What is Monkey Management (Oncken's Monkey)? PM in Under 5

TL;DR

Monkey Management is a strategy created by William Oncken Jr., which helps project managers effectively delegate tasks and maintain control over their own work.

Transcript

in this video I want to answer the question what is monkey management monkey management is the creation of William uncle jr. he wrote of a simple metaphor he wrote of a piece of work you have to do is being like a monkey on your shoulder and when you bump into somebody and you've got that monkey on your shoulder and you seek their help and they mak... Read More

Key Insights

• 🙈 Monkey Management is a metaphorical approach to task delegation, where tasks are treated as "monkeys" that need to be assigned and managed.
• 😘 Assigning tasks to the lowest level of the organization that can handle them empowers employees and ensures effective task completion.
• 📽️ Describing tasks clearly as the next step and managing risks appropriately ensures smooth delegation and successful project management.
• 🎮 Project managers should periodically check up on assigned tasks to maintain control and ensure that tasks are being executed properly.
• 🥺 Lack of clarity in task assignment can lead to confusion and neglect of tasks, highlighting the importance of clear communication.
• 👻 Monkey Management allows project managers to focus on their own priorities and avoid becoming overwhelmed by other people's work.
• 🥺 Proper delegation enhances teamwork and allows project managers to lead effectively, rather than becoming operational workers.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Monkey Management?

Monkey Management is a strategy that helps project managers delegate tasks effectively and maintain control over their own work by assigning ownership of tasks to the appropriate individuals at the lowest level of the organization.

Q: How can Monkey Management help project managers prioritize their own work?

By properly assigning and describing tasks as the next small step, project managers can delegate tasks to others and focus on their own priorities without being overwhelmed by other people's work.

Q: What is the role of risk management in Monkey Management?

Risk management is crucial in Monkey Management. Project managers should only give authority to others that is consistent with the welfare of the task at hand. Higher-risk tasks may require more supervision and guidance, while lower-risk tasks can be delegated with full authority.

Q: How can project managers ensure proper execution of assigned tasks?

Regularly checking up on the assigned tasks and periodically communicating with the assigned individuals helps project managers ensure that the tasks are being completed properly and that they are still aware of the progress.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Monkey Management is the concept of assigning tasks (monkeys) to the lowest level of the organization who can safely handle them.

• The key to successful Monkey Management is clearly describing the next step that needs to be done and assigning ownership accordingly.

• Risk management is an important aspect of Monkey Management, ensuring that the level of authority given to others matches the level of risk associated with the task.