Powerful Project Management Success Factors That Will Empower You – Ep 068

In this episode, I talk with Wei Kwan Ng, PMP, Program Manager at Agilent Technologies, about the hidden struggles engineers face when stepping into project management, and how to overcome them with confidence. We explore real-world project management success factors that help technical professionals thrive in leadership roles, including planning strategies, stakeholder communication, and building cross-functional collaboration skills. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Wei: What are the biggest challenges in launching new technology, and how do project management success factors help with that? How do you work with stakeholders who don’t fully understand the benefits of a project? What do you think would make this project more valuable or helpful for the people it’s meant to serve? For someone moving into project management without formal training, what challenges might they face, and how can they build the right skills? What helped you pass the PMP exam on your first try, and how can others prepare effectively? What’s one lesson from your book that really changed how you manage projects—and that others could apply too? How can engineers and technical professionals improve their communication and use technology better on complex projects? What trends in engineering and project management do you think will have the biggest impact in the near future? What are the most important skills or traits project managers should focus on to succeed in today’s fast-paced environment? What’s one common mistake project managers make, and how can they avoid or fix it? Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Powerful Project Management Success Factors That Will Empower You: Bringing new technology to market often involves bridging gaps between hardware and software teams. Understanding project management success factors like cross-functional communication and collaboration plays a crucial role in smoother execution and fewer delays. Successful project managers lead by listening and engaging stakeholders early in the process. This is one of the most critical project management success factors—creating alignment through respect and inclusion. Projects become more meaningful when teams listen to the needs of the people affected. Asking the right questions and involving others in decision-making are key project management success factors that lead to more relevant and impactful outcomes. Those without formal training frequently overlook the importance of upfront planning. Defining scope, budget, and timeline early are foundational project management success factors that help avoid problems later. Passing the PMP exam requires more than knowledge—it takes practice under real exam conditions. Building exam stamina is one of the lesser-known yet vital project management success factors for success. When something doesn’t feel right in the planning phase, it’s better to pause and reassess. Having the courage to reassess and redirect early is a powerful project management success factor that avoids costly setbacks. As projects grow in complexity, teams must break down silos and align goals. Integrated tools and communication strategies are increasingly important project management success factors in modern environments. Emerging trends point to faster timelines, tighter budgets, and more technology. Adaptability and team collaboration are essential project management success factors that will define long-term success. Strong project managers sharpen their ability to listen, collaborate, and lead with clarity. People-focused leadership is one of the most impactful project management su...