A project manager leading a large, time-sensitive, global IT server replacement

Question

A project manager leading a large, time-sensitive, global IT server replacement project was informed by a server expert on the team that they had a technical problem that they did not know how to resolve. The team member explained that only one person in the company may know the answer and they refused to helped. This one-of-a-kind expert claimed that the "expert" team member should figure it out for themselves and that he was too busy on his own important work to help. What's a project manager to do?

Explanation / Answer

The project manager should handle such a situation tactfully and should not express anger or dissatisfaction of any kind to anyone.

He should draft a formal mail to the manager of that expert employee explaining him the importance of the project that they are handling and the value of the help that they are seeking from them to deliver this project. Also the cost estimates associated with the non-delivery or delayed delivery of the project should be mentioned, the business perspectives should be used and should also focus on the fact that they are working for one single company and then should seek help and request them to understand the situation of the company.

The last paragraph should include the exact time period for which they want to bprrow the technical expert, the exact help that is needed and any permissions sought for the same. The mail should reflect that they value the time and effort of the expert and they should work together as one single organziation.

This way the project manager can formally borrow the employee and can get the work done.

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