How do you measure success?

Oddly enough, one of my biggest project successes was actually a colossal failure. In this case, I was the marketing director for a large mall in LA and increasing traffic in order to increase sales for the stores was my raison d’etre. I brought in an event that got a ton of media and customer attention, and resulted in a full house (in center court). Store managers were thrilled with all the extra bodies – hence the "success." At least, the event (a talent scouting tour for the old "Puttin on the Hits" show) organizers were thrilled. The failure? Not one of those bodies left their seat to go shopping. All they wanted to do was watch the show. So… I got the bodies in the door, but that’s as far as it went.

When it comes to determining success, sometimes it all depends on your perspective and what you’re measuring.

It’s important to do a "post-con" at the end of every event, regardless of whether it’s a conference, a trade show, a football game, or project based work. Discussing (debating?) what went right, what went wrong, and what could be done better to improve performance in the future … this is the only way to prepare for the next event, game, or project.

Anyone tasked with project and portfolio management knows there will always be another project to manage; it might be similar to the last, or completely different in spec and intended outcome, but the process is always going to be the process. If you’re lucky you have a business project management software tool to help you keep your project organized and on track. But even if you don’t, you always have the combined knowledge and experience of your team members … you just have to remember to use it and not be afraid to try new things.

Albert Einstein defined insanity as "… doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." If something didn’t work the first time, why would you repeat it? But if you don’t look back and determine what things you did that could benefit from some changes, you’ll never improve your personal performance moving forward.

With that, I wish you all a very Happy New Year, and hope 2010 will be everything you hope for.