Excellence in leading and managing projects is the glue that binds the project together. There are some top best practices in this process which have proven to benefit leader-managers. With regard to project management, managers have to juggle different tasks, factors and people.
In the chaos of leading projects from the start to the final stage of execution, managers might feel de-motivated and helpless in the face of obstacles and failures. Yet there are some best practices which will ease the process of project management, and these can be learned in the course of diploma project management online.
The following are the main best practices for successful project management:
Definition of life-cycle and milestones of the project
At the start of the project, the phases, sufficiency criteria, deliverables and key milestones for all the team members of the project must be defined. The mode of definition depends much on the project itself. The key advantage of this task is that all stakeholders and teams of the project are working with the same goals and expectations, which leads to consistency in methodologies and strategies.
Clear communication
A key factor in the successful execution of a project is communication. The latter has the power to steer the project in the correct direction. The expected outcomes of the project need to be communicated clearly to both team members and other stakeholders of the project.
Through the right communication, a structure for the efficient execution of the project is established. It helps avoid any ambiguity by laying down clear objectives and goals for the project. The project is all set for successful execution once the channels of communication are sorted.
Put in place the scope and needs
When the objectives, needs and scope of the project are established, each team member will clearly understand their role. This must be done at the early stage of the project. Setting up the scope of the project answers questions like:
- What are the actions needed by the project?
- What are the benefits and goals?
- What deliverables and performance standards can be identified?
- How to measure the success of the project?
- What are the constraints faced by the project?
- What are any risks of the project?
The key needs of the project must also be mapped out before kick-starting the project. The needs could be anything demanded by the project- resource needs, key deliverables, list of important stakeholders, project timelines and many more. The creation of a list of needs of the project helps keep everyone on the right track from the start.
Select your team
The selection of the right persons for the right aspects of the project can determine the success or failure of the project. The power of a good team significantly impacts the successful initiation, execution and delivery of projects.
For setting up a good team, the skills of potential team members must be analysed. You must look beyond the qualifications and certification, which might be misleading. Consider the qualities of candidates that can help support a collaborative environment which is crucial for project success.
Keep track of quality control
Keeping track of quality in the execution of the project is often neglected but has a major impact on project success. The criteria and standards of each stage of the project should be identified for both process and product. In leading the project, the factor of quality implies making and meeting mutually agreed commitments while also pursuing the scope for improvement.
Maximize collaboration of team
For managing and executing a project, good collaboration among team members is a key factor. It is vital to create an environment where team members can work in unison easily. The latter must be encouraged to connect seamlessly with each other, share files in real-time and discuss obstacles right away. It is the coordinated efforts of the team that will maximize efficiency and ensure project success. To lead teams to success, you can attend a graduate certificate in leadership.
Outline manageable goals
Break down the goals of the project into easy and small tasks. Assign these to the proper resources and establish deadlines. Additionally, clearly define what is to be accomplished by each task. This will help define the expected outcomes of the project and direct team efforts in the proper way.
Minimize distractions and risks
Any distractions can slow down the success of the project. Distractions can creep in the middle of a project and have much impact on the workflow and productivity of the project. These may include excessive browsing of the net, irritatingly chatty team members, noise in the office, etc
Besides distractions, other factors that can derail a project are risks. It is good to anticipate risks at the start of the project and create a plan for risk management at the earliest.
Test deliverables
Before passing on the project for external approval, it is critical to test project deliverables internally. These may be in the form of defined milestones. So, examine whether milestones achieved help in fulfilling the goals of the project.
Adopt automation
In certain cases, automation can be adopted to optimize your workflow. Automation can serve as a good friend by taking over minor tasks while you focus on other core business activities.
Review project delivery
After the project is completed, it is good to conduct a review or evaluation. Ponder on questions like what risks did you encounter or what could have been done for better execution of the project. Every project delivered can provide a learning experience.
In sum, when the above simple tips are used in managing a project, you can glide through without many obstacles. The practice of such tips for effective project management can have an enormous impact on the success of the project.
