The Top Floor Flat

Will and Kate’s big day is only a few weeks away and the shops are full of street party essentials like flags, fairy cake decorations and paper plates branded with poor quality pictures of the famous couple’s faces.

However for all the excitement, pomp and circumstance around the royal wedding, things seem to be going smoothly. Thinking about some of the big projects that governments, corporations, small businesses and individuals must undertake, there may be some lessons from the royal wedding that are applicable to more than just a young girl’s dream wedding scrapbook. Here are five things that the royal wedding can teach us about project management.

1. Recognise individual contributions
   Everyone from the chef to the florists are getting a nod in the run up to the royal wedding – there’s enough publicity for the big day to go around and the royal couple and family aren’t being stingy with (and, to be fair, are probably quite glad to let others share) the limelight. Who’s behind the scenes in your project that deserves some special recognition? Individual contributions can make or break a project so be sure to let them know their work is appreciated.
2. Know when to let the little things go
   In one word: confetti. (Credit to @sparkyannc for that one!)
   Also, in sharp contrast to the upcoming 2012 Olympics, where full crackdowns are enforced on counterfeit goods promoting the event, the streets of London are awash with knock off royal wedding memorabilia – and no one’s batted an eye. It’s clearly impossible to keep local shop keepers from cashing in on the hordes of tourists hoping to get their hands on a Will and Kate mug or royal couple gingerbread man so why waste time hunting them down? It’s important to pick your battles and not let endless, unwinnable fights take away from the overall success of your project.
3. Make sure all the info is available and keep everyone up to date
   Whether it’s the colour of the bridesmaid dresses, the fact that Will isn’t going to be wearing a ring or whether or not the corgis will be in attendance (of course they will), there’s been no detail spared when communicating to the public about the upcoming event for those that seek to find it. Group projects should proceed the same way – make sure the key info is available in some form or another or directly communicate the details to ensure everyone is up to date and on the same page.
4. Give something back to those affected (Alternately: If all else fails, give everyone a day off)
   Londoners will no doubt be affected by the royal wedding, whether it’s a rise in traffic, extra security measures around central London or finding their public transport system inundated with tourists. These grievances have been successfully mitigated with a public holiday – everyone in the country gets the day off work and no one is going to turn down an extra holiday. Likewise for your project, think about the people who are peripherally affected by your work, possibly inconvenienced, and about what you can do to recognise and head off any ill feelings from those around you.
5. Celebrate the outcome
   A royal wedding is a national day of celebration – there will be parades! Dancing in the street! Funny hats! Everyone can take part (and for those who choose not to – not to worry, they have the day off) in the royal couple’s celebration. Take time to celebrate you and your team’s achievements at the end of a big project.

So when the royal wedding arrives, think about the big projects in your work or personal life and although there may not be a best man’s speech or cake, you might find that you can have more in common with the royal couple than you expected.