Edition 55 - Big Goal Accomplished - Now What??

CONGRATULATIONS!! YOU DID IT!!

You completed that big goal. You achieved that massive milestone. You delivered that product/project!

NOW WHAT?

Man, I tell you there are few greater feelings in a career than taking on a massive project and delivering to your client. Suddenly, the struggles, the pain, the setbacks, and the stress are washed away as bliss, enjoyment, and satisfaction overtake our emotions. You and your team knocked it out of the park.

Wow, you and your team did great job.

You and your team

Your team

Many of us have what we would term a "career highlight" career achievement". You know, one of those projects that seemed too lofty and out of reach. But we did it anyway. We sunk our teeth into it and threw everything we had into it. And we did it.

And in the end we are left wondering if anything can ever top this achievement for you personally. It was that significant.

As the initial excitement wanes we can experience a real emotional let down. But momentum doesn't have to be lost. In fact, it's good to take several actions at this point to make sure you and the team don't have such a let down that the next project seems blah. Here's what I suggest as follow up actions to maintain momentum. These would be in addition to the traditional project closeout procedures you may follow.

1. Celebrate - nothing better than a celebration to memorialize the accomplishment.
2. Thank your team. Acknowledge their efforts to ensure success. They worked as hard or maybe even harder than you did. Reward as you are able.
3. Assess performance - review issues and insights. Evaluate them and determine if process or tools can be improved and apply those fixes. Identify and pursue additional training for areas that posed a significant challenge.
4. Clean up project documentation. Make sure files are easily found in the future by those who may be assigned a similar project.
5. Update databases, clean up documentation, and share the success with others in your company.

Hopefully, these items will provide a more complete closure with the team, and minimize the post project letdown that can happen after we deliver a major project.

What other ideas would you have to maintain momentum after delivering a major project?