As more information unravels from the tragedy (today
1/19/2012), I am very surprised and appalled that Captain Schettino was not the
one communicating with the Italian Coast Guard but a member of the crew
reporting that the ship had a “black out.” As the Italian Coast Guard presses
for more information, the crew member repeated that a “black out” occurred, and
that they “are checking conditions.”
As a Project and Program Manager, it is incumbent upon the
project manager not to sugar coat nor hide any project issues (or information)
to the Project Sponsor, nor to any stakeholders for that matter. It is human
nature to fear repercussions when an issue or issues surface. Hiding any issue
or information, big or small, or have the potential to be a huge issue—has no
place in any program or project. As project managers, it will do us well to
remember this reality.
Photo Credit: Vincenzo Pinto / AFP - Getty Images