Practical Tips on Managing a Project from Start To Finish

Sometimes, managing a project can give you a headache. Unless you have a knack for it, you probably won’t have any fun dealing with this tedious task. It’s usually quite complicated, as there are many elements you have to pay attention to at the same time.

Not everyone is born to be a project manager, but even if that’s not in your job description, you can learn a thing or two to better your skills in the field. Here are some tips to assist you in this endeavor and hopefully help you deal with some of the more common issues you might come across while managing a project.

Specify the goals of the project and set the deadline

Confused businessman checking time on wristwatch

Naturally, the first step you take is the most important one. Start with painting the big picture, and then you can flesh out the details. So, start with jotting down the crucial objectives and the main features. Focus more on long-term objectives, but don’t forget to incorporate short-term milestones.

It would be beneficial for you to do this by brainstorming with the rest of your team and always taking constructive criticism into account during this process.

Don’t forget to set the deadlines, either. Deadlines are a vital element you should define before the project’s launch. You can approximate the milestones’ deadlines, while the general deadline should be defined exactly and not subject to change.

Estimate the resources available

Every project has its budget. Naturally, the project needs to function properly, and for that, you have to get your finances in order. Look into the various resources available for the project, such as equipment, human resource, and investment. Analyze everything carefully to spot any potential weak spots in financing.

Of course, if we’re talking project management, it’s not expected of you to be a skilled accountant, but you are still accountable for the flaws and the risks you are taking when opting for the project. There are risk management apps available if you need some assistance in that area.

Make a project plan

Woman writing in paper

Your project plan should comprise of a general project schedule, available resources, task scheduling, a critical path, and a network diagram. The critical path is the most extensive sequence of tasks that have to be finished for the project to be completed.

They’re called “critical” because if there’s a problem with one of them, the project overall will experience a setback. Make a list of vital tasks, arrange them in a hierarchical order and estimate how long each task will take.

Maintain a clear line of communication

Communication is key in any project you’re undertaking. That’s not to say you need to nag your colleagues with every little thing on your mind, but you still have to assemble the squad to brief them about project essentials.

It would be smart to set up recurring meetings, as well, and you can do that with the aid of a meeting management software. Keep your co-workers updated on the changes and additions to the project, and everything should run smoothly.

Entrust some of the work to your co-workers

Coworkers having a huddle

Whether you are leading a team, own the business in question, or are the project manager, that doesn’t mean you have to carry everything on your own back. It’s extremely important to know the flaws and strengths of your team.

Find out exactly what individual members of the team are skilled at and their strong suits. Then, you can assign them with appropriate tasks to keep a better eye on the actual managing of the project and drive it in the right direction.

Follow the project’s progress

From the start, you should document absolutely everything important for the project, from cover to cover. Keep everything on record; memory can be a faulty tool. This way, you can see what changed and in which direction.

Reviewing the milestones is also a good idea, as they count towards the overall progress of the project, as small as they are. So, keep an eye on the completion of the tasks, how your team is doing, and everything else the project entails.

Conclusion

Remember, you are working with finite resources and various milestones’ deadlines as well as the project’s general deadline. It can be exhausting to keep an eye on a multitude of things at the same time, but if you take your organization to the next level, it shouldn’t present such a problem.

However, no matter how well you organize everything and manage the project, chances are there will be things out of your control. So, be prepared to conform to the changes and wing it as best as you can.

Leave a Comment