Could You Survive on Mars? Problem-Solving.

TL;DR

The films The Martian and Apollo 13 showcase the importance of problem-solving in project management.

Transcript

i recently rewatched the film the martian with matt damon and i was pleasantly surprised again by just how much real science was embedded amongst the storytelling and the necessary fantasy the a story like this has to create but what really impressed me was some of the attitudes that the character shows and what they tell us about project managemen... Read More

Key Insights

• 📽️ Real science is embedded in the storytelling of films like The Martian, showcasing the importance of accurate project management.
• 🌱 Project management is not just about following a plan, but about the ability to solve problems effectively.
• 📽️ The films demonstrate the significance of a calm and deliberate approach to problem-solving in project management.
• 📽️ The distinction between agile and predictive project management is less important than being a problem solver.
• 📽️ Project management requires a combination of knowledge, expertise, and experience to tackle difficult problems.
• 😌 The fun of project management lies in creating and executing plans while resolving setbacks along the way.
• 📽️ The films dispel the notion that project management is solely about long-term processes and technology.

Questions & Answers

Q: What impressed the author about the films The Martian and Apollo 13?

The author was impressed by the problem-solving displayed by the characters in both films, who approached each issue with a calm and deliberate mindset, finding solutions and moving on to the next problem.

Q: What did the character of Gene Krantz in Apollo 13 teach about project management?

Gene Krantz emphasized the importance of working the problem and not making things worse by guessing. This highlights the significance of problem-solving in project management, rather than relying on guesswork.

Q: How does the author define the spirit of project management?

The author believes that the true spirit of project management lies in solving problems. While debates between traditional and agile project management exist, solving problems and finding solutions should be the primary focus.

Q: What does Mark Watney's quote "I'm gonna have to science the out of this" signify?

Mark Watney's quote suggests that problem-solving requires a foundation of knowledge, expertise, and experience. Project managers need to gather a vast amount of knowledge to tackle difficult problems effectively.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Both The Martian and Apollo 13 highlight the significance of problem-solving, rather than long-term project management processes.

• The characters in both films exhibit a calm and deliberate approach to solving problems, emphasizing the importance of finding solutions and moving forward.

• Project management is not solely about following a plan, but about adapting and resolving setbacks.