Keep Your Projects on Track : Managing Through the Holidays

When a holiday season approaches – now in Europe or over Xmas in the Southern Hemisphere - it’s essential for companies to balance the benefits of employee downtime with the need to maintain project momentum. While holidays are crucial for rest and recharging, they can also pose a risk to project timelines and outcomes if not managed effectively. Senior leaders often face the challenge of schedule slippage due to vacations and unexpected absences. However, with careful planning and sound management, these disruptions can be minimised.

Well-run projects are always looking ahead, ensuring that all tasks are planned and resources allocated well in advance. This foresight increases the certainty that targets will be met, even during periods when key team members are away. By avoiding periods of complete inactivity and maintaining momentum, you can ensure your project stays on track. Consider these strategies and navigate the holiday season effectively.

1. Dig for Detail, Early

This includes all those things that relate to scope, timeframe, resourcing, dependencies and above all else, the business outcomes. Peel those layers and levels of interest, commitment and motivators. Who wants what, when, where and why. A lot will be documented, a lot more will not. Uncovering the key drivers and influencers at this point reduces the risk of delay later.

2. Avoid Periods of Complete Inactivity

Complete inactivity is detrimental to project progress. Instead, be clear on essential activities and plan ahead so they can continue. This may involve scheduling critical tasks before or after the holiday period or ensuring key people are not off at the same time. Having sufficient coverage of the necessary skills available to maintain some level of activity and make decisions, helps you avoid the delays and rework that can accompany longer breaks.

3. Establish Logical Breakpoints

Holidays are never a surprise. There are bank or public holidays, religious holidays, national event holidays, and annual holidays that are approved in advance. Many of these differ by country. Capture them all and review against the schedule of work and the skills and equipment needed to deliver it. Will stopping something mid-task delay other tasks or create rework when restarted? What can be paused, rescheduled, or reallocated? Move things around where possible to maximise productivity and minimise rework. While you’re at it, don’t forget to consider the wider business and cross-functional implications.

4. Plan Ahead and Monitor Metrics

Effective planning involves looking well ahead and ensuring that metrics and information are actionable rather than just feel-good data. Instead of simply monitoring progress, assess whether the metrics provide the insights needed to make informed decisions. You might not need more information, but you may need different. Mix up the metrics to help you identify potential issues before they become critical and adjust plans proactively.

5. Use Holidays to Audit and Realign

Holidays can be an opportunity to take stock and assess project status, practices, expectations, and continued alignment with the business plan and strategy. Use this time for a short, sharp audit to check for any gaps or to identify areas for improvement. Set out a roadmap that will move the project and the team towards excellence. By reflecting on current progress and planning for the future, you can ensure that the project remains on track and aligned with broader business goals.

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Holidays don’t have to mean project delays. By avoiding the out-of-office trap you can keep your projects moving and ensure targets are met. Making smart, informed decisions will help you balance the need for downtime with the demands of project schedules and expected outcomes.

Don’t let another holiday season trip you up. Could you benefit from an intensive intervention or tailored guidance? Discover more by messaging me direct using the word “Discovery” and let’s talk.