How to successfully lead teams and set deadlines in the tech world
FadoniTech
We're a software boutique that integrates seamlessly with your in-house team. We're pros at flexibility and scalability.
Effective leadership is essential for planning, overseeing possible blockers, and completing projects successfully. However, leading a team of developers is no easy task.
As a project manager and software developer, I passed through many struggles with planning/executing. That's why I shared in this article a few tips and tricks on how to estimate and lead projects. So, you can ensure that your project is completed on time and to a high standard.
Define clear goals and objectives - (Why/How/When)
Before starting a project, defining clear goals and objectives is crucial. This helps to ensure that everyone on the team is working towards the same end goal. When defining project goals, it's important to be specific and define key KPIs. This makes it easier to track progress and ensure that the project is on track.
Furthermore, it's key to listen to the team's feedback and discuss the metrics and expectations for that particular project. I can not express enough, communication is key.
Besides, it's important to tackle the main questions Why, How, and When.
Break the project down into smaller tasks
Breaking the project down into smaller, more manageable tasks can reduce the risk of delays. This approach allows team members to focus on smaller pieces of the project rather than trying to tackle the project as a whole. Breaking the project down also makes it easier to track progress and identify any potential roadblocks or issues. As you might have already heard over and over again, SCRUM.
At FadoniTech, we measure each separate goal and task by a number, normally ranging from 1 to 5. Each specific number has a time related to it. For instance, "2" means a couple of work hours (1-3 hours) while "5" means an entire week of work. As a result, at the end of each week, we can measure how much our team got done and consequently train our team to be more precise in estimations.
Note: Do not focus too much on long meetings, but more on task descriptions and designs. At the end of the day, the more specific the faster it gets completed.
Assign tasks based on strengths
Assigning tasks to team members based on their strengths can help to ensure that tasks are completed efficiently and to a high standard. When assigning tasks, it's important to consider each team member's skillset and experience. This can help to ensure that each task is assigned to the most qualified team member.
Nevertheless, if you feel your team is falling behind on a certain task or that it might be taking more time than expected. We normally have two approaches, the first is reassignment or group collaboration, and the other is evaluating if this specific task should be broken out into smaller ones or just delayed.
Remember as a team leader, it's your responsibility to define priorities and what should/shouldn't delay launches.
Note: The game here is not to push developers beyond burnout, but to precisely make their life easier.
Encourage communication and collaboration
Effective communication and collaboration are essential for any successful project. Encouraging open communication and collaboration between team members can help to foster a positive and productive work environment. When team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and feedback, it can lead to better results and a more successful project.
It's important to hear everyone's opinion in a safe environment. So, if there are any delays, problems, or challenges no one will be afraid of speaking out. The days of "pressure/repression" management are over.
Set realistic deadlines
Setting realistic deadlines is crucial for ensuring that the project is completed on time. It's important to be realistic when setting deadlines and to consider each task's complexity and the team's workload. Unrealistic deadlines can lead to stress and burnout, which can negatively impact your team's capabilities.
Realistic deadlines can vary widely from each team, that's why it's important to set a realistic metric to measure the capabilities of your team. Obviously, there will be times these KPIs fall, so just pay attention to the circles and behaviors.
For example, at FadoniTech we noticed that whenever you start a new project our team tends to have a period of adaptation. Where our metrics show fewer tasks being delivered, but in reality, our team members are working a lot more to adapt faster.
Monitor progress
Monitoring progress regularly can help ensure the project is on track and identify any potential issues early on. Regular check-ins can help to keep everyone on the same page and ensure that each team member is aware of the project's progress. It's important to address any issues or roadblocks as soon as possible to ensure the project stays on track.
A lot of companies opt for the SCRUM approach, be aware to not fall into the gap of SCRUM-WATERFALL. Dailies are good, but meetings are not essential. So, pay attention not to spend hours on Planning, Grooming, and Dailies sessions. Sometimes, just a Slack channel for standup is enough.
In conclusion, leading a team of developers can be challenging, but with the right approach, it can be a rewarding and successful experience. Defining clear goals and objectives, breaking the project down into smaller tasks, assigning tasks based on strengths, encouraging communication and collaboration, setting realistic deadlines, and monitoring progress regularly are all important factors in successfully leading a team of developers and defining deadlines.
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