Making Things Happen

Scott Berkun’s Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management is a refreshing and insightful guide that moves beyond traditional project management theories and focuses on practical, real-world strategies for leading successful projects. Unlike rigid, methodology-heavy project management books, Berkun’s work is based on his experiences as a project manager at Microsoft. He provides actionable insights on leadership, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving—all crucial skills for getting things done effectively.

1. Project Management is About People, Not Just Processes
   While project management frameworks like Agile, Waterfall, and Scrum focus on structured processes, Berkun argues that the real challenge lies in managing people. Projects succeed or fail based on how well teams collaborate, communicate, and navigate uncertainty. He emphasises that a project manager’s primary role is to motivate, align, and empower their team.
2. Planning is Important, But Adaptability is Key
   Berkun highlights that while having a solid project plan is crucial, things rarely go as expected. Project managers must be flexible and adapt to change, whether it's shifting priorities, unexpected obstacles, or new insights. Instead of obsessing over perfect plans, he suggests focusing on continuous learning, quick decision-making, and iterative improvements.
3. Effective Communication is the Secret to Project Success
   The book highlights that clear, concise, and frequent communication is essential to keeping projects on track. Miscommunication leads to delays, confusion, and unnecessary rework. Berkun shares strategies for improving communication, including:
   • Asking the right questions to uncover project risks early
   • Simplifying complex information for different audiences
   • Using storytelling techniques to persuade stakeholders and gain buy-in
4. Risk Management is About Asking "What Could Go Wrong?"
   Many project failures can be traced back to poor risk management. Berkun encourages project managers to anticipate potential risks by constantly asking:
   • What are the biggest uncertainties?
   • What assumptions might be wrong?
   • What would happen if a key team member left?
     By proactively identifying and addressing risks, project managers can prevent small issues from turning into major crises.
5. Making Decisions Under Uncertainty
   In the fast-paced world of projects, decisions often need to be made with incomplete information. Berkun shares practical decision-making techniques, such as:
   • Prioritising action over perfection—sometimes making a decision quickly is better than waiting for the perfect one.
   • Gathering diverse perspectives—seeking input from different team members to challenge assumptions and uncover blind spots.
   • Failing fast and learning from mistakes—treating failures as opportunities to iterate and improve.
6. The Role of Leadership in Project Management
   Berkun argues that great project managers are also great leaders. Leadership in project management is about:
   • Building trust with the team
   • Leading by example
   • Keeping morale high, even during setbacks
   • Making tough calls when necessary

Making Things Happen is a must-read for project managers, team leads, and anyone responsible for driving results. Berkun’s conversational style, real-world examples, and focus on practical leadership skills make it an engaging and valuable resource. Rather than relying solely on methodologies, the book teaches readers how to adapt, communicate, and lead effectively—the true keys to making things happen.

The key takeaways from this book

1. Project Management is About People, Not Just Processes. Successful projects depend on team collaboration, motivation, and leadership more than rigid methodologies. A project manager’s job is to inspire and align people toward a common goal.
2. Adaptability is More Important Than a Perfect Plan. No project goes exactly as planned. Instead of obsessing over detailed plans, focus on flexibility, quick decision-making, and continuous learning to navigate uncertainty.
3. Clear and Frequent Communication Prevents Problems. Miscommunication leads to confusion, delays, and costly mistakes. Great project managers ask the right questions, simplify information, and tailor their communication for different audiences.
4. Risk Management is About Identifying Problems Before They Happen
   Always ask, “What could go wrong?” Being proactive about risks—whether they’re budget issues, timeline delays, or team conflicts—helps prevent small issues from turning into major crises.
5. Leadership is the True Key to Making Things Happen. Effective project managers act as leaders, not just task coordinators. They build trust, make tough decisions, keep morale high, and take responsibility for both successes and failures.