PROJECT MANAGEMENT: 3-STEP CIRCLE OF KNOWLEDGE

The great Plato once said, "Knowledge is the food for the Soul". In other words, like Food is to Body; Knowledge is to Soul.

But what is 'Knowledge'? Does Knowledge start with studying to get an MBA or some other certificate; and end with framing the certificate and hanging it in your living room? Does knowledge start with obtaining the required knowledge; and end with living in ignorance,  with ignorance all around? No. "Knowledge is a Journey that has no end". In its true sense, it's a never-ending circle that should go on and on. The real question is, what is this never-ending circle? What are the steps that make this circle never-ending?

The 1st step of this never-ending circle is GAINING KNOWLEDGE (or LEARNING). This 1st step is where the foundation is laid and Mathew's sure he does not need to emphasize on the importance of a strong foundation. To be able to learn, one must humble himself/herself to the fact that there 'maybe' things that he/she may not already know. As Epictetus said, "It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows". Although learning is only the 1st step, but as they say, "A good start is as good as half the job done". Having said that, we must all remember, learning is only the 1st step i.e. if you stop after taking the 1st step then its as good as not having taken it at all.

The 2nd step of this never-ending circle is APPLYING KNOWLEDGE (or APPLICATION), because Mathew thinks "Knowledge without Application; is like Food without Nutrients" or as they say in the construction industry language, "Knowledge without Application; is like a Foundation without a Building on it". Ask yourself if it serves any purpose? What good is it? We must all apply what we've learnt or else all the hard work and efforts would go in vain.

The journey of knowledge does not stop at Learning & Application. The 3rd step of this never-ending circle is SHARING KNOWLEDGE (or KNOWLEDGE-TRANSFER). In other words, to give back from where you've received. As Margaret Fuller said, "If you have knowledge, let others light their candle in it". Knowledge-Transfer is Knowledge-Gaining. Interestingly, this 3rd step of the never-ending circle is the engine that connects the link back to the 1st step and completes what Mathew calls the 3-STEP CIRCLE OF KNOWLEDGE.

Project Management is not rocket science. In simple layman's language, the profession of project management is nothing but the application of common sense. But as they say, "the only thing not common in today's world is common sense". A true practitioner of project management must spread the word and share his/her project management knowledge with those who are ignorant about it.

If someone were to ask, "Which of the 3-steps in the circle of knowledge is the most important?" it'll be like asking, "Which of the 3-sides of a projects' triple constraint triangle is most important, scope-time-cost?". All 3 steps are equally important in their own ways and would impact the other 2 steps.

For those interested in project management who haven't taken the 1st step yet, it's never too late. For those who have taken the 1st step, it's time to take the 2nd step. And for those on the 2nd step, remember there's a 3rd step waiting to be taken. Finally, if it's true that "Knowledge coupled with Labor & Patience can conquer everything", then the understanding of the 3-STEP CIRCLE OF KNOWLEDGE will get you ready to conquer the world.

BON APPETITE; for all those who are hungry for knowledge.

[Mathew@PM4K]

HTTP://WWW.ANISHMATHAIMATHEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Do join our community on Blogger, Facebook, LinkedIn & NetworkedBlogs. Most importantly, please do come back for more. ..[Mathew@PM4K] @ http://www.anishmathaimathew.blogspot.com