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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed rules for stage 3 of meaningful use. The entire document is over 300 pages, and reads like a legal contract or legislative bill – not something you would read for fun. Stage 3 is the final stage of meaningful use, beginning in 2017, and required by all providers and hospitals by 2018.

Stage 3 meaningful use focuses on provider flexibility, simplifying the program, interoperability of electronic records, and patient outcomes. “The steps we are taking today will help to create more transparency on cost and quality information, bring electronic health information to inform care and decision making, and support population health,” said HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell in a press statement.

A Project Manager does not necessarily have the luxury of picking their project sponsor. At times the cards are dealt and you have to deal with a difficult sponsor or team.

Throughout my years as a project professional, I could name plenty of examples of “difficult sponsors”, such as; being indecisive, changing project timelines, changing the scope, avoiding responsibility (e.g., not making/delaying key decisions), unrealistic expectations, not providing the right resources… the list could go on!

So, what’s the best way to handle your difficult sponsor? From day one, build a strong partnership with the sponsor! Being honest with your stakeholders is the fist step in building the trust and credibility that will make difficult conversations a bit easier.  I have learned this lesson the hard way, as I was transitioned to a few projects that had been started by other PM’s. Those PM’s, once confronted with a difficult sponsor, cowered in fear of upsetting them. They would say “yes” to everything, essentially conforming to their customer’s indecisiveness. By doing this it builds a false foundation for the project and the team, and sets it up for failure from the start.
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