Project Management Magic
This is my little story about packing for a skitrip for our family of five and why starting a few days before departure made all the difference!
The kids tried on their ski gear the weekend before, got excited about the trip, and I made a quick checklist—because with three kids, keeping track of who fits into what is a project of its own!
Result? One helmet, one pair of gloves, and one set of ski pants were missing. We picked them up second-hand that afternoon for a small fraction of the price of a last-minute panic buy.
As it turns out quite a few project management principles came into play. Let’s break them down: Timeline, Risks, Budget, Tasks, Prioritization.
The key? Keeping the balance of the Project Triangle between the so called competing elements Scope, Timing, and Budget, while respecting prioritoes. The moment a risk hits, that balance takes a hit too. And the later the risk appears, the bigger the impact.
Take the ski helmet example:
Changing the scope (i.e., skiing without a helmet) is not an option—safety first! Using the too-small helmet? Sure, but the resulting complaints would impact the entire family’s experience.
Solving the problem last minute means express ordering a new helmet—hello, budget impact. Plus, fingers crossed it actually fits.
No express shipping? Renting is an option, but that eats into our precious skiing time (and means extra logistics).
By having checked a few days before we:
✔ Had a fun family moment
✔ Saved money
✔ Got the first bag packed—one week early!
The rest of the packing happened gradually. I love using packing pouches (thank you, Daiso!), giving each family member their own. This way, I can pack step by step, easily double-check what’s missing, and keep things organized throughout the trip—no more morning scavenger hunts for socks!
And when a business dinner popped up the night before departure? No stress. The bags were already packed, and we left relaxed, not rushed.
Project management for the win!
