern, not even for England but for the entire World Cup. Who thought it was a good idea to spread such a tournament across an entire continent!? It's balmy if you ask me!
There is a risk of delayed teams in transport, travel fatigue in players, fans who struggle to support. Spreading this monumental occasion over such a vast space of land just doesn't make much sense... but if we do a PESTLE analysis, I am sure there was some political pressure to make this happen.
I dread to see the organisers' risk register!
Stakeholders
Otherwise known as THE FANS! Yes we at home have informational needs that need to be met but above all, we have expectations.
It seems that every time England play, it is a win or don't come home environment that the nation creates. I certainly wouldn't want to be on that team, leading that team, or feeling that pressure.
So in my final point here, yes we the fans are the stakeholders of Project England... but I also know projects go far better when the stakeholders support the endeavour positively and not negatively.
My Final Thoughts as an England Fan and PM Trainer
So I leave you with this, whether the trophy gets lifted by England or another nation, every player will have given it their all. They will put their effort into this temporary endeavour, with a new squad and leader, with a whole bunch of risks they didn't ask for, all for the love of our nation and the game of football.
Come on England! Best of luck to you all :)