Project management skills = killer maid of honor
I am currently in the midst of serving my first stint as maid of honor, a tribute which just happens to be bestowed upon me for the occasion of my best friend’s wedding.
I’ll be honest, when I was first asked to be maid of honor, I wasn’t 100% sure of what all it would entail. However, I must say, I’ve taken to the job like a duck to water, applying the basic principles of project management to my bridal duties.
I’ve found thus far that having a sound understanding of project management principles is essential to being a productive maid of honor. The ingredients and end goals might be different but both require planning and commitment.
Precise Business Needs
Start with the “why” of the project. Decisions must be made by answering the question, “will this ultimately make the bride happy?” If yes, proceed. If no, do not pass go or collect $200.
Defined Benefits
Translate business need into business benefit. Bottom line: Business need = bride stays happy. Business benefit = If bride stays happy, everyone stays happy.
Explicit Plans
Plan effectively to meet project objectives. Organize and execute all tasks given to you by the bride, such as hosting a bachelorette party for the books. Have a plan of attack for emergency bridal melt downs over cake selection and vow writing.
Agreed Deliverables
Define the tangible output. The bride gets to the alter in one piece and has a heck of a fun time getting there.
Pro-Active Decision Making
Look for ways to improve project outcome. Call the groom and prompt him to ask the bride what he can do to help her with the planning, if he knows what’s good for him.
Single Point Responsibility
Clear accountabilities are key. You are responsible for making sure that no one gets killed in the process of the bride’s wedding planning, including the in-laws.
Active Follow-Up
The project has iterative life cycle. This particular project does not end at “I do”. Proactively check in with the bride to identify problems while there is still time to solve them. Tell her that it’s really ‘ok’ that when he moved in after the honeymoon, his mallards came too, along with his mother's visits and curtains.
Open Communication
Open communication is the key to any successful project. Tell your bride when she is being a bridezilla and that no one will notice the minuscule chip in her French pedicure. She can ask you if you really need that fourth piece of wedding cake.
Strong Leadership
Commitment is key. Remember, you are in this for better or for worse. :)
Comments
Having been the Best Man in many a wedding (and being a producer myself) I can say you have it down perfect!
Hilarious.
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