The construction of the Great Wall of China started in the 7th Century and continued into the Ming Dynasty. The project is one of the most ambitious projects in human history. The wall was built to protect Chinese empires and states from invasions and is 13,000 miles long.

The economy and civilization peaked and prospered in 907, with some significant discoveries and leading innovations in human history. People relished a comfortable and peaceful life until 1900 when most were scrambling to survive in poverty. Chinese consider themselves living in an advanced region of the world.

The Story Changed With Time

The Great Chinese Wall is a great example of the Chinese past culture. People protected themselves against other ethnicities, hiding themselves in sand, and covering their ears and eyes like emus. Chinese isolated themselves from the World by building the wall, grew complacent, slumbered in agriculture, and slowed innovation while the rest of the world advanced into the era of industrialization.

A modern Chinese Architect, Xiaoping Deng launched an Open Door Policy, which turned out to be a significant switch that catapulted the Chinese economy and transformed the Chinese culture. The rest is now history. China has elevated from poverty to being the world’s second-largest economy in only 60 years, which is a miracle.

History is the Best Teacher

We think of what if there was no Great Wall. There would have been changes in the dynasty. China would have entered the industrial stage earlier and the Chinese people could have won wars quicker and turned away the famine in the 1950s that led to the starvation to death of millions.

Sometimes a short-term safest option leads to devastating ramifications. Confinements cause arrogance and ignorance and kill progressiveness and creativity. When others are moving forward, if we focus on the spot, we lag. Let’s open the door, accept foreign investments, advanced tools, and technologies, and learn from others with a humble heart and curious mind.

Key Project Management Lessons

Long-term Planning and Vision

The project required a meticulous vision and long-term planning, a principle vital to project management. Projects must be aligned with strategic goals and business objectives with project managers ensuring every stage contributes to objectives.

Resource Management

The project required enormous material and human resources. Effective allocation of resources, and ensuring the availability of the right resources at the right time, remain the foundation of project management success. Modern project leaders and project managers can develop parallels to ensure the optimization of resource allocation for the needs of the project, reflecting historical practices of utilizing resources in an efficient manner.

Adaptability

The Great Wall of China was built in stages, adapting to changes in military and political needs, exemplifying the need for flexibility. Likewise, modern leaders and project managers should stay flexible, adjust plans, and accommodate shifting circumstances and new information. Project management with an impact requires leaders who are adept at making informed, swift decisions to increase efficiency against changing needs.