How Project Management Yields Progress
By Alicia Solis - eGuide Chief of Staff
Setting clear priorities is essential in achieving success in any project, whether it's a personal or professional one. Identifying the most important tasks and allocating resources accordingly helps the focus shift to what matters most and prevents us from getting bogged down by less important tasks. The same can be said about setting the stage for priorities, clients, and your staff. We’ll discuss how covering all of your bases BEFORE you start a project equals success.
Why are project deadlines so important?
When tracking project timelines, you are creating due dates or deadlines as you go for certain aspects of the project. These deadlines facilitate collaboration toward achieving a shared goal, and keep complex, multistage projects on track while setting expectations. Deadlines make clear what we're expected to deliver and when. This means that we can take control of our work, free of confusion.
Prioritizing
If not for a project timeline, chances are, your project may derail one or many times along the way to completion. Prioritizing specific tasks at the get-go can let you know where to put your resources which include people. People are always variable and it is important to set the stage in advance and get buy-in from the start. The most crucial time is right before a project starts!
When is this due?
I’ve worked in organizations in the past where they did not prioritize project planning and most of the staff were left to ‘graze the field’ and then corralled up when there was a fire. For the staff who waited to be told what to do, it was tough on them having to meet tight deadlines and adjust their schedule to complete the project on time. By clearly communicating a project, the plan, who’s involved, important benchmarks to meet, etc., you can combat the added stress that comes with tight turnarounds because you are PREPARING your team for what is to come. Setting the stage for staff involves creating a supportive work environment that fosters collaboration, communication, and accountability while providing clear roles and responsibilities, training opportunities, and feedback that can help build a motivated and engaged team.
Are your clients happy?
Ask yourself - Are my clients happy with the level of service I am giving them? When you get a new client, part of the conversation is what you will be doing for them, and the other part of the conversation is when the client can expect results. Setting the stage for clients involves understanding their needs, expectations, and preferences. It's essential to establish clear communication channels and set realistic expectations for project timelines, deliverables, and budgets. By aligning with the client's goals, businesses can build trust and loyalty, leading to long-term partnerships.
What do we know now…
In summary, setting clear priorities and establishing a strong foundation for projects, clients, and staff are critical factors in achieving success in any project or process. By investing the appropriate time and resources in these areas, organizations can set themselves up for success and achieve the goals they set out to achieve. Leaving things to chance is only an open invitation to potential disaster.
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