These are some actions I noticed that can make the difference under such conditions.

• Keeping a good risk log, thinking up correct mitigations.
• Having a stakeholder list and a communication plan.
• Practicing disciplined asset management.
• Putting exceptional effort in illustrating the technical and time-based constraints, so everyone has the correct expectations.
• Practicing active quality assurance, involving creative direction from start to finish.
• Having people challenge each other with great mutual thrust.
• Creating opportunities for people with all kinds of skills to communicate naturally. (the brand team philosophy)

The advertising industry is creativity driven. The message of a campaign needs to get across in all it’s aspects.

I look at it as very harsh quality assurance. Sometimes that means making an unplanned iteration, or starting over in the middle of a project.

And that unpredictability factor is where I think the greatest challenge lies, to be able to still deliver within budget and on time. This is hard and requires good strategy and business insight.

Last month I started to work as a project manager for Duval Guillaume, a big advertising agency based in Belgium. The core business of Duval Guillaume is creating strong brands using an idea-centric approach.

Just so you know, my professional headquarters remains at Nascom.