Project management as a leader

As managers, working on projects is an integral part of our lives. While it shouldn’t be the norm, navigating these projects to success can be challenging at times. The crux of the issue is that we are expected to set the direction, and we can’t simply rely on goodwill to drive outcomes.

What’s the Deal

The primary responsibility of a project manager is to ensure a project is completed on time and within budget. Various factors—both internal and external—can derail a project, and by nature, they are often unplanned. However, proactive steps can be taken to minimize disruptions and keep the project on track.

Planning is Key

Effective planning and preparation can keep your project in prime condition even before it kicks off, helping to lessen the impact of disruptions that could otherwise throw even the best-laid plans off course. Taking the time to prepare adequately can also ensure you’re ready to tackle unforeseen challenges quickly and efficiently.

Gather all project details upfront; investing time in planning is far more beneficial than trying to recover from mistakes later on.

Define the Scope Together: Success is a Team Effort

A comprehensive project scope, approved by all stakeholders, is essential. Make sure the scope outlines milestones, a detailed timeline, and a budget that sufficiently covers all required work.

Getting everything documented at the project’s outset lays a solid foundation. While change is inevitable, staying vigilant and reporting deviations from the original plan is crucial to prevent disaster, especially in cases of “scope creep”—where additional requests turn a manageable project into something much larger than anticipated. As one of my managers wisely said, we aim for execution, not interpretation.

Set Realistic Expectations

Aligning all stakeholders and project members on expectations can be challenging but is entirely achievable. A well-known saying goes: “You can have two of the three: good, fast, cheap. You CAN’T have all three.”

Ensure that every team member, including the client, understands the project’s limitations. Completing a task on time and on budget is possible if expectations are set reasonably. Starting a project with unrealistic expectations can lead to predetermined failure, so focus on defining and communicating what can realistically be achieved. It’s better to admit challenges early than to face significant issues later.

Measure and Monitor

How can you gauge your project’s success without clear metrics? Establish milestones, particularly for long-term endeavors, to track alignment with project goals.

Implement checkpoints for both your internal team and customer stakeholders. Don’t wait until the end to gather customer feedback; doing so could result in significant rework if the client isn’t satisfied.

Choosing the Right Team Members

Ensure you gather the right human resources and align their skills with the required roles. This is a critical first step: assigning the wrong person to a task can severely impact your chances of success right from the start.

Clarify expectations for each team member and encourage them to ask questions whenever they’re uncertain. Open and clear communication is vital.

Embrace Your Leadership Role

As you manage a project, it’s essential to step into your role confidently and not let any team member overshadow your authority. Your job is to empower your team members—be a leader, coach, mentor, and motivator. Coordinate with others, but remember that it’s your role to steer the project.

Provide calm, strong leadership, especially during turbulent times. Being a great leader when stress levels rise is challenging, but it’s precisely when your team needs you the most.

Manage Project Risks

Identifying potential risks during the planning stage is crucial. When they occur, having a record of contingency plans means you’ll be prepared. When you anticipate risks, you can take preventative measures to avoid them or act quickly to correct them.

Evaluate the Project After Completion

Once the project wraps up, creating an “after-the-fact” report is important for internal purposes. This allows you to assess what went well, identify areas for improvement, and understand what could have been achieved differently.