What are the most effective project planning strategies for interpersonal skills?

2 Create a project plan and schedule

The next step in project planning is to create a project plan and schedule that outline the tasks, milestones, dependencies, and deadlines of the project. This will help you organize the work, assign responsibilities, and track progress. To create a project plan and schedule, you need to use your interpersonal skills to consult with the project team and stakeholders, estimate the time and resources needed, and identify the risks and assumptions. You also need to communicate the project plan and schedule to all the relevant parties and update them regularly.

3 Build a project team and culture

The third step in project planning is to build a project team and culture that foster collaboration, trust, and engagement. This will help you leverage the skills, strengths, and perspectives of the project team members and create a positive work environment. To build a project team and culture, you need to use your interpersonal skills to select the right people, clarify the roles and expectations, provide feedback and recognition, and encourage teamwork and learning. You also need to communicate the project team and culture to all the relevant parties and model the desired behaviors.

4 Manage the project communication and stakeholders

The fourth step in project planning is to manage the project communication and stakeholders effectively. This will help you keep everyone informed, involved, and satisfied with the project. To manage the project communication and stakeholders, you need to use your interpersonal skills to identify the communication needs and preferences, choose the appropriate communication channels and tools, deliver clear and concise messages, and handle issues and complaints. You also need to communicate the project communication and stakeholders to all the relevant parties and solicit feedback and input.

5 Monitor and control the project performance and quality

The fifth step in project planning is to monitor and control the project performance and quality throughout the project lifecycle. This will help you ensure that the project is on track, on budget, and on quality. To monitor and control the project performance and quality, you need to use your interpersonal skills to collect and analyze data, report on the project status and achievements, make decisions and adjustments, and implement changes and improvements. You also need to communicate the project performance and quality to all the relevant parties and celebrate the successes.

6 Close the project and evaluate the results

The final step in project planning is to close the project and evaluate the results. This will help you finalize the project deliverables, document the lessons learned, and acknowledge the contributions of the project team and stakeholders. To close the project and evaluate the results, you need to use your interpersonal skills to review the project scope and goals, measure the project outcomes and impacts, identify the best practices and challenges, and provide feedback and recommendations. You also need to communicate the project closure and evaluation to all the relevant parties and thank them for their support.

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?