Taking Responsibility: The Flea Market - Workshop Excerpt

An important element of building a common team plan and gaining individual commitments  occurs through a "map day" session.  Prior to the sequencing of the sub-deliverables, the individuals identify their specific responsibilities in a process sometimes called the "flea market".

While often these are done in small teams, it is also possible to conduct this type of planning with large project teams.

Click play below to watch a short segment in this case facilitated by Timm Esque...

Following the identification and posting of sub-deliverables, the process moves forward to sequence the work flow, as well as to identify clearly the owners and customers for the completed tasks.

Success based on commitments

The following is a short video podcast on effective execution for managers by London Business School Professor Donald Sull.  It focuses on Commitment Based Management which is at the heart of the PDPM success.

Dr. Donald Sull is a Professor of Management Practice in Strategic and International Management, and the Faculty Director of Executive Education at the London Business School. Sull is a global authority on how companies compete effectively in turbulent markets. He has been identified as a leading management thinker by The Economist, the Financial Times, and Fortune which named him among the ten new management gurus.

Powerful PDPM Simulation Provides Intense Practice

A portion of a follow-up workshop involves an energetic simulation entitled “chain gang”. The simulation places participants in competitive teams building a production process. The goal of the exercise is for teams to build clear expectations, ongoing monitoring methods and quality controls to achieve financial surplus.


This video provides a taste of the simulation that also builds project manager coaching skills and team work.

The Chain Gang Simulation is used with permission from American Consulting and Training (ACT), 604 Panoramic Hgwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941.