You’re working with a new partner. What project management tools will help you succeed?

1 Project charter

A project charter is a document that defines the scope, objectives, deliverables, stakeholders, and responsibilities of your partnership project. It also outlines the key assumptions, risks, constraints, and success criteria that will guide your decision-making and evaluation. A project charter helps you and your partner align on the vision, purpose, and scope of your project, as well as clarify your roles and expectations. It also serves as a reference point for any changes or disputes that may arise during the project. You can use a template or create your own project charter, but make sure you both agree on it and sign it before starting your project.

2 Collaboration platform

A collaboration platform is a software tool that allows you and your partner to communicate, share, and manage your project information and resources online. It can help you streamline your workflows, coordinate your tasks, track your progress, and provide feedback. Some of the features you may look for in a collaboration platform are: chat and video conferencing, file sharing and storage, document editing and commenting, task management and scheduling, project dashboard and reporting, and security and access control. You can choose from various collaboration platforms available, such as Asana, Trello, Slack, or Google Workspace, depending on your needs and preferences. Make sure you and your partner agree on the platform and the rules for using it, such as when and how to communicate, what to share and update, and how to handle confidential or sensitive information.

3 Risk register

A risk register is a tool that helps you identify, analyze, and manage the potential risks that may affect your partnership project. It can help you anticipate and mitigate the negative impacts of any uncertainties or issues that may arise during your project, such as delays, conflicts, errors, or changes. A risk register typically includes the following information: risk description, probability, impact, priority, response strategy, action plan, owner, and status. You can use a spreadsheet or a software tool to create and maintain your risk register, but make sure you and your partner review it regularly and update it as your project progresses. You should also communicate any changes or issues to each other and to any other relevant stakeholders.

4 Feedback loop

A feedback loop is a process that helps you and your partner collect, exchange, and act on feedback from each other and from your customers or users. It can help you improve your project quality, performance, and satisfaction, as well as build trust and rapport with your partner. A feedback loop consists of four steps: ask, listen, act, and follow up. You should ask for feedback from your partner and your customers or users at different stages of your project, such as during planning, execution, testing, and delivery. You should listen to the feedback with an open mind and a positive attitude, and acknowledge and appreciate it. You should act on the feedback by making any necessary changes or improvements to your project, or by explaining why you cannot or will not do so. You should follow up with your partner and your customers or users by informing them of the actions you took and the results you achieved, and by asking for more feedback. You can use various tools and methods to facilitate your feedback loop, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, reviews, ratings, or analytics.

5 Evaluation matrix

An evaluation matrix is a tool that helps you and your partner measure and compare the results and outcomes of your partnership project against your predefined criteria and indicators. It can help you assess the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, sustainability, and impact of your project, as well as identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of your partnership. An evaluation matrix usually consists of a table or a chart that shows the following information: evaluation criteria, indicators, data sources, data collection methods, data analysis methods, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. You can use a template or create your own evaluation matrix, but make sure you and your partner agree on it and use it consistently throughout your project. You should also share your evaluation results and recommendations with each other and with any other relevant stakeholders, and use them to inform your future actions and decisions.

6 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?