Having an amazing project is not about the project scope. It's
not about how tight the project plan is, or how flexible the budget is
either. These things certainly help, but without an amazing project
manager, an amazing project is never going to happen.
When you're wondering what you can do to become more than just an average PM, you should remember these four essential tips to ensure every project you work on is as awesome as it possibly can be.
1. Manage expectations
The expectations of your project should be well set out and managed via your project plan. You should instil in your project team that you expect them to use this document and to feed into its evolution over time, so that it's always an active working plan. Having a good project plan that everyone has fed into will enable you to manage expectations in every direction.
Your team know what is expected of them, because they have validated the plan. Your client understands why one part of the project will take two weeks, because your plan explains it. Everyone knows what is happening and when, and their expectations are well under control at all times. Don't forget though, when the plan changes, reaffirm the changes with all stakeholders to maintain that management of their expectations.
2. Let communications flow
You are the lynchpin in the project environment. You are the person who is liaising with clients, stakeholders, management, other departments, contractors, your team and possibly many more. This means that the flow of communication is truly down to you, and should be a high priority.
Just as you set out your project plan to manage expectations and delivery, you should set out a communications plan to help stay in touch with your clients and stakeholders. Managing the flow of communications doesn't mean you need to be the one doing the talking all the time. If you have a particularly good presenter on the team, let them go to the monthly client briefing or weekly management meeting and update on your progress. Just make sure everyone knows what is going to be communicated to them, when and how.
3. Know when to involve your team
Sometimes you need your team members in the room. Other times they should not be involved. It's your job to know when to bring them in and when to manage the situation yourself.
For instance, in website design the client probably has lots of preconceived ideas and is excited about the project, so wants to be involved. Initially, of course they should be involved, and be allowed to brief the designer on their vision for the site. However, later down the line when that client has a light bulb moment and turns up at the office, it might be better to filter their enthusiasm by yourself, giving your designer time and space to do what they do best.
4. Be your teams biggest champion
You need to lead and you need to motivate your project team, but as well as this you need to have your team's back at all times. Your guys need to know that you trust and support them no matter what, and that if they do make a mistake that you'll be there to help figure it out. Don't be afraid to question decisions for the good of the project, but also don't be too stingy to complement good work and give thanks for big efforts on the part of your team. There's much more to being a successful project manager than simply managing schedules and budgets.
When you're wondering what you can do to become more than just an average PM, you should remember these four essential tips to ensure every project you work on is as awesome as it possibly can be.
1. Manage expectations
The expectations of your project should be well set out and managed via your project plan. You should instil in your project team that you expect them to use this document and to feed into its evolution over time, so that it's always an active working plan. Having a good project plan that everyone has fed into will enable you to manage expectations in every direction.
Your team know what is expected of them, because they have validated the plan. Your client understands why one part of the project will take two weeks, because your plan explains it. Everyone knows what is happening and when, and their expectations are well under control at all times. Don't forget though, when the plan changes, reaffirm the changes with all stakeholders to maintain that management of their expectations.
2. Let communications flow
You are the lynchpin in the project environment. You are the person who is liaising with clients, stakeholders, management, other departments, contractors, your team and possibly many more. This means that the flow of communication is truly down to you, and should be a high priority.
Just as you set out your project plan to manage expectations and delivery, you should set out a communications plan to help stay in touch with your clients and stakeholders. Managing the flow of communications doesn't mean you need to be the one doing the talking all the time. If you have a particularly good presenter on the team, let them go to the monthly client briefing or weekly management meeting and update on your progress. Just make sure everyone knows what is going to be communicated to them, when and how.
3. Know when to involve your team
Sometimes you need your team members in the room. Other times they should not be involved. It's your job to know when to bring them in and when to manage the situation yourself.
For instance, in website design the client probably has lots of preconceived ideas and is excited about the project, so wants to be involved. Initially, of course they should be involved, and be allowed to brief the designer on their vision for the site. However, later down the line when that client has a light bulb moment and turns up at the office, it might be better to filter their enthusiasm by yourself, giving your designer time and space to do what they do best.
4. Be your teams biggest champion
You need to lead and you need to motivate your project team, but as well as this you need to have your team's back at all times. Your guys need to know that you trust and support them no matter what, and that if they do make a mistake that you'll be there to help figure it out. Don't be afraid to question decisions for the good of the project, but also don't be too stingy to complement good work and give thanks for big efforts on the part of your team. There's much more to being a successful project manager than simply managing schedules and budgets.
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