6 Lessons “The Walking Dead” Can Teach You about Project Management

The Walking Dead is a television show based on a long-running comic book about the survivors of a zombie apocalypse. When our protagonists aren’t being killed by zombies (Dale, T-Dog), killed by humans (Andrea), dying of natural causes (Lori), losing limbs to zombies (Herschel), or losing their tenuous grasp on sanity (Rick), they’re teaching us valuable lessons on how to better run your office, as Carol Pinchefsy writes in 6 Lessons “The Walking Dead” Can Teach You about Project Management .

No, seriously.

Rick’s crew manages multiple projects—i.e., defend their home base, rescue a captive—with varying degrees of success. You can learn from their triumphs (and catastrophes)… so you can keep your project alive and well.

For example, Learn from your mistakes: "Throughout the series, Andrea had transitioned from loving sister (early season 1) to suicidal survivor (end of season 1) to gun-toting avenger (all of season 2) to survivalist (beginning of season 3) to the voice of reason (end of season 3). But there’s a hitch in that voice of reason. Andrea helped to negotiate a treaty between Rick and the Governor…but the Governor is a man who crazier than a loon, a bag of hammers, and a soup sandwich put together. The negotiations broke down. Andrea unfortunately suffered the consequences." And, of course, the lessons that project managers should take away: "The first attempt to solve a problem may end up being harder than anticipated. At best, this means you need to apply more resources. At worst, you both waste resources on the wrong idea and burn out the team members trying to deliver it."

As so often with Carol's articles, it's both funny and wise. Or at least funny.

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