Sticking to Project Timelines: The Goal of Every Project Manager!

(Originally posted on LinkedIn)

When taking on a new project, great preparation is key to success in hitting your deadlines...ideally prior to them! Here are some great tips to ensure you're staying on track:

1) Define your deliverable

It may seem simple, but if you don't know what the destination is, how will you know where you need to go and when you need to get there? Ensure the scope of the project is clearly defined before launch.

2) Know your team's strengths and weaknesses

In order to allocate resources effectively to make the most efficient usage of everyone's time to get the most output, take a deep dive into where everyone would best fit in.

3) Create a plan and schedule with realistic timelines

The goal of an effective PM is to set high, yet achievable goals, however, these can seem daunting if you’re looking at the large over-arching task at hand. To excite your team and get them engaged, break things down into smaller tasks and set due dates. This will lead to higher productivity, thus keeping the overall project on track.

4) Practice excellent communication

The only way to execute a plan is to communicate with your team and ensure they know the expectations and deadlines inside and out. Schedule weekly meetings and check ins to stay updated on progress.

5) Anticipate, anticipate, anticipate

Part of leading a project is being able to lean on your team to get things done, however, no one is perfect. Issues are bound to arise. Variables and conditions change along the way, and you'll need to be proactive enough to sense when things are getting off track and adjust accordingly, instead of reacting afterward. Have a contingency plan for each phase and milestone and document any obstacles along the way!

6) Celebrate!

It's imperative to show appreciation for your team when they hit milestones. There's no "I" in team and everyone plays a crucial part of getting the job done. Acknowledge them for what they have accomplished to boost morale and watch productivity sore!