You’ve landed a new project management job and you’re eager to make a good impression. But how can you ensure that you deliver successful results, build trust with your stakeholders, and grow your skills as a project manager? Here are some tips to help you get started on the right foot.
The first step is to understand your role and responsibilities as a project manager. What are the goals, scope, and deliverables of the project? Who are the key stakeholders, sponsors, and team members? What are the expectations, risks, and constraints? How will you communicate, report, and track progress? You need to have a clear picture of what you’re supposed to do, why, and how.
I had worked for several years in the engineering industry as a project engineer before I found my first job as a project manager. The project was outside the scope of what I'd learned at the engineering firm but my CV (career + MBA) and interview (message me privately for tips on job interviews) were strong enough to land the job. I had previously done an internship under a project manager for a project of similar scope, so I made sure to contact her, drill her brain, and create a strategy for my "Day 1" as a project manager. That entailed asking a ton of detailed questions to the manager I was replacing. Find mentors. Learn from them. Your career will expand much faster.
1) Understand the Project: Take the time to thoroughly understand the project objectives, scope, constraints, stakeholders, and requirements. This will provide you with a clear direction and help you identify potential risks and opportunities. 2) Define Clear Goals and Milestones: Clearly define project goals, objectives, and milestones. This will help keep the team focused and motivated, and provide a clear framework for evaluating progress. 3) Create a Detailed Project Plan: Develop a comprehensive project plan outlining tasks, timelines, resources, dependencies, and deliverables. Be sure to involve the team in the planning process to ensure buy-in and accountability.
Complete clarity on the context is the first and foremost prerequisite. Meet the key stakeholders and gather their expectations, challenges and advice. Read the key documents- project approval notes, project charters, contracts, etc. As you gain more and more clarity and parse these in person data points with your project management training, you will start to get firmer ideas and approaches to set up for success. And well, do not forget to set some 30-60-90 day milestones for yourself. Welcome to the project and good luck!
Kicking off a new project requires a foundational understanding of the project scope, goals, and objectives (i.e. what does success look like). You should also have working knowledge of the people (stakeholders and team), process (tools, methodology or framework), and technology (systems and applications) to effectively plan the project and organize the work. The planning phase will be focused on identifying the business needs and other necessary information (risks, assumptions, constraints) to drive clarity and alignment across the project team and stakeholders and prepare them for the execution phase.
as a project leader, you need to understand the scope of the project and the level of authority given within the project to your role. then once it is clearer, you need to clarify roles of each stakeholders and team members including the decision board and sponsors
The next step is to plan your project in detail. This means defining the project objectives, scope, requirements, schedule, budget, quality standards, and resources. You also need to identify the tasks, dependencies, milestones, and deliverables. You should use a project management methodology, such as Agile, Waterfall, or Hybrid, that suits the nature and complexity of the project. You should also use project management tools, such as Gantt charts, Kanban boards, or software, to help you organize and visualize your plan.
An element I find useful, early in the planning phase is to truly understand the problem you are attempting to resolve. Writing a succinct problem statement, including the impact this problem has on your business/customer/team/organisation drives you to really consider what you hope to address with the project. Also - be mindful of scope, project killers!
Make sure there is agreement on the business case. If you inherit a business case, review it… if you don’t understand it make sure you ask questions until you do. Challenge the brief if needed. Only proceed at the point where there is clarity on outcomes, constraints, budgets, risks, assumptions and resourcing and when these are all signed off by the budget holder. If that sounds a bit waterfall, it need not be that way.. even with agile there is commitment in terms of overall objectives, alignment with a business goal, allocation of resources, budgets etc.
Planificar un proyecto de manera efectiva es fundamental para su éxito: 1. Comienza identificando claramente los objetivos del proyecto. ?Qué se espera lograr al finalizar el proyecto? 2. Define qué incluirá y qué no incluirá el proyecto. Esto ayudará a evitar la expansión excesiva del alcance, lo que puede llevar a retrasos y sobrecostos. 3. Recolecta y documenta los requisitos del proyecto. 4. Desarrolla un cronograma que incluya todas las tareas necesarias e hitos para completar el proyecto. 5. Estima el presupuesto del proyecto. 6. Define los estándares de calidad para el proyecto y los productos entregables. 7. Asigna recursos necesarios para el proyecto. 8. Prevé los riesgos asociados.
Be realistic when planning. Remember the saying, there are three choices: cheap, fast, high quality. You can only have 2. Remember that and be realistic.
I tend to use Trello for its adaptability (you can even use it as a CRM), ease of use, and visuals. As a planning tool, it is really useful though it is just as important to think from the employee's viewpoint. Short tasks, clean instructions, and a clear timeline/deadline.
The third step is to engage your team and foster collaboration. You need to assign roles and responsibilities, set expectations, and provide feedback and support. You should also create a positive team culture, where everyone feels valued, respected, and motivated. You should communicate regularly, transparently, and effectively with your team, using the appropriate channels and methods. You should also encourage creativity, innovation, and problem-solving among your team members.
Bank Agile Product Owner Lead with Bank Business Intelligence & Analytics at USAA
Engage your Team. This is the most critical factor when starting a new role or project. You should create a team agreement together. This is so everyone understands what is expected of each other. Usually, in these team agreements, you factor in how often we should all meet to discuss the project and how we will problem-solve while respecting each other's opinions. This is an opportunity to promote creativity among each other through an exercise like this.
There are 2 hard facts a manager should understand: * Each team is different: That means what worked for you in the past might not work now. So it is the manager's job to observe and adapt to the new team's "frequency" and, with time, change that frequency as needed. If a new manager tries to impose the team to adapt to the manager, there will be big reactions. * You are starting a new personal relationship Every new relationship goes over the "honeymoon" period, where everything seems to be perfect at first, but when reality appears, there are some frustrations. Managers need to be prepared to navigate this period with care.
1) The team and the culture of the organisation dictates the success factors, so build the team that share vision and mission of the organisation with zeal and fervour. 2) No blame-game is what will gel the team into cohesive unit. Leaders accept that mistakes are part and parcel of the learning. Comes back to the point 1 - If culture is empowering- it will ensure that all entities will take responsibility for their actions and inactions. 3) Risk management is an integral part of doing business. Ensure all team members are performing risk management in their respective fields 4) Create a learning and growing culture. Mentor the team members to up skills in different areas/realms. 5) Communication is the key ingredient. Top-down & bottom-up
Para engajar a equipe e promover a colabora??o em um projeto, é essencial criar um ambiente de trabalho inclusivo e motivador, onde todos se sintam valorizados e capacitados para contribuir. Isso pode ser alcan?ado através da defini??o clara de papéis e responsabilidades, estabelecimento de metas realistas e alcan?áveis, comunica??o aberta e transparente, reconhecimento do trabalho bem feito e promo??o de um espírito de equipe através de atividades de team building. Além disso, incentivar a troca de ideias e a resolu??o colaborativa de problemas é fundamental para fortalecer o senso de pertencimento e comprometimento com o sucesso do projeto.
PM is a people relationship role so being able to communicate is important, especially with all your team members. No PM can succeed by working in silo. No PM can succeed purely on the title of PM. You need to earn the title and you start by engaging and getting your team members to recognise your title.
The fourth step is to manage your stakeholders and their expectations. You need to identify who they are, what they want, and how they can influence the project. You should also establish a stakeholder management strategy, where you define how you will communicate, engage, and involve them throughout the project lifecycle. You should also monitor and manage their feedback, concerns, and issues. You should aim to build trust, rapport, and alignment with your stakeholders.
This is a classic one most PMs or anyone managing a project get wrong. As a PM your role isn't doing, it's coordinating. If you do not have a strong relationship with stakeholders such as department heads etc, your milestones cannot get delivered if they do not prioritise the tasks from their departments. As a PM you are the enabler. For that to happen you have to get things done through stakeholders.
7. Adaptability and Responsiveness: Remain adaptable and responsive to unexpected challenges or changes in project dynamics. Flexibility is crucial in navigating unforeseen obstacles, ensuring that the project stays on course despite deviations from the initial plan. By embracing change and adjusting strategies as needed, you can effectively address emerging issues and maintain project momentum. 8. Transparency and Collaboration: Prioritize open communication and collaboration to build strong relationships with your team and stakeholders. Involve stakeholders in key decisions to ensure alignment and support throughout the project.
Time is crucial for me in my opinion The time you have available to communicate. You need to consider how to manage the time you expect to spend on communication, particularly if your project requires a lot of stakeholder input. It is often better to allocate more time to communicating with stakeholders, rather than trying to "get by" without all the help or input that you need.
Identify and analyze your stakeholders to understand their interests, influence, and expectations. Develop a communication plan to engage them appropriately throughout the project lifecycle. Building strong relationships with stakeholders is crucial for gaining support and navigating challenges.
Es importante establecer expectativas realistas desde el principio. Esto incluye ser claro sobre los plazos, los recursos disponibles y cualquier restricción que pueda afectar el proyecto. Ser transparente sobre lo que se puede lograr y lo que no se puede lograr ayudará a evitar malentendidos y conflictos más adelante.
The fifth step is to control your project and ensure that it stays on track. You need to measure and monitor the project performance, using key performance indicators (KPIs), such as scope, time, cost, quality, and customer satisfaction. You should also compare the actual results with the planned baselines and identify any deviations or variances. You should also implement change management processes, where you assess, approve, and document any changes to the project scope, schedule, budget, or quality.
Measure and monitor project performance using key performance indicators (KPIs) like scope, time, cost, quality, and customer satisfaction. Compare actual results with planned baselines to identify deviations. Implement change management processes to assess, approve, and document changes to scope, schedule, budget, or quality. Ensure project stays on track by addressing deviations promptly and effectively.
Greetings, 5 Control your project is a combination of 1,2,3 and 4. The key to controlling your project is a good tool. iTrac is the project management tool I use to achieve the goals in this segment. :)
A) set a milestones. B) agree on everything with the team. B) is often forgotten. If this isn't discussion with the team which is actually delivering, then they won't be actually committed to them. On other hand, if they do come up with them together with you, they will try to do their best to really delivery on time as agreed.
O controle de um projeto é essencial para garantir que ele permane?a dentro do escopo, prazo e or?amento estabelecidos, além de atender às expectativas de qualidade. Aqui est?o algumas práticas importantes para o controle de projetos: 1. *Monitoramento do Progresso:* Estabele?a sistemas para acompanhar regularmente o progresso do projeto em rela??o ao cronograma e aos marcos estabelecidos. 2. *Avalia??o de Desempenho:* Analise o desempenho da equipe, o uso de recursos e a qualidade das entregas em rela??o aos padr?es definidos. 3. *Identifica??o de Desvios:* Esteja atento a quaisquer desvios significativos em rela??o ao plano original do projeto, como atrasos, custos adicionais ou problemas de qualidade.
No matter how good the plan if it is poorly monitored, then it will fail. Regular meetings with team leads coupled with conversations with team members, mean that there will be few surprises and a problem caught early can be rectified. In summary: Manage for time, cost and quality, pick the right people and manage them well and lastly talk to your team, all the time!
The sixth step is to learn from your project and improve your skills as a project manager. You need to conduct a project review, where you evaluate the project outcomes, processes, and lessons learned. You should also solicit feedback from your team, stakeholders, and customers, and identify what went well and what can be improved. You should also document and share your findings and recommendations, and apply them to your future projects.
For those that have gone through many projects in the past (similar or not), consider utilizing the “lessons learned” from those projects as part of the planning’s inputs would be one of valuable ideas.
Retrospectives.... what can I say except really try to learn and never paint the project pink afterwards... I've seen several projects fail on exactly same issues, just because when it was finished, it was sold as great success and nothing was learned.
continuous learning and knowledge management. a each step of the project we learn of what and how we achieve the step. REX for return of experience is also a way to improve the way we manage project and an opportunity to involve and motivate the team members by sharing feedbacks.
Se você é novo em uma empresa, seja humilde e ou?a bastante, conhe?a o histórico das iniciativas, a trajetória das entregas e, principalmente, os impedimentos enfrentados. Desta forma a cultura de li??es aprendidas em projetos come?a por sua própria postura de aprender com quem estava na empresa antes mesmo da sua chegada. Diante deste aprendizado, mantenha o processo de li??es aprendidas vivo: realize os rituais de compartilhamento de percep??es, use dinamicas para incentivar a participa??o desta equipe, registre as situa??es, debata planos de a??o e posteriormente divulgue os aprendizados para os demais interessados. Conhecimento compartilhado é conhecimento multiplicado.
Knowledge management is a key foundation of good project management practice, so ensure that you identify Lessons throughout the life of the project, ensure that they are analysed for any actions that need to be planned in from a CI perspective, and disseminate your lessons appropriately so that organisational learning can take place.
Call 3 people. When you are given a new project, understand that a lot of the wisdom that will help you in your new role is in peoples head. Tacit knowledge is not written down, but it can really help you get started confidently. Plus a bonus is that your new colleagues will feel like you have engaged them.
Todos los proyectos conllevan cierto grado de riesgo. Como gerente de proyectos, tu tarea es identificar, evaluar y gestionar estos riesgos de manera proactiva. Esto implica anticipar posibles problemas, desarrollar planes de contingencia y estar preparado para tomar medidas correctivas si es necesario. Siempre mantén en mente los resultados finales del proyecto y trabaja en función de ellos. Mantén el enfoque en los objetivos del proyecto y asegúrate de que todas las actividades y decisiones estén alineadas con ellos.
People. Always you have to consider people. Yes, planing is nice, you can plan as much as you like, but as long as you don't have the connection and understanding of your team (POC for particular departments in the project team), it will be hard. Once you have that personal rapport and understanding, there will be greater chance everyone will give it 100% or more, and that's when the "magic" happens.
Focus on listening and research over talking. Take time to understand the project, team and stakeholder expectations. Understand how the project contributes to the overall objective of the organisation. Get to know your team, understand their strengths, weaknesses and motivations. Identify potential risks and mitigate for these. Celebrate achievements no matter how small.
To excel in project management: Understand project aims, goals, and key players. Know scope and limitations. Plan with a detailed project plan using management tools. Track progress and risks. Maintain communication with team and stakeholders. Provide updates. Lead by inspiring, resolving conflicts, and aligning with project objectives. Regularly review project progress, making adjustments to stay on track. Conduct project reviews for valuable insights. Adapt strategies for each project.