One cold and windy November day, a light dusting of snow fell over Projectville. Projectville was a town known for planning, progress, and completion, and the citizens were proud of their traditions. In 2025, they lobbied the mayor to add a new tradition, a Winter Holiday Festival. It would be a celebration bringing together families, neighbors, and visitors from the region.
Mayor Gantt appointed Constania to plan and manage the festival. Her name stood for diligence, and she was known as the best project manager in town. Her Gantt charts and reports were beautifully designed; her stakeholder and risk registers were neatly organized in spreadsheets; and her budgets were balanced to the penny. If any project manager could ensure a successful festival, it was Constania.
The Project Plan
A project charter was issued, and Constania began immediately. She gathered her team in the town hall for planning. Hours were spent deliberating before a plan was finalized. The project’s major deliverables included:
- 🎁 Gifts: Purchased and wrapped by December 20. Costs and inventory are to be tracked in a spreadsheet.
- 🌲 Tree Lighting: Scheduled for December 24 at 7:00 p.m., regardless of weather conditions.
- 🎶 Choir Rehearsals: Organized into agile sprints, with daily stand-ups. A performance was scheduled to coincide with the tree lighting.
- ❄️ Snow Clearing: Assigned to the Public Works Department to address as needed.
Constania created dashboards, timelines, and communication plans. A giant countdown clock posted outside the town hall reminded the town of the event. Every stakeholder received a weekly detailed status report. Constania was confident of her leadership.
December 24, 2025
Despite a morning snowstorm, the festival began as scheduled. As soon as the snow stopped, the Public Works Department cleared the snow. The gifts, wrapped by the 20th, were placed under the tree, the tree was lit, and the choir sang. Everything was carried out exactly as planned. At the end of the celebration, Constania delivered a final project report with charts and graphs highlighting project metrics and the financial impact on the community.
As she spoke, Constania looked around the square. She noticed something was missing. The townsfolk’s faces seemed subdued. The children admired the tree but weren’t excited. The choir sang beautifully on pitch, but without passion. The audience clapped politely, lacking joy.
The Realization
That night, as Constania sat by her window watching the snow fall, she reflected on her work and observations. She realized that perfect planning and execution weren’t enough, and storytelling is essential to project management. It fosters human connection and engagement, making the project truly meaningful. By creating shared purpose through stories that resonate with people, she could give their efforts deeper meaning, and the festival would be embraced and come alive.
Determined to correct her oversight, Constania approached Mayor Gantt with an idea. “Instead of just delivering tasks,” she said, “the project should tell a story that motivates and unites everyone involved in the project.” Curious as to what Constania had in mind, the mayor agreed.
December 31, 2025
When New Year’s Eve arrived, Constania gathered everyone in the town square. This time, instead of presenting charts and metrics, she spoke from the heart. “The gifts,” she explained, “aren’t just packages. They symbolize our gratitude and remind us that everyone in Projectville matters.” She continued, “The tree isn’t just a decoration. Its sturdiness symbolizes the town's endurance, with the star at the top as a beacon of hope. The star lights Projectville’s path into 2026. The choir’s voices aren’t just collections of notes and words strung together. Their melodies carry the town’s dreams, showing how we harmonize differences into unity.”
As Constania spoke, the townsfolk saw themselves within a shared story. Children ran joyfully to the tree and families exchanged heartfelt gifts, while the choir's melodies inspired everyone to sing along. The festival turned into a lively celebration of community and connection, full of life and meaning.
The Moral
Project management is more than planning and execution. When people believe in the project’s story, the project succeeds in delivery, adoption, and legacy, showing that human connection is essential for true success.
Epilogue
In a few years, Projectville became famous for its Winter Holiday Festival. Visitors came from throughout the region because the town made them feel part of something bigger. Constania’s approach spread beyond the town, into schools, businesses, and neighboring cities.
Every year, as the tree was lit, Constania smiled. She knew that the true success of a project was not measured in charts or metrics, but in the joy of the people who lived its story.
May all your projects have bold and engaging stories in 2026. Happy New Year!
Subscribe for Our Project Management Resources, Best Practices, and Tips
Confirm your subscription to receive an email with immediate download access to Project Manager's Resources, a valuable list of books and web sites.
Get the latest tips and updates sent directly to your inbox monthly.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.