The Essential Steps to Managing Projects
The Essential Steps to Managing
Projects
There is so much to learn to
become a great project manager. You have to juggle time, money, people,
equipment and materials. To do it all, some people feel like they have to be a
miracle worker! But it's not the case. Just take these essential steps...
Initiate Carefully
When you start your project, wind
it up slowly. Define the process
by which you're going to manage your project from start to finish. Adopt
a Project Life Cycle so
you know what you have to do and by when. Then take these steps:
- Define the project goals,
timeline and schedule
- Quantify the amount of
resource you need
- Specify the project scope
and deliverables
- Decide if you need to
outsource to a supplier
- Recruit your team and set up
a project office
Plan In Depth
Then identify all of the tasks
needed to complete your project. Prioritize them and calculate how long each
will take. Create a detailed project schedule, so you know what you have to do,
when and how. Then take these steps:
- Identify the number of
resources you need
- Set a budget and plan your
expenditure
- List the deliverables and
set quality targets
- Plan your communications so
everyone is informed
- Decide how you are going to
manage risks, changes and issues
Execute Swiftly
The next step is to execute your
plan quickly and efficiently. This is the longest phase in the project, so you
need to work smart to complete this phase on time. Take these steps:
- Record time spent by your
team completing tasks
- Frequently check your actual
vs. planned progress
- If you start falling behind,
take action or get help
- Resolve risks, issues and
changes quickly
- Keep your team motivated by
rewarding good performance
Close and learn
When you've produced all of your
deliverables and handed them over to your sponsor or customer, you're ready for
closure. Do this by releasing project staff, contractors, suppliers and
equipment. Then close your project office and handover documentation. Take the
time to identify your lessons learned, as these will be invaluable to your next
project.
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