YoungHeart1980!

I hope everyone is doing okay. I wish I had my own system in place to make decisions ahead of time and then be able to audit my own decisions and go through my list of things to take care of each week. Unfortunately I don’t because I am overwhelmed with follow through and executing so many things I don’t have time for anything else less notify staff each week. “Hello, the project is ending.” I have already notified you at 90, 60, 30, and 10 days. I’m not your assistant either. They don’t report to me so these teams have to figure it out.

The institution doesn’t have effective leadership, no structure, collaboration or systems to assist anyone. They adhere to a hands-off and you’re on your own, good luck. Annoying, having a system can assist with reminders, automation, and results. DUH! This whole week it was purchase after purchase and approval of many, my boss had to help a couple hours. I had one staff person wait until today to process 2 months worth of purchases and they were not easy to process with compliance issues. It was stressful and time consuming.

One of two program managers asked for a hand and tried to take both hands and feet. LOL! I’m nice, but not a fool. Both engaged me in initially questioning me about a specific budget for one initiative that was supposedly missing. I explained that the program manager has to deplete her planned budget before she could receive new budget and won’t happen until Feb 2026. She still believed that she didn’t receive her budget. What!? You are to spend the planned funds first. You will be awarded new funds for the remainder in Feb 2026. There is nothing missing. I have already confirmed and the sponsor provided guidelines and as I understand it all makes sense to me. And just today you have questions when we’re set to meet on 9/2/25. You had this budget for one month and you are brining a question that I have advised already according to the guidance.

All this time they both had nothing to say until 3:30pm today when I was planning on getting off now. The sponsor has explained the budget awarded and guidance in the earlier email and when it would be appropriate to request new funds. Both program manager’s called me on Teams and jumped me about it. They requested I respond to the email and against my advice I was asked to ask again. No, I had already tried to explain and they both pushed back. I told both they ought to respond as I was already given instruction and understood the guidance. Both did respond to the sponsor’s earlier email directly and copied me in the communication. I was nice about it and expressed that I might not have asked properly that they both should ask. BOOM! They both got their hand slapped by the sponsor basically telling them no. The sponsor pointed back to her initial email. They were told to submit their new budget request in December 2025. We’re once again beginning to look confused again. This is their 6th consecutive year on this project and same partnership and both sound like rookies as if this is their first project management role! They both got schooled. It’s 5:30pm, Happy Friday. All the Best!