Project management is an arduous task that takes its toll on the project leader and teams. With different projects having different convolutions, leaders and their teams go on a challenging yet demanding journey. Working with individuals from other backgrounds, departments, locations, and time zones can be grueling.
Having the right temperament is necessary because leaders must deal with groups and numerous other personnel. That is why most people can’t take up this job; it requires a crackerjack of a project manager.
Only under the supervision of a skilled and competent individual can project teams achieve a favorable outcome. Being calm and composed, steadfast, and going with your gut can make you stand out, alongside being a brilliant project manager.
Regardless of how experienced one may be, there is still room for improvement. Even aspiring entrepreneurs can learn a lot from project management as it covers numerous, if not all, fields and obstacles of business.
Before getting into the Dos and Don’ts, it’s necessary to realize the gravity of how demanding it can be. Given how demanding projects can be, it’s good to be qualified for the job.
Regardless of where you are in the world, if you aspire to take on challenges, are a leader by nature, and have a knack for getting things done, a master of project management online is one of the best ways to make yourself eligible for the position as a qualification can help you become a more competent project manager.
Listed below are the Dos and Don’ts that will help you with your project and ensure efficiency.
Dos
Be supportive and inclusive of your team.
Often managers forget how stressful working on a project can be, and as a result, they may overlook giving some due accolades to their teammates. Recognizing and appreciating the efforts of one’s coworkers can help boost their confidence, increase their productivity, and create an overall friendly and fun-loving environment because of appreciation and respect amongst colleagues, especially amongst newly set up businesses.
Alongside support, involving your team in the decision-making and brainstorming of the project goes a long way. Though a qualified professional will know what to do and how to do it, it’s always a good idea to ask everyone for suggestions as they could prove to be invaluable.
Engagement of colleagues does not mean a decrease in authority. It boosts the workers’ self-esteem, even if they may have an opinion different than yours.
Trust the process.
Would a project without countless obstacles even be a project worth managing? Regardless of the duration, managing projects can be a strenuous job. The daunting task is to stay positive and hopeful throughout the journey, even when things get tough.
Usually, start-ups face problems during their initial days, which leads to a loss of motivation, dedication, and, ultimately, hope. Perseverance can go a long way, which is why one should always have hope and put in their unaltered effort.
Be supportive and share the spoils.
Analysis of past projects can help you and your whole team a great deal. Carefully contemplate what went wrong and how in previous projects and learn from those blunders. Work on communication gaps, have a clear goal in mind, and shed some erudition on it.
Only through your expertise and Experience will the team thrive for greatness. Also, allocate tasks according to the expertise of your team members to ensure uttermost productivity and fruitfulness. Providing employees with work that falls into their expertise allows them to be at ease and brings out the best in them.
When the efforts of the team bear fruit, it’s pivotal to give credit to the team where due. Without their dedication, diligence, and expertise, finishing a project would be a highly intimidating and, perhaps, impossible task.
Be humble and give everyone the recognition and praise they deserve for their efforts. By not being a hero, you will be building their trust and confidence for the future.
Don’ts
Don’t be negligent
Paying no heed to problems and reoccurring intricacies can lead to your project turning into a mess. Identifying and addressing convolutions per se is a solution, but that’s just one-half of the problem.
Every project has hurdles. Instead of delaying them, you and your team should solve them post-haste. Highlighting them before starting your project can help mitigate them when need be because risk assessment plays an immense role in prevention.
Don’t overburden or blame your teammates.
Imposing an overwhelming amount of workload on your team members can have an inverse effect. Giving more work to employees than they can do, makes them stressed, demotivated, and tired.
As a result, you may notice an extreme drop in productivity and a spike in labor turnover. In turn, your product or service is likely to be of poor standard. Businesses should hire more skilled and equipped personnel to divide the workload and improve workflow.
Allocate sufficient resources to each individual and ensure they are competent enough to carry out their assigned tasks.
An evident attribute of a participative leader is not playing the blame game when a problem arises. Only a coward and a fearful person will blame others, especially when it’s their fault. By addressing the elephant in the room like a responsible leader, you will take the weight off the shoulders of your colleagues and improve solidarity amongst them.
Focusing on countering the problem at hand instead of figuring out who let the issue arise in the first place.
Don’t let small achievements go uncelebrated.
Appreciation and acknowledgment can do wonders. Even the smallest of achievements may require substantial effort, which is why celebrating them should be a norm. Appreciating the struggles and hard work of your teammates’ can boost their confidence which, in turn, will increase their motivation.
Constant praise can also gain their trust and loyalty towards the organization and the project, ensuring greater productivity and an overall better result.
Conclusion
Despite sounding like an intimidating and tedious task, project management is an intensely enjoyable job that keeps you on your toes. Putting your team first and having an approach of a democratic leader helps you and your team achieve the best of everything.
There are numerous Dos and Don’ts of project management, as there is always room for improvement. However, the ones mentioned above should be of great help to aspiring and existing project managers.
