Project Management Happy Hour

106 - Finish Strong: Why the End of Your Project Matters Most


Listen Later

Projects aren't remembered for how they started—they're remembered for how they ended. In this PM Happy Hour episode, Kim Essendrup and Kate Anderson unpack why finishing strong is critical to your reputation and your project's legacy.

Drawing on real project stories, they explore the axiom that people will remember your project the way it ended—and two key corollaries every project manager needs to know:

  • Corollary 1: People naturally forget past wins and focus on the most recent problems.

  • Corollary 2: People will redefine success to fit the outcome—if it gives them a win.

You'll learn practical practices to keep your stakeholders focused on value, even when things get bumpy, including:

  • How to keep your team and sponsors aligned on the value proposition

  • Why PMI has redefined project success around value delivered (not just the triple constraints)

  • How to reframe challenges as wins without whitewashing reality

  • Why a strong finish can redeem a rocky project—and a weak finish can ruin a good one

If you've ever had a project limp across the finish line, this episode will give you tools to finish strong and leave stakeholders with the story you want them to remember.

JOIN THE HAPPY HOUR!

Get access to all podcasts, PDU certificates, bonus content, exclusive member Q&A webinars and more from our membership! https://pmhappyhour.com/membership

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Project Management Happy HourBy Kim Essendrup and Kate Anderson

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

283 ratings


More shows like Project Management Happy Hour

View all
The Knowledge Project by Shane Parrish

The Knowledge Project

2,689 Listeners

Coaching for Leaders by Dave Stachowiak

Coaching for Leaders

1,474 Listeners

HBR IdeaCast by Harvard Business Review

HBR IdeaCast

148 Listeners

Manage This - The Project Management Podcast by Velociteach

Manage This - The Project Management Podcast

101 Listeners

How to Be Awesome at Your Job by How to be Awesome at Your Job

How to Be Awesome at Your Job

1,032 Listeners

Projectified by Project Management Institute

Projectified

234 Listeners

Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee by Dr Rangan Chatterjee: GP & Author

Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

3,949 Listeners

Worklife with Adam Grant by TED

Worklife with Adam Grant

9,143 Listeners

Practical AI by Practical AI LLC

Practical AI

211 Listeners

The Daily Stoic by Daily Stoic | Backyard Ventures

The Daily Stoic

4,949 Listeners

A Bit of Optimism by Simon Sinek

A Bit of Optimism

2,244 Listeners

Coaching Real Leaders by Harvard Business Review / Muriel Wilkins

Coaching Real Leaders

673 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

20,314 Listeners

HBR On Leadership by Harvard Business Review

HBR On Leadership

169 Listeners

Project Management Masterclass by Brittany Wilkins

Project Management Masterclass

16 Listeners