You’re a new project manager. What are the most common mistakes you need to avoid?

1 Lack of clarity

One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a new project manager is to start a project without a clear scope, objectives, and deliverables. This can lead to confusion, conflicts, and scope creep, which can increase your costs, risks, and timelines. To avoid this, you need to define the project scope and goals clearly and document them in a project charter or a statement of work. You also need to communicate them effectively to your team, sponsors, and clients, and get their agreement and approval before you proceed.

2 Poor planning

Another common mistake is to underestimate the time, budget, and resources needed for your project. This can result in missed deadlines, overspending, and low-quality outcomes. To avoid this, you need to do a thorough project planning, using tools such as a work breakdown structure, a Gantt chart, and a risk register. You also need to estimate your costs, duration, and resource requirements realistically, based on your scope, assumptions, and constraints. You also need to create a project baseline and a contingency plan, and update them regularly as your project progresses.

3 Ineffective communication

Communication is key for any project manager, but especially for a new one. You need to keep your team, stakeholders, and clients informed, engaged, and aligned throughout the project lifecycle. However, many new project managers fail to communicate clearly, frequently, and appropriately, which can cause misunderstandings, delays, and errors. To avoid this, you need to establish a communication plan that defines the purpose, frequency, mode, and audience of your project communications. You also need to use the right communication tools and channels, such as emails, meetings, reports, and dashboards. You also need to listen actively, ask questions, and provide feedback.

4 Poor leadership

As a new project manager, you are not only responsible for the project deliverables, but also for the people who work on them. You need to lead, motivate, and empower your team, and resolve any issues or conflicts that arise. However, many new project managers struggle with leadership skills, such as delegation, decision-making, and problem-solving. They either micromanage their team or neglect their needs and expectations. To avoid this, you need to develop your emotional intelligence and soft skills, such as empathy, trust, and collaboration. You also need to define the roles and responsibilities of your team members, and delegate tasks according to their skills and interests. You also need to involve them in the planning and decision-making processes, and recognize and reward their efforts.

5 Lack of monitoring

Monitoring and controlling your project is essential to ensure that it is on track, on budget, and on quality. You need to measure your project performance against your baseline and objectives, and identify and address any deviations or issues. However, many new project managers neglect this aspect of project management, either because they are too busy or too confident. They fail to track and report their project status, risks, and changes, and miss the opportunities to correct or improve their project outcomes. To avoid this, you need to use project management software and tools, such as a dashboard, a status report, and a change log. You also need to collect and analyze data and feedback, and implement corrective and preventive actions. You also need to conduct regular reviews and audits, and document your lessons learned.

6 Lack of closure

The last mistake you can make as a new project manager is to leave your project unfinished or uncelebrated. You need to close your project formally and professionally, and ensure that all the deliverables are accepted and handed over to the client or the sponsor. You also need to evaluate your project results and performance, and capture and share your learnings and best practices. Moreover, you need to celebrate your project success and appreciate your team and stakeholders for their contribution and support. To avoid this mistake, you need to follow a project closure checklist, and conduct a project closure meeting and a post-project review. You also need to archive your project documents and records, and release your resources. You also need to organize a project celebration event or activity, and send thank-you notes or gifts to your team and stakeholders.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?