[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Body Section Block 1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” top_divider_color=”#BEDA76″ top_divider_arrangement=”above_content” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”10px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” align=”left” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#BEDA76″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”72px|85px|72px|85px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”60px|85px|60px|85px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”105px|85px|105px|85px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” animation_style=”fold” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Source Sans Pro|600|||||||” text_font_size=”20px” header_font=”Alegreya||||||||” header_2_font=”Source Sans Pro|700|||on|||#BEDA76|solid” header_2_text_color=”#00470E” header_2_font_size=”24px” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
We have all participated in projects during our career, either as a project manager or project team member. Some projects went very well, while others may have failed miserably. Many projects are nearly too small to qualify as a project, whereas others could have benefited from being broken into smaller pieces.<\/p>\n
Starting with group projects in school, we learned that not everyone was fully committed to the project\u2019s success. Indeed, that person always contributed the least possible, doing just enough to be counted as a member of the group.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”10px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Source Sans Pro||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”Alegreya||||||||” header_2_font=”Source Sans Pro|700|||on|||#BEDA76|solid” header_2_text_color=”#00470E” header_2_font_size=”24px” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” header_3_font=”Source Sans Pro|600|||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#4A8A50″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
In our professional life, we experience this lackadaisical attitude in our coworkers, service providers, vendors, and maybe even ourselves. Unfortunately, that lack of commitment can doom a project to failure. Here’s a simple guide to help overcome the many obstacles to successful project management.<\/p>\n
Famously, Teddy Roosevelt is credited with saying we needed to \u201cmake the dirt fly\u201d<\/strong><\/a> when the United States took over the Panama Canal project in 1904. About a year later, John Stevens stood up to Mr. Roosevelt and stopped all digging; he knew he needed time to understand the project and make a plan.<\/p>\n In his role as Project Manager for the building of the Panama Canal, Mr. Stevens was responsible for all aspects of the project, including budget, staffing, planning, and execution. He struggled with plenty of things, but he worked tirelessly to manage the resources available to him.<\/p>\n As with all projects, some basic things need to be considered at the outset including a focus on understanding the people involved and getting each of them engaged. It is essential to start any project with some preparation. A simplified list includes:<\/p>\n A project of any size benefits from a project manager taking the lead. Something as simple as opening a new bank account might require several meetings, gathering signatures and reports, and follow-up with the representative at the bank should they fall short of expectations. It is easy to forget that keeping all of this together is project management.<\/strong><\/p>\n Larger projects significantly benefit from adding a capable project manager to the team. A point person to track the goals, tasks, and the individuals involved, as well as having the power to hold people accountable for their part. Further, effective project managers will use their people skills to get the most out of an individual, tapping their strengths and backfilling for their weaknesses.<\/p>\n Most small or mid-sized companies do not have in-house project managers that are available to manage internal projects. In those cases, it is advisable to find and engage an external resource that has the appropriate experience and skillset to actively manage your project. An external project manager is normally more effective because they are not subject to the political pressures to which other employees are subject.<\/p>\n It is common for companies working on smaller projects to avoid engaging a project manager. The perception is that it isn\u2019t necessary or won\u2019t benefit the project. Additionally, many people have a story about a less-skilled project manager making things worse.<\/p>\n The fact is, without an appropriate leader, there is a risk of the project taking significantly longer than it should. For example, progress might be hindered if the group clashes with itself or lacks a natural leader. Or a strong personality might take over, potentially guiding the group down the wrong path.<\/p>\n With few exceptions, both small and large projects benefit from the coordination and leadership of a seasoned project manager.<\/p>\n As a business leader, you are responsible for minimizing risk, particularly in projects, while maximizing profit. On the surface, it would appear that you shouldn\u2019t take any risk in the first place, but that isn\u2019t the answer. Instead, think of it as accepting the overarching risk \u2013 kicking off a new implementation \u2013 while committing yourself to minimize whatever facets of risk you can.<\/p>\n We see an oddly-consistent set of factors that cause projects to stumble. The most common are:<\/p>\n Each of these is difficult to address, but an experienced project manager will help keep things moving forward.<\/p>\n An effective leader can drag a rag-tag team through the worst situations and still produce the deliverables. That is the role of a project manager: gather the whole team together, get the best out of each of them, and bring the project to a successful conclusion.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”Content Row 2 (2 column)” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text Block 2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” header_2_font=”Source Sans Pro|700|||on|||#BEDA76|” header_2_text_color=”#00470E” header_2_font_size=”24px” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” header_3_font=”Source Sans Pro|600|||||||” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#4A8A50″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We frequently see projects fall apart when a subset of the team is no longer interested. Typically, it is a small or straightforward project spearheaded by a single individual, but there are many examples of failure with more complex projects. We all know that efforts to change processes \u2013 even those with considerable promise \u2013 are challenging to complete.<\/p>\n Abandoning a project before completion causes the organization to absorb a sunk cost<\/strong><\/a>; it can be the right move, but such an abandonment needs to be a conscious decision on the part of management.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_cta title=”Did You Know?” admin_label=”Call Out Block 1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Source Sans Pro|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#BEDA76″ header_font_size=”28px” body_font=”|600|||||||” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” body_line_height=”1.5em” text_orientation=”left” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A conscious decision<\/u><\/strong><\/a> involves evaluating all available information before making a choice. It is the antithesis of shooting from the hip<\/u><\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Source Sans Pro||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”Alegreya||||||||” header_2_font=”Source Sans Pro|700|||on|||#BEDA76|solid” header_2_text_color=”#00470E” header_2_font_size=”24px” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” header_3_font=”Source Sans Pro|600|||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#4A8A50″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Completing a project requires resolve; people will not naturally embrace change. However, working doggedly toward the agreed-upon goal, following up on each task, and actively managing both the people and resources assigned to the project will contribute to success. A project manager\u2019s role is to make this happen.<\/p>\n When a project is finally completed, there are still a few things to consider. The focus is on learning what could have gone better.<\/p>\n This meeting will not be popular with the team, but learning as much as possible is important while the memories are still fresh. Ask questions to get the group talking about what went well and what they would do differently next time. Make notes of the conclusions and reference them on the next project.<\/p>\n Using the list of goals as a basis, ensure the documentation is complete for each process. Additionally, gather other documentation related to design, development, and revisions. It is common to have questions later that can be answered by this documentation.<\/p>\n Archive, date, and disseminate the documentation to relevant parties; an official collection of the final documents is invaluable when researching questions in the future.<\/p>\n The capstone of a successful project should be a celebration. Splurge on an amazing dinner if you spent two years implementing new software. Or, just some high-fives in the breakroom for something simple. Whatever it is, the team should know that it is finished, and you are proud of them.<\/p>\n Not every project demands or would benefit from a seventeen-step project checklist, but some steps apply to every project. For me, the shortlist is: understanding the goals, getting buy-in, and gauging how realistic the project is. That small investment will pay dividends, and practicing on each project will make the steps second nature.<\/p>\n Managing projects is challenging. It requires a combination of soft skills, technical skills, and organization that aren\u2019t always found in one person. A talented project manager is rare and invaluable. It is always a pleasure to work with such a person.<\/p>\nA Preparation Checklist for Successful Project Management<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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SELECT A QUALIFIED, PROACTIVE PROJECT MANAGER<\/h2>\n
WHAT ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF SMALLER PROJECTS?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
MINIMIZE RISK IN YOUR PROJECT WHEREVER POSSIBLE<\/h2>\n
EXAMPLES OF RISKS IN A PROJECT<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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BRIDGING THE GAP WITH A PROJECT MANAGER<\/strong><\/h3>\n
PERSISTENCE BEGETS SUCCESS IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT<\/h2>\n
CLOSING OUT A PROJECT<\/h2>\n
GATHER TOGETHER FOR A POST-MORTEM<\/strong><\/h3>\n
FOLLOW UP ON DOCUMENTATION<\/strong><\/h3>\n
CELEBRATE THE WIN!<\/strong><\/h3>\n
KEY TAKEAWAYS ON SUCCESSFUL PROJECT MANAGEMENT<\/h2>\n
NEED SOME HELP WITH A PROJECT?<\/h2>\n