A project manager manages the project, they do not control it. From the previous article I listed things that project managers can try to control about themselves.
Now this is a second list of things that a project manager cannot control. This list relates to what a project manager cannot control in their project team. For example, a project manager cannot control the following in a project regarding the project team members and stakeholders –
How they act
What they think
How they feel about us
How they feel about themselves and others
Their way of viewing the project, their colleagues, themselves, the company etc
Their schedule (it is likely that they are not 100% assigned to the project)
How they approach challenges
Their work ethic
How they treat others
Workload (it is likely that they work on multiple projects at the same time as well as having a primary role)
Their level of interest in the project
Their level of engagement in the project, job, company, career etc
Their desires for the project (it is possible that the project team member or stakeholder wants the project to fail)
Motivations for the project
Their ability to understand
To learn
To apply knowledge
Their professional experience
For example, a project manager cannot control the following in a project in regard to the wider organisation –
Other projects in the program or organisation
Resource management
Organisation’s capacity
Organisation’s capabilities
Successful International Project Management 