There are many ways to complete even a simple task. If the nature of a task or work is big enough so that several people are working on it to achieve a common objective, it can be termed as a project. In other words, a proposed and planned undertaking can be termed as a project. Most of the times completing a project requires a project manager who can oversee the proceedings until the objectives are met.

Project management is a vast field which can be difficult to understand for novice people. This blog is written with the aim of giving inexperienced people and students of this subject top 10 tips that are related to make a project successful and are also easy to understand.

Dealing with the Details

The foundation of the project on which it is based should be solid and for this you need to consult all the stakeholders. The interests and expectations of the persons involved determines in which direction the project is headed. Thus there are quite a few stakeholders who are important in successfully kick-starting a project.

Developing the project plan and verifying that the goals of the key elements are clearly defined is one task that needs total attention of the project manager. He may take the assistance of a free task management software for help or any other tool so that he is in full command of the proceedings. Establishing measurable success criteria that can include accomplishing tasks on schedule, achieving budget targets, ensuring government/industry regulations, etc. are just some of the details you have to see through in order to start off with full confidence.

Identify Project and Team Requirements

With a strong plan in hand, you can take on the project by amassing an effective project team. A project team according to ITToolkit.com is a working unit of individual parts sharing a common goal and with combined skills to carry out any task. The initial organization is usually the first step towards team success.

The integration of skills of the individuals plus their talents and personalities is also a key requirement. A project manager needs, in addition to a task management tool, to align those personalities, skills and talents and fine tune it according to project’s requirements. Every individual working for the project should be clear about their task and what they will provide eventually upon its completion.

The Project Lead as a Role Model

The project lead has a key role in a project life-cycle. To cultivate good and positive team dynamics by acting as a mentor is what is required by a manager. When it comes to good leadership skills, getting input from the team and major stakeholders in an effective way is most vital one. That’s because all of the situation must be handled by the project lead so he must be familiar with everyone and anticipate correctly what’s going to happen and how to handle it aptly.

Explaining Decisive Project Milestones

The team lead needs to have an eye for the detail and this includes the 4 main phases of initiation, planning, execution and closure. The real job is to evaluate the project at the end of each phase with the deliverables have to be examined closely. Technical documents concerning the project should definitely be on the list of such actions of a lead as a slight change or alteration by anyone concerned can lead to drastic effects.

Calling all Communication Lines

A critical step, checking all the communication lines are open and ready to be used in any case is essential. Acting as the operator, the project manager must act as an operator to make certain the project is headed towards success. Communications must be clear, consistent, honest and open so that the manager is able to perform all his duties knowing that everything is in the right order and every message will be communicated easily and quickly.

Detailed Documentation

Documentation is necessary for many aspects especially getting the signatures from all the stakeholders is one of them. It is a legal requirement too as without authorized signatures the related documents bear no authenticity. The documents should be in-line with any methodology like agile project management methodology. The related documentation and communication should be maintained at all times as making sure the project is completed within the time frame initially agreed upon and under the budget.

Manage Project Risks

The risk in any project is a foregone conclusion. Anything bad can happen and this tip alone can make a person manage a project with élan. The experience of the project manager in using some task management system can be of help but managing risks is all about keeping it at a minimum and making enough effort so that if an unfavorable situation arises, there are certain processes or procedures in line to cope up with that easily.

Making Certain that Scope Creep is Evaded

This tip is important especially for people who know project management really well because novice and intermediate users will find it difficult. Anyway, the scope creep is concerned with new elements being added to a project that already has been approved. This can be a real mess for a project manager because there are multiple shades to this issue which can be problematic.

The main issue dealing with scope creep is that in-spite of having added files, no consideration is given to increase the budget thus adding further time to the schedule and eventually more resources to compensate for the revised project. This is the real test of the character for the manager with proper documentation the key to his rescue with the signature of all the stakeholders on them for the changes before proceeding.

Test Deliverables

The deliverables should be tested at every critical milestone so that the final project is perfectly according to the requirements. The lead of the project has to make sure that final product or the project is coming along as planned. At the end of the project, the deliverables must meet or exceed the client’s expectations or needs so that the manager shouldn’t be embarrassed at the eleventh hour.

The final phase which is the closure marks the end of the project and is a sign of great achievement for the entire team but above all the project manager. Being the lead, your goal should be to make your client happy and satisfied with your work.

Evaluation of the Project

The lessons you have learned along the way right from the first step of dealing with the details to the last one are priceless. These lessons help you in your future endeavors and help the project manager in making a great project with minimum errors and not facing difficult scenarios often. Comparing the planned ROI with actual ROI is one step in which a person can understand the level of the success achieved.

Conclusion

Gaining valuable knowledge regarding the project’s success is one way to make sure you are on your way for a successful career in project management. So the next time you are leading a project or helping someone in it, keep these tips in mind for a much better result.