What to Ask in Week 1 as a Historian
Starting a new role as a Historian? Don’t waste time spinning your wheels. This guide provides the crucial questions to ask in your first week to quickly understand the landscape, identify risks, and set yourself up for success. You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of project priorities, stakeholder expectations, and key performance indicators.
The Week 1 Historian’s Playbook: Questions That Unlock Success
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a concrete plan for your first week, armed with 15+ targeted questions to ask key stakeholders. This isn’t just about gathering information; it’s about positioning yourself as a proactive and insightful Historian who can quickly add value. You’ll be able to:
- Craft a 30-60-90 day plan based on the information gathered.
- Identify early risks and potential roadblocks by understanding past project challenges.
- Establish clear communication channels and build rapport with key stakeholders.
- Prioritize your tasks effectively by understanding the project’s critical path and dependencies.
- Spot potential scope creep early on by clarifying project boundaries and change control processes.
- Create a stakeholder communication matrix to stay aligned and manage expectations.
This guide is focused on actionable questions and strategic information gathering, not generic onboarding advice. We’ll dive straight into the questions that matter most for a Historian in their first week.
What you’ll get
- A list of 15+ targeted questions to ask in your first week, categorized by stakeholder.
- A sample 30-60-90 day plan template based on the answers you receive.
- A risk assessment checklist to identify potential project roadblocks.
- A communication cadence template to manage stakeholder expectations effectively.
- A list of key stakeholders and their priorities, allowing you to tailor your communication and build rapport.
What a hiring manager scans for in 15 seconds
Hiring managers want to see a Historian who proactively identifies potential problems and takes ownership. They’re looking for someone who can quickly grasp the project’s context and start adding value from day one.
- Understanding of project goals: Demonstrates the ability to align activities with overall objectives.
- Proactive risk identification: Shows foresight and ability to mitigate potential issues.
- Stakeholder engagement: Highlights strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Focus on measurable outcomes: Indicates a results-oriented approach.
- Clear communication style: Suggests the ability to convey complex information effectively.
The mistake that quietly kills candidates
Failing to ask the right questions in the first week can set you up for failure. It’s crucial to gather information proactively rather than passively waiting for it to be provided.
Use this email to schedule a quick introductory meeting with your project sponsor:
Subject: Introductory Meeting – [Project Name]
Hi [Sponsor Name],
I’m excited to join the team and start working on [Project Name]. I’d like to schedule a brief introductory meeting to understand your priorities and expectations for the project. Would [Date] or [Date] work for you?
Best,
[Your Name]
Key Questions to Ask Your Manager
Understanding your manager’s priorities is crucial for aligning your efforts and setting expectations. These questions will help you gain clarity on your role and responsibilities.
- What are the top 3 priorities for the project in the next 3 months? Understanding the immediate focus allows you to prioritize your tasks effectively.
- What are the biggest challenges the project has faced in the past? Learning from past mistakes can help you avoid repeating them.
- What are your expectations for my role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days? Setting clear expectations ensures you’re aligned with your manager’s vision.
- How do you prefer to receive updates on the project’s progress? Understanding your manager’s communication preferences ensures you provide information in a way that’s most helpful to them.
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the project, and how are they measured? Knowing the KPIs allows you to track your progress and demonstrate your impact.
Questions to Ask Key Stakeholders
Engaging with stakeholders early on helps you build relationships and understand their perspectives. These questions will help you gather valuable insights and identify potential areas of conflict.
- What are your expectations for this project’s success? Understanding stakeholders’ expectations ensures you’re working towards a common goal.
- What are the biggest risks you see to the project’s success? Identifying potential risks early on allows you to develop mitigation strategies.
- What are your biggest concerns about the project? Addressing stakeholders’ concerns proactively can help prevent issues from escalating.
- How can I best support you in achieving your goals for this project? Offering your support builds rapport and strengthens relationships.
- What are the key dependencies that need to be managed to ensure the project stays on track? Identifying dependencies allows you to proactively manage potential bottlenecks.
Questions to Ask the Project Team
Connecting with the project team is essential for understanding the project’s dynamics and identifying potential challenges. These questions will help you build rapport and gain valuable insights.
- What are the team’s biggest strengths and weaknesses? Understanding the team’s capabilities allows you to leverage their strengths and address their weaknesses.
- What are the team’s biggest pain points? Identifying pain points allows you to find solutions and improve the team’s efficiency.
- What tools and processes are currently being used on the project? Understanding the existing infrastructure allows you to seamlessly integrate into the team.
- What are the communication norms within the team? Understanding communication norms helps you avoid misunderstandings and build strong relationships.
- What advice would you give to someone new joining the team? Gaining insights from experienced team members can help you quickly adapt to the project’s culture.
Crafting Your 30-60-90 Day Plan
Use the answers to your questions to build a concrete 30-60-90 day plan. This plan should outline your key objectives, tasks, and milestones for the first three months of your role.
Sample 30-60-90 Day Plan Template:
**30 Days:**
* Objective: Understand the project’s context and build relationships with key stakeholders.
* Tasks: Schedule introductory meetings, review project documentation, identify key risks.
* Milestones: Complete stakeholder interviews, create a risk assessment report.**60 Days:**
* Objective: Contribute to the project’s progress and identify areas for improvement.
* Tasks: Participate in project meetings, develop mitigation strategies for key risks, identify process improvements.
* Milestones: Implement risk mitigation plan, propose process improvements.**90 Days:**
* Objective: Demonstrate ownership and drive results.
* Tasks: Lead project initiatives, track progress against KPIs, provide regular updates to stakeholders.
* Milestones: Achieve key project milestones, improve KPI performance.
Risk Assessment Checklist
Proactively identifying potential risks is a crucial part of a Historian’s role. Use this checklist to assess the risks associated with the project.
Risk Assessment Checklist:
* Unclear project goals
* Lack of stakeholder alignment
* Unrealistic timelines
* Insufficient budget
* Inadequate resources
* Scope creep
* Communication breakdowns
* Technical challenges
* Regulatory compliance issues
* Vendor performance issues
Communication Cadence Template
Establishing a clear communication cadence is essential for managing stakeholder expectations and keeping everyone informed. Use this template to outline your communication plan.
Communication Cadence Template:
* Daily stand-up meetings with the project team
* Weekly progress reports to your manager
* Bi-weekly status updates to key stakeholders
* Monthly project review meetings with the project sponsor
FAQ
What if I don’t get clear answers to my questions?
If you’re not getting clear answers, try rephrasing your questions or providing more context. You can also escalate the issue to your manager if necessary. It’s important to be persistent in your pursuit of information, as it’s essential for your success in the role.
Should I ask all of these questions in the first week?
While it’s ideal to gather as much information as possible in the first week, it’s also important to be mindful of people’s time. Prioritize the questions that are most critical to your understanding of the project and spread them out over several days. You can also schedule follow-up meetings to address any remaining questions.
What if I don’t understand the answers I receive?
Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you don’t understand something. It’s better to ask questions and ensure you’re on the same page than to make assumptions that could lead to mistakes. You can also research any unfamiliar terms or concepts to deepen your understanding.
How do I balance asking questions with taking action?
It’s important to strike a balance between gathering information and taking action. While it’s essential to understand the project’s context, you also want to demonstrate your ability to contribute from day one. Prioritize the most critical questions and start working on tasks that you can complete with the information you have.
What if I identify significant risks early on?
If you identify significant risks early on, escalate them to your manager and key stakeholders immediately. It’s important to be proactive in addressing potential issues before they escalate into major problems. Develop a mitigation plan and work with the team to implement it.
How can I build rapport with stakeholders in the first week?
Building rapport with stakeholders is crucial for your long-term success. Be proactive in reaching out to them, actively listen to their concerns, and offer your support. Show genuine interest in their perspectives and demonstrate your commitment to the project’s success. Follow through on your promises and be reliable in your interactions.
What are some common mistakes new Historians make in their first week?
Some common mistakes include failing to ask enough questions, making assumptions without verifying them, not building relationships with stakeholders, and not setting clear expectations with their manager. Avoid these mistakes by being proactive, communicative, and focused on building a strong foundation for your role.
How can I use the information I gather to create a positive first impression?
Use the information you gather to demonstrate your understanding of the project’s challenges and opportunities. Share your insights with your manager and stakeholders, and propose solutions to address any issues you identify. Be proactive in offering your support and demonstrate your commitment to the project’s success. By showing your value early on, you’ll create a positive first impression and set yourself up for long-term success.
Should I document all of the questions I ask and the answers I receive?
Yes, documenting your questions and answers is highly recommended. This will help you keep track of the information you’ve gathered and refer back to it later as needed. You can use a simple spreadsheet or a more sophisticated note-taking system to organize your notes. Sharing your notes with your manager and team can also help ensure everyone is on the same page.
What if the project documentation is outdated or incomplete?
If the project documentation is outdated or incomplete, make a note of it and bring it to the attention of your manager. Offer to help update the documentation or create new documentation as needed. This will not only improve the project’s transparency but also demonstrate your initiative and commitment to quality.
How important is it to understand the project’s history in the first week?
Understanding the project’s history is crucial for understanding its current state and potential challenges. Ask questions about past successes and failures, key decisions that were made, and any significant changes that occurred. This historical context will provide valuable insights into the project’s dynamics and help you avoid repeating past mistakes.
What if I find conflicting information from different stakeholders?
If you find conflicting information from different stakeholders, try to reconcile the discrepancies by asking follow-up questions and seeking clarification. Bring the conflicting information to the attention of your manager and work together to find a resolution. It’s important to address these conflicts proactively to avoid misunderstandings and ensure everyone is working towards the same goal.
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