November 21, 2024 | Project, Program, Portfolio Management
This Thanksgiving marks my 11th year hosting over 50 people, and while I’ve developed a solid routine, I owe much of our success to my background in project management. Organizing a feast of this scale is no small feat, but by applying tried-and-true project management principles, I ensure a smooth and enjoyable event for everyone. Here are the key strategies I follow to thrive—whether managing a major project or hosting Thanksgiving for 50:
Simplify the Planning Process
Every successful endeavor starts with a solid plan. Whether you’re managing a complex program or preparing a holiday meal, planning is essential. Interestingly, Harvard Business Review (HBR) notes that people often avoid planning because it triggers discomfort—much like pain. This aversion stems from confronting risks, addressing uncertainties, and uncovering gaps. However, I embrace this phase. By identifying potential risks and developing mitigation strategies early, I gain clarity on the tasks and objectives. Painful or not, planning is an investment that pays off in smoother execution.
Engage Your Stakeholders
Projects aren’t managed in a vacuum, and neither is Thanksgiving. Stakeholders—your team, vendors, or guests—play a vital role. Organizational Change Management expert Dave Alhadeff emphasizes assessing stakeholders based on two factors: power (their influence on or stake in the project) and engagement (their current and desired level of involvement). Prioritize engaging the most influential yet disengaged stakeholders. For Thanksgiving, I consider my guests’ preferences and needs. While I don’t map their power and engagement levels (tempting as it may be!), I always aim to make everyone feel included.
Reflect and Adjust
Post-mortems, where teams evaluate successes and areas for improvement, are invaluable tools—if done thoughtfully. I also advocate for pre-mortems and during-mortems, especially for ongoing projects. The most effective reviews share these traits:
- They are led by an impartial facilitator.
- They use tools like an Evidence-Based Timeline (EBT) to help recall key decisions and events.
- They feed directly into planning for the next project.
Skipping reflection is tempting, but thoughtful reviews help reduce risks, improve processes, and strengthen team dynamics.
Applying These Principles to Thanksgiving
Here’s how I incorporate these methods into my holiday preparations:
Planning: I create a detailed 30-day schedule, mapping out tasks, shopping trips, and cooking timelines. By year two, I learned to draft an hour-by-hour plan for Thanksgiving Day itself to minimize last-minute scrambling.
Stakeholder Engagement: My guests are my stakeholders, and while I don’t formally assess their engagement, I consider their preferences—dietary needs, favorite dishes, and comfort levels.
Reflection: The day after Thanksgiving, I document what worked and what didn’t. This helps me refine my approach for the following year.
Here are a few nuggets of wisdom I’ve picked up over the years:
Make more than enough food: Leftovers can be donated to local food shelters.
Prep the butter: Take it out 30 minutes before serving for easy spreading on rolls.
Focus on the essentials: Nail the turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy—guests will forgive minor hiccups.
As I prepare for Thanksgiving 2024, I rely on lessons from the past. With proper planning, stakeholder understanding, and post-mortem insights, hosting becomes not just manageable but truly enjoyable.
For more information on how Lake Shore Associates can support your project management needs, visit www.lakeshore.is. We’d be grateful for the opportunity to work with you!
Image created by Louish Pixel
