Tips for successful project management

Article text:

Most people can do project management, however, try these tips to be even more successful... Add repeating reminders to:

Other things are to:

Clearly define what is in scope, and what isn't
Re-use information and tools from existing projects - it will save time
Use a project control document which contains information you collect as you go along - send this out with your weekly reminder
Maintain a task list that people feel they can easily contribute to - spreadsheets are good for this, MS Project usually aren't
Whenever a task is identified - assign one person (only) the responsibility of completing the task, and always push for a delivery date. If you assign more than one person the responsibility, you'll need more effort to get the task completed
Issue meetings minutes after every meeting, even if there's only one item discussed. This will ensure that people can refer to them later, to see what has been agreed. It also gives the customer the opportunity to correct any mis-communication
Always fully describe the business and technical requirements
At the end of each meeting - schedule the next one
If you need to work on a critical task - book time in your diary to do it.
Use e-mails to update people, or to contact them when they're not available - not to ask for something. Use the phone more often.
Find out, know, and follow the procedures - but bend the rules when appropriate
At the end of the project, do a de-brief. What could have been done better? What was good?

webBRIEFCASE manages successful projects and uses these tips effectively, finding them to be essential. Contact us [ Hide extra ]