101 Project Management Problems and How to Solve Them

70. How can I manage my project successfully despite high-priority interruptions?

In a perfect world, projects would exist in their own hermetically sealed environment and things could proceed without interruption through to a successful closure. In the real world, stuff happens and we need to deal with it through prioritization, and when necessary, replanning.

Prioritizing Work

When a project leader gets a request to work on something outside the project, there are several possibilities. To determine which will be most appropriate, begin by assessing relative priorities. If your project is strategic and considered vital by your management, you might get away with “Sorry, I can’t be spared to help you,” or “I’d love to help you later, but not ...