As the Manager for our Boston based Project Management Team, I have seen it all when it comes to managing projects. However, from start-ups to installs for Fortune 500 companies, the principles are the same. I’ve compiled my top 10 project management tips in the hopes that your project stays on the highway to success!
Tip 1: Nail Down Project Details: Before you start the project, make sure that it is based on a solid foundation and that you have buy-in from all key stakeholders.
Tip 2: Identify the Project Team and Roles/Responsibilities: Assemble and organize available resources capable of working together as a whole through the integration of individual skills, talents and personalities.
Tip 3: Be the Project Leader: The PM needs to cultivate good and positive team dynamics and act as a coach and/or mentor to all team members.
Tip 4: Define Critical Project Milestones: These milestones will not only help you to eliminate project risk and monitor project change, but will also alert you to any continuing problems and ensure that each piece is correctly completed.
Tip 5: Communication: Make sure communication lines are open, honest and consistent.
Tip 6: Attain Pertinent Documentation: From the initiation of the project to the milestones along the way, you should have documentation signed by the stakeholders.
Tip 7: Identify and Manage Project Risks: Since a risk is only a potential problem, you want to take care of it before it becomes and actual problem.
Tip 8: Manage Scope Creep: When scope creep happens, make sure consideration is given to increasing the budget, adding more time to the schedule and/or adding more resources to compensate for the revised project.
Tip 9: Test Deliverables: Deliverables should be tested at every critical milestone and the final product must meet the project requirements. Before moving on to the next phase of the project, you need to be sure that the product is coming along as planned.
Tip 10: Evaluate the Project: Each project can be a valuable learning tool. You will want to review the project as a whole, as well as analyze various project components. What were the project victories? Where were there project disappointments? Make informed conclusions about the project’s quality and the product’s performance. Compare the planned return on investment (ROI) to the actual ROI as one way to understand the level of your success. You can use the lessons learned from each project to minimize future failures and maximize future successes.
AUTHORED BY: Jennifer Landman