Project management is a tough task where, as a manager, you have to juggle time, money and people for the benefit of the organization.
One can achieve good project management by sticking to the following tips:
PLANNING
- Select the right project: Use either Cost Benefit Analysis or ROI to choose the project that gives you the most value for your endeavors and is best aligned with the strategy of the company.
- Do a clear and precise definition of the scope of the project.
- Make a plan for the complete project. Use internal communication software for communicating it to the project team.
- Create good architecture: use pictures and words to bring together people with divergent perspectives, so that they stay committed to the project.
PREPARING TEAM
- Build up the right team: Define what skills are needed and collect people with those skills. Handle gaps with honesty and correct them by spending time on them.
- Find the experts: You need to realize that expertise in one area does not mean expertise in other areas however closely related they are. But good project management requires interaction with and learning from experts. Hiring experts will work out to be less expensive in the long run.
KEY AREAS
- Scope: The scope of the project must be clearly defined at first. Include changes recommended and add them to the project only when necessary.
- Cost and time: Make use of accurate, unbiased techniques of estimation. Install set-ups for collecting, tracking and analyzing information about time and cost, so that they are kept under control.
- Focus on quality: This can be done at three levels- The technical level demands testing and checking the project at all times to lower chances of errors. The project level demands effort to prevent error and finding and eliminating any errors that slipped through. It is good to do maximum testing at the early stages of the project. The third level is the business level in which customers are involved in testing. At this stage, the target must be adding of value and customer satisfaction.
- Risk: Always be prepared for uncertainty and the unexpected happening. Every week of the project, conduct risk management with your team.
- Human Resources: Assist every team member to progress in technical expertise and self management. Train all team members to enjoy working together, so you build up a great team.
- Procurement: Collect all the resources and supplies you require. In case your projects consist of contracts, ensure that contracts adhere to project specifications and values, not just goals and efforts.
- Communication: Create a plan for communication and ensure you keep all stakeholders of the project in the loop about the details of the project. Ensure everyone knows at least what they need to know so that firm decisions can be made. Status reports can be created by analysis of status information. Be ready to be decisive and prompt. Tools for internal communication can be used.
- Integration: Constantly keep an eye on corrective action. Do an evaluation of all factors that could impact the schedule of the project and all requests for change in scope.
These are some tips for effective project management.