(^38) 97 Things Every Project Manager Should Know
Don’t Skip Vacations for the Project
Joe Zenevitch
New York, New York, U.S.
SoFTWARE PRojECT MAnAgEMEnT is a demanding profession. Besides
being the most visible position on the team, usually you are the only one in
that role and you don’t have a backup. Planning time off is difficult, especially
if you’re a third-party consultant. You feel that your absences impact the project
unfavorably.
To minimize this risk, novice project managers cancel their vacations, or in the
worst cases, do not plan vacations at all. I’ve learned over time that you really
need to take periodic vacations to get a break from the stressful conditions
that are inherent in most projects. Over the course of your career, how bitterly
do you resent the vacations you missed? But how foggy is your memory of the
specific issues you sidestepped by remaining on the job?
I’m not suggesting that you should plan your next vacation with no regard for
your project or project schedule. If it’s only a three-week-duration project, you
can wait. Taking a vacation the week before a major release would definitely
be irresponsible. But, if your 9- to 12-month project tanks because you take a
week or two off in the middle, then you are probably not managing it well in
the first place.
Obviously, it is important to find and train someone to fill your role while you
are away. He/she may not do things exactly as you would have done them, but
your surrogate will be able to keep the project ship afloat and sailing in the
right direction. You can make it known if you’d prefer to have major issues
deferred until your return.