The Hero’s Project: What Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and The Matrix Teach Us About Project Management

Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and The Matrix. What do they all have in common?

Yes, they’re epic movies. Yes, they feature reluctant heroes who initially want nothing to do with their so-called “destiny.” And yes, they all make us question if we, too, could wield a lightsaber, carry the One Ring, or stop bullets with our mind.

But there’s something else.

They all follow The Hero’s Journey.

What’s the Hero’s Journey?

Mythologist Joseph Campbell identified a universal storytelling pattern called The Hero’s Journey, which shows up in myths, legends, books, and movies everywhere. It’s a predictable path—a structure.

And guess what? Projects follow a predictable structure too.

Enter: The Project Life Cycle.

Much like our movie heroes, you might find yourself suddenly thrust into a project, thinking:

❌ I’m not qualified for this.

❌ I don’t have a PMP certification.

❌ Don’t we have project managers for this?!

I get it. But don’t worry—just like Luke, Frodo, or Neo, you don’t have to go it alone. Understanding the five phases of the project life cycle will help you embrace the journey and avoid disaster.

Let’s break it down:

Phase 1: The Initiation Phase – The Call to Adventure

This is where your “project destiny” arrives—whether you like it or not.

The project lands in your lap, and you officially step into the role of project manager (cue dramatic music).

Your mission:

✔ Define goals, scope, and success metrics

✔ Identify stakeholders and communication plans

✔ Set expectations with leadership

Think of this phase as laying the foundation of your project. Skip it, and you’re basically building on quicksand. Tempting as it is to rush ahead, investing time here saves you from future headaches, budget disasters, and angry stakeholders.

Phase 2: The Planning Phase – Gathering the Fellowship

Now that you've accepted your quest, it’s time to plan the journey.

This phase involves:

✔ Building a project roadmap

✔ Assigning tasks and deadlines

✔ Identifying risks before they become disasters

Skipping this step is like trying to put the wheels on a plane while it’s taking off—doable? Maybe. Smart? Definitely not.

A well-thought-out plan ensures that when obstacles arise (and they WILL), you’re prepared to pivot, not panic.

Phase 3: The Execution Phase – Into the Belly of the Beast

This is where your plan meets reality.

Execution is exciting but chaotic—things will go sideways (sometimes spectacularly). You might:

➡ Realize you forgot to include a key stakeholder

➡ Encounter scope creep

➡ Get blindsided by “urgent” executive requests

Welcome to the fun part of project management! 🎉

To survive, you must:

✔ Stay adaptable (bob and weave, my friends!)

✔ Communicate clearly and consistently

✔ Tackle issues before they escalate into full-blown disasters

Execution isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Keep momentum, and keep adjusting as you go.

Phase 4: Monitoring & Controlling – Dodging the Plot Twists

Think of this as course correction in real-time.

While the execution phase is happening, you’re also tracking:

✔ Budget (Are we bleeding money?)

✔ Timeline (Are we about to miss a deadline?)

✔ Scope (Why are we suddenly adding features?!)

This is where your inner Jedi Master/Project Manager comes out—anticipate problems, keep the team aligned, and don’t let small fires turn into Death Star-level explosions.

Phase 5: Closure & Lessons Learned – The Return Home

You’ve made it to the finish line. Time to:

✔ Get project sign-off

✔ Archive documentation

✔ Release resources

And most importantly—conduct a retrospective.

What worked? What didn’t? What lessons can you carry into your next project so you don’t make the same mistakes? (Looking at you, scope creep.)

Oh, and one more thing—celebrate! 🎉

Even if the journey was messy, you made it. And just like every hero, you’re stronger, wiser, and ready for the next adventure.

The Hero’s Project: Your Journey Awaits

If you’ve ever felt like an accidental project manager, you’re not alone. Every hero starts their journey unsure, but with the right knowledge and tools, you can lead any project to success.

Want to dive deeper into each phase? Stay tuned for upcoming posts where I’ll break them down in more detail.

Until then—may your scope stay in check, your timelines stay on track, and your executive sponsors never surprise you with “just one more thing.”

🔥 What do you think? Have you ever been thrown into a project with zero training? Drop your best WTF project moment in the comments!

Subscribe!

Join the email mailing list and receive the latest blog and other project management and productivity tips in your inbox!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely my own and do not reflect the views, positions, or policies of my employer, DLA Piper. The content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional or legal advice.