He called a meeting and we went. He asked the contractor, you are going to install structured office wiring in the NAF base in Port Harcourt, in the civilian wing. Congratulations for winning this contract. Come back next week with everything you need from my office to make this execution successful: “My [multinational oil company] has appointed me the project manager of this project, and I will work with you to ensure execution”, he concluded.
I was an intern, learning. The next week, the contractor came back with a list. The project manager provided help as required. Project was done on time and within cost. As I did internship in that oil giant, I learned one thing: they do not embark on projects without identifying the x-factors (“variables in a given situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome”), from both angles – their own side and also from the contractor’s side.
That takes me to the book in the Bible where you can learn the eternal secrets of executing projects on time. There is a case study on project management. It comes down to understanding the most important thing needed to make projects successful.
His ancestors had dedicated a Temple around 10th century BC to Yahweh. But Nebuchadnezzar II destroyed it during the siege of Jerusalem. He grew up, and rose to become one of the most important men in Persia: a cup-bearer to Artaxerxes, king of Persia, and later, the king made him a governor of Persian Judea. And he was to rebuild the Jerusalem wall.
To rebuild the wall, he needed an x-factor. The king asked him to put in his request, and Nehemiah asked to use the timber from the king’s forest. In imperial Persia, the king’s timber went with the king’s builders and security. The wall was rebuilt within 52 days. If Nehemiah had used any timber that was different from timber from the king’s forest, he might have failed.
Simply, any project that received timber supplies from the king’s forest was as good as executed. And only the most important projects qualified. As the aides shipped the timber, the guards would follow, making sure that none was wasted. Another set of guards would monitor compliance. That was why as the wall was being rebuilt, the soldiers fought the enemies – and the project was executed on time.
Did you notice Nehemiah’s x-factor? Cheap sheet: the timber from the king’s forest. What is your x-factor for that project at work? What is your x-factor for your career ascension? Discover the #xfactors. Happy Sunday.














