TIPS FOR MANAGING PROJECTS

 

1.	Focus on definition	Fully explore the ‘whats’ and ‘whys’ of the project before you start to make practical plans.
2.	Beware the buyer	Buyers often wield significant power where a project has been procured.
3.	Play devil’s advocate	Anticipate opposition by thinking through possible criticisms and coming up with effective counter-arguments so that you are well prepared to tackle negative views.
4.	Avoid surprises	Never try to hide things that have gone wrong from your sponsor.  Even if it means admitting a serious mistake,
5.	Invest time early on	It is often difficult to find the time in a busy schedule to develop and manage project paperwork, but a little time spend considering documentation early on will get your project off on the right foot.
6.	Get proof	Find positive proof in stakeholders’ words and actions that they are both intellectually and emotionally committed.
7.	Ask ‘great questions’	Think carefully about the questions you ask so as to help uncover a new perspective and transformed your status.
8.	Create a bottom line	Set a ‘fit for purpose baseline’, the minimum that the project can deliver and still be deemed a success.
9.	Know your stuff	Work with experts but make sure you understand the basis well enough to form a view on what is being produced.
10.	Use color	Choose different colors of sticky notes / shades / etc. for the objective, products, and tasks of project to give at-a-glance clarity to your plan when using the10-steps Team Planning Technique.
11.	Get organized	Plan regular slots of project time in your diary Set a specific task to do in that time one week ahead Gather information and resources needed to complete the task successfully
12.	Don’t skip the gap	Creating thinking time within a formal meeting structure is important.
13.	Don’t procrastinate	Avoid putting off challenging tasks.
14.	Pass on key information	Operate a ‘no surprise’ information policy in your dealings.
15.	Keep it brief	Hold short ‘stand-up’ review meetings early in the day, or at a point when most people would expect to be taking a break. Insist on a prompt start, brief contributions, and no deviations from the main purpose of reviewing progress and coordination activity through the next period.
16.	Tag your documents	Use different colors for different type of document and mark every project document with the date / time of creation and a version number from the outset.
17.	Don’t ignore hidden costs	Beware the seductive but logic: ‘We don’t have the budget for that, we’ll do it ourselves.”
18.	Hold on to your team	Tell team members that they are finished on the project only when you are absolutely clear.
19.	Take advice	Communicate to your sponsor about plans for marking ‘go live’.
20.	Involve the sponsor	Get the sponsors’ involvement the review process.
21.	Plan ahead	Set a date for the review meeting.
22.	Think small	Don’t underestimate the value of small, easily implemented improvements to your approach.  Their combined effect can be significant.

Short notes from:

THE BOOK OF MANAGEMENT

The Ten Essential Skills For Achieving High Performance

Darling Kindersley Limited (DKL), Penguin Group (UK)