5 Questions about Project Management
with Kathrin Lamm

After a long time, another brief stop at the coffee machine. We're exchanging ideas with colleagues — that's exactly how we think of our "5 Questions About" article series, in which we interview experienced project managers about their best practices.

Today we're talking with Kathrin Lamm, an experienced project manager, certified Merlin Project trainer, and qualified coach.

Since the early 2000s, she has worked as a project manager in digital marketing on both the agency and client side. During that time, she has delivered numerous projects of all sizes — from launching various online shops for mid-sized companies to relaunching international brand websites.

Since 2013, she has been training both teams and individuals in Merlin Project. As a certified Transfer Designer since 2018, she naturally keeps one thing above all in mind during her trainings: the real-world impact for participants in their day-to-day work.

1. What is your preferred project management method?

I rarely work strictly according to a single method, unless a client specifically requires it. My preference is to combine approaches depending on the project. In many cases, it's a blend of classic project management and agile elements. Especially for more complex projects, I like to start with a clear structure and plan — and room for adjustments naturally emerges as the project progresses. What matters to me is that the method fits the project and the people involved, not the other way around. In my view, agile methods in particular have been forced upon projects in recent years that could have been better organised using a classic approach.

2. Do you use software for larger projects, and if so, which?

Yes, absolutely — even for smaller projects. I've been working with Merlin Project for many years — and I also train others in it :-) For me, it's an indispensable tool in everyday project work, especially when it comes to structured planning, dependencies, and realistic schedules. It's always important to me that everyone involved can work with it comfortably — and thanks to Merlin Project's various export options, that works out wonderfully. Clients often have their own software that covers many of the functions their organisation needs. Getting up to speed with those tools quickly has become an important skill. But I usually find myself missing Merlin Project before long.

3. What is your favourite ritual in a project?

Giving people space. Individual needs are extremely important for a project to run well, and they are sometimes overlooked. I make a point of regularly setting aside time to speak with the people involved in a project. This often leads to important learnings and valuable insights. A team coffee can be exactly that kind of ritual — and it's one that shouldn't fall by the wayside, especially in times of remote work.

4. In your view, what is one of the most underestimated factors for project success?

Clarity. Not just in planning, but also in communication. Many problems don't arise from a lack of skill, but from differing expectations and requirements that haven't been captured clearly enough. I see this in my role as a swimming coach too, by the way: when my instructions to students are clear, execution simply works. It comes down to finding the right words and speaking a language that genuinely lands with the other person. That's crucial — in the water and in front of a screen alike.

5. What is your biggest time killer?

Following on from the previous question: unclear decisions. When things aren't decided properly or keep getting postponed, it ripples through the entire project and wastes time and resources unnecessarily.

If you have any questions about this blog article or would like to discuss it, we look forward to your contribution in our forum.