You’re a project manager. How do you deal with common performance issues?

Identifying the root cause helps to resolve the underlying issue efficiently. Many time performance issues are may be because of stress, feeling de-motivated, personal problems or may be not able to cope up with team/technology. Proper mentoring/ guidance and more importantly support can help resolve the performance issue. Technical help within the team and training is really important in case of lack of skills. A short holiday in case of personal problems can help the team member feel relaxed. Managers should be empathetic and considerate. One should not be in a hurry to arrive at a conclusion.

As a project manager, dealing with common performance issues is crucial for ensuring the success of the project and maintaining team morale. Before taking any corrective action, it's essential to identify the underlying cause of the performance issue. This may involve analyzing data, gathering feedback from team members, and conducting performance evaluations to pinpoint the specific factors contributing to the problem.

Establishing well-defined goals and transparent expectations is essential as a project manager to drive team alignment and accountability needed for success. At the beginning, I lead structured conversations to articulate objectives, key results, responsibilities, and measures of excellence per role. I ensure all team members have clarity on success criteria, priorities, and interdependencies across all of the deliverables.

Here's some steps, you can take: - Identify the issue that needs to be addressed~ Is it a lack of communication, Missed deadlines, Quality of work. - Provide timely feedback and be specific about the behavior or outcome that needs improvement. - Offer constructive criticism with suggestions for improvement and be supportive in your approach. - Set clear expectations in terms of performance, deadlines, and quality standards. - Provide coaching and support to create an improvement plan and training to help them overcome performance issues. - Follow-up regularly to track their progress and provide ongoing feedback, address any setbacks promptly. - Acknowledge and reward team members for their progress and achievements to motivate them.

Be prepared to make concessions and compromises to move the negotiation forward and reach a resolution. Prioritize the most important interests and be flexible on less critical issues to achieve overall agreement. Also, strive to find solutions that benefit all parties involved and contribute to the long-term success of the project. Aim for outcomes that satisfy the stakeholder's interests while also advancing the project's objectives and overall mission.

One scenario on accountability. Lack of Accountability:Establish a culture of accountability by clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations.Hold regular check-ins or progress reviews to track individual and team performance.Encourage ownership of tasks and outcomes, and provide recognition for achievements.Address any instances of non-compliance or underperformance through coaching, feedback, or disciplinary measures as necessary.